My background in
Southern Gospel Music goes back some 48 years when I began my music career by singing in my church choir and in local groups.
I also learned to read music during this time. As time went on I became more involved in music both as part of a quartet
and directing music in my church. About 9 years ago I became part of a promotion company booking groups in churches and other
venues in the Southeast. I have had the opportunity to interview and sing with some of the biggest names in Southern Gospel
Music. I currently write a weekly newspaper column entitled "The Southern Gospel Music Corner".
Certainly through my years in music I have had many highlights among them, my interview with Hovie Lister,
Buddy Burton, James Blackwood, Bill Shaw and the list goes on. I also value my friendship with Charlie Waller and his allowing
me to be a small part of the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion. I could not talk about the high points of my musical career without
mentioning my good friends the Trav’lers; Tom, Wayne, Eddie and Joel have played an important part in making my efforts
in Southern Gospel Music always worth the effort.
Over the last 3 years or so I have been a part of the South Carolina
Shape Note Singing Convention and our local chapter the North Greenville Singing convention. Shape Note singing is a style
of singing that goes back many, many years and is the very core of Southern Gospel Music. It is for the above reasons that
I have a desire to preserve the heritage of Southern Gospel Music in South Carolina.