Southern gospel's Kingdom Heirs man Steve French dies in double suicide
THE SOUTHERN gospel world is still reeling with the revelation that Steve French, formerly a singer and manager of Southern gospel favourites Kingdom Heirs, died with his girlfriend on 22nd June when the couple jumped to their deaths from the bridge over the New River Gorge. French had sung baritone with the group from 1982 to 2014 before it was announced that French was retiring from Kingdom Heirs. It was later revealed that French had left his wife of 33 years and started a relationship with Lindsey Hudson, aged 29. Meanwhile the Kingdom Heirs have continued to perform at Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park and tour during the off-season. Lead singer of the group Arthur Rice is currently president of the Southern Gospel Music Association.
Steve French, former baritone singer and founding member of The Kingdom heirs, has passed away on June 22. He was 57 years-old. In what early evidence appears to be a double suicide in West Virginia. Police in Fayette County have tentatively identified the two people who jumped from the New River Gorge Bridge last week as Lindsey Hudson, 29, and Steve French, 57, both of Tennessee.
French was the emcee, owner, and a founding member of the Kingdom Heirs. Born in Mascot, Tennessee, French and his brother, Kreis, founded the group in 1981; both began performing musically at their church. He previously traveled with regional groups the Crystal River Boys and the King's Servants.
In 2002, French and his brother faced the task of replacing three key group members who had all resigned at the same time. Through skillful additions when necessary, they have managed to keep the group a fan favorite. In addition to his past responsibilities with the Kingdom Heirs, he had served on the board of directors for the National Quartet Convention.
Sevierville Police Department Public Information Officer Bob Stalhke said the couple had active capias warrants for their arrests. A capias warrant is typically issued when someone fails to appear for court. However, Stalhke would not confirm what charges led to the warrants.
Police said the couple was traveling in a car which belonged to Lindsey Hudson's father.
THE SOUTHERN gospel world is still reeling with the revelation that Steve French, formerly a singer and manager of Southern gospel favourites Kingdom Heirs, died with his girlfriend on 22nd June when the couple jumped to their deaths from the bridge over the New River Gorge. French had sung baritone with the group from 1982 to 2014 before it was announced that French was retiring from Kingdom Heirs. It was later revealed that French had left his wife of 33 years and started a relationship with Lindsey Hudson, aged 29. Meanwhile the Kingdom Heirs have continued to perform at Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park and tour during the off-season. Lead singer of the group Arthur Rice is currently president of the Southern Gospel Music Association.
Steve French, former baritone singer and founding member of The Kingdom heirs, has passed away on June 22. He was 57 years-old. In what early evidence appears to be a double suicide in West Virginia. Police in Fayette County have tentatively identified the two people who jumped from the New River Gorge Bridge last week as Lindsey Hudson, 29, and Steve French, 57, both of Tennessee.
French was the emcee, owner, and a founding member of the Kingdom Heirs. Born in Mascot, Tennessee, French and his brother, Kreis, founded the group in 1981; both began performing musically at their church. He previously traveled with regional groups the Crystal River Boys and the King's Servants.
In 2002, French and his brother faced the task of replacing three key group members who had all resigned at the same time. Through skillful additions when necessary, they have managed to keep the group a fan favorite. In addition to his past responsibilities with the Kingdom Heirs, he had served on the board of directors for the National Quartet Convention.
Sevierville Police Department Public Information Officer Bob Stalhke said the couple had active capias warrants for their arrests. A capias warrant is typically issued when someone fails to appear for court. However, Stalhke would not confirm what charges led to the warrants.
Police said the couple was traveling in a car which belonged to Lindsey Hudson's father.
Southern gospel's Kingdom Heirs man Steve French dies in double suicide
THE SOUTHERN gospel world is still reeling with the revelation that Steve French, formerly a singer and manager of Southern gospel favourites Kingdom Heirs, died with his girlfriend on 22nd June when the couple jumped to their deaths from the bridge over the New River Gorge. French had sung baritone with the group from 1982 to 2014 before it was announced that French was retiring from Kingdom Heirs. It was later revealed that French had left his wife of 33 years and started a relationship with Lindsey Hudson, aged 29. Meanwhile the Kingdom Heirs have continued to perform at Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park and tour during the off-season. Lead singer of the group Arthur Rice is currently president of the Southern Gospel Music Association.
Steve French, former baritone singer and founding member of The Kingdom heirs, has passed away on June 22. He was 57 years-old. In what early evidence appears to be a double suicide in West Virginia. Police in Fayette County have tentatively identified the two people who jumped from the New River Gorge Bridge last week as Lindsey Hudson, 29, and Steve French, 57, both of Tennessee.
French was the emcee, owner, and a founding member of the Kingdom Heirs. Born in Mascot, Tennessee, French and his brother, Kreis, founded the group in 1981; both began performing musically at their church. He previously traveled with regional groups the Crystal River Boys and the King's Servants.
In 2002, French and his brother faced the task of replacing three key group members who had all resigned at the same time. Through skillful additions when necessary, they have managed to keep the group a fan favorite. In addition to his past responsibilities with the Kingdom Heirs, he had served on the board of directors for the National Quartet Convention.
Sevierville Police Department Public Information Officer Bob Stalhke said the couple had active capias warrants for their arrests. A capias warrant is typically issued when someone fails to appear for court. However, Stalhke would not confirm what charges led to the warrants.
Police said the couple was traveling in a car which belonged to Lindsey Hudson's father.
THE SOUTHERN gospel world is still reeling with the revelation that Steve French, formerly a singer and manager of Southern gospel favourites Kingdom Heirs, died with his girlfriend on 22nd June when the couple jumped to their deaths from the bridge over the New River Gorge. French had sung baritone with the group from 1982 to 2014 before it was announced that French was retiring from Kingdom Heirs. It was later revealed that French had left his wife of 33 years and started a relationship with Lindsey Hudson, aged 29. Meanwhile the Kingdom Heirs have continued to perform at Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park and tour during the off-season. Lead singer of the group Arthur Rice is currently president of the Southern Gospel Music Association.
Steve French, former baritone singer and founding member of The Kingdom heirs, has passed away on June 22. He was 57 years-old. In what early evidence appears to be a double suicide in West Virginia. Police in Fayette County have tentatively identified the two people who jumped from the New River Gorge Bridge last week as Lindsey Hudson, 29, and Steve French, 57, both of Tennessee.
French was the emcee, owner, and a founding member of the Kingdom Heirs. Born in Mascot, Tennessee, French and his brother, Kreis, founded the group in 1981; both began performing musically at their church. He previously traveled with regional groups the Crystal River Boys and the King's Servants.
In 2002, French and his brother faced the task of replacing three key group members who had all resigned at the same time. Through skillful additions when necessary, they have managed to keep the group a fan favorite. In addition to his past responsibilities with the Kingdom Heirs, he had served on the board of directors for the National Quartet Convention.
Sevierville Police Department Public Information Officer Bob Stalhke said the couple had active capias warrants for their arrests. A capias warrant is typically issued when someone fails to appear for court. However, Stalhke would not confirm what charges led to the warrants.
Police said the couple was traveling in a car which belonged to Lindsey Hudson's father.
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