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Tri-State Hall of Fame Ceremony recognizes Troy Burns, Buddy Burton, more

Tri-State Hall of Fame ceremonies. Photo by Robert York

Family, friends, and guests from all over the southeast, gathered together on August 1, 2020, to be a part of the 16th Annual Tri-State Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Parkway Baptist Temple, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.

The Tri-State Hall of Fame was founded by Herb Oliver to recognize people in music for the tri-state region. Will Dickerson, CEO of the Hall of Fame, and Radio Personality Ken Hicks, served as masters of ceremony.

The ceremony opened with a couple of congregation songs, followed by several scrap iron quartets made up of members of the Hall of Fame.

Troy Burns inducted into the Tri-State Hall of Fame. Photo by Robert York

The induction ceremony began with the first of the inductees, Troy Burns. He is a former member of the Inspirations, having sung with the quartet for 30 years. Leaving the group, he formed The Troy Burns Family group. During his career, Troy has performed at over 6000 concerts and received numerous awards.

The next inductee, was Buddy Burton, an ordained minister and past member of The Singing Americans, The Statesmen and Masters Five.

Buddy Burton inducted into the Tri-State Hall of Fame. Photo by Robert York

Nationally known arranger and pianist, Tommy Fairchild, who sang with the Oak Ridge Boys, was inducted. He also sang with The Blackwood Brothers on their song “Learning To Lean,” which remained on the charts for three record breaking years.

Howard Green was also recognized. He is a master woodworker and manufacturer of the custom Greenfield Violins. As well, Howard sang with a local group out of Atlanta, which appeared on the Mulls TV program and concerts.

“Elvis has left the building,” were the famous words of Ed Hill, who unfortunately passed away July 13, 2020. This gentleman was entered into the Hall of Fame posthumously. Ed sang tenor at age 13 with a group from East Tennessee University. He formed the Prophets Quartet in 1959 and sang for 15 years with them. In 1973, he sang with J.D. Sumner and the Stamps, during which time they did backup singing at Elvis concerts. Ed remained with the Stamps for 25 years.

Several more performers were inducted, including David Maddox, who had longed to sing bass with Willie Wynn and The Tennessee Quartet. David got that opportunity after he had sung with his family for 15 years, along with several other area groups including The Deep South Boys.

Peggy Parker inducted into the Tri-State Hall of Fame. Photo courtesy of Randy and Sherri Miller

Peggy Parker, who passed away April 13, 2020, was inducted. Her daughter, Sherri Miller, accepted the award. Peggy and her husband formed the Kenny Parker Trio and also traveled with the Rambos from 1969-1971. When she learned of her induction before her death, Peggy began crying with joy. Kenny is also a member of the Tri-State Hall of Fame.

Marlon Pendergrass was raised in Powell, Alabama, and attended the National School of Music and later joined the faculty there. He sang with Cat Freeman and the All-Star Quartet, and later established the Cat Freeman Scholarship Fund. He also promoted gospel concerts in his area.

The Greesons. Photo by Robert York

Willie Wynn, known as Little Willie, and commonly known in gospel music as the Man with a Million Friends, was inducted into the HOF. He began singing as a teenager. Jake Hess suggested Willie for the Wally Fowler Quartet which later became the Oak Ridge Boys. Willie sang with them for 15 years. Later, Hovie Lister invited him to sing with The Statesmen and after several albums with that group, Willie formed his own quartet.

Rounding out the awards ceremony, was Charles Yates, who is nationally known from his time singing with the Speer Family. His most requested song was “Palms Of Victory.” In 1959, Charles sang with the Foggy Mountain Boys. He has flown airplanes as a crop duster, and also gyrocopters, and arrived at the ceremony by airplane with some of his friends.

Photo by Robert York

Then it was back to scrap iron quartet singing, during which time a special award was presented to the wife of the late Brian Etheridge of the Master Peace Quartet.

Also performing were The Greesons, who are all members of the HOF, and Testimony Quartet.

The evening wasn’t complete until the oldest member of the HOF, 94 year old Ray Branham, was called to the stage to sing. He was given a standing ovation for his upbeat song.

The evening ended with the recognition of the 2019-20 members who have passed away, and everyone singing, “What A Day That Will Be,” and “What A Meeting In The Air.”

What a day and a meeting that will be when we .gather, with all of the music makers who have gone before us, beneath the throne of Jesus Christ, to sing his praise forever.

TRI-STATE 2020 GOSPEL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 

Tri-State Gospel Hall of Fame Choir

Will Dickerson, Chairman of Tri-State Gospel Hall of Fame, which represents Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee has announced the 2020 inductees. They are: Troy Burns, Buddy Burton, Tommy Fairchild, Howard Green, Ed Hill, David Maddox, Peggy Parker, Marlon Pendergrass, Willie Wynn and Charles Yates. These folks are recognized, honored and celebrated for their outstanding contributions to gospel music.

Willie Wynn

The induction ceremony is August 1 at Park Baptist Church, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, starting at 6:00 pm.

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SOUTHMEN – WEST COAST TOUR

Southern gospel fans out West are in for a treat when the legendary Southmen Quartet take their rich heritage westward in September and October 2011.  This will be the group’s first West Coast tour and will include performances in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California.  See “Personal Appearances” on the website for complete schedule.

Formed in 1974, the Southmen have been blessed over the years with some of the greatest talent in gospel music including the late Jack Toney, and current Gold City Bass singer, Tim Riley.  The current lineup is Jim Hefner, Tenor, Buddy Burton, Lead, Larry Beck, Baritone, Buddy Poe, Bass, John Washburn, Bass guitar, and one of the finest pianist in gospel music – Eddie Crook.

The Southmen are one of the very few quartets left that sing it the true southern gospel style.  No live band – no tracks.  The group is very sincere when it comes to sharing the love and importance of Jesus Christ with the audience.  It is not unusual to see people accept the Lord at their concerts, yet they still entertain the audience with their “off the cuff” country humor.  They are becoming one of the most entertaining groups in gospel music.  A promoter recently stated that he had not seen a group that could have a crowd rolling in the aisle one minute, then standing weeping and praising the Lord the next.  He further stated that The Southmen Quartet is the real deal.

 Jim Hefner, manager of the group, said that their goal is to make sure everyone feels better upon leaving a Southmen program than when they arrived.  So, you true southern gospel fans out west, do not miss these guys when they come to your cities.  Check out all of the West Coast Tour at www.thesouthmenquartet.com.