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Tri-State Gospel Music Hall of Fame

Started by Herb Oliver, the Tri-State Gospel Music Hall of Fame came into being to recognize, honor and celebrate gospel music musicians who had made outstanding contributions to gospel music. Members from Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia could be nominated for the honor. From all those nominated, the board members would make the selection based on their contribution and ministry to gospel music, and then hold an induction ceremony.

The first inductees were installed in 2005 at Ridgeview Baptist Church, Chattanooga, Tenn.  Over the years, well-known inductees have included Vestal Goodman, Cat Freeman, LeRoy Abernathy, Shorty Bradford and Calvin Newton.  More recently, Mike Holcomb, Melvin Klaudt, Tracy Stuffle, Anthony Burger, Phil Cross and Tim Duncan have been honored. Parkway Baptist Temple in Fort Oglethrope, Georgia, has hosted the ceremony during the past five years because of the size of attendees. Dr. David Sampson, pastor, and Jerry Pilfrey, minister of music, host the ceremony, as both are members of the Hall of Fame.

The 2019 induction ceremony held at Parkway Baptist Temple was planned and set up with Will Dickerson, CEO/Chairman. The program included the Tri-state Hall of Fame Choir, numerous quartets and the induction ceremony. The choir contained all former and new members, singing several songs throughout the evening. Four men, who had never sung together, joined together as scrap iron quartets, and were enjoyed immensely during the ceremony. Each scrap iron quartet included were given such names as The Carpenters On Noah’s Ark, Ex-Walmart Greeters and Nashville Cats, as well as many others. Hall of Fame member Ken Hicks, co-host of the Ken and Daniel morning show in WUSY in Chattanooga, Tenn., emceed the ceremony. 

Ten new members were inducted bringing the total members of the Hall of Fame to 202. Inducted were Carol Cross, an award-winning songwriter; Milford Cushen, an attorney in Fort Payne, Alabama, who has sung with several quartets throughout his career and currently sings with the Bradford Quartet; Rick Fair, who was the final baritone singer for the legendary Statesmen quartet and has been with many other nationally known quartets. Rick’s son David accepted the award as Rick was unable to attend the ceremony that evening.

Jay Parrack, tenor singer with Vocal Event, was inducted as a new member. His wife Kaylyn and children Keri and L.J. attended to support him.  

Formerly with Gold City Quartet from 1994 to 2004, Parrack, referring to Vocal Event, stated, “We are in the process of doing new recording as it has been some time since the group has had one.” He also serves as minister of music at Hill Crest Baptist Church in Anniston, Ala.

Debbie Epperson, whose family is known as the Singing Echoes from Cleveland, Tenn., was newly inducted. Many of her family are also members. 

Also inducted was Roger Horne who began his career singing tenor with The Gospel Harmony Boys and later with The Cathedral  Quartet, and Jerry and The Singing Goffs. Mike Leath, lead singer for more than a decade with Alabama’s favorite groups The Sharps was also honoured. 

Dr. Jerry Goff and his wife, ‘Little’ Jan Buckner-Goff, were both honoured as new inductees. 

Jan is nationally known for her performances with Wendy Bagwell and The Sunlighters for 38 years. She has received a Grammy award for the song “Tell It Again.” Throughout her lifetime, Jan has devoted her life to gospel music. Like one of her songs she sings, “I’ve Been Everywhere,” she has performed in numerous venues, including Carnegie Hall (New York) and all across America. Dr. Goff and Jan were married for many years, making a great impact as a duet and sometimes adding a third member to be a trio. 

Jerry Goff passed away July 12, 2019. He was known as Mr. Trumpet and had his own group Jerry and the Singing Goffs for many years. He had 56 albums to his credit, received the Dove Award, and Poet Voice Award just to name a few. He had written numerous songs during his lifetime, been on the board of directors and served as president of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Closing out the evening Ronnie McJunkin and the choir sang as an honor to Dr. Goff, “I’ll Meet You In The Rapture,” followed by, “What A Meeting In The Air.”

If you would like to know more about the Tri-State Hall of Fame, you can reach them at their website 

www.tristategospelmusichalloffame.com. Donations are accepted through the website, to help with the organization’s expenses. Special thanks to Will Dickerson, Chairman, for his input and information for this article.

By Robert York

Robert York is a regular contributor to SGNScoops Magazine.

Christmas Prayer From Jay Parrack

Christmas Prayer From Jay Parrack

My Christmas prayer is for our country to see God’s love in the midst of all that’s going on these days and to hopefully turn to Him in these last days
Merry Christmas

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16

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Candi’s Catch-ups: Greenbrier Quartet Festival

Greenbrier

By Candi Combs

Daywind Music Group Hosts Greenbrier Quartet Festival 2015

Amongst the snow-topped mountains of White Sulphar Springs,West Virginia, Daywind Music Group held the first Greenbrier Quartet Festival at the extraordinary Greenbrier Resort. The event drew attendees from New Jersey to Florida and even a few Canadians. This endeavor marked an inaugural attempt by Scott Godsey and Daywind to host a multi-day event at a luxury resort. This geographic location is very different from the typical Southern Gospel venues that fans are accustomed to attending.

Artists panel

The Greenbrier welcomed each person with a smile and a large sweet tea! From that point forward, everything was presented on a whole new level. Even the seats in the concert hall were velvet covered while multiple stations in the room held pitchers of ice-chilled water.

Tribute Quartet, led by Gary Casto, started off the first night with their usual flair and energetic music. The lively group performed many charting songs and favorites, including, “Homesick Angel” and “Good News From Jerusalem,” featuring Josh Singletary. Read more »

Greenbrier Quartet Festival: Daywind Music Group brings Quartet Music to the prestigious Greenbrier Resort

Three-time Dove Award nominee Channing Eleton hosts a Christmas Celebration With Gospel Stars

Eleton, who received three Dove Award nominations and is two-time Southern Gospel Musician of the Year, will welcome several friends for a special concert in Dalton, Ga. for Compassion International.
The Hometown Christmas Celebration with Channing Eleton and Friends is Friday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at Ryman Hall, 2203 South Dixie Highway (U.S. Highway 41) south of Dalton, Ga.
Among Eleton’s friends appearing are Buddy Mullins, formerly of Bill Gaither Vocal Band; Jay Parrack, formerly of Gold City; and Bluegrass legend Randall Franks, “Officer Randy” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.”
“Our Hometown Christmas Celebration is going to be a night of not only great music, but a night of hope, inspiration and encouragement,” Eleton said. “My friends Randall Franks,  Buddy Mullins, Jay Parrack and I are coming together for a good and worthy cause. These guys are so talented and unique in their own right. I can’t wait for my hometown of Dalton to see and hear these friends of mine.””
The event will highlight the work of Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry, that helps children around the world, he said.
“As we celebrate Jesus Christ through our music, we will share His love through the ministry of Compassion International,” he said. “The work of Compassion is a worldwide ministry that feeds, clothes and educates kids that are less fortunate than us. Not only that, they share the love of Christ with them as well.” 
Advance tickets are $12. Admission at the door is $15.
“It’s going to be a fantastic night of music, fellowship and ministry. I can’t wait,” Eleton said.
For more information, call (706) 279-2700 or visit www.ChanningEleton.com.
 
Calendar announcement
 
Friday, Dec. 3
 
Three-time Dove Award nominee Channing Eleton and Compassion International will host a Hometown Christmas Celebration with Channing Eleton and Friends, Friday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at Ryman Hall, 2203 South Dixie Highway (U.S. Highway 41) south of Dalton, Ga. Compassion International is a Christian child advocacy ministry. Also appearing is Buddy Mullins, formerly of Bill Gaither Vocal Band; Jay Parrack, formerly of Gold City; and Bluegrass legend Randall Franks, “Officer Randy” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.” Advance tickets are $12. Admission at the door is $15. For more information (706) 279-2700 or www.ChanningEleton.com.