90, No 31) credits Canaan Records for creating a band to cross over into country music, improving "what is essentially a good product (gospel) and made it become commercially viable.
Terry Bradshaw, former NFL quarterback and TV personality, listed the Mercy River Boys as one of his favorite Christian country bands because of their crossover appeal.
The Mercy River Boys became one of Canaan Records' most successful performing artists in 1979–80 when their Breakout album crossed over from Southern gospel into the country music radio market; the songs to cross over into country music radio included "You Needed Me", "Blow On Temptest", and the semi-biographical song "Flat Top Martin Guitar".
After the group disbanded in December, Emory Atkins, Ronny Ricks, and Danny Hollis formed the Christian music band Paradise.
The release includes one new song recorded in 1985 by the final four band members, Emory Atkins, Danny Hollis, Chuck Long, and Ronny Ricks.
[15] In 2015, Wayne Christian, Emory Atkins, Danny Hollis, Ronny Ricks, Gary Goss, Chuck Long and all the band members of the Mercy River Boys were inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Emory Atkins owns the trademark and name The Mercy River Boys, Inc, a legal entity in the State of Texas;[citation needed] however, several groups continue to record and perform using the name.