"In Jesus' Name" is an album recorded in the mid to late 70s by my father's side of the family. As a tribute, I've reimagined this family record in sequential order across two albums: "HYMNS OF KINSHIP" and "THE BLOOD WE'VE GIVEN". Using digital granular synthesis in Reason Studios, I've given new life to these family recordings.

I hope you enjoy these albums, including my family's original record and its two modern reinventions.

(The following text is transcribed verbatim from the back of the vinyl record.)

I am very proud and happy to present this album of the gospel singing Nelms Family. The mother and two daughters had been singing in the local church here in Rocky Mount, N.C. in the summer of 1975, their lovely little son, John John, was accidentally drowned, and since that time the entire family has entered the field of gospel singing.

You will thrill to hear Elizabeth, who is only seven, take the lead part in many of their songs. They will bless your hearts with songs such as "When I Wake Up To Sleep No More," "When My Feet Touch The Streets Of Gold," "I'll See You In The Rapture," and many more beautiful songs.

You will be blessed by their spirit-filled singing because truly the praises are in their heart, for they personally know Him of who they sing.

Their greatest desire is that the lost may be touched and won to God. When you as a Christian need to be lifted up, let the message of these songs sink deep into your heart and spirit and you will find yourself refreshed in God's love.

I pray this album will bring as much peace and joy to your heart as it has to mine. May God bless everyone who has the privilege of hearing the gospel singing Nelms Family.

(A signature I can't make out but I am guessing it's from a local pastor)

MAJS-9013

In Jesus’ Name, HYMNS OF KINSHIP, and THE BLOOD WE’VE GIVEN are part of a larger transmedia project that unfolds across music and visual storytelling. Following the creation of these albums in the summer of 2025, I spent the remainder of the year developing THEE HYMNALS, an experimental, found-footage hybrid unfiction horror web series (Oct 1, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026) that explores the trauma, history, and stories contained within the music.

The web series examines my actual family’s history, including the tragic loss of their youngest son, John John, and how it shaped their future. Across thirty episodes and thirty songs, the series functions as an alternate reality game (ARG): viewers can follow the cryptic, Southern Gothic narrative or dig deeper to uncover the connections to the albums themselves.

The story follows me navigating symbolic worlds that represent the traumas of my family, collecting six enigmatic melodies to confront and break a generational curse. In this way, the project is both a personal exploration and a reinterpretation of my history through art. Audience interpretation is encouraged. Viewers can treat it as a surreal, cryptic web series, or engage with the deeper musical and narrative layers.

Watch the series and explore the project here:

TikTok: tiktok.com/@theehymnals
YouTube: youtube.com/@theehymnals

Credits:

Engineer - Dan Howell
Producer - Jack Clark
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar - Kent Holms
Bass Guitar, Percussion - Calvin Carnes
Piano, Organ - Jack Clark
Bass Vocals - John Nelms
Tenor Vocals - Judy Nelms
Alto Vocals - Cindy Nelms
Soprano Vocals - Delores Nelms
Background Vocals - Elizabeth Nelms

Recorded at Majestic Sound Studio in Cleveland , Tennessee

Remixed and Remastered by Justin Allen Nelms