Eunice Campbell Morrison was a talented alto singer as a teenager traveling and singing with her father and brothers in the Campbell family through the oft-remembered singing convention period of the 1930’s. John and Eunice met at a gospel singing convention in Splendora, Texas in 1940. Eunice’s father, Carroll Campbell, immediately put John in the family quartet with Eunice to sing lead. They continued to sing together for over five decades and their talented children, Kent and Saundra, developed a great appreciation for Southern Gospel Music. In 1964, John opened the The East Texas Jamboree at Johnny Morrison’s Haybarn in Shepherd, Texas. This was a stage show for family entertainment that featured famous Bluegrass and Country artists from that era such as Ernest Tubb, Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell and Bob Wills.
Virgil O. Stamps [1892 – 1940] was the older brother to Frank, and the first to inspire and promote southern-style gospel singing across America. Though he was a noted singer, writer, publisher, and pioneer recording artist, his greatest accomplishment was spreading gospel music through the “glory days” of radio. For several years his company counted many salaried quartets and more than 100 affiliated quartets on radio stations nationwide. After working for the Vaughan Music Company from 1915 into the early 1920s, Stamps launched out on his own in 1924 and founded the V.O. Stamps Music Company in Dallas, Texas. Two years later, Stamps merged the company with J. R. Baxter, Jr. to form the Stamps-Baxter Music and Printing Company. By the late 1930s, it was the most successful publisher of shaped-note songbooks in America. The company’s annual Stamps-Baxter School of Music, that began in the mid-1920s, stood as the largest developer of gospel singers in Texas and throughout the South for more than four decades.
After 14 fabulous years with the Gaither Vocal Band, Guy Penrod is currently riding high in a solo ministry, garnering two 2011 Dove Award nominations. This country style and gospel music album features “Breathe Deep” and country single “Are You The One”. As a stellar representative of his Texas Gospel Music roots, Guy’s music is celebrated as “life music” expressing his devotion to family values and to ministering the gospel. Born in Abilene, Texas, the son of a preacher, Guy and Angie, his wife of 25 years, live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their seven sons and one daughter. So many fans in Texas and across the country appreciate Guy’s amazing vocal talent and his heart for God heard through any and all of his performances.
Calvin and Lillie Wills sang together for most of the last 40 years of the Wills Family’s 60 year career. Calvin was the oldest brother of the seven children of Aaron Burr Wills and he knew from early childhood that he wanted to sing Gospel Music for the rest of his life. When “Pop” Wills formed the first family group in 1938 with Calvin and the two oldest sisters, Eva Rene and Lou, he surely had no idea that the Singing Wills Family would continue their successful music career for over six decades. Calvin was caught in a surprise when he was inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1997. His long time partner and co-founder, Tom Ellis, served up the induction along with sister Lou. So many friends and fans of Calvin and the Wills Family through the years have acknowledged his profound contribution to the industry and ministry of Gospel Music. Some called him “Mr. Gospel Music of Texas!!”
Glen Weldon Payne [1926 – 1999] was born in Royce City (near Rockwall) in the middle of the Great Depression. His love for gospel music began at an early age when his grandfather took him to hear the Stamps Quartet. Early in his teens he attended the Stamps School of Music, and following his military service in the Forties, returned to teach at the school. During that time he sang with the Frank Stamps Quartet and the Stamps-Ozark Quartet. In 1957 he joined Earl Weatherford and the Weatherfords out of Oklahoma and from there formed a trio to sing for the Cathedral of Tomorrow in Akron, Ohio in 1963.
Lee Graves has been in Texas Gospel music since 1950, when he joined the Biron Dyes Quartet from Joaquin, Texas, as their tenor. He sang for about a year with this group, then was called up to serve in the Korean War. Following his military service, he sang with the Joint Heirs Quartet of Shelby County.
Charles F. Brown is one of the greatest musical talents to come from the Lone Star State!
Lester George Beasley was born in Crockett Texas in August 1928. As the son of a preacher he began singing in church at an early age – and especially loved the style of four part harmony music. His family lived in Texas most of his childhood until moving to Arkansas shortly before Les joined the Marines in the early 50ís. Following military duty that included involvement in the Korean War, Les joined the Gospel Melody Quartet in 1955 and soon renamed the group The Florida Boys. He has managed this very popular gospel quartet for over forty years – they still have many, many fans in Texas!
Following the Gospel Concert at Will Rogers Auditorium in 1997 when Larry Gatlin was inducted into the Hall of Fame, the TGMM&HF Board knew that there would come a time when it would be appropriate to induct the rest of the Gatlin family. That time came in 2003 at the first annual Calvin Wills Memorial Concert in Arlington. Steve, Rudy and LaDonna were added to the list of honored Texans. Rudy, the youngest brother, was not only a featured artist at that event, but has continued his support of the TGMM&HF by joining the board of directors. The parents who started it all, Curly and Billie Gatlin also live in Dallas, and Rudy certainly represents the family well. His energy and enthusiasm for the arts and all things TEXAS is a great asset to the organization.