The Gospel Harmony Boys
GHB Inducted to Christian Music Hall of Fame
July, 2008
The Christian Music Hall Of Fame Weekend
by Dr. Clacy Williams
GHB's Christian Music Hall of Fame Award
I just wanted to take this opportunity to share with you our experience during induction weekend at the Christian Music Hall of Fame in Allen Texas. Memorable? Yes. Unforgettable? Absolutely. Unlike other music awards, the CMHOF encompasses every perceived genre of Christian Music and recognizes artists from Christian Country, Southern Gospel, Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian, Inspirational and Black Gospel music. Consequently, recognition is truly an extraordinary honor. Andy Woolard, founder and Executive Director of the "Hall" was a gracious and congenial host who put together a wonderful experience for each of the inductees who could attend. He reminded me of the stereotypical Texan, a big man with a huge, but tender heart. The whole experience began for the GHBs when we arrived at the airport in Dallas on Friday afternoon.
The Texas Book Depository: the entire 6th and 7th floors are now a museum dedicated to the life and assassination of President Kennedy.
According to our resident history buff, Greg Tingler, a visit to Dallas isn't complete without a stop at the site of President Kennedy's assassination. Our time at the 6th Floor Museum, located in the Texas School Book Depository Building from which the President was shot, was both an educational and very emotional experience. We left with a better understanding of that infamous day's events. As a prominent researcher in the field related to us his findings regarding the "Grassy Knoll" scenario, it became clear why there is still such controversy regarding the event and the number of participants.
After our visit at the museum, we drove to the Embassy Suites Hotel in Frisco Texas, a Dallas suburb. The hotel served as the Christian Music Hall of Fame's headquarters during induction weekend. We settled in and attended the artists welcome where we met many of our fellow inductees for the first time. Since both selected artists from 2007 and 2008 were being inducted this year, the potential roster was larger than normal. But those in attendance included, Les Beasley, Lou Hildreth and Kirk Tally as well as most other inductees and performers for the Saturday evening ceremony. Our time with them and other Christian Music legends like the Jordanaires, Dan Dean and Lulu Roman will always be highly valued.
Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church
Our arrival at the beautiful Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church on Saturday morning found the fanfare area bustling with activity as artists and vendors were preparing for the folks who were to attend that afternoon and evening. Our display area was near the Chuck Wagon Gang, the Imperials, Candi Staton and KCBI Radio who provided live coverage of the day's events and conducted interviews with the artists.
Les Beasley: Somebody shoot my picture!
Our sound check was scheduled for 1:00 and we were impressed with the facilities at Cottonwood Creek Baptist, the beauty of the set, the quality of the sound and the organization of the staff. It was a pleasure to work with them. The green room and the make-up room were filled with laughter as the artists became acquainted and relaxed in preparation for the evening event. After hopping out of the make-up chair, Les Beasley found himself between two of the beautiful young ladies who were to work the stage that evening and said, "Somebody shoot my picture." So I did.
Clacy with Jesse Dixon
Throughout the afternoon and evening, Andy Woolard was the impeccable host. Though being sought after and pulled from every angle during the hectic, last-minute preparation, Andy maintained his composure and his Christianity during what had to be a nerve wracking experience. Yet, he was always there to answer our every question and provide assistance whenever needed. He is truly a "Southern Christian Gentleman".
Host Andy Woolard
The Jordanaires: "God Bless The USA"
The performances of the evening were inspiring and seeing legends like Jesse Dixon receive his induction award was simply icing on the cake. Watching the Jordanaires perform "God Bless the USA"; seeing Russ Taft perform again with the Imperials; listening to the stirring acceptance speech of Pat Boone; hearing "I'll Fly Away" by the legendary Chuck Wagon Gang; listening to Walter Hawkins sing his masterpiece, "Marvelous"; presenting the induction award to contemporary Christian artist Candi Staton, and performing "I Believe" before this wonderful audience will remain a highlight of our experience with the Gospel Harmony Boys. Such recognition of our service was a humbling experience, yet one of our ministry's finest moments.
The Chuck Wagon Gang sing "I'll Fly Away"
GHB's present Candi Staton's award
The Gospel Harmony Boys perform "I Believe"
As we were presented the award and I listened to Greg's wonderful acceptance speech, my mind wondered to the many men who have been part of this organization over the years, the wonderful contribution each of them made and how, without them, this recognition would never have been possible. My first thoughts were of the man I consider our mentor, Homer Fry. Then came the other extraordinary artists with whom Calvin, Greg and I had the privilege to serve during our early years with the GHBs: Grey Johnson, Sonny Sites, Harold Patrick and Michael Bloomfield.
Then recollections came of some of the folks who preceded us like Asbury Adkins, Asa LeGrand, Dick Lucas, Carlos Day and Dale Musgrave, and finally to those original members of the GHBs from 1952 including our founder, Harold Lane.
"Such recognition of our service was a humbling experience, yet one of our ministry's finest moments."
These men laid the foundation upon which this entire ministry has been built. We thank God for them and for so many other wonderful and talented men who have followed and labored in this work. To all of these individuals and to their families, who have made such huge sacrifices that they might serve, we owe thanks, but our praise is reserved for the "One" we have all served, the "One" whose love knows no boundary, the "One" who is Worthy of Praise.
We have so many more pictures of this great event to share with you. Please visit our photo gallery.
Click here to visit The Christian Music Hall of Fame
