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March 30 and 31, 2015 is the two dates where countless southern gospel music enthusiasts are converging in Nashville, TN. The difference with these fans is simple. They are on a mission to find a piece of gospel music history. Avid gospel music fans turned collectors will convene to share the stories, shop their wares, collect a rare lp, photo or piece of memorabilia that cements a foundation for today’s southern gospel music. We Love Our Southern Gospel Music History is a music and collectors convention, a social media Face Book group and a collection of avid gospel music enthusiasts bound together with their love of southern gospel music. And they are “Music Friends” for sure.
WE LOVE OUR SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC HISTORY has accepted over 35,000 members and the list continues to grow. This phenomenon has taken the social media FACEBOOK group to another level of interaction; thus a music collectors convention. Harold Timmons, of The Chuck Wagon Gang and Gospel Gallery along with Ann Downing, John Crenshaw and Hannah Lynae Kennedy committed to making this convention a place where the history is featured. And the two day extravaganza is really taking shape with concerts, seminars, story-telling and plain ol’ horse trading of music, LPs, photos, concert and group memorabilia bound together with food, laughs and lots of fun. Fans from across America have reserved hotel rooms, bought convention tickets and are clamoring for more days. Yes. By the excitement created with this convention southern gospel music is alive and well.
The concerts feature legendary artists who are still carrying on the tradition of southern gospel music. The Pine Ridge Boys are serving as a music host while The LeFevre Quartet, The Sheltons, Reunited (Former members of the LeFevres) and Reunion groups The Downings, plus Higher Ground will join the concerts as well. Individual performances read like a who’s who list. Buddy Burton (Statesmen and Singing Americans fame), Ann Downing, Sue Chenault Dodge, Charles Yates, Harold Timmons, John Crenshaw are all on that list and it continues to grow.
PINE RIDGE BOYS
The Pine Ridge Boys are carrying on a rich 52 year tradition that started with the likes of Jim Stewart, Wayne Shuford, Charlie Burke, Miles Cooper, Laddie Cain, Jack Henderson, Reese McKinney, Joel Duncan, Ned Wilder, Farrell Henson, Ray Dean Reese, Charles Abee, Everette Greene and Eldridge Fox. Yes those men were part of the Pine Ridge Boys history. Over the years there were other members, yet today’s configuration is drawing acclaim for their rich quartet harmonies. Larry Stewart (Jim’s son), Wayne Shuford (original member), Ivory Luke and Duane Rizzo have polished the Pine Ridge Boys sound with stirring gospel ballads and toe-tapping hand clapping convention songs that captivate audiences young and old. Larry says, “We are excited about our music, the message and most of we are “Still Enjoying the Journey!” People are getting to know the Pine Ridge Boys again and we are growing. Classic Artists Records just released a new radio single, IT’S A WONDERFUL CHANGE that is truly quartet music at its best. Good things are happening with the Pine Ridge and we are really looking forward to seeing so many long time friends and the chance to meet new friends in Nashville.”
The LeFevre Quartet is rich in gospel music heritage. For over 90 years, the LeFevre name has been on the gospel music stage singing award winning southern gospel music. Today Mike LeFevre, Jordan LeFevre, Thomas Nalley, Brandon Barry and Michael Lott fill gospel music halls with gospel music that lives up to the LeFevre name and heritage. Gospel music fans today will know the vintage LeFevre quartet sound made world famous by LeFevres…Eva Mae, Urias and Alphus adding Jimmy Jones and Rex Nelon.
Reunited
Reunited is a combination of former LeFevre members. A mix of talent lights up the stage with Ron Dailey and Barbara Hodge Roach (both with the LeFevres 1972), Mark Fuller (with Eva Mae), Joshua Phillips and Rick Campbell (Uncle Alphus and the LeFevres). Reunited’s LeFevre renditions are classic and sure to be a crowd favorite. I’VE COME TO FAR is a standard that still moves gospel music fans. Mark carries on that unique piano styling’s made famous by Eva Mae. This Reunited performance will truly renew that LeFevre fever.
THE SHELTONS
The Sheltons are no strangers to gospel music. This stellar family has been performing since the late 1960’s and is best known for introducing Jesus Is Coming Soon in gospel music circles. Rich close family harmonies are staple with Rob, Frankie and Sandra Shelton. Original member George Shelton (current Dixie Echoes tenor) is rejoining the family for this once in a lifetime event. Pure southern gospel is exactly what you get with this family group that has been singing since their childhood. Dad would be proud, is an understatement when talking about The Sheltons and their music.
THE DOWNINGS
There is a saying “gone too soon.’ Well that saying could really apply to the Downings. Paul and Ann Downing put together an award winning sound with Greg Gordon, Sue Chenault Dodge and Dickie Matthews. In 8 years of touring, the Downings recorded 18 LPs, garnered many Singing News nominations and awards. This reunion concert will be featuring Greg Gordon, Dony McGuire, Sue Chenault Dodge, Joy Gardner, Linda Robinson Sholar and Wayne Hilliard. Their energetic full musical style spawned many classic songs that are still requested 45 years later. Yes the Downings were gone too soon!
HIGHER GROUND
Wayne Hilliard joined the Downings in 1970. In 1972 he left to form one of the most sought after trios of the 70’s, Higher Ground with Linda Robinson Sholar and Michael McKenney. A fore-runner of the progressive southern gospel sound, Higher Ground gave a new twist to many classic gospel standards. Smooth rich harmonies with that special timeless arrangement still popular today are staples of Higher Ground. This reunion has been a long time coming but is the talk of the Cumberland Valley.
Historians John Crenshaw, Hannah Lynae Kennedy, Ann Downing, Harold Timmons, Dean Adkins and a host of others will be sharing the stories that made southern gospel music its own musical genre. Then add the artistry of Charles Yates and Buddy Burtons talented vocals, his antics coupled with a few surprise guests along the way, and you are guaranteed to have a memories made new shared again for the first time.
The history of our music lives on in the hearts of the fan. WLOSGMH is promoting the music to the fan and allowing members to share the moments that make the music so special. This southern gospel convention will highlight a lifetime of memories for many. Yet it is just a start as the future looks brighter than ever with southern gospel music. The fore-thought of innovative historians and fans will make sure of that. Now, hotel reservations, booth space, and more information are at the following links. Yes, time is running out and space is limited for this once in a life time music event. Mark your calendar and get ready for some music and a good collector’s deal. See you in Nashville!