Arden, North Carolina (August 19, 2025) — “This year is a huge milestone for the Kingdom Heirs,” says Dennis Murphy of the legendary Southern Gospel quartet in which he’s served as drummer for more than 35 years. “Not only have we been in full-time gospel music for 40 years, but we’re also celebrating 40 consecutive seasons at Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.”
To celebrate, the Sonlite Records artists are offering up Fortieth Anniversary, a collection of newly recorded favorites plucked from the vaults, including three of their most beloved numbers — “He Lifted Me, “I’ve Passed Over” and “He Locked The Gates” — seamlessly blended into a medley filled with the joy of salvation from first note to last.
The album is now available for pre-save/add ahead of its October 10 release.
“Many people may not realize that we were already in place at the park before it became Dollywood,” Murphy notes. “We started as a part-time gospel act during the early 80’s when it was Silver Dollar City, and after a couple of years singing on weekends and special events throughout the season, management offered us the full-time position in 1985. This has been an incredible way for us to share the gospel with people from all over the world. Our theater seats a thousand and we have the opportunity to sing to more people than we could ever reach traveling full time.”
Inspired by the opportunity to share their musical ministry with audiences from around the world — a blend of one-time visitors and season pass regulars — the Kingdom Heirs have built a songbook second to none. Not surprising, then, that musical variety abounds on Fortieth Anniversary, where plenty of classic quartet numbers are leavened with a country waltz (“I’ll Know I’m Home”), a simmering, soulful “Jesus Made A Believer Out Of Me,” a gentle yet intense ballad (“My Anchor Of Hope”) and more — each a powerful, upbeat testimony to the redemptive power of Christian faith.
“During our forty years we’ve been very fortunate to have some incredibly talented men come through the group,” enthuses Murphy. “We bring an entertaining, high-energy performance to the stage every time the curtain opens, presenting the gospel with incredible songs, talented vocals, and an award-winning live band. Our current line-up of guys is, without a doubt, a crowd favorite, so Fortieth Anniversary is a classic sounding Kingdom Heirs compilation with new voices, and we have reached way back in our catalogue to revive these hits from the last 25 years.
“Some of you will remember every song while others will be hearing them for the first time. As we share these songs, we are reminded that our music has become the institution which allows us to keep singing and sharing the gospel. We’re excited for everyone to live these songs again and be reminded of our rich history of amazing music and amazing writers. The hearts that have been touched and lives that have been changed will never be known this side of heaven!”
Pre-save/add Fortieth Anniversary HERE.
About The Kingdom Heirs
From the Mountains of East Tennessee, Southern Gospel Music fills the air and is the home of The Kingdom Heirs, one of Southern Gospel Music’s top Male Quartets. The group started performing in local churches and concert halls and as their music and message spread to a wider audience, so did their popularity and demand. Later in 1982, they began singing at the Silver Dollar City theme park, which is now Dollywood. In 1986 when the theme park took on their new name, The Kingdom Heirs were asked to become the resident gospel group and now this year, both The Kingdom Heirs and Dollywood will be celebrating 38 years. Not only are they one of Dollywood’s favorites, but a favorite to millions everywhere.
The Kingdom Heirs, who record for Sonlite Records, have been nominated many times for industry awards such as The SGMA Awards, Dove Awards, and The Singing News Fan Awards. Winning Newcomer Group of the Year in 1989, the group has been a constant favorite. They won 2017 Band of the Year, which the band also won in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. They have also had many top ten songs, and currently have had 40 top 5 songs in a row and 11 number 1 songs including their number #1 song, “I’ll Know I’m Home,” “The Borrowed Tomb,” “Just Beyond The Sunset,” (Nominated for Song of the Year) “Just Preach Jesus,” (Nominated for Song of the Year) “Tell Me Why,” and “He Locked The Gates.” Two songs “The Chain Gang” and “Pieces” were nominated for a Dove award, off of their highly successful album, “A New Look” were nominated for a Dove Award in 2016. Their album “The Last Big Thing” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Charts. They have had over 29 songs nominated for Song of the Year. With a nine-month schedule performing to thousands of people a year at Dollywood, the group also tours for eight weeks, January through March.