US gospel band The Nelons: Almost all members dead after plane crash

The Nelons are relatively unknown in Germany, but in the USA the family band, which has been active since the late 1970s, was considered a big name, at least among Christian gospel fans. In constantly changing constellations, the formation, founded in 1977 by family patriarch Rex Nelon, released a total of more than 35 albums. Their music has already been nominated for Grammys and has also received several other awards. Now almost all of the group’s members have died in a tragic plane crash.

As reported by , three members of the current band line-up set off on Friday with family members and friends in a private jet to a concert in Alaska. However, just a short time later, the plane crashed over the US state of Wyoming for reasons that are still unclear. All seven passengers died in the accident. The band members killed included Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, as well as their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler.

Fourth member of the gospel band survived only by chance

The only remaining member of The Nelons is Autumn Nelon Streetman, who travelled on a different plane and found out about the tragedy immediately after landing. The singer posted the following statement: “As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister Amber and brother-in-law Nathan, and our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday. Thank you for the prayers that have already been said for me, my husband Jamie and our soon-to-be baby, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We are grateful for your prayers, love and support in the coming days.”