As I read through the heartwarming story of Amber Nelon and her journey to motherhood with her husband Nathan Kistler, I can’t help but be in awe of their resilience and determination. Their struggle with infertility is something that many women go through, and yet, it’s a topic that often remains shrouded in silence.
The Nelons lived, breathed and sang their faith.
For over a decade now, I, an ardent fan, have been privileged to follow the musical journey of the Clark family. This dynamic trio – Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and their daughters Amber Nelon Kistler and Autumn Nelon Streetman – is the most recent chapter in a family-rooted gospel group that was initially established by Kelly’s father, Rex Nelon, back in the 1970s. The timeless harmony and spiritual resonance they create together never fail to move me!
Since 2017, they had been making a strong showing at the Absolutely Gospel Awards. Notably, Kelly, who began performing with her father as a child, received a Lifetime Achievement Award that year. In 2021, Jason was recognized as Producer of the Year, and in 2022, Autumn was bestowed the Female Vocalist of the Year award – an accolade her sister had claimed in 2014.
After a tragic plane crash on July 26, only She remains among the living members of the Georgia-based quartet. The fatal accident claimed the lives of Kelly (age 64), Jason (age 35), Amber, and her husband Nathan Kistler (both 34). Additionally, the band’s assistant Melodi Hodges and the pilot, Larry Haynie, along with his wife Melissa Haynie, lost their lives in this unfortunate incident.
I’m grateful for the prayers that have been offered to my husband Jamie, me, and our upcoming baby boy, as well as Dan and Linda Clark. Your prayers mean a lot to us during this time. Please keep them coming as we face the challenges ahead. We value your love and support.
1. Option: Kelly, Jason, and Amber had been heading towards Seattle, planning to embark on the Alaska-bound Gaither Homecoming Cruise. They were traveling with four companions, including the pilot, aboard a single-engine Pilatus PC-12 which took flight from Georgia on July 26, as per flight records. The aircraft made a stop in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and was flying towards Billings, Montana, when it met an accident in a secluded region near Gillette, Wyoming.
Upon reaching their hotel during autumn and her husband Jamie Streetman’s separate travels, as reported by Gaither Management Group, Bill and Gloria Gaithers, fellow artists and company founders, came together to offer comfort. They prayed, sang songs, and provided a loving embrace to the grieving couple before they set off for home to face the challenging tasks that awaited them.
Among the most important duties is determining how to honor Autumn’s mother, sister, and stepfather – the musical family who tragically passed away while pursuing more time to create music together.
Here are more details about The Nelons:
Who are The Nelons?
For two decades, Rex Nelon, a well-known Southern gospel singer, contributed his rich bass vocals to the esteemed group, The LeFevres. Originating from Tennessee, this musical clan can be traced back to the 1920s.
In 1977, Rex – a native of Asheville, North Carolina, who later made his home in Georgia – purchased the retiring LeFevres’ musical group and renamed it the Rex Nelon Singers.
In the late 50s, Kelly, the daughter of Rex and his first wife Shirley, began performing songs with her father when she turned 13. The duo went by the name Rex Nelon Singers. From 1977 to 1981, Janet Paschal became a part of their group. After Janet’s departure, Karen Peck took over as their soprano singer until 1990.
I joined the Rex Nelon Singers in 1979 when I got married to Jerry Thompson.
Back in the 1980s, my dear friends The Nelons began their musical journey. Around that time, Karen was an essential member of the group, but she eventually left. In response, her brother Todd, who had been our skillful bassist beforehand, stepped into a new role as a lead singer.
1. In the realm of Southern gospel music, they were known for being forward-thinking; among their most popular hits during that time were “We Shall Behold the King,” “When I Put on My Royal Robe and Crown,” and “Exit this Valley.”
1991 saw the album “Let the Redeemed Say So” by The Nelons being up for a Grammy in the category of Best Southern Gospel Album.
Rex retired from his namesake group in 1998.
1. In January 2000, he suffered a sudden heart attack at the age of 68, which happened in London during his recording sessions for the Gaither Homecoming Tour.
Who was Kelly Nelon Clark?
During her travels with The Nelons, Kelly also released multiple solo albums. These included “Her Father’s Child” in 1983, “Praise Him Now” in 1985, “Called By Love” in 1988, “KNT” in 1990, and “Steadfast Heart” in 1992.
Kelly had daughters Amber and Autumn with Jerry before their divorce in 1998. (Jerry died in 2020.)
In the meantime, Jason Clark became the Nelons‘ bassist in 1995, and his father Dan Clark, who sang, joined them in 1998.
In 2001, my husband and I, Jason and I, tied the knot. Around the same time, Dan, who was previously in our band, stepped down, and Amber gracefully joined us as our soprano. By 2002, she had become an integral part of The Nelons trio. Fast forward to 2014; Autumn started performing with us more frequently, eventually making the decision to join us full-time.
Over the course of her career, Kelly received several accolades. Notably, she was titled Favorite Alto at the Christian Voice Awards in the year 2009. In 2010, she earned the distinction of being named Favorite Female Vocalist at the same awards.
Who was Amber Nelon Kistler?
13 years old, Amber joined The Nelons as a dedicated member, mirroring her mother’s path. However, she nurtured dreams of being a solo artist too. In 2011, she bravely auditioned for American Idol.
In 2012 at a church gathering, Kelly shared with the audience how she sought guidance from a spiritual advisor when Amber expressed interest in joining the show for the first time.
She shared, “I spoke with our pastor, and he advised, ‘Just keep going until God intervenes.’ So that’s what we did. We discovered we could travel to Austin, Texas, so we packed up like the Clampetts from ‘Beverly Hillbillies.'”
10,000 aspirants lined up in Austin, and among them, Amber was the pioneer who showcased her talent, grabbing the coveted golden ticket to Hollywood. We all believed that moment would be the defining one.
According to her mother, Amber’s progression wasn’t what one would expect at first, but eventually she reached the stage where she was performing in front of judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler.
In the end, according to Kelly, Amber failed to reach Hollywood due to her unwillingness to relinquish her strong religious beliefs and adapt to the show’s requirements, despite her expressed readiness to sing uplifting songs.
Setting foot in the recording studio all by myself, I proudly brought my solo album “Just Sing” to life in 2014. To my great joy and gratitude, it was recognized as Progressive Album of the Year at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. Additionally, I was humbled and honored to receive the title of Female Vocalist of the Year during that same event.
In May 2018, Amber publicly shared her happy news: she was getting married to Nathan Kistler, the head of politically-inclined ministry Hope to the Hill. She put up two pictures on Facebook – one displaying her engagement ring, and the other not – with playful captions, “Let’s guess…#surprise” and “Can you tell which one is different?”
Jason Stepdad spoke through Absolutely Gospel, expressing his delight: “Kelly Nelon Clark and I extend heartfelt congratulations to our daughter and her fiancé, Nathan Kistler. We’ve known Nathan since he was thirteen when his family preached at our church. Nathan is a thoughtful, modest young man with an impressive work ethic. We are deeply grateful for him becoming part of our loved ones.”
The couple tied the knot on April 22, 2019.
1. Throughout their adventure, Nathan and Amber regularly posted updates on social media. However, in a YouTube video released in February 2023, they revealed that, after battling infertility for years (Amber experienced an ectopic pregnancy resulting in the loss of twins in 2021), they decided to pursue In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
1. Option A: They stated that they needed grants since insurance in Georgia didn’t cover the expensive procedure.
As a lifestyle expert, I understand the importance of prioritizing health and well-being. Recently, my doctors have shared some concerning news with me – we’re running out of time for certain medical procedures. This isn’t the news any of us wanted to hear, but it’s a reality we must face. We need to act swiftly and make these important steps towards better health within the next few months. Let’s embrace this challenge as an opportunity to prioritize our well-being and live our best lives.
Amber posted in June 2023 that she’d just had her last injection.
I firmly believe that going through the experience of infertility is something that few can truly understand or empathize with, unless they have lived it themselves. It’s a deeply personal and emotional journey filled with hope, disappointment, and resilience. The pain of longing to start a family, yet facing the reality of not being able to conceive naturally, can be all-consuming. I applaud those women who bravely share their stories, offering comfort and solidarity to others in similar situations. Their experiences serve as a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, and that there is strength and compassion in acknowledging the challenges we face. Let us continue to support each other through this journey, and remind one another that our worth is not defined by our ability to bear children.
1. Amber’s latest Instagram updates show that she acquired a new pup named George on Independence Day (July 4), expressing her joy with “Best Day Ever! Happy 4th!” Additionally, she shared news about The Nelons’ newly released single titled “There’s a Hole in the Heart.”
Who is Autumn Nelon Streetman?
Autumn, an alto like her mom, married fellow singer Jamie Streetman on Sept. 19, 2023.
The couple are expecting their first child together, a son they’ve already named Rhett James.
In a post dated June 28, Autumn shared, “A year ago, we were making plans to get married; now, we’re halfway through my pregnancy and eagerly anticipating the arrival of our son. Time certainly flies!”
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2024-07-30 00:48