Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

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.

New venue for homegoing celebration of Dr. Jerry Goff

Dr. Jerry Goff and Little Jan Buckner Goff

Dr. Jerry Goff’s widow, Little Jan Buckner-Goff, has changed the venue for the funeral service and visitation for Dr. Goff to:

Macland Baptist Church

3732 Macland Road

Powder Springs, GA 30127

The church is located just 2 miles west of the West Cobb Funeral Home on Macland Road in Powder Springs.

The dates and times will remain the same: Visitation from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the church. The homegoing ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Jerry and Jan Goff

This larger facility will better accommodate the number of people and the technical equipment necessary to broadcast the celebration of the life of Dr. Goff.

For further information please contact:  Chris Messina, General Manager, West Cobb Funeral Home 770-419-9234.

For announcement of the passing of Dr. Goff click HERE.

Creekside Gospel Music Convention Update

Creekside Gospel Music Convention is getting ever closer and we have some exciting news to share this month. You know by now that Creekside tickets are free but must be reserved. Please make your plans to join us in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on November 2nd through 5th at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center.

Freemans 2015

We are happy to announce that the Freemans will be joining us again this year. Last year, they played to an excited crowd during the 2014 Diamond Awards. This fantastic family was also awarded twice during the evening, as they were presented with the Christian Country Group of the Year and and the Video/DVD of the Year for the poignant portrayal of “Lead Me Home.” Will they be winners again this year? Only you can

The Hoskins Family

tell us that as you vote for your favorites in the 2015 Diamond Awards.

We are thrilled this month to tell you about the Showcases being held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the day at Creekside. Chapel Valley Records, Ava Kasich and Vonda Easley of Hey Y’all Media are working together to bring some wonderful artists to the daytime stage. Ava comments, “This will be my

Dr. Jerry and Little Jan Buckner-Goff

third year at Creekside Gospel Convention and every year it gets better and better. The atmosphere of worship is wonderful and the addition of the Midnight Prayer is icing on the cake. Can’t wait to see what God has planned for us all this year! See you there!” Vonda notes, “I had such an awesome time working with Ava Kasich during the showcases at Southern Gospel Weekend in Oxford, Alabama and I am thrilled to get to do this again at Creekside Gospel Music Convention. This is going to be a great time and just look at some the artists participating: The Hoskins Family, From The Ashes, Exodus, John Lanier, The Riders, Majesty III, Malachi, Ascension Quartet, Clear Vision Quartet, Drummond Family, Webb Quartet and

2015 Diamond Awards

Billy Hodges.”

As is our custom at Creekside, on Monday night is the Lou Hildreth Honors gala. Lou Hildreth joins us to celebrate the life of a guest artist that has done great things in Gospel music. Stay tuned to find out who

Karen Peck and New River at Diamond Awards 2014

this year’s honoree is!

Tuesday night we will present the 2015 Diamond Awards. You won’t want to miss this evening where we honor the best in Gospel music. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Jerry Goff and Little Jan as our hosts for this special evening. The Diamond Award voting continues now on the SGN Scoops website, so drop by to click on the link and vote for your favorites in The Diamond Awards Top Ten. Make sure your voice is heard and vote today! www.sgnscoops.com/2015-diamond-awards.

Creekside Choir

Every day and night of Creekside will feature great music, inspiring testimonies and a special Red Back Hymnal choir on one evening. If you like to hang out with your favorite artists, the Exhibit Hall will be filled with artist booths and the singers waiting to chat with you.

This year we have VIP Packages, which include lodging, tickets and special events. VIP guests will be invited to a special backstage party as well. Keep watching for more exciting announcements. Don’t miss four days of great Gospel music, fellowship and fun. Please call Rob Patz for more information at 360-920-4057 or

Rob Patz and Vonda Easley

email him at rob@sgnscoops.com.

Note: The host hotel is filling up quickly! We anticipate that it will be completely full in just a few days. We have other rooms available close by, but you will want to stay right onsight for the most fun during the week. Email Rob today!

Live Creekside Updates Every Week!

Rob Patz of Coastal Media has been chatting with Vonda Easley of Strictly Southern With Vonda Easley, live on the air every week, bringing updates about Creekside. Be sure to listen to Strictly Southern With Vonda Easley, which can be heard every Friday at 10am CST on www.wpilfm.com.

Final Notes

Creekside Gospel Music Convention would like to hear from you! Tell us what you want to see and hear in November. Creekside also needs your help. If you would like to volunteer through various promotional activities throughout the year, or with onsite tasks during the convention, please email Rob at rob@sgnscoops.com. For more information, latest news and artists scheduled to appear, visit the Creekside page on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/Creeksidegospelmusicconvention .

Dr. Jerry Goff and Little Jan Buckner-Goff to host 2015 Diamond Awards

2015 Diamond Awards

Pigeon Forge TN – SGN Scoops is pleased to announce the hosts of the 2015 Diamond Awards in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dr. Jeff Goff and Little Jan Buckner-Goff will be the guest hosts for the awards ceremony to be held on November 3, 2015 during the Creekside Gospel Music Convention at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center.

Dr. Jerry and Little Jan Buckner Goff

“Little Jan and I are truly excited to emcee the Diamond Awards program in Pigeon Forge this year, November 3, 2015,” said Dr. Goff recently. “We can hardly wait to see our fellow artists and so many of our Gospel fans at this prestigious event. Mark your calendar and plan to be there with us.”

Coastal Media CEO and publisher of SGN Scoops, Rob Patz, is also excited to have Jerry and Little Jan at Creekside this fall. “The Goffs are known and loved by so many in Southern Gospel, and they have such a way of engaging an audience, that I know this year’s Diamond Awards will be truly special. Please join us for this memorable event!”

Creekside Gospel Music Convention is being held on November 2nd through 5th at Pigeon Forge, and fans are encouraged to reserve their tickets early. For ticket and lodging information, contact Rob Patz at rob@sgnscoops.com or 360-920-4057. For more information visit http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/

Little Jan Buckner-Goff among 2010 Hall of Fame inductees

Little Jan Buckner-Goff of Hiram, Ga. attended her induction into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame at Dollywood recently in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
“When you hear the words – Southern gospel music, you may think Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters,” said SGMA executive director Charlie Waller.  “When you hear the name, Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters, you think Wendy, Jerri  (Morrison) and Little Jan, because they were together without a singing personnel change longer than any other group in the nation.”
Buckner-Goff began singing her way into the hearts of many at the age of 15 by sharing the change that took place in her heart when God stepped in and took control, he said.
“Little Jan is blessed with an incredible vocal ability that climbs above the clouds, but she is a lady who could never be more down to earth,” he said. “Although she is a gifted singer, songwriter and musician, her disarming charm and engaging humility prove her to be anything but a ‘star.’
“God called Wendy home in June of 1996,” he said. “Devastated by their loss, Jerri and Little Jan found themselves at a poignant crossroads. Jerri decided she would no longer travel. However, after 38 years with Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters, Little Jan still had a passion in her heart that would not allow her to stop singing.”
Buckner-Goff’s talents have been rewarded with several of her songs being nominated for Grammy’s, he said.
“She was recognized as the Southern Gospel Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year on two separate occasions,” he said. “She had the number one song in Cash Box with ‘Walk Around Me Jesus’ and Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters had the Best TV Commercial nationwide for Stanback with front-page recognition in the Wall Street Journal.”
Greater Vision performed “It Pays to Pray” in her honor.
Her husband, Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame member Jerry Goff presented her induction.
“Wow! Do you know what WOW stands for? The wonder of wonders and this is such a wonderful night, Buckner-Goff said. “I thank God the very first thing, because that is the reason I stand before you tonight. Thank you Father for allowing this wonderful privilege. Thanks to the SGMA and everyone that voted for me.”
Buckner-Goff said that she was orphaned as a little girl when a drunk driver killed her mother.
“Within a three-year period, I was placed in 10 different orphanages and foster homes,” she said. “I ended up with an aunt and uncle. He was a pastor of a local church in Atlanta, Ga. called Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
Many members of the church attended the event and cheered at its mention.
“That bunch I go to church with right there,” she said. “They are the ones that encourage me and support me. I can’t do without my home church – Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
“One day Wendy Bagwell and his family along with Rita, Wendy, Melba, and his son Ronnie joined that church along with Geraldine Morrison and her family,” she said. “That is where I fell in love with Ronnie and we were married and I began my family. My daughter Roneice is here tonight with her husband Phil Bradley. I love you my darling. You are the gift that God has given to me.
She said that she would not have been able to travel without Roneice and her late husband Ronnie keeping the home fires burning.
“Who in their wildest imagination would have dreamed I would walk on stage at Carnegie Hall and sing gospel music or sing around the world,” she said. “Then in 1996, Wendy died and two years later, Ronnie died, the absolute prince of my life. I did not think I would walk on stage again. My world came crashing in.”
Buckner-Goff met Jerry Goff in 2004 and they were married in 2005, she said.
“Who would have ever dreamed – from the orphanage to the SGMA Hall of Fame,” she said. “What a privilege and honor. The very first song I ever walked on stage and sang with Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters was ‘I’d Rather Have Jesus More Than Anything.’ This song still defines my life today. It speaks what my life wants to tell you. ‘I’d Rather Have Jesus Than Anything this world can afford.’ Thank you so very much.”
The other 2010 SGMA class of inductees are Danny Gaither, Sam Goodman, Bill Hefner, Connie Hopper and Arthur Smith.
Country Music Hall of Famer Dolly Parton received the James D. Vaughn Impact Award at the event.
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.