SouthernGospelBlog.com

Gerald Wolfe was recently featured on WBIR, a Tennessee TV station, discussing his Dove Award nomination for Male Vocalist of the year. The article and video can be accessed here (the video link is at the top of the right sidebar).

The Southern Gospel Music Association announced its 2008 inductees to the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. They are:

• Fred Daniel (Sunshine Boys/Blue Ridge Quartet). While I don’t know whether he was of Irish descent, his voice was reminiscent of an Irish Tenor’s voice, along the lines of Larry Ford. His vocal abilities made him a strong contributor to the groups with which he performed.
• Polly Grimes (Concert Promoter).
• Herschel Lester (Lesters). I believe Lester founded the Lesters, a family group still continuing today, decades (and several generations) later.
• Squire Parsons (Songwriter/Kingsmen/Squire Parsons Trio). The longevity of both the singer (a 30+-year-career in the genre) and his most famous song (”Sweet Beulah Land”) make this a good selection.
• Luther Presley (Songwriter). Author of numerous Southern Gospel classics, including “I’ll Have a New Life,” “Getting Ready to Leave This World,” “Crown Him King,” “Rocked on the Deep” (co-author), and “I’d Rather Have Jesus,”* Presley’s songs have definitely earned him this spot. (*This is not George Beverly Shea’s “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” as most recently done by the Crabb Family; this is a quartet song recorded by the Cathedrals in 1982, the Blue Ridge Quartet, the Gaither Homecoming choir, and other artists.)
• Ray Dean Reese (Kingsmen). Anyone who has remained in a high-profile national group for as many years as Reese has–42 years (since about 1966)–has certainly earned their Hall of Fame induction.