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On Sunday, multi-award-winning southern gospel group, The Hoppers, will perform in Jamaica for the very first time when they appear at the National Arena in St Andrew for Arise 2025, and they are just as excited to hit the local stage as their thousands of fans are to welcome them.
“We have been through Jamaica on working cruises, but this will be the first time we are performing in the island. We have been in discussion with Dale Flynn since last Fall. We were in Cayman Islands for Mother’s Day and we were trying to incorporate the Jamaica trip then. Yes, we are excited. Very much so,” Dean Hopper, the lead singer and former drummer for the group, told The Gleaner.
Founded by Dean’s father, Claude Hopper, The Hoppers have been singing gospel music since the 1950s and have remained a tight family unit, which includes both parents, children, grandchildren and in-laws.
“We get messages ... emails ... from Jamaicans saying that they love the music that The Hoppers has been putting over the years,” Dean shared.
Certainly high on their list of must-sing songs for their Jamaican audience on Sunday will be Grace Will Always be Greater Than Sin and Jerusalem, the 2004 hit that continues to energise Christendom wherever and whenever it is sung.
The story behind that song is simple. A friend of theirs, Paula Stefanovich, wrote it and sent it to them. The Hoppers recorded it and put it out in the world and it was fully embraced, firstly by the internationally acclaimed gospel group, Gaither Vocal Band, with which the group has a fantastic working relationship.
Dean also has a personal Jamaica story connected to Jerusalem, inspired by a video sent to him by a minister friend who had seen a group perform the song here on the island.
“It was pretty cool to hear the band from Jamaica singing Jerusalem,” a pleased Dean, who has been touring all his life, stated.
He names Jerusalem and That’s Him as two of his favourite songs from the group’s catalogue.
“We’ve been singing That’s Him for 30 years at least. My mom sang it for years and my daughter sings it now. The lyrics ... how it describes how the Lord delivers us ... they have such a powerful meaning. My mom has had cancer, my dad had a stroke, I have had 11 strokes and my daughter had thyroid depression and we are still here doing what we love,” Dean said
MISSION
He outlined The Hoppers’ mission as “a deep-seated drive to see people come to the Lord and to see people be blessed”.
“The opportunity to minister to people ... it is our livelihood, it pays the bills ... and it is an honour. I have been on the road for 48 years, as a drummer, playing the bass and now as a singer. The getting-along on the tour bus? Well, we have our moments, but we are family ... we have the same goal and we love the Lord, that’s for sure,” Dean explained.
More than five decades of ministering through gospel music has seen The Hoppers amass multiple awards, including Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards and Singing News Fan Awards, and chart-topping songs.
“Their signature harmonies and powerful performances have made them a favourite among gospel music-lovers. Songs like Jerusalem and I’ve Come Too Far showcase their dynamic vocal abilities and deep spiritual messages,” The Hoppers’ Wikipedia bio states.
Focused on the more traditional gospel rather than new age, Dean was cautiously deliberate in his response to the question about how he feels about contemporary Christian music, also known sometimes as Christian pop.
“I like all music that is presented in a good fashion,” Dean said. “As far as the message in what we do ... there’s got to be some lyrics that lead you to the cross, not just something that makes you happy. The destination is Jesus Christ,” he emphasised.
The Hoppers comprise Claude, Connie, Dean, Kim and Mike Hopper. They will perform on Sunday at the National Arena alongside the Gospel Proclaimers, Carey Sayles, Humble, Vennica Nicholson-Reid, and the Kingsway Alumni Reunion Voices at Arise 2025. This event is a part of Kingsway High School alumni week-long reunion celebration, which wraps up on April 22.
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