The evening of Friday September 19th, 2008 became quite a memorable time for one famous Southern Gospel Music family, and the men and families of Southern Sound Quartet of Nashville, TN. You see, Southern Sound was the exclusive quartet invited to perform at an invitation only surprise birthday party being held for Joann Ruiz, sister to Hovie Lister, founder and manager of the famous Statesmen Quartet. The surprise party was held at the Union Hill Community Center near Woodstock, GA, which is an old renovated 1920’s school. The atmosphere there added a sense of history to the nostalgia of the evening.
Most of the 200 plus guests waited on the lawn outside, for the car carrying Miss Joann to arrive. I suppose everyone wished to witness her surprised reaction and they were certainly not disappointed! Only a few days before, both Joann and Hovie Lister’s widow Ethel, had been given a copy of Southern Sound’s new CD, “Reflections…A Tribute” which was a project honoring the Statesmen Quartet. Joann had told her family then, she thought the CD was the most fitting tribute yet to the memory of the Statesmen Quartet.
When Miss Joann emerged from the car and realized what was happening in her honor, she began to cry. “All these people came for me? Who came in that big bus?” Jimmy Jones, former piano player for the Monarch Quartet, told her it was Southern Sound Quartet, the group she had heard a few days before on CD. She asked Jimmy, “How did you get them to come here?” Jimmy said, “I made one phone call and it was a done deal” holding up one finger to represent how easy the task of securing their appearance had been. It was clear Miss Joann was very taken by the outpouring of love shown to her on this, her birthday. “They told me we were going shopping, and this is so much better.”
The evening began with smiles and laughter all around, with people shaking hands, hugging one another and a few renewing old friendships after many years apart. The entire standing-room-only crowd sang Happy Birthday to Joann, and after the blessing on the meal, everyone set down to a banquet fit for a king.
When the meal had ended, Southern Sound took to the stage singing songs from their new Statesmen tribute project. The crowd instantly pivoted in their seats and focused their attention toward the quartet, almost in disbelief, for these guys sounded virtually identical to the quartet this famous family had known so well for so many years. They sang ”Oh My Lord What A Time”, I Don’t Want This Modern Religion”, “Up Above My Head”, “This Is The Day”, “Closer To Thee” and many other songs made famous by the Statesmen Quartet. But one particular song struck a chord like no other with Joann and her children, Ethel and daughter Lisa and others from the Lister family. The song was “My Home” a song about home and family, which was one of Hovie’s original solos. Miss Ethel and Lisa looked at each other smiling, as only a mother and daughter could do, and both wiped tears from their eyes. It was a precious and tender moment.
Asked later what she thought of Southern Sound, Miss Ethel said, “Southern Sound has captured the style and tradition of the Statesmen far closer than any others have ever done. They are very well rehearsed, and one thing is certain, Hovie firmly believed in rehearsal. I think they represent the Statesmen very well, and it is evident they are not fake, but are all good Christian men. I hope they sell thousands of copies of this CD, these guys deserve it.” Hovie and Ethel’s daughter Lisa added, “You guys were fantastic. I enjoyed every minute. You are so much like the Statesmen. I know my father would have been very proud.” Miss Ethel later remarked, “This was such a wonderful evening but it was also very hard for me, for these men sound exactly like the Statesmen”.
Then Ethel turned her attention to one of the members of Southern Sound standing nearby and said, “I am so glad you did not record ‘Get Away Jordan’ as it has been so over done” which caused a sudden burst of laughter from those seated nearby.
On this very special evening there were many very capable singers and musicians in attendance, representing the immediate family, friends of the family and several churches from the central and north Georgia area. A few of those churches represented were, First Baptist of Woodstock, GA, Eastwood Baptist and Elizabeth Baptist both of Marietta, GA, Cheetham Hill Baptist of Kennesaw and Calvary’s Way of Elijay, GA.
Yes indeed, this night proved to be one very memorable evening, and it was clear to all that a rare and special bond had been formed between the famous Lister family, and the individuals of Southern Sound Quartet. You could see it in their faces, and feel it in the air. It was electrifying. (In fact, since this evening members of the Lister family have frequented concerts by Southern Sound when they are in the North Georgia area.) The lady of the hour was asked how she thought Southern Sound did as a stand in for her brother’s famous Statesmen Quartet. Smiling from ear to ear, and waving a hankie in the air, Joann said, “Southern Sound was simply wonderful, and what a great surprise they were! I cannot believe they were here. I love their music. I love them! The only thing they were missing was Hovie’s red suspenders!”
I don’t think it could have been stated any better.
Written by
Sheila Robinson
 Ben and Ethel |  Ethel, Ben and Lisa |
 Lisa and Ben |  Mike and Ethel |
 Mike and JoAnn |  Trevor, Ben and Ethel |
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 04/15/2009
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 2
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I think Mike Young's father has a special relationship with Hovie Lister..I think I read somewhere that Hovie introduced Little David Young to Mike's mother (Colleen)..
You are correct. Mr. Young and the Lister Family do have very close ties.
On another note, I cannot remember having so much fun singing. It was intimidating at first, but that all melted away as the evening flew by. A great experience for SSQ.
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