SGC - The Hoppers

The Hoppers

Current Members

Baritone: Claude Hopper

Alto: Connie Hopper

Lead: Dean Hopper

Soprano: Kim Hopper

Alto: Karlye Hopper

Bass Guitar: Mike Hopper

Current Album: Honor The First Families of Gospel Music.

The Hoppers History

The Hoppers began traveling in 1957 under the name "The Hopper Brothers." The group consist of four brothers Will Hopper, Steve Hopper, Claude Hopper, and Monroe Hopper. The group originated in the small farm town of Madison, NC. The Group added Connie Shelton in 1958 to play piano. A short time later the group became known as "The Hopper Brothers and Connie." Claude and Connie married in 1961.
In 1970 the group began traveling full time this now leads to more than six decades of southern gospel music for this family. Roger Talley joined the group in 1974 to play piano and remained with the group until 1983. Rogers wife , Debra, and brother, Kirk, were also members of the Hopper Brothers and Connie at different times. They started signing as a family trio in 1983 after their departure from The Hopper Brothers and Connie.
Kim Hopper (Greene) of joined the group in 1989 after marrying Dean Hopper, son of Claude and Connie. Kim joining the group has lead to the longest lineup of consistent members for the hoppers. This lineup included Claude, Connie, Mike, Dean, and Kim. The next big addition to the group would come around 2016 when Karlye Hopper, daughter of Kim and Dean appeared on the 2016 album titled "Life Is Good."
The Hoppers have been hailed as the Americas favorite family of gospel music. When one looks at their list of accolades and awards they will see many awards attributed to the various members of the group and the group as a whole. The Hoppers have performed across the United States as well as internationally in Europe, Israel, and Africa.

Group Members

Tenor

Will Hopper: 1957 - 1982
Greg Bentley: 1984 - 1989
Kirk Talley: Unknown

Lead

Steve Hopper: 1957 - 1970; 1976 - 1977
Rex Foster: 1970 -1971

Dean Hopper: 1982 - Present

Soprano

Debra Talley: 1978 - 1983
Sharon Watts: 1984 - 1986
Kim Hopper: 1989 - Present

Alto

Connie Hopper: 1958 - Present

Karyle Hopper: 201? - Present

Baritone

Claude Hopper: 1957 - Present

Bass

Monroe Hopper: 1957 - 1972

Lee Chilton: 1972 - 1975

Pianist

Connie Hopper: 1958 - 1970
Johnny Porrazo: 1971 - 1974
Roger Talley: 1974 - 1983
Shannon Childress: 1985 - 1998
Denice Hopper: 1998 - 2003
Josh Simpson: 2003 - 2004
Lewis Wells: 2005 - ????

Josh Simpson: Unknown

Trevor Conkle: ???? - 2017