In 1963, Sherrill Nielsen (tenor singer with the Speer Family) met Brenda Hall, his first love and the love of his life while performing in a concert hosted by the Couriers Quartet in Harrisburg PA. It was love at first sight for both of them. On December 12, 1963, they were married in Gettysburg PA and moved to Atlanta GA to team up with and organize the Imperials Quartet. In 1965, the Imperials moved to Nashville TN, where their beautiful daughter, SherRee’ was born. In 1966, Sherrill and Brenda moved to Ontario CA to team up with the Songfellows and the Brush Arbor Jubilee. In 1967, Brenda assessed the situation and realizing that Sherrill did not need the strain of a wife and baby at this point in his career, she released him like a cherished butterfly to pursue his musical career. In 1985, SherRee’ was killed by a drunk driver in Tyler TX. SherRee’ was Sherrill and Brenda’s only child.
Sherrill left CA and joined the Plainsmen, then later the Statesmen. In 1973, he because a part of the Elvis Presley Show. According to Felton Jarvis, Elvis’ producer, Sherrill was Elvis’ favorite singer. After Elvis’ death in 1977, Sherrill continued his own career. In the mid 1980’s, Sherrill joined the Masters V to replace Rozie Rozzell (who had suffered a heart attack). Sherrill is the only artist to be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as a member of three different groups: the Speer Family, the Imperials, and the Statesmen. Brenda who was busy with her Government career, took out a few years and performed with the Weatherford Quartet and James Clark and the Love Revival Singers. Sherrill, never got over his love for Brenda and has carried a torch for her for the past 40 years. He never dreamed it possible that he might be able to find her again but Brenda’s secretary, JoAnn Garza, found Sherrill in Europe, where he has been touring for the past 12 years, and the rest is history in the making. Some 40 years later the cherished butterfly flew back from Denmark and the two were remarried on June 28, 2004 in Las Vegas NV.
Brenda is currently working as an Architectural/Designer and Manager with the Government in Houston TX. Sherrill and Brenda will be living in the Houston TX area. The happy couple can be contacted at P. O. Box 20152, Houston TX 77225.
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 06/30/2004
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Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 26
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I have followed bits and pieces of Sherril's career but this is one aspect I was not aware of. Sherril and Brenda, I wish you the best.
What an interesting and unique story!
And John Crenshaw's article about the Imperials started the ball rolling.
Dean
Ol' matchmaker John has made history!
James I agree with you. This is awsome, goes to show ya if it be real, love never dies.
I ahve always thought Sherrill Neilson was one of the most underated performers in SGM a true talent, and I am so happy for him and his wife
This is a wonderful story with a happy ending! God bless!
I just hope we get to hear him sing again. This is one wonderful and very missed gospel singer.
Wow, John, great work. I guess we have to change your (self proclaimed) name from stupid dude to cupid dude... LOL
Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
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Oh,~ Sherril my dear friend~ I am so very happy for you! I worried about you in Denmark. I remember the sad longing look in your eye when you shared about your marriage with me when we first meet in the early 70's. It was so great getting back in touch with you for a short time a few years ago! May God richly bless you both! She is beautiful!
I think that this is the most beautiful love story ever told. It couldn't have happened to anyone better than the "two love birds"....40 years is a long time to carry a torch, but Sherrill never gave up. This restores my faith in God that He keeps His hand upon our lives. Does this mean that we will be hearing duets from both the love birds. I have heard Brenda sing with the Love Revival Singers and will be looking foward to hearing both of them somewhere down the road
This is truly a love story that could be re-told through music. Congratulations to the happy couple. Sherrill and Brenda's love for each other gives credence to the old adage that love does survive the test of time.
I have made it a practice in my singing career,to not depend on
Amazing story, amazing man, amazing voice, one of the classiest still!!
After carrying a torch for so many years, it is heart warming to see that Mr. Nielsen was able to reunite with the love of his life. I hope to hear a concert soon. This story has the makings of a great love song.
What a beautiful touching love story. I have heard Brenda sing with the Love Revival Singers and their harmony is untouchable. Was wondering if they are still singing. So happy to learn that Sherrill finally found the happiness that he has been searching for some forty years. Sherrill is certainly an icon in southern gospel music. Hopefully, we will hear some great news that Sherrill and Brenda will be putting together their own group. Please keep us all posted if this happens.
I got goose bumps reading this beautiful love story. God certainly has had his hand on their lives. My question is: When are we going to hear the love birds sing? I know that they both have played a major role in southern gospel music. We will be watching patiently to see a follow-up article. John, you did a great job in playing "match maker".
This is great news. I still play the 33 1/3 RPM record of the Love Revival Singers and love to hear the voice of Brenda. Will we be hearing more of her? Perhaps in a duet with new husband?
I often wondered what happened to the person that sang "Softly As I Leave You" with Elvis. Now that Shaun has "been found" will we be hearing more songs featuring that wonderful voice?
A love story to be shared with the world. As an Elvis fan, I remember the song "Softly As I Leave You" and wondered what happened to the person doing the singing. When will a CD be available? Just love the sound of Sherrill and the emotion that he is able to express with music.
Wow! I was shocked when I saw this story today. I am overwhelmed for this great singer. Blessings flow all around us and all we hear are the worst stories. The song of his life has a happy ending. I am so pleased. Thank God for those in Gospel music who truly care for the other person. What else can I say? Please look at Philippians 1:6. It's really all up to God. Why don't we learn that lesson somewhere along the way....
Shaun will always be Sherrill to me. The greatest tenor singer to ever render "Walk With Me" and "If Ever I Should Leave You."
I disovered the name "Sherrill Nielsen" recently when I was looking for versions of a song called "Softly As I Leave You" and I heard the beautiful duet of it made by himself and Elvis many years. I was seeking to learn more about him on the internet and came across this beautiful story of him re-marrying his first love. It's enough to restore your faith in human nature when you read stories like this ! Bravo !
Hey Shaun and Brenda,
sherrill i just purchased the cds of
Great story, thanks for sharing. Love is a hard thing to find in this world and so many of us lose it or let it die. Hold on with everything you have.
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