The Christian and Gospel music world is sad about losing three members of the famous Southern Gospel group, The Nelons. This much-loved gospel music family had a deadly plane crash on July 26, 2024, while going to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, the pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa all died. The National Transportation Safety Board is looking into it.
Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband Jamie Streetman weren’t on the plane. They got to Seattle safely and were told about the crash. They went to the hotel where artists were with Bill and Gloria Gaither. They prayed, sang and hugged Autumn and Jamie in their sadness. They promised to help with whatever they need.
The Nelons were a big part of Southern Gospel music. They mixed gospel, acapella, hymns, Americana, folk and inspiring music. They were put into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016 for their long history..
They got 35 GMA Dove Award nominations in their career. In 2021, they won Country/Bluegrass/Roots Recorded Song of the year for “If God Pulled Back The Curtain.” They also performed on the Dove Awards stage a lot over the years. In 2022, Kelly and Autumn did a great performance of “Working On A Building” with other Southern Gospel women.
GMA President Jackie Patillo said, “The GMA and our whole music group are sad about the loss of Jason, Kelly and Amber and the others in the plane crash. Our best wishes and prayers are with Autumn and the Nelon family. They’ll always be remembered in the GMA Hall of Fame.”