During The National Quartet Convention, I was privileged to be invited by The Southern Gospel Music Guild to a reception honoring Dottie Lenord Miller for her years of dedication to our industry.
It was a beautiful day as the industry leaders gathered in The VIP room above Freedom Hall to pay tribute to Dottie. As I sat there looking around the room, I remembered past receptions I have attended in that very room for various occasions. I mentioned to Lou Wills Hildreth that so many of the legends have gone away. I remember seeing James Blackwood, Vestal Goodman, Glen Payne, George Younce, and Rex Nelon in that very room just a few years ago. Lou and I discussed the passing of those "greats" and discussed who is filling their shoes. It's hard for me to imagine others being called "legends" when they seem to be so young but I guess it is happening.
I hosted several television shows for a station based out of Knoxville, TN at The recent SGMusic Fan Fair. I asked Connie and Dean Hopper to be my guests on the show and they graciously accepted. As I talked to Connie, I told her that I feel she has taken on the role of a legend. She blushed with humbleness and told me on camera she was just Connie Hopper and didn't think of herself as a legend.
When I attended the Diamond Awards at NQC I smiled at Dean as Connie received The Living Legend Award. I turned to him and said, "I told you!" I am curious who you think is next in line for the title of a legend in Southern Gospel Music. I feel like Connie and Claude have a fair shot as well as my dear friend Lou Wills Hildreth. What about some people like Arthur Rice and Gerald Wolfe?
Let me know what you think. I am curious who you think will fill their shoes.
JP Miller
First Love
http://www.firstloveonline.com
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 09/30/2005
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Category: Monthly ArticlesJP Miller
Comments: 13
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I think Martin Cook, Archie Watkins and Mike Holcomb of the Inspirations should be considered legends. Besides Connie and Dean Hopper, they are about the only ones left from the 60s and 70s. They are models of consistency and stability that should mark a legend.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
Troy Peach is a legend!
Ray Dean Reese, Ann Downing, Ed Enoch, Gerald Williams, or Aaron Crisler.
Bill & Gloria Gaither, Doug Oldham, Ben Speer, Jim Hill...
Ray Reese, J.Bazzell Mull, Peg McKamey, Glenn Allred
Neil Enloe, Duane Nicholson, & Dave Kylonen of the original Couriers.
Not sure of the criteria, but here is a list of individuals who are 1) living, 2) over the age of 60 (or close), and 3) have already attained the status of legend in my view.
It WILL be hard to fill the shoes of those greats that have gone on to glory but I agree with Mike Wigginton and all those he lister both over 60 and under 60. The are many many legends in the making.
I think that Bill Shaw, Randy Shelnut, Gary McSpadden, Big John Hall and Roger McDuff could be considered legends as well.
Mr. Mike Wilkins already mentioned Dave Kyllonen, Duane Nicholson and Neil Enloe, of which I strongly agree, but can we agree to add original 'Courier' singer and manager Don Baldwin, and long time 'Courier' baritone Phil Enloe to this list?
Dottie Rambo, Dottie Rambo, Dottie Rambo, enough said.
In my opinion what makes a legend a legend is the time period they lived, and performed. Those "servants" that can be said that they made "southerngospel" what it is today is mainly due in part to their roots. Obiously, southern gospel has reached a new plateu thanks to the modernization of the sound, it's clarity, etc. and all those who have contributed to it. They will indeed be remembered. Now, I believe that in 15-20 yrs from now, they will be view as legends while the previous mentioned will be view as "great ones". In my opinion, Big John Hall is by far a great "Basso-profundo" Russian kinda bass. He should be with the "great ones".
Dear Hoppers,
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