Tag Archives: Inductee

J. R. “Pap” Baxter

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Inducted 1985

J. R. “Pap” Baxter [1887 – 1960] was truly a pioneer in the development of Southern Gospel Music. Individually and through his partnership with V.O. Stamps, his impact on the growth of gospel music was far reaching. After an early career with the A. J. Showalter Company, he joined forces with fellow entrepreneur V. O. Stamps in 1926 and the pair created one of the most successful companies in the gospel music: the Stamps-Baxter Music Company in Dallas (Oak Cliff) Texas. The annualStamps-Baxter School of Music trained several generations of young people throughout the South in the fundamentals of composing and performing gospel music. Baxter helped to popularize gospel music across the country through the publication of shaped-note songbooks and by sponsoring Stamps-Baxter Quartets in many Southern states.

Lou Wills Hildreth

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Lou Wills Hildreth

Lou Wills Hildreth was a founding member of the Wills Family Singers along with older sister, Eva Rene, brother, Calvin, and father, Aaron Burr (Pop) Wills. Those gospel music roots grew deep in Texas and the Southwest, but Lou’s career eventually covered the entire nation by way of “Music City”, Nashville, Tennessee. From her singing days with her own family group, which included her husband, Howard, and their children, David and Kathryn, the Hildreth family moved to Nashville in the late 60’s where Lou and Howard would establish the Nashville Gospel Talent Agency. For over twenty years Lou was involved with most of the major artists in the gospel music industry, and is still on the board of theGospel Music Association (GMA), as well as the Southern Gospel Music Association of Texas.

Lou was the host of the Wills Family Inspirational Time television program that aired for most of the late 60’s and early 70’s, and continued her role as a spokesperson and TV host since. She is currently co-hosting Gospel Music Today with J. P. Miller on the Gospel Music Television (GMT) network. Throughout her long career, Lou has become one of the most highly respected people in the industry and very well known for her love and support of Gospel Music.

Cynthia Clawson

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Cynthia Clawson receives her Hall of Fame plaque from Randy Wills, 2005

Cynthia Clawson was called “the most awesome voice in gospel music” by Billboard Magazine. Her singing career spans four decades and includes a Grammy and five Dove Awards. Cynthia is known through the entire nation (especially in Texas) for her award winning work with Buryl Red and husband Ragan Courtney. Her talent and love for gospel music has been heard in churches and concert halls world-wide, especially in recent years as part of the Bill Gaither Homecoming Series. One of many high points in her career came when the producers of the Academy Award winning movie, Trip To Bountiful featured her rendition of the gospel classic, “Softly and Tenderly”.

Cynthia was born in Houston and has a degree in vocal performance from Howard Payne Universityand she was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Houston Baptist University in 1995. From her childhood days singing in the church that her father pastored and and throughout her years of accomplishment, Cynthia Clawson has truly been a “shining star” of Texas!

The Events page shows Cynthia’s vocal coach, Sarah Baker, from Howard Payne University receiving her TGMHF plaque.

Duane Allen

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Duane Allen with Lou Wills Hidreth

Duane Allen, born in Paris, Texas, and a member of the famous Oak Ridge Boys, was inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall Of Fame in April, 1990. Lou Wills Hildreth arranged for a “surprise” induction at an appearance of the Oak Ridge Boys on the Crook & Chase TV show in Nashville, Tennessee. Lou presented the plaque to Duane on camera, and he responded with an emotional appreciation, stating his love for gospel music and his fond memories of singing conventions and music schools with the Wills Family. He talked about making his first recording on Sword & Shield Records, owned by the Wills Family, with J. Howard Rogers and the SouthernAires Quartet of Paris.

“Duane Allen is a treasured friend, famous as a country music performer, but true to his gospel music roots. In 1998, the Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the GMA Hall Of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. I was there to share Duane’s joy. Later, when the Oak Ridge Boys appeared on the Gaither Homecoming video series, we welcomed them with great enthusiasm. Duane’s wife, Nora Lee, was there too! When I received an honorary Doctor Of Sacred Music from LBU, a letter of congratulations from Duane Allen was read. At Calvin Wills’ death in 2002, Duane Allen’s detailed letter of condolence and memories reminded us again of how he appreciates his early beginnings as a gospel music singer. We are proud of this “son of Texas” for his achievements in both country and gospel music.”
— Lou Wills Hildreth