Gospel group Karen Peck & New River to perform March 25 at Heritage Christian Center

Heritage Christian Center in Ottawa will host a concert by the Grammy-nominated gospel group Karen Peck & New River on March 25.

Karen Peck Gooch, the lead singer for Karen Peck & New River, is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The group has earned six Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. The group has produced several radio hits on the Southern Gospel Music charts, including 19 No. 1 hits. Their song “Four Days Late” was named Song of the Decade for 2000-2010 by The Singing News Magazine. Many of the group’s hit releases were written or co-written by Gooch.

A leader among the Southern Gospel Music industry, Gooch has served on the Board of Directors for Abraham Productions, an events promotions company that promotes multiple Christian music cruises and concerts each year. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern Gospel Music Association, including two terms as president. In 2012, she was the recipient of the Susan Unthank Memorial Award, presented by AbsolutelyGospel.com, honoring women for major contributions to Southern Gospel Music. Gooch also serves as co-host of the weekly TV program “Gospel Music, USA,” which showcases many of the leading names in Southern Gospel Music.

In 2012, Karen was afforded the opportunity to transition from music to movies when she enjoyed a feature role in the film “Joyful Noise,” which starred Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. Gooch was the lead singer on the movie soundtrack’s song “Mighty High.” In 2014, Gooch landed a role in “Redeemed,” starring Ted McGinley, Grant Goodeve and Teri Copley.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, March 25, at Heritage Christian Center, 900 Hitt St., Ottawa. For information about the event, call HCC at 815-434-0507 or email hcc900hitt@gmail.com.