Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame

Entrance.

Animatronic Quartet in front entrance to museum

The Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame is a site operated at Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, by the Southern Gospel Music Association. It was established in 1997. The Hall of Fame is composed of pioneers in the field of Southern gospel music; members are selected by the SGMA annually, and are honored by a descriptive plaque and portrait in the Hall itself. The Museum contains thousands of items of memorabilia and a gift shop. An animatronic quartet, sponsored by Bill Gaither, sings “Give the World a Smile.” Other interesting items on display include a replica of the Blackwood Brothers first bus, interactive video and sound clips, and bronze plaques of Hall of Fame inductees. Over one million people visit the facility annually.

Replica of Blackwood Brothers original bus

Beginning in 2004, the Hall of Fame began holding their popular annual induction ceremonies. Dollywood closes its doors to the public, and the all-day event is filled with musical performances.

The Hall of Fame is currently under the leadership of Executive Director Charles Waller, who is also producer of the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion in Knoxville, TN. Waller has done much to bring the legends of gospel music before a new, younger audience, and is credited by many as Bill Gaither's direct inspiration for his homecoming videos. Waller's contributions to the Hall of Fame have proven beneficial in honoring the heritage of southern gospel music.

Members of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame

A-L

• Abernathy, Lee Roy
• Abner, James Buford
• Allred, Glennan “Glen”
• Arnold, Robert Sterling
• Bagwell, Wendy Lee
• Bartlett, Eugene Monroe
• Baxter, Clarice Howard “Ma”
• Baxter, Jesse Randall “J.R.”
• Beasley, Lester George “Les”
• Bennett, Roger
• Blackwood, James Webre
• Blackwood, R. W.
• Brock, Dwight Moody
• Brumley, Albert Edward

• Burger, Anthony
• Carter, David Parker “Dad”
• Cook, Martin Alfred
• Crumpler, Denver Dale
• Daniel, Fred E.
• Daniel, John Tyra
• Davis, James Houston “Jimmie”
• Davis, Anna Gordon
• Derricks, Lister Cleavant
• Edwards, Wallace "Happy"
• Ellis, Vesphew Benton
• Enloe, Marvin Neil
• Fagg, Elmo
• Fowler, John Wallace “Wally”
• Fox, Eldridge Locke “Foxy”

• Gaither, William James “Bill”
• Gaither, Gloria Lee Sickal
• Gatlin, Earl Smith “Smitty"
• Goff, Jerry
• Goodman, Charles F. “Rusty”
• Goodman, Howard
• Goodman, Vestal
• Grimes, Polly
• Hall, Connor Brandon
• Hamill, Jim
• Harper, Herman Clay
• Hemphill, Joel
• Hess, Jake
• Hildreth, Lou Wills
• Hill, Edwin Lee "Ed"

• Hinson, Kenny
• Hyles, Arnold
• Hyles, Vernon
• Jones, Bob Sr.
• Jones, Jimmy
• Karnes, Rose Carter
• Key, Charles
• The Kingsmen
• Kirksey, Jerry (2011)
• Klaudt, Lillian Little Soldier
• Lane, Jennings Harold
• LeFevre, Alphus
• LeFevre, Eva Mae Whittington
• LeFevre, Urias
• Lester, Harvey Bryant
• Lester, Herschel LuMeart
• Lewis, James Roy “Pop”
• Light, Don
• Lister, Hovie Franklin
• Lister, Thomas Mosie
• Lyles, James William "Bill"

M-Z

• Maples, Fred Calvin
• McClung, John Alexander
• McCoy, Otis Leon
• Mull, Jacob Bazzel
• Mull, Elizabeth "Lady"
• Nelon, Rex Lloyd
• Norcross, Benjamin Marvin
• Nowlin, Wilmer Berney “W. B.”
• O'Neal, Ed
• Orrell, Lloyd
• Ott, Doy Willis
• Pace, Adger McDavid
• Parris, Conley “London”
• Parris, Oren A. “O. A.”
• Parsons, Squire
• Payne, Glen Weldon
• Pittman, Jack Earl

• Powell, Rosa Nell Speer
• Presley, Luther G.
• Rambo, Dottie Luttrell
• Ramsey, William Morgan
• Reader, Naomi Sego
• Reece, David
• Reese, Ray Dean (The Kingsmen)
• Reid, Mary Tom Speer
• Rodeheaver, Homer Alvan
• Roper, Joseph L. “Smilin' Joe”
• Rozell, Roland Dwayne “Rosie”
• Sego, James
• Shaw, Edward Lamar “Bill”
• Shelnut, Dale Lawrence
• Showalter, Anthony Johnson
• Slater, Erman Clark

• Slaughter, Henry Thaxton
• Snider, Marion B.
• Speer, Ben Lacy
• Speer, George Thomas “Dad”
• Speer, Jackson Brock
• Speer, Lena Brock “Mom”
• Stamps, Frank Howard
• Stamps, Virgil Oliver “V. O.”
• Stanphill, Ira Forest
• Stewart, Derrell
• Strickland, Bobby
• Sumner, John Daniel “J. D.”
• Templeton, Maurice
• Tillman, Charles Davis
• Todd, Carl Milton "Billy"
• Toney, Jack
• Unseld, Benjamin Carl

• Varner, Wallace B. "Wally"
• Vaughan, Charles Wesley
• Vaughan, Glenn Kieffer
• Vaughan, James David
• Waits, James Parks “Big Jim”
• Walbert, James D.
• Walbert, William Burton
• Wallace, Ed F. “Eddie”
• Waller, Charles Allen "Charlie"
• Watkins, Archie
• Weatherford, Earl Henderson
• Weatherford, Lily Fern Goble
• Wetherington, James Stephen “Big Chief”
• Whitfield, Jesse Gillis “J. G.”
• Williams, Gerald Don
• Winsett, Robert Emmett
• Younce, George Wilson

Picture Gallery

Dress belonging to the late Vestal Goodman of The Happy Goodman Family

Suit belonging to the late Wendy Bagwell of Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters

Dress belonging to Dottie Rambo

Suit belonging to the late Howard Goodman of The Happy Goodman Family

SGMA Hall of Fame & Induction Ceremony Performances

2009 INDUCTION CEREMONY
Mark Trammell Trio - "Statue of Liberty (Neil Enloe)
Greater Vision - "The Lighthouse" (Ed Hill)
Gospel Harmony Boys - "Standing On the Solid Rock" (Harold Lane)
Dailey & Vincent - "By the Mark" (Don Light)
Dove Brothers Quartet - "How About You" (Bill Lyles)
Chuck Wagon Gang - "Lord Lead Me On" (Elizabeth "Lady" Mull)
Dixie Echoes - "Too Much to Gain to Lose" (Billy Todd)
Booth Brothers - "Still Feelin' Fine" (Charlie Waller)

PINES THEATRE:
Dixie Echoes
Dove Brothers
Triumphant
Diplomats

BACKPORCH THEATRE:
Florida Boys
Blackwood Quartet
Tribute Quartet
Southern Sound

2008 INDUCTION CEREMONY:
The Kingsmen - "Is That the Old Ship of Zion" (Ray Dean Reese)
Triumphant Quartet - "Oh What A Savior" (Polly Grimes)
Dove Brothers Quartet - "I Wanna Go There" (Fred Daniel)
Booth Brothers - "Look for Me At Jesus' Feet" (Squire Parsons)
Lesters - "I'll See You Again" (Herschel Lester)
Florida Boys - "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Luther G. Presley)

SHOWSTREET PALACE:
Dixie Echoes
Crist Family
Dove Brothers Quartet
Lesters

2007 INDUCTION CEREMONY:
Melody Boys Quartet - "I'm Gonna Walk, Talk, and Sing" (Lou Wills-Hildreth)
Matthew Holt - "When They Ring Those Golden Bells" (Anthony Burger)
Greater Vision - "Life Will Be Sweeter Someday" (David Reece)
Inspirations - "Jesus Is Coming Soon" (Archie Watkins)
Legacy Five - "Strike Up the Band" (Roger Bennett)
Naomi & the Segos - "Good Morning Neighbor" (James Sego)
Hemphills - "He's Still Working On Me" (Joel Hemphill)
Hovie Lister & the Statesmen (1971 video) - "The Common Man" (Jimmy Jones)

SHOWSTREET PALACE:
Karen Peck & New River
Dove Brothers Quartet
Inspirations
Melody Boys Quartet

2006 INDUCTION CEREMONY:
Charles Key - "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus" (Charles Key)
Songfellows - "Mansion Over the Hilltop" (Bob Jones Sr.)
Gaither Vocal Band - "Journey to the Sky" (Vernon Hyles)
Henry Slaughter - "Faith Unlocks the Door" (Henry Slaughter)
Florida Boys - "Moving Up to Heaven" (Happy Edwards)
Talley Trio - "Sweeter Each Day" (Mary Tom Speer-Reid)
Southern Sound - "When They Ring Those Golden Bells" (Jack Pittman)
Jeff Stice - "Bells of Joy Keep Ringing" (Wally Varner)
Former Melody Boys Quartet - "I'm Free Again" (Gerald Williams)
Chuck Wagon Gang - "Higher" (Rose Carter-Karnes)

BACKPORCH THEATRE:
Southern Sound
Talley Trio
Crystal River
Booth Brothers

2005 INDUCTION CEREMONY:
Greater Vision - "No Tears In Heaven" (Robert S. Arnold)
Chuck Wagon Gang - "Heaven's Gonna Shine" (Anna Gordon-Davis)
Trav'lers with Kenny Gates - "Sinner Come Home" (Elmo Fagg)
Whisnants - "There's Something About That Name" (Gloria Gaither)
Hayes Family - "Land of Perfect Day" (Rosa Nell Speer-Powell)
Melody Boys Quartet - "Riding On the Glory Train" (Joe Roper)
Dove Brothers Quartet - "He's All That I Need" (Bill Shaw)
Florida Boys - "You Sho Do Need Him Now" (Erman Slater)
Kingdom Heirs - "Beyond the Gates" (Jack Toney)
Dixie Melody Boys - "Dig A Little Deeper" (Eddie Wallace)

BACKPORCH THEATRE:
Trav'lers
Melody Boys Quartet
Greater Vision
Karen Peck & New River
Galloways

2004 INDUCTION CEREMONY:
Melody Boys Quartet - "Hide Thou Me" (Arnold Hyles)
Perrys - "Blessed Assurance" (Lillian Little Soldier Klaudt)
Joshua Pope - "Goodbye World Goodbye" (James D. Walbert)
Gold City - "Everybody Oughtta Know" (London Parris)
Kingdom Heirs - "Love Lifted Me" (Big Jim Hamill)
Dove Brothers Quartet - "Antioch Church Choir" (Ed O'Neal)
Greater Vision - "He Knows How" (Charles Vaughan)
Florida Boys - "This Heart of Mine" (Derrell Stewart)
Crabb Family - "Call Me Gone" (Kenny Hinson)

BACKPORCH THEATRE:
Galloways
Three Bridges
Jody Brown Indian Family
CrossWay
Down East

2003 INDUCTION CEREMONY: Kingdom Heirs / Florida Boys / Inspirations / Gold City / Hoppers / Dove Brothers / Karen Peck & New River / Greater Vision / Dixie Melody Boys / Specks

2002 INDUCTION CEREMONY & AWARDS SHOW:
"Didn't It Rain" - Dove Brothers
"God Wants to Hear You Sing" - Greater Vision
"I Believe" - Gold City
"I Love to Call His Name" - Kingdom Heirs
"I'll Not Turn My Back on Him Now" - Inspirations
"I've Won" - McKameys
"Is Anything Too Hard for God" - Whisnants
"Stand Still" - Isaacs
"Thank God for the Preacher" - Mike Bowling
"That's No Mountain" - Crabb Family

2001 INDUCTION CEREMONY & AWARDS SHOW:
"Four Days Late" - Karen Peck & New River
"Get Up Get Ready" - Gold City
"Getcha To The Other Side" - Kingsmen
"Glorious City Of God" - Greenes
"He Lifted Me" - Kingdom Heirs
"He's Still Waiting By The Well" - Greater Vision
"I Stand Redeemed" - Legacy Five
"Searchin'" - Talley Trio & Jason Crabb
"Through The Fire" - Crabb Family
"Yes I Am" - Hoppers

2000 INDUCTION CEREMONY & AWARDS SHOW: Greater Vision / Jeff & Sheri Easter / Freemans / Gold City / Cathedrals / McKameys / Kingdom Heirs / Kingsmen / Hoppers

See also

• Gospel Music Hall of Fame

External links

• Official website