About Master Praise
Master Praise is a Gospel Music Ministry based out of Forest City, North Carolina. The group began with Ron and Angela Epley and their friend Keith Cantrell in the early 2000’s. They recorded a few albums together and eventually the group disbanded.
In the later part of 2025, Ron and Angela Epley and Jackson Smith began attending church together at Crestview Baptist Church. They sang a song together in church, not knowing what would come to be. In May 2026, the trio added Howard Gordon as their bass singer and sang their first concert together on May 31, 2026 at Fairview Baptist Church in Golden Valley, North Carolina.
They have been going strong as time has gone on and look forward to the doors God will open.
Jackson Smith
Manager / Lead Singer
Jackson Smith is a native of Rutherford County, NC. He fell in love with music as a young child, particularly gospel music.
At age 13, Jackson began traveling to local churches as a soloist singing anywhere the door was open and was saved as a young teenager. At age 17, he began traveling as the baritone singer for the Pine Ridge Boys Quartet and was blessed to spend over 3 years with them traveling around the east coast and beyond. The highlights of his time with the Pine Ridge Boys include multiple appearances on the Main Stage of the National Quartet Convention.
In October 2025, Jackson stepped away from the Pine Ridge Boys as he began to seek God’s will for the next chapter of his life. He sang as a soloist yet again for a short season until the journey with Master Praise began.
When he is not on the road, he attends Crestview Baptist Church in Forest City, NC where he was raised as a young child. He is a current student at Fruitland Baptist Institute Online in Hendersonville, NC where he is studying for ministry. He enjoys preaching when he is asked to in addition to singing.
Ron Epley
Booking / Baritone Singer
Ron Epley is a longtime resident of Rutherford & Cleveland Counties. Ron began singing with groups as a teenager and has been singing ever since.
A talented musician, Ron has been blessed to be able to play several instruments including the guitar, bass guitar, and steel guitar.
He has played and sang with the Golden Valley Crusaders, sang with Praise Masters, The Original Master Praise, and Servants Voices in recent years.
Although he had been involved with churches and gospel music for many years, it wasn’t until October 2025 at the age of 68 years old that he accepted Jesus Christ as His Savior. He loves to share His testimony about what the Lord has done in His life.
Ron now sings with both the Golden Valley Crusaders and Master Praise. He handles the booking for both groups and does an outstanding job. He is a member of Crestview Baptist Church in Forest City where he and Angela attend when he is not on the road.
In addition to music, he enjoys spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Angela Epley
Alto Singer
Angela is the product of a musical family. She grew up with a singing father and a piano playing mother.
Angela also began singing at a young age and has been singing ever since. She has sang with groups such as Praise Masters and the Golden Valley Crusaders over the years.
She is a Christian Sociology Instructor at Cleveland Community College in addition to her musical ministries with the Golden Valley Crusaders and Master Praise.
Angela is a member of Crestview Baptist Church in Forest City, NC where she attends when she is home from the road. When she has spare time, she also enjoys spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Howard Gordon
Bass Singer
Howard is a Rutherford County, N.C. native. He fell in love with quartet music at a young age and has been singing for over 25 years in a local Southern Gospel Quartet, In His Glory.
He is a lifelong member of Caroleen Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon and in other capacities. Howard is a retired Police Officer having served in Gaston and Rutherford Counties during his career.
In addition to singing with In His Glory and Master Praise he is employed by a local funeral home where he serves his community as a Funeral Assistant.
In his free-time, Howard loves spending time with his wife Robyn, his 3 children, and his grandchildren. Howard also enjoys riding motorcycles and traveling.