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By Vivian Belknap
While a vast majority of Ft. Worth, Texas is shopping for Christmas gifts the Friday after Thanksgiving, others are preparing for a great night of Southern Gospel music at First Baptist Church of Ft. Worth. Now known as The Wills Family Reunion, but originally called “The Inspirationals Annual Reunion”, the Wills Family celebrated their first Inspirationals Reunion the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 27, 1992. After several years it became difficult to gather former members so the decision was made to transition it to The Wills Family Reunion. Thus was born a yearly family gathering of the members of the Wills family along with various former members of The Inspirationals that occurs every Friday following Thanksgiving Day.
Who were the Inspirationals, you ask? Perhaps you were not a part of the Southern Gospel genre during the ‘50’s, ‘60’s and ‘70’s, so let us take a tour back in time. In 1958, a group of young men were given the opportunity to sing in a full time capacity by Nu-Way Products, owned by Bro. J.C. Sullivan. The group consisted of John Hall, Roger McDuff, Jory Waldon, Robert Gorey and Jack Bell, the pianist. Shortly after they became a group, Robert Gorey took a position in a church and Bob Wills was asked to join. The group continued traveling full time, changing only the position of the piano player to Jimmy Doan.
In 1960, there were other personnel changes. Bob Wills and Roger McDuff continued The Inspirationals by hiring Gary McSpadden, Dwight Edwards and James Clark as the pianist. In 1964, The Inspirationals were again re-organized by Bob Wills. And in 1965, the group made their first appearance on television on Channel 5 in Ft. Worth, Texas with a 10-minute program of Gospel music, and for the first time in color. In 1966, Bob Wills was still leading the group, and the television show called “Wills Family Inspirational Time” was begun. The Inspirationals at this time were made up of Jory Waldon, Jim Murray, Charles Nix and Lindsey Reast (pianist). Over the following years many others filled various slots but Curtis Elkins who joined in 1966 would become one of the best known and remembered of the group.
In 1976 Bob retired The Inspirationals and started his family group, The Bob Wills Family consisting of Bob, his wife Betty, Jennie Cameron and Bob Cameron and during this time Betty along with their children, Angel, Don, Ron and Bobbie Lee would take the stage to sing special songs.
After a silence of 18 years, in February 1992, Mr. W. B. Nowlin hired The Inspirationals to be on a Battle of Songs program. They were overwhelmed with the response, and continued to book venues. Then in November 1992, Bob saw his vision of trying to preserve the tradition that was started in 1958 by instituting a yearly reunion of The Inspirationals, which evolved into “The Wills Family Reunion.”
This tradition continues every Friday night after Thanksgiving. Several members of The Inspirationals are always there along with The Wills Family, and Bob always invites a special group to be the main attraction. Larry Gatlin, Rudy Gatlin, The McDuff Brothers, Squire Parsons, The Splawns, Larry Ford, The South Men, and The Erwins are only a few who have graced the stage with The Inspirationals and The Wills Family.
Many groups will have yearly homecomings but the family reunion part of The Wills Family Reunion makes this a very unique event. The entire event has a family reunion feel and rightly so, as a large number of those on stage as well as a significant segment of the audience is made up Wills’ parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. Last year Bob Wills who normally emcees the event was not able to attend due to sickness. His son Don Wills stepped in to take the role of emcee along with Bob’s other sons, Bobbie Lee and Ron.
The event was held at First Baptist Church of Fort Worth where Don Wills has served as pastor for a number of years. Don has a great bass voice, which is showcased on several of the songs that were performed. Curtis Elkins was there along with Ralph Greene and both were featured on a couple of numbers that proved why they were strong members of the Inspirationals.
The 2014 Reunion also featured Reynold Rutledge opening the event playing his marimba as he enthralled the audience with his musical ability and with his strong voice. Then Bob Wills’ children took the stage as Angel Wills joined her brothers, Don, Ron and Bobbie Lee to sing several songs with their unique family sound. Bobbie Lee Wills, Bob Wills’ son, is continuing the Wills singing tradition with his group, The Wills Family, consisting of Bobbie Lee, his wife Annette and their daughter, Betheny and son Landry (affectionately known as Bubba to his family). Bobbie Lee writes most of the songs that his family sings and some of the favorites are “When Justice Called Mercy Answered,” and “When He Whispers Sweet Peace.” One of the highlights was when Randy Wills presented his great- nephew Landry Wills with the “Youth Soloist of The Year 2014” award from the SGMA of Texas. He is only 12 years old but is maturing into quite the singer.
The Irwins were there to bring their youth and family harmony to the stage. This young group consists of three brothers and a sister who are taking the country by storm by winning awards and hearts of Southern Gospel fans. Also appearing and closing the concert was The Joshua Experience; this is a group of men and women who bring the big band sound to gospel music. This group is led by Larry Randall who is known as “The Saxman” and who has played with legends like Tony Bennett, Al Hurt, Judy Garland, Pete Fontaine and others. When they took the stage on the Friday night following Thanksgiving they captivated the audience with their sound.
If you find yourself in the Dallas Fort Worth area on the Friday after Thanksgiving this year, come and be a part of the “family” at the next Wills Family Reunion. You will be blessed with great singing and a fun experience to round out your Thanksgiving season.
By Vivian Belknap
First published by the SGN Scoops digital magazine, March 2015. For current issues, visit SGN Scoops.