The Daily Gleaner   May 15th 2010

By Wilfred Langmaid

In a superficial sense, you could call it an overnight success story for a musical group that has been active for more than three decades.

On the heels of multiple East Coast Music Awards in recent years, the New Brunswick southern gospel quartet The Ascensions has signed a recording agreement with Chapel Valley of Knoxville, Tenn.

Bass vocalist Burrell Cross, of Fredericton, and fellow former Emmaus Road lead singer Devin Cooke joined The Ascensions two years ago.

The Ascensions were a trio for 31 years before this move, and the different lineup was the capper in the wider acclaim that has now come.

The blend of the husband-and-wife team of Lance and Peg Matheson, Cooke, and Cross is shown to great effect on their latest album, No Greater Love. So, too, is the rare gift that Lance Matheson has as a writer of inspired, original material.

Chapel Valley's marketing and artist director Richard Hyssong said last month, "The Ascensions are very talented individuals who have a strong commitment and desire to see people come to Christ. Chapel Valley is excited to work with the group because our record company is all about producing artists that want to make a difference and see lives changed."

However, Lance Matheson has his feet as firmly planted on the ground and his eyes as fixed upon his Savior as ever. He said this week, "Our goal is to see lives changed for the better and for them to find a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the most important thing about our group. The album, the East Coast Music Award, the record deal would all be for nothing if it were not for God."

Matheson said that the group was approached because one of the owners of Chapel Valley, Shane Roark, heard No Greater Love. Upon hearing the quartet, he wanted to bring them into his international team of recording and performing artists.

"They have several venues which we can be part of. They have the largest number of artists at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville. We may be part of that this fall. They want us to record a new album with them this fall also, and then they have compilation CDs and can track our radio airplay.

"There are 30 or so artists in the Chapel Valley family of artists. We are very excited to take a trip down and do a new project with them."

Peg Matheson added, "We do what we call full-time/part-time ministry, meaning, we still work regular jobs but travel and sing usually two or three weekends a month and periodically do tours around Atlantic Canada, Ontario, and the Eastern United States."

With such an arrangement, Cross commutes from Fredericton as needed. The other three members live in Charlotte County.

Peg Matheson said, "Having Burrell come on board with us with his smooth bass voice opened up so many new possibilities for us. Even our old songs have been given a refreshing twist with Burrell on the bass line and with Devin's phenomenal singing voice in lead, tenor and baritone parts."

Cross is just happy to be part of this endeavour. "It was a huge honour to be asked to join the Ascensions to create a quartet after 30 plus years as a trio. I promised two years ago to do whatever I could to help Lance and Peggy make a successful transition and the results have been very exciting and much more than we expected. It is very humbling to experience this recognition for doing something we just love to do.

"With a recording contract and the increased exposure that this can bring, I am looking forward to helping to take the group on to the next level."

The Ascensions have several concerts booked for the summer, including the Glorybound Gospel Jubilee in Trenton, Me., and the Market Square concert venue at the Saint John waterfront on July 4.

March 7th 2010 ~ ECMA AWARDS
If you haven't heard by now, YES WE WON!!!!  We are so excited that we won "Gospel Recording of the Year" at the East Coast Music Awards!!  The award ceremony was held in Sydney, NS this year and all those involved did a great job.  We would like to say thank you to Gus Gaches our producer, The East Coast Music Awards, Sonicbids, Bell Aliant, our Family, Friends and our Fans for making this night possible.  We are so blessed to able to sing about the one who gave His life for us.   John 10: 10  "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." 

January 14th 2010 ~ Our New Website!!
Alot has happened this past year, we hope you will spend some time checking out our new website.  We have samples from our new albulm "No Greater Love" we have some new pictures and some new links for you to check out.  God Bless all of you and may 2010 be filled with Joy!!

January 7th 2010 ~ Passing of Burton Matheson
St. George, NB - Burton Lester Matheson, Father of The Ascensions manager/owner, Lance Matheson, passed away on unexpectedly Thursday, January 7.
He was 70 years old.  He was a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather!!  He will be dearly missed for more infomation click here to go to 
St. George Funeral Home 

December 2009 ~ ECMA Nomination
We are pleased to announce, that our newest CD, "No Greater Love", has been nominated for gospel recording of the year, with the East Coast Music Association for 2010.

November 2009 ~ New Home
We have now settled into our new home in St. Stephen.  We already love living so close to the border and of course our beautiful Grandaughter!!  If you are trying to reach us by phone our new number is (506) 466 - 0788 

June 2009 ~ Telvision Broadcast for Soul's Harbour Ministries
On June 6th we had the honor of recording some songs from our new Album for Soul's Harbour Ministries.  We had a wonderful day of fellowship with Pastors Ronnie & Rick Libbey and their great camera crew.  Be sure to be watching in July for The Ascensions' apperances!! 

February 2009 ~ Nashville Trip
We have just returned home from Nashville TN,  we had a great time working on our new recording.  We are very excited about how the group is sounding!!  Be sure to check out our music section for samples of our newest Album "No Greater Love"