Steve French (September 24, 1959 – June 22, 2016) was an American baritone who was the emcee and owner of the Kingdom Heirs.[1][2] Born in Mascot, Tennessee, French claimed in concert performances to have founded the group with his brother Kreis in 1981. Nevertheless, the historical record shows that the Kingdom Heirs were founded in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1971.[3] Both Steve and Kreis French first forayed into musical performance in their church.[4] Steve traveled with regional groups the Crystal River Boys and the King's Servants prior to joining the Kingdom Heirs in 1982.
Steve French | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 24, 1959 Mascot, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | June 22, 2016 (aged 56) Fayette County, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | Christian |
| Years active | 1981 – December 2, 2014 |
| Formerly of | Kingdom Heirs |
In 2002, French and his brother faced the task of replacing three key group members who had all resigned at the same time.[5] They managed to keep the group a fan favorite.[6] In addition to his past responsibilities with the Kingdom Heirs, he served on the board of directors for the National Quartet Convention.[7] On June 22, 2016, French and girlfriend, Lindsey Hudson, jumped to their death from the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayette County, West Virginia.[8] They both had active arrest warrants.[9]
References
edit- ^ "S / Steve French". SGHistory.com. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
- ^ "The Kingdom Heirs". ChristmasReviews.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
- ^ "Kingdom Heirs (1971-Present)". SGHistory.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ "The Kingdom Heirs". ChristianMusic.com. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
- ^ "A Word From Steve French of the Kingdom Heirs". SouthernGospel.com. September 24, 2002. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
- ^ "2009 Fan Awards Top Ten Finalists". SouthernGospel.com. 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
- ^ "NQC Reorganizes". The Singing News. March 1, 2005. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
- ^ Scoops, SGN (June 28, 2016). "Steve French Has Passed Away - Southern Gospel News SGN Scoops Digital". sgnscoops.com. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ "Police tentatively ID couple who jumped from New River Gorge Bridge". Retrieved June 30, 2016.
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