A gospel group with a Warrenton connection recently brought home a coveted Josie Award for gospel duo/group of the year.

The Josie Music Awards are an international competition that recognize the best independent musicians in a wide variety of genres.

Warrenton residents Keziah and Hunter Segers are two of the members of the group Riven, which took home the award during this year’s awards presentation held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 2.

Other current members include Gary Brannaman of Belleville, Ill., and Scot Womble of Vista Ridge, Mo.

According to Brannaman, the group originally started in August 2019 when he got together with Womble and musician Gary Volker. Eventually they brought on a fourth, Randy Pryor and the four of them formed the original basis for Riven. Pryor left the group in 2021 and Jeff Rudloff joined at that time. Hunter Segers joined the band in early 2022.

Keziah Segers said initially she has been in the background with the group, but with Rudloff leaving at the end of this year, she will be taking his spot in the group.

The group has already released five albums and is currently working on a sixth album, Brannaman said. The group defines its music as a blend of southern gospel and contemporary worship.

Conveniently the Segers have a fully operational studio in their basement in Warrenton called Anthem Road Studios that serves as the location for creating their sound.

Brannaman acts as the owner/manager of the group and is also the group’s lead singer. Womble handles all of the group’s merchandising and sings tenor. Hunter Segers serves as the bass singer and also handles the stage audio and some of the recording duties, while Keziah Segers is the soprano/alto for the group. Rudloff has served as the group’s baritone, but will be leaving at the end of the year.

In order to win, Riven was required to submit an original song as part of its nomination, a Womble piece called “God Became a Little Lamb.”

“The song is probably 20 years old,” Womble said during a recent interview. “It is kind of a timeless message.”

“Scot did an amazing job on the words and the message,” Hunter Segers said.

Though the group had high hopes traveling to Nashville for the Josie Awards ceremony, none of them were ready for what happened Nov. 2.

“When the announcer called out Riven, I felt my heart shoot straight out of my chest,” Hunter Segers said. “For me it is validation that what you are doing you are doing right. I have sung in groups before. With this group, when you do things for the right reason, God rewarded us for doing it right.”

“When they called our name, I looked at Scot and said ‘oh my goodness,’ ” Brannaman said. “It was pure enjoyment walking down there and stepping on that stage. I honestly can’t remember what I said. It was one of the most exhilarating things.”

“It was just an amazing moment, surreal,” Womble said. “It was overwhelming that they would choose my song. For us to be chosen as group of the year, it was an amazing blessing.

The award was the culmination of several years of touring and making music together.

Brannaman said the group has toured in 28 states and has performed well over 200 dates over the last several years.

When speaking about the importance of Riven’s message, each member shared their heartfelt love of the craft.

“Personally for me, it is about the ministry reaching people for Jesus, making him famous,” Brannaman said. “It is a calling. I get to minister with people. I look forward to the opportunity to go sing. God blessed us, and the award we won is the cherry on top. Get to do it with wonderful people who love Jesus. We do it because we love the Lord.”

“When God gives you a gift, you have to use it,” Womble said. “Everytime I sing I get to use the gift he has given me.”

“The four of us are creative individuals,” Hunter Segers said. “When you get to the performance and audio side, not only do I get to sing, I get to produce the sound we need.”

“I think for me, the importance comes from worshipping the Lord, and utilizing gifts and talents he has given me.” Keziah Segers said. “I am in constant awe of how God is working. God uses us to help other people. Plus it is just plain fun. I get to sing with my husband and take our kids on the road. It is a lot of fun. Life giving and fulfilling.”

Keziah Segers said she and Hunter have four children: Liam, 10; Eliana, 8; Judah, 7: and Rhett, 4; who are a mainstay for the group, the band's little roadies so to speak.

For Brannaman and Womble, whose children are grown, they show their support in different ways.

“My wife has been really supportive of me,” Brannaman said. He said his daughters Natalee and Ashlyn have also always been supportive of his musical journey.