No special trivia question today. . . I'm heading to the SGMA Hall of Fame induction ceremony to celebrate ten gospel music legends being honored by their peers.

If any of you have any special memories of any of the ten inductees, let me encourage you to post them in this thread.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and keep those of us who are traveling in your prayers.

I'm sure we'll have a lot to report when we return!

Have a great trip John! And be sure to come back and share all your special stories with us, stuff you've done while 'on assignment'!

I first met Charles Key in 1993 when I was Minister of Music at a church in West Metro Atlanta. Our church had Jimmy Jones and The Heralds come for a special event that was being held in our fellowship hall. We had set up a Rhodes electric piano for Charles to play and he did. However, about a year later when we had them come for homecoming Charles called me to see if there was anyway we could have an accoustic piano set up. I learned from some other group members that he was not a fan of an electric piano. We had a 6 foot grand for him to play on that concert. And he did play it. I am so grateful that we video taped that concert. In the 6 or 7 times that I had the opportunity to sit down with Charles, I learned so much about playing the piano. He was always so gracious to show me whatever he could. Jimmy would always say that Charles Key was the most "complimentary" pianist that he had ever worked with. Charles knows how to put the fills and runs right where they need to be, right when they need to be. Not overpowering, not flashy, just solid. I will always be thankful for knowing Charles Key and for what he was able to get through my thick skull about playing a piano.
Congratulations Charles!
:smiley wave:

I remember one memorable evening about 1951, when my I got to
see The Rev. Hovie Lister and The Sensational Statesmen Quartet, for my
first time. The group was terrific, Hovie Lister was the
Pianist/mgr./emcee, Tenor: C.G. "Cat" Freeman
(Vestal Goodman`s brother),Lead: W.J. Jake Hess, Baritone: Doy
Ott, Bass:"Big Chief" Jim Wetherington. On the same program was,
The Famous Blackwood Brothers Quartet, Wally Fowler and The Oak
Ridge Quartet and The Trumpteers featuring Rosie Rozell who was
later hired by The Statesmen. The two top groups there were The
Blackwood Brothers and The Statesmen-who went on to be known as
"The Perfect Quartet", and I don`t believe they have had an equal since
then. Does anyone here have any memorable first concerts? I`d like to
read about them.

Happy Edwards.....

Happy was so much fun to watch.....not just his singing, but he was so funny. I can still remember some of his antics on stage, and smile about them.

One memory I have of Happy was during one of the GOGR concerts. Happy started talking about how happy he was to be singing again. He had experienced some major health problems, and he was talking about the blessings he received from being able to be on stage again. Just about the time he had some of us ready to cry, he delivered his punch line......"I am so happy to be here, it just brings a big old lump right in my................wallet". Of course, everyone was expecting Happy to say "in my heart", so that changed all the tears to laughter.
Happy was that way. He was an entertainer and a tenor.

I also remember the year that Happy had throat problems, and could only get a whisper out.........but, he stood up there with his group (The Harmoneers) and sang the best he could, anyway (I think Freddie Daniels sang with him that year, to give the group a tenor). That, my friend, is dedication....and love of what he was doing. I miss him.

Folks, it was a spectacular program. I'll write more about it in the next few days.

What a program it was. I thought it was the best SGMA Day ever. Thanks to Charlie for one of the most enjoyable days I've ever had.

Memories....Charles Key is one of the kindest, most gracious men I've ever had the privilege of meeting. Just to tell the man what an inspiration he is and what a great piano player he is and to hear his response is something that makes me feel good.

And Gerald Williams is a true gentleman in every aspect. One of the greatest bass singers that has ever taken the stage and a first class individual.