Amy Grant Posts Heart-Tugging Tribute To The Nelons
Three Members Of The Southern Gospel Group The Nelons Were Killed In A Plane Crash On July 26
Amy Grant shared a moving tribute to three members of the gospel group The Nelons, who were tragically killed in a plane crash on Friday (July 26).
According to a statement released by Gaither Management Group, Nelons members Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and their oldest daughter, Amber Kistler, were killed in the crash. The crash also claimed the lives of Amber’s husband, Nathan; The Nelons’ assistant, Melodi Hodges; the pilot, Larry Haynie; and his wife, Melissa.
The Nelons were traveling to Seattle to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise. Their plane went down at approximately 1:00 PM Mountain Time in a remote part of northeastern Wyoming.
Kelly and Jason’s youngest daughter, Autumn Streetman, also sang in the Nelons. But she and her husband, Jamie, were not on the plane that crashed. They were notified of the accident upon their arrival in Seattle.
Autumn released the following statement, saying:
“Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.”
Autumn has since vowed to continue singing, despite the tragic loss she’s experienced.
Additional Details Emerge About The Nelons’ Plane Crash
In recent days, new details have emerged about the crash. Quentin Reynolds, the Campbell County Undersheriff, said the plane sent a distress signal before it went down.
Keith Holloway, a spokesperson for The National Transportation Safety Board, said, “The aircraft is in a remote location and once they gain access, they will begin documenting the scene, examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation.”
A preliminary report on the crash could be released in less than 30 days. However, a full report could take two years to finish.
Amy Grant Shares Powerful Tribute To The Nelons On Social Media
As someone who started her career in contemporary Christian music, Amy Grant loved The Nelons. She shared a heart-tugging tribute to Kelly, Jason, Amber, and the other plane crash victims.
Amy revealed that on the evening of the crash, her husband, Vince Gill, performed his mournful song “Go Rest High on That Mountain” at the Grand Ole Opry. Gill first started writing the song following Keith Whitley’s death. He finished writing the tune after his own brother, Bob, passed away.
Since then, Gill has performed the song in tribute to artists such as George Jones, Toby Keith, and the Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall after they passed away.
Amy said, “On Friday night [July 26], Vince closed the live radio broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry with Go Rest High, saying ‘if anyone is struggling with loss tonight, I’m singing this song for you.’ None of us knew yet, of the plane crash that took so much of the Nelon family along with their close friends.“
Amy closed her tribute by writing:
“We’re praying for their loved ones who remain, and those who are making short term and long-term decisions around this devastating loss.“
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We too, join Amy in praying for all who knew and loved Kelly, Jason, Amber, Melodi, Larry, and Melissa. May they all rest in peace.
