Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame-Class of 2007

[pethead97]

Check this article out from the GMA Hall of Fame website:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nov. 1, 2007 - The GMA Foundation (GMAF) inducted the 2007 class of Christian and gospel music legends into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame at a Oct. 29 dinner and ceremony held at the Richland Country Club in Nashville.

"This year�s class of GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees are each unique in their significant contributions to the heritage and diversity of gospel music, but together share a legacy of creating redemptive music that has inspired music audiences for decades,� GMA President/CEO John W. Styll said.

The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame was established in 1971 and has inducted more than 150 members since its inception, including Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Keith Green, Amy Grant, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Andrae Crouch, Sandi Patty, Vestal Goodman, Tennessee Ernie Ford, 2nd Chapter of Acts, The Oak Ridge Boys, Petra, Bill and Gloria Gaither, the Rambos, Evie, Richard Smallwood, Jake Hess, The Lewis Family, Thomas A. Dorsey, the Fairfield Four, Billy Graham and the Jordanaires.

Phil Keaggy has been a beloved artist and musician in Christian music for over two decades. Born and raised in Ohio in a Catholic family of 10, Keaggy always loved music and spent hours listening to singers like Elvis Presley and Johnny Ray. His first guitar was a late-'50s Gretsch Anniversary model; at age ten his father bought him a Sears Silvertone, and by the end of fifth grade, he was playing in front of his entire school. He and his longtime friend, drummer John Sferra, founded Glass Harp in the late '60s when Keaggy was still in high school. They became known as one of the most innovative power trios around, even though they only made four albums for Decca Records, Glass Harp earned a devoted fan base, thanks in great part to Keaggy's lightning-fast guitar riffs and experimental sounds. At their pinnacle, Glass Harp was opening for such major acts as Iron Butterfly, Yes, Traffic and Chicago. He left Glass Harp in 1972 and the following year recorded his first solo album, What a Day. His first instrumental project, The Master and the Musician was released in 1978. Keaggy has released well over 45 albums earning critical acclaim for both his virtuosity on guitar and his songwriting, which ranges from Beatles� pop to more subtle instrumentals. Over the years, Keaggy has shared in the music ministries of artists such as Love Song, Paul Clark, Randy Stonehill, Barry McGuire, Honeytree and others who were pioneers in the Christian music movement.

Few names are as synonymous with inspirational Christian music as Larnelle Harris. Admired by fans and peers alike for his majestic tenor voice, Harris has enjoyed a career that spans over three decades. Before becoming a soloist, Harris toured with the gospel group The Spurlows and was a member of the Gaither Vocal Band. Honored with five Grammy Awards, 11 Dove Awards including three Male Vocalist of the Year honors, a Stellar Award and numerous other accolades, Harris has garnered 19 No. 1 radio singles and many of his songs such as "How Excellent Is Thy Name," "I Miss My Time With You," "I've Just Seen Jesus" and his signature song, "Amen," are considered modern classics. From the White House to the danger zone of the 38th Parallel, Harris has impacted audiences across the globe with his music and ministry. He was the first Christian artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council's Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song "Mighty Spirit" as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history. Still a sought-after vocalist for special events and ceremonies, Larnelle also continues to perform 75-100 solo concerts for churches and Christian organizations worldwide each year. Wowing crowds with a voice that still soars with both soulfulness and tenderness, Harris continues to receive rave reviews for his performances.

The Statler Brothers - Harold Reid, Phil Balsley, Jimmy Fortune and Don Reid - was the premier group in country music for nearly 40 years. Starting out in 1964 as backup for Johnny Cash on stage, record and TV, they served their apprenticeship with him for nearly nine years. During that time they recorded their first hit record, "Flowers on the Wall", and were regulars on the weekly "Johnny Cash Show" on ABC. Leaving the Cash troupe in 1972, they continued with such hit songs as "Bed of Rose's", "Class of '57" and "I'll Go to My Grave Loving You." Their original harmonies, sense of humor and lyrical style of writing highlighted a career that led them to the top of the music charts countless times and to a concert touring success that packed arenas and theaters with every performance. They have also appeared at the White House a total of five times. Their award winning (Grammys, CMAs, Gold and Platinum records and etc.) is legendary and they are considered to be the most honored of any act in the country music field. The '90s saw them starring in their own television series, "The Statler Brothers Show," on TNN (The Nashville Network) for seven years and remaining the number one show on the network its entire run. Deciding to retire from a lifetime of traveling and enjoy the good life in their homes in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, they gave their farewell concert in the fall of 2002. Although no longer touring, the group remained active, releasing a new gospel album, Amen, on Crossroads Records and following it in 2003 with a CD/DVD of their final show. In 2006, Mercury Records released Favorites, a 12-song compilation handpicked by the band's remaining members.

The Winans, a contemporary gospel music group was formed by four brothers, from Detroit. The family has additionally produced two well-known solo/duo gospel performers, BeBe and CeCe Winans. After having sung in gospel choirs all their lives brothers Marvin, Carvin, Ronald and Michael Winans, began their professional career in the early '80s, following in the footsteps of their siblings BeBe & CeCe but forging their own successful career. The brothers were first discovered by Andra� Crouch, who signed them to Light Records with their first record, Introducing The Winans, released in 1981. The group always stayed close to their gospel roots but created a more urban contemporary sound that drew mainstream attention from leading R&B artists such as Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Anita Baker and Michael McDonald and resulting in their signing a record deal with Quincy Jones� label Qwest Albums in the early '90s. After two successful R&B charting albums All Out and Return, which featured the hit single "It's Time" which was produced by Teddy Riley (who also rapped on the song). In 1995 the Winans returned to their trademark gospel with Heart & Soul. The group took a break after this album to pursue personal endeavors and reunited in 2000 to release a holiday album, Christmas: Our Gifts to You. In 2002, Rhino Records released The Very Best of The Winans and the whole Winans family, not just the group itself, went on tour together making it the first time in a decade all the family members had performed together.

Few people associated with gospel music have had such a diverse and long-standing impact on the industry as Joe Moscheo. His career, which stretches over four decades, has run the gamut from musician to manager to songwriter to producer to author, putting Moscheo in a category all of his own. In 1964 Moscheo joined The Imperials as a singer, keyboard player and arranger. Throughout a very successful career, they worked with the likes of Elvis Presley, Jimmy Dean, Roy Clark, Carol Channing and Pat Boone and Moscheo wrote gospel songs recorded by many different gospel groups. His musical accomplishments earned him multiple Grammy and Dove Awards. In 1978, Moscheo joined the business of music at BMI where he served as Vice President of Special Projects. After a 16-year stint at BMI, he formed his own management company, working with such notable recording artists as BeBe & CeCe Winans, Michael English, Wynonna and Naomi Judd. In 1996 Moscheo launched the Entertainment/Music Division for Nashville�s First Union Bank, and served there for nearly a decade before joining MCS America, Inc., where he oversaw the U.S. operations of this London-based company, and was later made President in 2004. Moscheo was a member of the founding council of Leadership Music. He has served as a past president and trustee of the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). He was also a board member (and past president) of the W.O. Smith / Nashville Community Music School. Moscheo is also a past president and permanent board member of the Gospel Music Association. In 2007, Moscheo published his first best-selling book remembering his years with Elvis Presley, The Gospel Side of Elvis.

The GMA Foundation (GMAF) is a non-profit educational association working in connection with the Gospel Music Association (GMA) The GMAF recognizes and preserves the history and legacy of all forms of gospel music and provides educational resources that encourage participation and appreciation by the general public. Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Christian/Gospel music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip hop, southern gospel, country, and more. The GMA community consists of 4,000 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Music Week, GMA Music in the Rockies, and the GMA Academy. For more information, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.

[brent]

I like what Joe Moscheo did for the Imperials the first time around. I sorta like what he did for the Elvis shows, Gospel Side of Elvid and anniversary concert DVDs. But going out with Terry, Sherman and some unknown tenor as "The Imperials", while the REAL, legal, Imperials and Armond Morales' Classic Imperials are doing there thing is poor taste. The youtube videos of the songs are not great.

I love all of those guys, but they are confusing the public IMO.

[Jonathan]

I'm confused.

Phil Keaggy though, good for him.

Glass Harp rules.

[WR1U]

Thomas Dorsey is that like the jazz legend tommy dorsey?

[charl]

No. Thomas Dorsey is one of the most influential figures in gospel music.

This is Thomas Dorsey.

This is Tommy Dorsey.

[winterlens]

No. Thomas Dorsey is one of the most influential figures in gospel music.

Char actually knows nothing about gospel or jazz.

[charl]

Ohhhh you got me. It's so true.

I am sure you are such an expert in Jazz that you are familiar with the music of Buddy Bolden aren't you?

[winterlens]

Not only that, but Char loves pop country music. I heard her say she was going to marry Kenny Chesney once.

[charl]

So you are not addressing me directly, like all snivelling rumour mongers. And you are hijacking this thread. Troll.

Who the hell is Kenny Chesney? Is that your stage name?? You wish.

[separateunion]

Kenny Chesney is Winterlens' alter ego...

[winterlens]

I like the Statler Brothers. "Countin' flowers on the wall" is basically the story of my life. Except that I didn't watch the shows they did. And I love the song about Randolph Scott. I used that to great effect in English papers in school.

I'm not a troll anymore. And Char has ntohing else to reply with; her evil taunts are all taunted out. So HA. HAHAHAHA.

[charl]

I see you haven't corrected the snivelling, Kenny.

[winterlens]

Every time you say that, I think of South Park. Regardless, it's mildly flattering that you have named me after your intended groom. If only I could sing as well as he could... Of course, I wouldn't want to be KICKED IN THE FACE either.

[charl]

Ahh that's why I said you wish.

Of course you want to be kicked in the face. We have already established that you are a masochist from a long line of masochists.

[winterlens]

So you admit that you really do want to marry a pop country singer! And you call me a masochist?