Several months ago, I mentioned the Crusaders Quartet from Birmingham, Alabama in the context of an article about the Harvesters Quartet. Several readers have asked that I do an expanded summary of the career of this short lived quartet. This "history lesson" is in answer to that request. It is particularly appropriate at this time, for the gentleman in charge of forming the Crusaders, Bobby Strickland, was recently inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.
Bobby Strickland is one of a long line of singers that call Sand Mountain, Alabama "home". After singing locally with the Sand Mountain Quartet and the Four Tones, Bobby was tapped to become the first tenor for the Harmoneers Quartet. The Harmoneers were just becoming a major force in the gospel music field. They were one of the first gospel quartets to sign a recording contract with a major secular label when they agreed to terms with RCA Victor. The popularity of the Harmoneers continued to grow, due in part to the charisma and talents of Bobby Strickland. (You can get an in depth look at the history of the Harmoneers in an earlier article). The Harmoneers were among the leaders in the world of gospel music during the time Mr. Strickland was singing tenor with the group.
Along about this time, another former member of the Sand Mountain Quartet, Hovie Lister, was beginning to fulfill his dream of forming the "perfect quartet". Bobby Strickland was chosen to sing tenor in this new group that Hovie dubbed "The Statesmen Quartet". Several personnel changes were made with that early group until Hovie settled on Bobby Strickland (tenor), Jake Hess (lead), Bervin Kendricks (baritone), and Jim Wetherington (bass). That group began to travel extensively in the summer of 1949. They signed a recording contract with Capitol records, and started on an adventure that led them to become arguably the finest quartet in the history of gospel music.
Much like Hovie Lister, Bobby Strickland also had a dream to form his own quartet. Bobby continued to sing and record with the Statesmen until September 1, 1950. Bobby left Atlanta and returned to his native state of Alabama where he set about forming the Crusaders Quartet. There were several quartets traveling the circuit, but the demand for good gospel quartet singing was higher than the supply of groups was able to fulfill. Bobby seized this opportunity and set about to fill that niche in the Alabama area.
Strickland used Birmingham, Alabama as the home base for his newly formed Crusaders Quartet. In doing so, he put together a great lineup of talented musicians. In addition to Strickland, some of the early members included Barney Curington, Bob Prather, Irby Gardner, and Charlie McClain. The group was an immediate hit due in part to their daily program on radio station WVOK in Birmingham.
Bob Prather was an excellent writer, and The Crusaders soon recorded several numbers on the Bullet label. Personnel changes happened quickly and soon another former Statesman, baritone Bervin Kendricks, joined the quartet. The quartet quickly began to gel as Bobby hired Buddy Parker to sing lead, Hershell Wooten as bass, and Dickie Matthews to play the piano. These three young gentlemen were relatively new to professional gospel music, but all went on to have long careers in the industry.
This group was much in demand on the quartet circuit. Bobby wrote some masterful arrangements for the group. He schooled the group not only vocally, but also with their stage presence. This determination made the group one of the most sought after groups on the quartet circuit. Bibletone Records soon signed the Crusaders Quartet to an exclusive recording contract, joining other professional groups such as the Homeland Harmony Quartet, LeFevres, and Sunshine Boys.
In addition to Bobby's work with the Crusaders Quartet, he also taught voice to various students in the Birmingham area. The Thrasher Brothers were among his young students. He also encouraged a young Elvis Presley in his musical endeavors. Bobby soon felt that God was calling him to the ministry. Those that knew him well felt he would have been an excellent minister of the Gospel.
September 24, 1953, Bobby was traveling with three other members of the Crusaders Quartet. That night, an automobile accident stilled the voice of one of the most talented singers of that era at the young age of 33. It was reported that the response to his passing was such that his funeral was one of the largest in that part of Alabama. All of gospel music loved Bobby, and their love was outpoured for their fallen comrade.
The remaining members of the group attempted to continue without their fallen leader. The remaining Crusaders Quartet procured the services of another Sand Mountain tenor, Bill Hefner, to sing in the group, but the Crusaders Quartet soon disbanded. Hefner, Buddy Parker, and Hershell Wooten soon reunited in Charlotte, North Carolina as the foundation for the Harvesters Quartet.
The Crusaders Quartet left us with about twenty songs recorded on 78 rpm vinyl. Although their career was short and recording output limited, they were on the cusp of greatness prior to the death of Bobby Strickland. Big things were certainly in store for the Crusaders Quartet.
Personally, I am glad that the members of the SGMA Hall of Fame have chosen to recognize the talents and legacy of Bobby Strickland and his Crusaders Quartet.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 07/31/2003
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Category: SG History 101
Comments: 35
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John:
John,
Like you, I'm sure, I am not quite old enough to have really seen Bobby Strickland with either the Statesmen or the Crusaders. Thanks for finding the resources to educate us further in ther History of SGM.
BTW, do we need to start calling you Professor Crenshaw or perhaps Dr Crenshaw? 
Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog
Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown
Thanks, Deon, but "John" is just fine with me!
Just like in school we have to learn history before we graduate. I think it should be required for every gospel singer to go through a history course of SGM. How can someone appreciate the present and future, if you have no clue as to the past?
Thanks John for you informative articles. When SGM opens it's first university, you teach the history class!
Dear John,
Well John, looks like you've done it again. Some of us are lucky enough to have some of the 78s of the Crusaders and of the Statesmen w/ Bobby Strickland & Bervin Kendrick. You never fail to add to our knowledge of the history of SGM & its pioneers.
John, these articles get more interesting all the time! Great job. See you in Greenville.
I agree with James Hales comment. SGM History should be a required subject, before you can pass to the next level!. Tommy D. Mayo/Southern Gospel Outreach/Clarksville, Texas.
Dear John : The most amazing voice in the Crusaders Qt,was Buddy Parker.He was as high as most tenors .I have looked at some writings on the message boards concerning
Can any of you tell me who the first group in gospel music was to sell a million albums?
It might be the Blackwood Bros,album "Paradise Island".or Wendy Bagwell,and Sunlighters Album ,"Rattlesnake Story".
I'm not 100% certain of the first group to sell a million albums, but my best guess would be the Chuck Wagon Gang.
Thanks for another great lesson John. I agree, that history should be required and the Chuck Wagon Gang had the greatest distribution at the time.
I am not sure I understand the question ! I'm sure the Chuck Wagon gang as sold over a million recordings total.I am not sure they have sold a million of any one album.Which is it?Jim Wesson ,would know,He has sung them. John is right as to the total.....You go in truck stops,you'll find the Chucks Cassettes........
As far as the first million seller, I think it was Wendy Bagwell's "Rattlesnake Story." At least that is what I read in several places. Other groups may have sold over a million recordings before him, but as far 1 single recording selling over 1 million, I think it was Wendy Bagwell.
I have always heard that The Sego's "Sorry I Never Knew You" was the first million seller.
Hmm...seems I remember hearing that too. Can anyone answer this question to settle all doubts? The Segos version of the song is from the late 1950s. Are they indeed the first million seller?
Inquiring minds want to know! 
The Sego Brothers & Naomi were the First in 1959 of their Recording of "Sorry I Never Knew You" and Wendy Bagwell's "Rattlesnake Story" # 2 in 1985....Tommy D. Mayo's Southern Gospel Outreach/Clarksville, Texas
As an amateur gospel music fan and collector, I, like many others posting here have acquired a lot of gospel books, reference material, and music. I used to check/compare John's articles with the history books. Not anymore. John is always right on the money with excellent writings, and accurate. How such a young person could have acquired all this gospel knowledge, I don't know!
Don.... Thank you for the kind words.
John: Well done, as usual. Sorry I did not make it to GOGR....maybe next year.
John: Well done, as usual. Sorry I did not make it to GOGR....maybe next year.
In mentioning great tenors aways back up the post, I wonder whatever become of BILL SHAW who sang with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet in the 50's and 60's? Does anyone know? I always liked Bill's singing.
Bill is living in Anderson, South Carolina. He still sings a bit, too.
I grew up in Birmingham and went to school back in the 1950's with Rita Strickland, daughter of Bobby Strickland. I would love to know where she is as it has been many years since I have seen her. For some reason she has been on my mind lately. Thanks for any help you might give me.
I Would like to know more concerning Herschal Wooten and where he lives now. He was my inspiration when I was about l5 years old to pursue singing gospel music. I am now 69. He sang in my home church with the All-American Quartet, then with Crusaders. I would like to thank him. He was at that I believe 24 and the lowest bass singer I had heard. Bill Shelton
I am one of Bobby Strickland's 8 grandchildren. Thank you for the wonderful article. None of us ever knew "Granddaddy Strickland", but we have all grown up listening to old recordings of him and reading wonderful articles like this one.
My Father-in-law played Steel Guitar for several bands and also played other instruments as well. His name is Leon Jones and I have a lot of his records that he played on. I would like to be able to turn them into CD's and make him a video with his Pics but I can't find the music online here but I have the records. Could anyone help me on this.
I'm looking into doing this same thing for my grandfather's records. I recommend you do a Google search for "convert LP to CD". There are lots of options out there. Good luck!
I am 17 years old, and have a few bibletone 45's and 78's of the Crusaders, and a Statesmen record with Bobby Strickland, and I am amazed by this group and Bobby's talent. The crusaders could simulate that "boom-pop-boom-pop" rythym sound in the background like no others! I love their piano player, although I am not quite sure who he was. Theres still a few of us kids who like this stuff out there, so please don't let it die!
The pianist for the Crusaders was Dickie Matthews. The last I heard, he was playing the riverboat in Chattanooga. You should check him out!
Mrs DeShazo, do you know how many records the crusaders made? I have 5 and would love to find them all.
It is great to see and read the history of gospel music. All of the comments have been great. Having grown up in Lakeland, Fla in the late 40s and 50s, it was exciting to see the cars pull in to Lakeland and see the greats sing their hearts out. Does anyone know if Horace Parrish who lives in central Fla is still doing good? Hope to see folks at the annual GOGR in Greenville in August. Keep the old music alive please just like the hymns we are still singing at my church.
I am not sure how many records the Crusaders made -- sorry!
As you can tell by my name, I'm one of Bobby's nephews. I remember going to the WVOK radio station with my dad, Ed. Strickland, one of Bobby's older brothers. It was more excitement than I had ever experienced. We would watch Bobby do his show's live and later my dad gave me some recordings of those radio shows. They are on cassette tapes that my dad made. I know Rita died a number of years back from cancer I believe but that girl could play a piano. The last time I saw her was in about 1989. I went to visit her with my aunt, Bobby's only sister. Rita would sit at the piano and play and sing from memory, " My God Is Real", for I can feel Him in my heart. I could be mistaken but I believe it was his best know song. Taken from us way too soon, Bobby had a funeral that was until Bear Bryant died, the largest funeral in Alabama. Bobby is buried in Crossville, Alabama. He now resides in Heaven with ALL his brothers and sister. My dad was the last of the family to pass. He died May 3, 2010. Three weeks short of his 97th birthday. I cried for Bobby when he was killed and still do for my dad. I hope to see them soon, God's perfect time.
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