It is always a joy to play a role in the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductions at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. This year’s event was especially moving as the industry honored eight of those who made the world of gospel music a bit richer for those who have listened, those who have sang, and those who have read about it.
I was especially excited to see my friend Jerry Kirksey honored for all the work he has done to make the industry grow and flourish including his efforts as founder and editor of the Singing News Magazine. That publication has been the mainstay for those who love gospel music since the late 1960s. Being there to see this great unassuming man honored means the world to me. Another behind the scenes friend – Bob Brumley, who saw his dedication to perpetuating the work of his late father songwriter Albert E. Brumley, writer of “I’ll Fly Away” continue to be appreciated, yielded him both a career, a position of leadership in the industry, and now a place in the Hall of Fame.
Another publisher, songwriter, arranger and amazing performer was honored for her body of work. The late Doris Akers brought the world some of the greatest songs such as “Sweet, Sweet Spirit.” As I was growing up, a sound that became part of my musical influences was that of the Chuck Wagon Gang. I was honored as a youth to see the family perform and to get to meet them. I was excited to see the late Roy Carter who managed and performed with the group for decades inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The Lesters of St. Louis, Mo., saw another of their pioneering family added to the Hall with their grandmother Opal “Bobo” Lester joining their grandfather and father. Pianist and singer Kenny Gates was on hand to accept his induction into the Hall of Fame for his work with the Blue Ridge Quartet. Fellow Georgian and tenor singer Willie Wynn also saw his career spanning his work with the Oak Ridge Boys, the Tennesseans and Sweetwater bring him to the Hall of Fame. Gospel pioneer the late Doyle Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers was also honored and his son Terry received his induction. We all have those moments that we want to run home and tell the ones we love about.
In the case of this event, I wish my mother was still living so I could share with her meeting and visiting with her all-time favorite performers – The Statler Brothers. Of course, they are one of my favorites as well and I loved to watch them on TNN when their show was the highest rated year after year. The Country Music Hall of Famers were honored with the James D. Vaughan Impact Award for broadening the reach of gospel music.
I will always cherish the few minutes we shared or as Harold joked “three hours and 26 minutes” when commenting how long they had waited to receive this award. It was a great show and melded well with the Singing News Fan Awards. The Southern Gospel Music Association is a non-profit organization that maintains the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, the only facility honoring this genre of music, for the historic preservation of the accomplishments of the music and its people. Museum hours match those of Dollywood. Donations are tax-deductible. Individuals and businesses may donate to assist with honoring inductees with special bronze plaques that are displayed in the Hall of Fame. For more information about the museum or its inductees, visit www.sgma.org.
Randall Franks is an award-winning musician, singer and actor. He is best known for his role as “Officer Randy Goode” on TV’s “In the Heat of the Night” now on WGN America. His latest CD release, “An Appalachian Musical Revival,” is by www.shareamericafoundation.org. He is a member of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. He is a syndicated columnist for http://randallfranks.com and can be reached at rfrankscatoosa@gmail.com.