My background in Southern Gospel Music goes back some 46 years where 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.