Karen Peck Gooch is a celebrated American Southern Gospel artist, best known as the powerful soprano lead of Karen Peck & New River, a group she formed in 1991 with her husband Rickey Gooch and sister Susan Peck Jackson �. Karen Peck And New River +13 🎤 Quick Bio & Highlights Early years & The Nelons Born in Georgia as the youngest of three sisters, Karen was immersed in gospel music from childhood—spending nights singing at Atlanta gospel events. In 1981, she began touring with the Rex Nelon Singers (formerly The Lefevres) and remained with them for about a decade. During that time she won her first GMA Dove Award and 11 straight Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Soprano �.