DeGarmo & Key
From coffee houses to MTV, the legendary Christian rock duo of DeGarmo & Key did more than just leave their mark on the world of gospel music - they changed the very face of it.

Friends since the first grade, Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key grew up together in Memphis, Tenn., listening to "old blues guys" performing street-side on egg crates and apple boxes. At the age of 16, Eddie and Dana landed their first record deal. But it was shortly after this record deal that the friends were brought to Christ, and the direction of their lives and careers took a sharp turn.

Over the next 17 years, DeGarmo & Key created 15 albums of faith-filled, blues-influenced rock music, earning seven GRAMMY and 17 Dove Award nominations. The duo created some of the first in-roads into the world of Christian music videos and was the first contemporary Christian artist to be aired on MTV with their video "Six, Six, Six." Inspired by the work of Larry Norman, the group consistently made it their goal to get their music and the message of the Gospel to those who did not know Christ, expanding the world of Christian music beyond the boundaries of their day. Billboard Magazine once raved that DeGarmo & Key's albums contained "one of the most consistently inventive bodies of music in Christian music."

Always looking for ways to use their music as a ministry, they also created a 13-week Sunday school curriculum based on songs from their album Go To the Top, worked with Zondervan to promote the NIV Student Bible, contributed efforts to the "True Love Waits" campaign and the Biblical Literacy Foundation, and gave away over 150,000 copies of their D & K album to unsaved youth.

DeGarmo and Key disbanded in 1995, but both Eddie and Dana continued to influence gospel music through their roles as executives. Dana joined Ardent Records, while Eddie began working for ForeFront Records. Today, Eddie continues as an executive in his role as President of EMI CMG Publishing, while Dana currently serves as pastor of The Love of Christ Church which he founded in Memphis.

Dino Kartsonakis
Dino Kartsonakis is often thought of as "America's Piano Showman," a title given to him by the more than 80 million people who have experienced his "majestic" piano styling each year. He is a pianist, entertainer, and international television host. For the last 12 years, Dino has entertained in Branson, Mo., with his performances and has made his Christmas production one of the most critically acclaimed shows in the entertainment city. Dino's desire to give the audience not only great music but an elaborate visual show as well, led him to hire a Broadway set designer, Hollywood costume designer, professional dancers, light shows, and an Austrian crystal covered piano. At the end of each show, Dino presents the audience with the Gospel.

Dino and his wife Cheryl co-host a weekly music and interview formatted show on Trinity Broadcast Network called "The Dino Show." Recently, their show claimed the number two Nielsen rating for the entire network.

Dino has over forty recordings; he has received a GRAMMY Award for his involvement on "The Apostle" soundtrack, a GRAMMY nomination for "Chariots of Fire," and eight Dove Awards.

Love Song
"I didn't really plan to get into CCM. I was a hippie saved at Calvary Chapel in February of 1970, along with several of my band mates. We started to sing at Calvary, and before long we got caught up in all the media attention surrounding the "Jesus Movement' and Calvary Chapel. So it was really by the hand of the Lord that I got into it, and it wasn't until later I realized that there really wasn't any CCM too much before us," recalls Chuck Girard, who along with Tommy Coomes, Jay Truax, Bob Wall, and John Mehler, were Love Song. Although the band only recorded a few albums (Love Song, Final Touch, Live and in the mid-'90s a remake, Welcome Back.), their impact on Christian music is undeniable.

The formation of Love Song was the result of a series of events leading the five members to their own personal relationships with Christ and eventually to Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, Calif. In the early days of the Jesus Movement in the late '60s and early '70s, Calvary Chapel had been the place for hippies known as "Jesus People." Love Song, who at that time was Chuck, Jay, Tommy, and Fred Field, first stepped out as a band at Calvary Chapel in 1970. After a couple of changes, Fred left and was replaced by guitarist Bob Wall, John Mehler was brought on as the drummer, and they helped to establish the era of "Jesus Music." Like Love Song, many established musicians and rock bands turned their lives over to Christ and changed the lyrics they sang to reflect their newfound relationship.

In 1972, Love Song accomplished a seemingly impossible feat. Four long-haired musicians whose roots were deeply imbedded in rock and roll had produced an album of Jesus music, and had seen their recording become the top religious album of the year and remain the best selling gospel record for more than a year. Among Love Song's legacies is their "Love Song Festival" at Knott's Berry Farm in southern California, the first-ever Christian festival at a popular amusement park. In its first year alone the festival drew 20,000 people, the largest single crowd in Knott's Berry Farm's history. That is, until a year later when 45,000 people came back to the park. Phil Keaggy had a brief stint as guitar player for Love Song in the band's last days of touring.

Love Song was about Jesus and His message, and through music, they touched hearts, broke down traditional barriers and helped start the Jesus revolution. Love Song, along with others, was called "Jesus Freaks," and this new area of "Jesus Music" was born for His glory.

Twila Paris
Since 1981, Twila Paris has released 22 albums, amassed 33 number one Christian radio singles, and was given the Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year three years in a row. She is regarded by many as one of the earliest pioneers in the modern worship movement, with many of her familiar songs like "He Is Exalted," "We Will Glorify" and "We Bow Down" found in church hymnals across the country. Her contributions have significantly impacted the church, making the more informal style of worship acceptable in even more traditionally conservative churches. In fact, her song "How Beautiful" has become a favorite in Catholic circles, an accomplishment very few modern artists can claim.

Paris released her first full-length album, Knowin' You're Around, in 1981, and along the way she has written books, recorded children's music, and created timeless worship songs. Her song "God Is in Control" won the Dove Award for Song of the Year in 1995 and her 1992 Sanctuary release won the Dove Award for Praise & Worship Album of the Year. She has won a total of 10 Dove Awards and three American Songwriter Awards.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Paris released mainly contemporary Christian pop songs. But in recent years, she has focused on recording new versions of some of her worship standards and writing new praise and worship music. Her 2005 album He Is Exalted: Live Worship collects a number of favorite songs commonly used in praise and worship and presents them in a more typical style of live worship music. After her song "He Is Exalted" was used in churches in Brazil, Paris re-recorded it in the Portuguese translation they were using. This version appears on her 1992 award-winning, genre-defining praise and worship album Sanctuary. The album remains one of her best-selling discs to date.

Twila Paris continued to impact culture with her songwriting and the release of Small Sacrifice in December 2007. This album married the two parts of her career by including both inspirational pop/adult contemporary songs and original praise and worship compositions. Twila has been married to Jack Wright for more than 20 years, and has a son, Jack Paris Wright, born in 2001.

Few have influenced churches, worship leaders, and the entire landscape of gospel music like Twila Paris. Known for years as "the modern-day hymn writer," Twila has been compared to the legendary Fanny Crosby for her powerful contributions to contemporary hymnody. Her infectious personality and humble spirit continue to inspire a new generation of gospel music artists and fans, creating a legacy that has and will continue to impact a culture with the Truth of the Gospel.

Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith's contributions to the kingdom go far beyond creating memorable songs. He is a mentor whose wise counsel has inspired a new generation of young artists and he is a leader whose creative vision has had immeasurable impact on the church and believers all over the world. Most of all, he's a worshipper whose life on stage and off celebrates the God he serves.

Born in Kenova, West Va., on Oct. 7, 1957, Michael wrote his first song at age five. At age 10 he gave his life to Christ and he spent the remainder of his youth with a group of strong Christian friends. However, once he was in college he found a new group of friends and started experimenting with alcohol, drugs and partying.

In 1978 he moved to Nashville, Tenn., to work as a songwriter and he quickly started playing music with a local band. A year later he hit bottom and recommitted his life to Christ. In 1981, he signed to Meadowgreen Music as a staff writer, where over the next few years he provided gospel hits for such artists as Sandi Patty, Kathy Troccoli, Bill Gaither and Amy Grant. He began touring as a keyboardist with Grant in 1982 and the following year, after releasing his first album, The Michael W. Smith Project, became her opening act. His debut album garnered him a GRAMMY nomination for Best Gospel Performance. Smith became a headliner following the release of his second album, Michael W. Smith 2. Afterwards, he changed musical directions and began recording more rock-oriented music in order to reach a younger audience. As a result, some of his songs became more secular and began breaking through to mainstream audiences. His first real shot at mainstream music came in 1991 when his label, Reunion Records, allowed Geffen Records to distribute his albums. While some feared that Smith was selling out to the more lucrative secular market, Smith saw it differently, maintaining that he really only wanted to get the message of the Gospel out to a wider audience and to help young people.

Twenty-five years after his first taste of success, he has become one of the best-known names in Christian music with a stellar career that boasts three GRAMMY Awards (amidst 13 nominations), 42 Dove Awards, and an American Music Award among countless other accolades. Beyond his own musical career, Smith was instrumental in launching a teen club in Nashville, a record label with an entirely new way of doing things (Rocketown Records), and even a church (New River Fellowship) in Franklin, Tenn. Throughout his career, Michael has had the opportunity to sing for Presidents and national leaders, and counts among his friends President George W. Bush and his father, Bush, Sr., and the Reverend Billy Graham and his son, Franklin Graham. He is active in Billy Graham Crusades as well as The Samaritan's Purse, the ministry headed by Franklin Graham.

Despite Michael's stardom, his involvement in the teen outreach Rocketown, his leadership in his local church, his business as an artist, an author and a record label executive, Michael sums up his life humbly as, "to be remembered as a God-fearing man who loved his wife and kids well."

Randy Stonehill
Randy Stonehill, whose discography spans more than 33 years, first took to melding his honest lyrics of faith, struggle and hope with rootsy folk-rock music in 1970 under the tutelage of his friend and fellow Jesus Rocker Larry Norman. Alongside a small cadre of Christian artists considered too "Christian" for the mainstream and too "Rock and Roll" for the church, Stonehill blazed trails that are now easily traveled by Christian musicians, influencing countless young fans and future artists along the way. Stonehill's released his first album, Born Twice in 1971 on One Way Records, with financial help from an unlikely source - crooner Pat Boone.

Stonehill's three-plus decade career saw him release a string of records on Solid Rock Records and Myrrh Records, including the groundbreaking and massively influential Welcome To Paradise album of 1976 and the equally acclaimed and commercially successful Equator, Celebrate This Heartbeat, and Love Beyond Reason. With his 1991, Terry Taylor-produced masterpiece Wonderama, and his 1998 Rick Elias-produced classic Thirst, Stonehill solidified his place as one of the true statesmen of contemporary Christian music. Stonehill's deft touch with a lyric, his unique and engaging voice and his endearing wit and spirit has made him an long-time favorite of thousands and over the years, he wrote classics like "Shut De Do," "King Of Hearts," "Great Big Stupid World" and "American Fast Food." Stonehill also wrote the enduring song "Your Love Broke Through" with Todd Fishkind and Keith Green. Stonehill's career is also marked by his brief, but interesting acting stint when he appeared in the infamous B-film, "Son of Blob" (also known as "Beware! The Blob"), the 1973 sequel to "The Blob."

Certainly, Stonehill has never stopped making music and continues to release new recordings, including the critically acclaimed indy release in 2002, Edge of the World, which included the duet with Sara Groves, "Take Me Back" and his independent concept album "for children of all ages" called "Uncle Stonehill's Hat." Stonehill was one of the first CCM artists to work with Compassion International in raising the need for child sponsorships

Since 1971 he has been standing on stages and singing in studios, pointing to the next world and offering guidance, hope and consolation to those struggling to get there. As one of very few remaining veterans, Stonehill has something important to offer to the Christian music community; a sense of history. Randy got his the hard way. He lived it.

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Bill "Hoss" Allen
Bill "Hoss" Allen was a man of paradox by any definition of the term. Although Allen was born into a wealthy Catholic family, he lived with his grandparents and was essentially raised by an African-American domestic who worked for his family. It was this woman who took the young Allen to church every Sunday where he first fell in love with black gospel music.

After graduating from Vanderbilt University with an English degree, Allen went on to establish himself in the world of radio. In the mid 1950s, Hoss Allen established himself as a deejay for WLAC's 50,000 watt radio station, a powerful entity that had broadcast capabilities stretching from Michigan to Mobile, Ala.. Allen soon gained a reputation for playing the newest releases and is even credited for later helping to jumpstart the careers of such greats as James Brown and Jimi Hendrix through his airplay.

By early 1975, "the Hossman" had experienced several changes in management and was the lone jockey working at WLAC who had been there as long as five years. It was at this time that Allen reformatted his program as "Early Morning Gospel Time With the Hossman," a showcase for national and regional black gospel acts. It was through this program that Allen was able to impact the world of black gospel music unlike any of his predecessors, providing a platform for the music which previously had not existed. The combination of Allen's popularity and the far-reaching airwaves of WLAC allowed for an unparalleled opportunity, giving black gospel music a powerful voice unlike ever before.

Allen continued his gospel program until 1993, more than a decade after WLAC dropped all other music in favor of talk radio. Throughout his nearly 50 years in the industry, Hossman contributed more than just music to his listeners. In an era when both laws and social mores kept blacks and whites apart, Hossman taught his listeners that music was colorblind.

Lari Goss
Lari Goss is best known within the Christian music industry in the areas of music production, orchestral arranging and keyboard artistry. He has produced critically acclaimed projects for such artists as The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, The Cathedrals, Signature Sound, Anthony Burger, Greater Vision, Christ Church, The Martins, Larnelle Harris, Phil Driscoll, The Gaither Vocal Band, Janet Paschal, and many others.

Along with Lari's impressive list of production credits, he is equally recognized on both sides of the industry for his signature orchestral arrangements. He has orchestrated music for such secular music giants as Warner Bros., Capitol, RCA, Columbia; and such artist names as Glen Campbell, Ray Price, B.J. Thomas and the Atlanta Rhythm Section. His arrangements have been heard in countless venues around the world, from the stage of Radio City Music Hall to "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." Additionally, Lari has arranged and conducted music for such prestigious entities as the GRAMMY Awards, the Peoples Choice Awards, and The London Philharmonic Symphony, with whom he has recorded several award-winning albums.

Whether arranging for 10 or 100 pieces, his music is consistently noted by the dimension of unparalleled quality, undergirding power and heartwarming richness it lends alongside the other musical components of a project. When music to stir the heart and emotions of the listener is the requirement, Lari is widely recognized as the arranger of choice.

In addition to being one of gospel music's most respected producers and arrangers, Lari also is an accomplished artist in his own right. He has recorded several successful piano/keyboard albums and has written scores of songs, including the widely performed and recorded "Cornerstone." His keyboard style is distinctive and unique and his "Goss Sound" is legendary in the recording industry.

Besides his musical vocation, Lari also uses his industry networking for philanthropic purposes. This year marks the 5th Annual Lari Goss Invitational, a charity golf tournament that in previous years has benefited the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home.

The acclaim he has received from his keyboard artistry as well as his producer/arranger credentials have brought ever-increasing demand across the United States for Lari's involvement as a speaker/teacher at various music symposiums and seminars. He is an Artist-in-Residence at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., where he teaches graduate level courses one day a week in Orchestration and Recording Studio Accompanying.

Rex Humbard
Rex Humbard was born in Little Rock in 1919 to minister parents whose own efforts in church-planting and evangelism impacted Rex from a young age. During the World War II era, along with his family, he participated in a radio broadcast ministry while traveling the United States conducting crusades and revival meetings. He recognized early on in his ministry the potential of television to spread the Gospel to mass audiences. In 1953 he founded Calvary Temple in Akron, Ohio, from which he began broadcasting services on a weekly basis.

In 1958, Humbard and his ministry partners constructed the "Cathedral of Tomorrow" in Akron, a thoroughly modern sanctuary where Humbard continued his televised ministry. At the height of its popularity, the program was seen by 20 million people worldwide each week. Many of gospel music's legends appeared on television for the first time while on stage at the Cathedral of Tomorrow. The church and the combined radio and television broadcasts provided a great platform for gospel music to reach the world.

In 1999, U.S. News and World Report named Rex Humbard one of its "25 Americans Who Shaped the Modern Era."

Dr. Bobby Jones
Born in Henry County, Tenn., Bobby Jones always dreamt of a career in music. He excelled academically throughout school, graduating from high school at 15 and Tennessee State University at 19 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Jones also went on to earn a master's degree from Tennessee State and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University. While pursuing his master's, Jones taught elementary school in the Missouri and Tennessee education systems.

During his teaching days, Jones helped develop an idea for this local community, a pilot for what is now "Bobby Jones Gospel." First airing in 1976 on a local Nashville station, BET picked up the show for national syndication in 1980, where it has remained to this day.

During this period, Jones also created, produced and hosted "Bobby Jones World," a magazine-style show that incorporated gospel music with world-renowned authors, entertainers and national leaders. Bobby Jones World ran from 1978-1984. Jones also starred in the 1982 made-for-television NBC movie "Sisters, Sisters," alongside Diahann Carroll, Paul Winfield and Irene Cara.

In 1980, Jones received The Gabriel Award and an International Film Festival Award for writing and performing the black gospel opera, "Make A Joyful Noise." He and his group, New Life, were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1982 for "Best Performance by a Black Contemporary Gospel Group" for the album Soul Set Free. In 1984, he received the Gospel Music Association's (GMA) Dove Award for Black Contemporary Album of the Year for Come Together, a Grammy Award for "Best Vocal Duo for a Soul/Gospel Performance" for the single, "I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today," which he performed with country music star Barbara Mandrell, and an NAACP Image Award.

Today, Jones is a constant on BET's Sunday programming, serving as the host and executive producer of "Bobby Jones Gospel," and producer of "Video Gospel."

Jim Van Hook
Formerly the head of Provident Music Group, Jim Van Hook accepted the first deanship of Belmont University's new Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. In 2004, he took on a second job as CEO of Word Entertainment and through a unique partnership, Van Hook made Curb College the only institution in the music business with a dean who was active as an executive in the music industry.

This year, Van Hook stepped down from his role at Belmont to devote his attention to Word. A division of Warner Music Group, their local operations include Word's Christian label, publishing and distribution businesses; the country label Warner Bros. Nashville; and Warner/Chappell Publishing.

Van Hook received a master's degree in music education at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn. After six years as a college professor at Trevecca Nazarene University, he was later promoted to assistant director of public relations for the university. In 1971, he became the minister of music for the Bethany First Church of the Nazarene in Bethany, Okla. He returned to Nashville in 1978 as senior vice president of The Benson Company. In 1981, he founded Provident - as Brentwood Music - with a mere $500, and would lead the company to become an $85 million operation before his departure in 2003.

Van Hook has served as president of the Exhibitors Association for the Christian Booksellers Association, president of the Church Music Publishers Association, and as an Executive Board member of the Christian Booksellers Association.

Van Hook resides in Brentwood, Tenn., with his wife of 44 years, Susie, who stood beside her husband as he fought and overcame leukemia seven years ago. The couple has two children: Brent, who pastors a church with his family in Oklahoma, and Susan Riley, who heads Fervent Records.

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Naomi & The Sego Brothers
One of the first five ladies of gospel music, Naomi is a member of the SGMA Hall of Fame, and is featured on the award-winning Gaither Homecoming Series. Enjoying 50 years of full-time music ministry, Naomi & the Sego Brothers continue to create popular sounds with strong biblical lyrics & quality southern gospel music.

Originally known as The Sego Brothers & Naomi, this group began gaining exposure in the late 1950s. James Sego, along with his wife Naomi and brothers W.R. and Lamar hosted a popular television program on WMAZ- TV in Macon, Ga. It was during this time they traveled to Nashville, Tenn., and recorded their first hit that would gain them national recognition, "Is My Lord Satisfied With Me." However, superstardom came in 1962 when The Sego Brothers & Naomi became the first group in history to record and sell 1 million records with the song "Sorry, I Never Knew You." The rest of the 1960s saw them touring the globe with many other hit songs. During the 1970s their popularity increased with performances on the popular TV show "The Gospel Singing Jubilee." Perhaps one of their biggest songs came along during that time as they enjoyed the success of the chart topper "Hallelujah Square."

The late 1970s saw tragedy as well as success. In 1979, James Sego, Naomi's husband passed away. During the 1980s Naomi continued to travel and record. She remarried to a Texas evangelist named Vernon Reader, and the group underwent a name change to Naomi & The Segos. Vernon passed away in October 1998.

Now, in their fifth decade of gospel music ministry this group continues to press forward for the cause of Christ. Traveling some 200 dates a year all over the United States and Canada, the message of this group remains strong and powerful. Perhaps it is each group members own personal experience with God that continues to drive their excellence in performance and ministry. Naomi & The Segos is a legendary name in gospel music. With their traditional sounds, musical excellence, and sincerity, they produce a message that will lead people to Christ.

Dolly Parton
Few artists achieve the success that Dolly Parton experienced in her first 10 years on the country music scene. Add four more decades of that same success, and the iconic figure has reached a level of stardom reserved for an elite club. But what makes Dolly's story so inspiring is her humble Appalachian roots, her passionate ambition, and her ability to carry that legacy with her all of these years.

Born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tenn., Dolly Parton grew up in a place where music was an integral part of life for those who struggled to make a hard living. Her musical roots were established by her mother who taught Dolly church music along with the Elizabethan ballads her ancestors had brought to America. Dolly's grandfather was a fiddling preacher who wrote "Singing His Praise," which was recorded by Kitty Wells. Dolly got her first guitar when she was eight and began singing on a Knoxville, Tenn., radio station at age 11, with her heritage of gospel music creating the backdrop for her young career.

The day after she graduated in 1964, Dolly moved to Nashville, Tenn. Her first charting records included "Dumb Blonde" and "Something Fishy," both in 1967. At about this time, Porter Wagoner was looking for a new "girl singer" for his syndicated television show. Parton accepted the job in 1967, signed with RCA Records in 1968 and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. However, she left Wagoner's show in 1974, as her solo releases -- such as "Joshua," "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" -- were out-charting their collaborations. After their split, Parton wrote the song "I Will Always Love You" for Wagoner, and it reached No. 1 for the first time in 1974.

Parton snared the CMA's Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1975 and 1976 and won the Entertainer of the Year trophy in 1978, one of only five women to achieve this accomplishment to date. She also grew more interested in movies, starring in "9 to 5," which earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Music, Original Song for the movie's title track. She also starred in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and later the hit "Steel Magnolias." A Bee Gees-written duet with Kenny Rogers, "Islands in the Stream," also topped the country charts in 1983.

Parton's greatest commercial fortune of the decade came when Whitney Houston recorded "I Will Always Love You" for The Bodyguard soundtrack. Parton re-recorded "I Will Always Love You" with Vince Gill, and they won a CMA award for Vocal Event of the Year in 1996. Taken from the album Trio II, a cover of "After the Gold Rush" won a GRAMMY for best country collaboration with vocals in 1999, and Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later that year.

In 2006, she earned her second music-related Oscar nomination for "Travelin' Thru," which she wrote specifically for the film "Transamerica."

Parton also changed the landscape of her Tennessee stomping grounds when she opened the Dollywood theme park in 1985. Dollywood showcases much of the music that has impacted Parton throughout her life, including many tributes to gospel music. Each fall, the National Gospel Harvest Celebration brings together many of today's biggest names in southern gospel music, and in 1999 the Southern Gospel Music Association opened the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame on the grounds of Dollywood. The park also offers an array of themed shops that include many nods to gospel music.

Sons of Song
When rock'n'roll began its invasion of gospel music in the 1950s, Sons of Song led the charge. The first all-male gospel trio, the group turned gospel music upside down with histrionic harmony, high-styled tuxedos, and Hollywood verve long before the pop sound claimed the world of contemporary Christian music. The initial group was made up of Calvin Newton, Don Butler, and Bob Robinson, all of whom had previously sang with some of the well-known quartets of the day.

Sons of Song was born out of Butler's original concept to form a trio of gentlemen with extraordinary vocal ranges, thus inverting harmonies and switching parts to make up for the "missing" bass part that was such an important piece of the quartet. His idea worked brilliantly as he, Newton and Robinson all had three-octave vocal ranges, allowing each member to contribute harmonies or solos with excellence and creating a very unique sound.

The group soon partnered with a young and relatively unknown producer at the time by the name of Ralph Carmichael. Young, innovative and ambitious, the Sons of Song were able to put together orchestrations and arrangements they preserved on vinyl with Carmichael that were well beyond anything being done in gospel music at that time. Their first long-play record included ten songs, six of which achieved top-10 positions on the charts.

In 1957, the group appeared with Mahalia Jackson in concert at East Tennessee State University - the first racially integrated gospel concert in the southeast. Jackson never appeared with any other southern gospel group and even invited the Sons of Song to do a European tour with her, but her health failed before she was able to make the trip.

The Sons also inspired other artists of their day who dreamt of doing something "out of the box" that had been created by the traditional and ever-popular quartets. Legendary Dottie Rambo credited The Sons of Song as the inspiration to start "The Singing Rambos." After attending a concert that included The Sons at the Ryman Auditorium, Dottie wrote "something special happened to us." The Rambos had been told they were doing it all wrong, that a three-person group just wouldn't work. But after experiencing The Sons of Song, they went home with a fresh perspective and the realization that they could also do something different; and that they did. In Dottie's own words, "They not only stole the show that night, but they stole our hearts as well."

The group underwent several transformations throughout the years with several different members, including long-time member Lee Kitchens who was with the group (along with Newton & Robinson) when they recorded their biggest hit, "Wasted Years." Later the Sons teamed up with the legendary Jake Hess who promoted the group alongside the Imperials as a "team," though this concept did not prove very successful. The trio was always seen as a sort of maverick in gospel music, which was not always met with acceptance, but did prove to change the landscape of the industry. Dubbed by Bill Gaither as the first contemporary gospel group, the Sons of Song undoubtedly left their mark on the world of gospel music.

Hank Williams, Sr.
On a warm night in June 1949, with his first number one record spilling out of radios across the country, a frail young man walked onto the stage of Nashville's Ryman Auditorium for his Grand Ole Opry debut. Behind him lay nearly a decade of struggle and rejection in pursuit of this goal; ahead, a little more than five years in the limelight.

By 1953, literally worn out at 29, Hank Williams was gone. But he had given country music much of its standard repertoire, a new definition of stardom and a legend so enduring that he is still the model for countless singers and songwriters.

Born in Mount Olive West, Ala. (near Georgiana) on Sept. 17, 1923, Hiriam was the second child of Lon and Lillie Williams. Lon, a WWI veteran, was hospitalized during most of Hank's early life, leaving the boy's upbringing to his strong-willed mother. Small and fragile from the beginning (and afflicted with spina bifida), Hank may well have gravitated toward music as an alternative to sports.

At 16, living in Montgomery, Williams quit school and began his music career in earnest. He had made his first radio appearance on WSFA in late 1936 or early 1937, and would soon become one of the station's most popular performers. By the early '40s, Hank was one of the biggest draws in the region, and had come to the attention of several Nashville artists and music business luminaries. But his reputation as a singer was already matched by the one he'd built for drinking and unreliability. Most considered him an unsafe bet.

By the late '40s, Williams began to see some success in the recording industry as a result of a partnership with publisher Fred Rose and his partner, Roy Acuff. While decision makers at the Opry were still wary, KWKH in Shreveport, La., was interested in the emerging star for their Saturday Night Jamboree, the Louisiana Hayride, and Hank joined the show in August 1948.

Released in February 1949 and number one by early May, "Lovesick Blues" was an "event;" popular beyond precedent, imagination or belief. And, suddenly, Hank Williams was big -- big enough, at last, for the Opry.

With success came increased creative freedom. Hank's "mainstream" songwriting and recording efforts continued to do extremely well, but he also delved into remorseful gospel themes and a series of recitations under the transparent pseudonym "Luke The Drifter". Hank the songwriter often seemed preoccupied with mortality and the futility of human relationships- his marriage was now in steady decline, and those who knew him could easily see the real-life parallels in songs like "You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave)," "Why Don't You Love Me" and "Cold, Cold Heart." Clearly, here was a man displaying his demons for all to see. Hank didn't have to "interpret" sad songs; he had only to sing from his heart.

Despite Hank's numerous country hits, the legend of Hank Williams seems to rest in the duality of his writings. On one hand, Hank would sing about having a rowdy time ("Honky Tonkin'") or drifting aimlessly ("Lost Highway"), but would then sing religious songs of remorse, most particularly, the title track to the album I Saw The Light.

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The Caravans
Hailed as the "greatest" female gospel group of all time, none can compare to the musical impact and pioneering efforts of the legendary world famous Caravans.

The Caravans were organized by the "Queen of Gospel" Albertina Walker in 1951. Under her leadership, the Caravans launched and discovered the careers of gospel powerhouses Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Delores Washington, Shirley Caesar, the late Cassietta George, Bessie Griffin, Josephine Howard and the "King of Gospel" Reverend James Cleveland to name a few.

Recording numerous albums and hits throughout the 1950's and 60's the Caravans have produced such classics as "Lord Keep Me Day by Day", "Mary Don't You Weep", Sweeping through the City", "Walk around Heaven", "To Whom Shall I Turn", and "Jesus Will Fix It". Their music has been recorded and emulated by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Al Green, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Hawkins Family and The Clark Sisters.

Receiving numerous awards including (RIAA) Gold records, Albertina Walker retired the Caravans in the late 1960s. Members of the Caravans pursued individual successful recording careers and reunited at times for major reunion concerts.

After 40 years, on Aug. 27, 2005 "The Queen of Gospel" Albertina Walker, "Gospel Greatest Storyteller" Evangelist Dorothy Norwood, "The High Priestess" Inez Andrews, and "The Sweet Songbird" Delores Washington reunited for a live recording session on Malaco Records. The Caravans' reunion project took listeners on a stroll down memory lane, offering old and new selections, resulting in a must-have collector's edition, Experience Live in Chicago: The Reunion of the Caravans.

Dixie Hummingbirds
Formed in 1928 in Greenville, S.C., by James B. Davis and his classmates, the Dixie Hummingbirds sang in local churches until they finished school, then started touring throughout the south.

Lead singer Ira Tucker joined the group in 1938 at age 13, and they signed with Decca Records. In addition to his formidable vocal skills, Tucker introduced the energetic showmanship - running through the aisles, jumping off stage, falling to his knees in prayer - copied by many quartets that followed. Tucker also took the lead in the stylistic innovations adopted by the group, combining gospel shouting and subtle melismas with the syncopated delivery made popular by The Golden Gate Quartet, as well as adventuresome harmonies, which the group called "trickeration," in which Paul Owens or another member of the group would pick up a note just as Tucker left off. The group relocated to Philadelphia in the 1940s.

During the years, a number of talented singers starred in the group -- their bass, William Bobo, baritone Beachy Thompson, James Walker, who replaced Owens, and Claude Jeter, who went on to star for The Swan Silvertones. The Hummingbirds added a guitarist, Howard Carroll, who added even more propulsive force to their high-flying vocals.

The Hummingbirds absorbed much from other artists as well, performing with Lester Young in the 1940s and sharing Django Reinhardt records with B.B. King in the 1950s. Tucker and the Hummingbirds inspired a number of imitators, such as Jackie Wilson and James Brown, who adapted the shouting style and enthusiastic showmanship of hard gospel to secular themes to help create soul music in the 1960s.

The group recorded for a number of different labels over the years, while touring the circuit of black churches and gospel extravaganzas. They occasionally came to the attention of white listeners -- at Café Society, the integrated New York nightclub favored by jazz cognoscenti, in 1942, at the Newport Folk Festival in 1966, and as backup for Paul Simon on the 1973 single "Loves Me Like a Rock." The group now consists of Ira Tucker (lead vocals), William Bright (vocals), Carlton Lewis, III (vocals), Cornell Mcknight (bass), Torrey Nettles (drums/vocals), and Lyndon Baines Jones (guitar & vocals).

In February 2008, "The Dixie Hummingbirds: Eighty Years Young," the first feature length documentary/concert film featuring the life and history of the Dixie Hummingbirds was released in commemoration of their extraordinary longevity as performers. The film has been shown on the Gospel Music Channel and has played at numerous film festivals. Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Jeff Scheftel, and executive produced by University of Hawaii Musicologist Jay Junker, the film is now available on DVD, featuring extensive interviews with Ira Tucker, Sr., archival footage, and following the current group as they perform in numerous venues, and rehearse under Mr. Tucker's spirited guidance, in their hometown of Philadelphia, and across the vast landscape of America.

Golden Gate Quartet
The most popular of the Jubilee quartets, the Golden Gate Quartet started singing as the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet in the mid-'30s when they were students at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Va. The membership included Willie Johnson (baritone and narrator), Henry Owens (first tenor) William Langford (second tenor), and Orlandus Wilson (bass). Their harmonies became very sophisticated, laced with a heavy dose of jazz and a Mills Brothers influence right down to their vocal imitation of instruments. In fact, next to the Mills Brothers, they were probably the best at the "sounding like instruments" technique.

They built their reputation through performing on local radio shows and in churches. In 1937 the Gates signed to Victor's Bluebird affiliate and applied their unique jazz-swing sound to gospel titles like "Go where I Send Thee," "The Preacher and the Bear," and "When the Saints Go Marchin' In." On Aug. 4, 1937, they recorded an amazing 14 songs in two hours at the Charlotte Hotel in North Carolina. They performed in the same year on NBC Radio's "Magic Key Hour."

In June 1940, they recorded several sides with the legendary folk singer Leadbelly, released in 1941 on Bluebird's parent label, Victor. By now they had dropped the Jubilee portion of their name, presenting themselves strictly as the Golden Gate Quartet. Though their recorded repertoire from 1937 to 1940 includes mostly gospel and Jubilee songs, they did record two pop-jazz 78s: "Stormy Weather" and "My Prayer." One of the highlights of this period was a performance for President Franklin Roosevelt's inauguration, which led to a number of appearances at the White House at the request of Eleanor Roosevelt.

In 1941 they moved to Columbia's Okeh affiliate, and their entire recorded output during the war years was on that label. The most successful of these records was a version of "Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer" in 1943. Their biggest record success came in 1947 with the song "Shadrack," and in 1948 the group appeared in the RKO musical "A Song Is Born," starring Benny Goodman, Danny Kaye, and Louis Armstrong.

In 1959 the Golden Gate Quartet moved to Paris and landed a two-year deal to perform at the Casino de Paris. While based in Europe, they recorded for EMI-UK, Pathe Marconi in France, and EMI-Germany, creating more than 50 LPs. Over the years the group amassed a travelogue of 76 countries performed in. One of the truly great vocal groups, the Gates were cited as an inspiration to many rhythm and blues groups of the era.

Harmonizing Four
One of the top gospel quartets of the post-World War II era, the Harmonizing Four was a relative anomaly of the period. As their contemporaries raced to modernize their sound, rejecting the traditional jubilee style in favor of the intensity of the burgeoning "hard gospel" movement, the Four remained true to their roots, focusing instead on the spirituals and hymns of a time gone by.

For all of their renown, little is known about the group's formative years -- their leader and manager, Joseph "Gospel Joe" Williams, forbade any of the members to agree to interviews unless they were paid in advance, and as a result the anecdotal information that does exist is sketchy and incomplete. Records have indicated that the Four made their formal debut at a grammar school in their native Richmond, Va., on Oct. 27, 1927. Founding members of the group included Thomas "Goat" Johnson and Levi Handly, with Williams signing on in 1933 and Lonnie Smith -- the father of jazz pianist Lonnie Liston Smith -- joining four years later.

The Harmonizing Four made their recorded debut on Decca in 1943; in all likelihood they came to the label at the behest of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whom they frequently backed both on record and in concert. After WWII, they landed on the tiny Coleman label; included in the roster during much of this period was Tommy Ellison, later of the Chosen Gospel Singers. A brief tenure on Gotham followed, and after 1952, the Harmonizing Four cut only one record, a single for the Religious Recordings label, prior to arriving at Vee-Jay in 1957. There, the group -- Williams, Smith, Thomas Johnson and Jimmy Jones -- finally began earning the fame long due them, honing their close harmony style to mellow perfection. Jones, in particular, earned renown as perhaps the greatest basso in gospel history, his canyon-deep voice distinguishing hits like "Motherless Child." After leaving Vee-Jay during the early 1960s, the Harmonizing Four recorded for Nashboro, slowly easing into retirement in the years that followed.

Rance Allen Group
Gospel singer Rance Allen founded the Rance Allen group in Detroit in the 1960s and has fronted the band with his soulful, soaring vocals ever since. This Detroit-based traditionally trained black gospel group was the first traditional gospel group to incorporate rock, jazz, and soul into their music. They were harbingers for the contemporary Christian music movement popularized in the late '70s by Andrae Crouch, Amy Grant and the Winans.

One of 12 children, Rance has been performing since he was five. As "Little Rance Allen-the Boy Preacher" he preached and sang throughout Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania until he was 14. He began playing piano when he was seven and picked up the guitar two years later, crediting gospel giant James Cleveland as his main influence, but also Ray Charles and Chuck Berry.

The Rance Allen Group, with older brother Tom on drums and younger brother Steve on bass, made its first record in 1969. It was a self-penned song called "Let's Get Together and Love," released on the Reflect label which was operated by a Monroe music shop owner. In 1971 the brothers won a Detroit gospel talent contest, confirming for the group that they had found their calling.

They set the music world on fire between 1971 and 1974 with their electrifying recordings for the Stax-owned Gospel Truth and Truth labels. Hits like "Just My Salvation," "There's Gonna Be a Showdown," and "Ain't No Need of Crying" broke down stylistic barriers between gospel, rock, and soul musical styles as they never had before.

The Rance Allen group scored a Top 30 R&B hit in 1979 with "I Belong To You," one of two Stax singles that year to make the charts. The recordings proved popular among gospel audiences and had success attracting soul fans as well. Continuing to record and perform through the '90s, the group released Miracle Worker in spring 2000. Currently recording for Tyscot Records, the group released All The Way in the summer of 2002 which hit the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and propelled the Rance Allen group back into the spotlight much to the delight of gospel audiences around the world. The group continues to create music today and was awarded a Stellar Award in 2007 for their most recent project Closest Friend.

Thomas Whitfield
Thomas Anthony Whitfield was a gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, pianist, choir director and producer best known for helping to shape the fabric of contemporary gospel music with his elaborate choral arrangements and the merging of musical styles ranging from jazz to classical to traditional gospel. This style earned him the respectable title of "Maestro" by many of his colleagues and supporters. He was best known for organizing one of the popular contemporary gospel choirs of all time, the Thomas Whitfield Company, and for producing best-selling records for Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Douglas Miller, Keith Pringle, Paul Morton and for Aretha Franklin.

In 1977, Whitfield, along with his good friend Tyrone Hemphill, established The Thomas Whitfield Company, a local music ministry featuring some of Detroit's finest singers and musicians. This remarkable institution remained the incubator for most of Whitfield's most popular creations and would forever be attached to his musical legacy and recording career. Sound of Gospel in Detroit quickly took notice of Whitfield's fresh sound and approach to gospel music and signed him and the group, resulting in the debut release of Brand New in 1978. While Detroit's sophisticated brand of traditional gospel remained the prominent style from the area, Whitfield began to merge traditional gospel with stylish piano performances, riveting rhythmic sections, melodic choral harmonies and musical arrangements, breaking the mold of the day.

After getting local attention with the releases of Brand New and Things That We Believe, Vol. I & II during the years of 1978-1980, Whitfield recorded his first live session with the Company at the St. Paul Church of God In Christ in Detroit. The album was finally released in 1983. Soon after, Whitfield began a line of notable achievements in producing for both established and fresh talent. In 1984, Whitfield produced the historic debut project Peace Be Still, for a virtually unknown singer by the name of Vanessa Bell Armstrong, the project which earned him his first of three GRAMMY nominations. That year, he also wrote "Time To Come Back Home" for Shirley Caesar's GRAMMY- and Dove Award-winning Sailin' album. Production on projects from the Soul Children of New Orleans, Keith Pringle, Douglas Miller, the Winans, the Michael Fletcher Chorale and Paul S. Morton followed. In 1986, I'm Encouraged was released, a live recording session held at the Civic Auditorium in Cleveland that climbed to the #1 spot on Billboard's Top Gospel Album charts. Whitfield later discovered Texas native Yolanda Adams and produced her first project Just As I Am for the Detroit label in 1988 which skyrocketed up Billboard's Gospel charts.

An opportunity of a lifetime was awarded to Whitfield when Aretha Franklin confronted him with the task to head the musical direction for her upcoming live recording. In 1989, Aretha Franklin took home a GRAMMY Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female for "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism" and a Dove Award for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year - an album that featured musical and choral arrangements from Thomas A. Whitfield.

Whitfield's musical brilliance and influence has left a tremendous impact on today's leading contemporary gospel artists. He is still highly regarded for his numerous innovations during the eighties and early nineties and being one of the pioneers to master the usage of the MIDI-sequencing and synthesizers in gospel music; all helping to earn him his own style: the "Whitfield" sound.

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