Southern Gospel Music
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1 - Southern Gospel Shows
A Taste of Southern Gospel
A Musical Kaleidoscope show that showcases performances by two important Southern Gospel groups, followed by important songs by other groups. First are the Hinsons, who were a famous southern gospel group formed by siblings in 1967 in California and became well-known for the iconic song “The Lighthouse”. The Dove Brothers are an award-winning Southern Gospel music group formed in North Carolina in 1998 by brothers McCray and Eric Dove. Known for powerhouse vocals and high-energy performances, they quickly rose to prominence blending traditional quartet styles with 1970s country-style gospel melodies. These performances are followed by selections by Karen Peck and New River, Brian Free and Assurance, The Florida Boys, The Greens (the original trio), The McGruders, and a final performance by The Crabb Family.
"Dinner on the Ground"
A wonderful Musical Kaleidoscope history in music from the roots of Southern Gospel in Anabaptist singings from an 1832 hymnal, sacred-harp singings, the important style of singing of lined-out singing in a Kentucky Old Regular Baptist Churches, congregational conventional singing evens, the first featuring a song from a J.D. Vaughan hymnal. Next, we feature Southern Gospel quartets, beginning with the famous Blackwood Brothers Quartet, followed by the Blue Ridge Quartet. Next, the mixed group called the Chuck Wagon Gang, followed by the Rangers Quartet, another mixed group, the Spear Family, the Statesmen Quartet, The Rebels Quartet, The Sons of Song, The next section contains music from the period of the 1950s through the 1990s. We begin with the Happy Goodman Family, followed by the Hinsons singing their famous song called “The Lighthouse”. Next, Squire Parsons, formerly with the Kingsmen Quartet, sings the song he made famous “Beulah Land”. The McKameys are up next to sing their amazing “God on the Mountain”. The Rambos were a famous Southern Gospel Family Trio. Here they sing “He Looked Beyond My Faults”. One of the greatest gospel songs in this period is “Midnight Cry”, sung by the group called Gold City. The Hoppers are a family group from Madison, North Carolina. Here, they sing their great signature song “Shoutin’ Time” in the Georgia Dome in 1998 in the final performance in this video. (Don and Mary Ellen Roberson were in attendance). Kim Greene (formally of the group The Greenes) married Hopper son, Dean.
Southern Gospel Singing Groups
The Greenes
The Greenes are a famous American Southern gospel family trio from Boone, North Carolina, formed in 1978 by siblings Tim, Tony, and Kim Greene along with their piano-playing father, Everette.
A Taste of the Singing Cookes
The Singing Cookes are a legendary Appalachian Southern Gospel family group founded in 1962 by former coal miner Hubert Cooke and his wife, Jeanette “Mama” Cooke. Starting with just two guitars and a dream, the group expanded to include their children, producing over 50 albums and national radio hits. You can explore their official updates and history directly on the The Singing Cookes Official Website.
The Gold City Quartet
Gold City is a famous American Southern Gospel quartet formed in 1980 in Dahlonega, Georgia, and later based in Gadsden, Alabama. Known for signature hits like “Midnight Cry”, the group features powerful four-part harmonies, numerous number one songs, and an induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
The Singing Americans
The Singing Americans were a prominent Southern Gospel quartet formed in 1968 and based in North Carolina, highly celebrated for their powerful vocals and for launching the careers of numerous genre legends before retiring in 1994.
The McGruders - In Motion
The McGruders’ 1991/1992 release In Motion is a high-energy Southern Gospel live concert video featuring core members Carroll McGruder, Priscilla McGruder, and Stan Cook. Emerging from the Midwest revival scene in the 1980s, the family-based group became known for an energetic, charismatic style of Southern Gospel and prominent charting hits written mostly by Carroll McGruder, such as “I’m Going Home With Jesus”.
Come Fly with The McGruders
The McGruders were a high-energy Southern Gospel family group featuring founders Carroll McGruder and his wife Priscilla McGruder, alongside Stan Cook and pianist Denny Autry. Their famous live audio and video recording Come Fly with the McGruders was filmed live at The Forum in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 1990 (released as an album/video in 1990/1991).
An Evening with the Cathedrals
The Cathedrals’ 1993 video tape An Evening with the Cathedrals was filmed at Jim Bakker’s Heritage USA park in South Carolina, and the group was a legendary American Southern Gospel quartet featuring core members Glen Payne and George Younce.
The Cathedral Quartet - Nashville 1990
The Cathedral Quartet, also known as The Cathedrals, was a legendary American Southern Gospel group that performed from 1964 to 1999. Their 1990 video release, often titled Live in Nashville, captures a transitional era for the group featuring core members Glen Payne and George Younce alongside Roger Bennett, Mark Trammell, and Ernie Haase.
The Nelons - A Promised Reunion
Released in 1994, A Promised Reunion by The Nelons was filmed live at the Mount Paran Church of God North in Atlanta, Georgia. The group is a legendary, multi-generational American Southern Gospel ensemble originally founded in 1977 by bass singer Rex Nelon as the Rex Nelon Singers before shortening their name.
The Hoppers - On These Grounds
The Hoppers are an American family-based Southern gospel music group formed in 1957 in Madison, North Carolina. Their 1990 audio release “On These Grounds” (released via Sonlite Records) was an audio cassette/album project rather than a widely distributed commercial concert film.
The Happy Goodman Family
The Happy Goodman Family is a legendary Southern gospel group founded in the 1940s by Howard “Happy” Goodman, alongside the iconic TV variety series Gospel Singing Jubilee which ran from 1964 to 1974. The group’s core 1960s and 1970s lineup featured Howard “Happy” Goodman, his wife Vestal Goodman, and his brothers Sam and Rusty Goodman.
The Spencers - Live in Tortola
The Spencers were a renowned traditional Southern and Country Gospel family group featuring J.B. and Barbara Spencer, their daughter Geniece, and sons Wade and Kevin. Their 1991 live album and video project Live in Tortola, British Virgin Islands was inspired by the massive success of their signature No. One hit song “Coming Soon”.
The Albert E. Brumley Southern Gospel Singing Festival
The 25th Anniversary of the Albert E. Brumley Sundown to Sunup Gospel Sing in 1993 was recorded live and released across a 5-volume video collection featuring performances by top Southern Gospel artists of the era.
Albert Edward Brumley was a famous American gospel songwriter who wrote over 600 songs—including “I’ll Fly Away”—and the Albert E. Brumley Gospel Sing is an annual music festival he originally organized in 1969 to celebrate southern gospel music
Albert. E. Brumly Gospel Sing Volume 1
Albert. E. Brumly Gospel Sing Volume 2
Albert. E. Brumly Gospel Sing Volume 3
Albert. E. Brumly Gospel Sing Volume 4
2 - Bluegrass Gospel Shows
The Isaacs
When I returned home to Colorado, I began ordering tapes from the lady in the Christian bookstore in Cleveland, Tennessee. I also subscribed to a magazine that I had purchased when I was in the store called The Singing News. It was dedicated to Southern gospel music. One day, looking through this magazine, a group called “The Isaacs” caught my eye. They were a popular Christian group that played in the bluegrass style and, like the McKameys and the Singing Cookes, they were a family group. I decided that I wanted to find out more about the Isaacs. The group had released an album and video tape the year before called Live in Atlanta. I ordered a copy of the Live in Atlanta video tape, and after it arrived in the mail, I put it in my VCR player and started watching it on our TV. Quickly, as I watched and listened to this group playing and singing, I was overcome with emotion and began sobbing. I was astounded not only by their music and singing, but by the family members themselves. As I watched the video, I felt like they were my spiritual brothers and sisters. Their music was pure and sublime. As I watched, I became a complete sobbing mess, just “bawling my head off”. I felt really connected with these people and with their music. Then, Suzanne came into the room, saw me sobbing, and could not relate to what was happening. I was crying while listening to “hillbillies”! This further drove the wedge that was rapidly developing between Suzanne and myself.
The Isaacs were a musical family who lived in La Follette, Tennessee. They consisted of a man and his wife with their three children (two daughters and a son), and they sang with the most amazing harmony. Another Isaacs video called Our Style appeared as a new release in the next Singing News magazine, and I ordered that tape also. I watched the two videos over and over for months when my family was out of the house. In the second video, there were scenes that they had filmed in their home, and on their tour bus. I told God from my heart, “Dear God, I wish I knew these people and I could see their home, ride with them in their bus, and go to church with them.” They were really spiritual people, and I just knew that they were real brothers and sisters, spiritually. I felt so connected with them.
The Isaacs - Early Isaacs Part 1
These are two very rare videos by the Isaacs. They were completely unknown on the internet until I entered them in the list of videos on the Isaacs’ Wikipedia page. At Nightline is from 1988 and Family Chain from 1989. I purchased these videos from the Isaacs’ record table at a concert in the mid-1990s. (Don Robertson)
The Isaacs - Early Isaacs Part 2
Here are two more rare early Isaacs Videos: Live at Hominy Valley from 1989 and A Labor of Love from 1990. Gospel Singing at Hominy Valley was sponsored by Primitive Quartet in Candler, North Carolina. During 1989, the gatherings featured lively mountain-style southern gospel, classic live recordings, and tight acoustic harmonies under a large tent.
The Isaacs - Live in Atlanta (1992)
This fantastic live performance by the Isaacs was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1992 in the Mount Paran Church of God.
The Isaacs - Our Style (1993)
The wonderful video performance in this video by the Isaacs’ family was filmed in Savannah, Georgia. Fortunately, the video also includes great unrehearsed scenes of the family in their home in LaFollette, Tennessee.
The Isaacs - Bluegrass Kickoff (1994)
I filmed the Isaacs’ performance at the Bluegrass Kickoff in May of 1994. Here is the lineup – Father Joe, Mother Lily, sisters Sonya and Becky, brother Ben on Bass, John Bowman playing guitar (He will later marry Becky) and Jeff Tolbert playing violin and guitar. (Don Robertson)
The Isaacs - Bluegrass Festival (1994)
I filmed the Isaacs’ performance at the Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival in July, 1994. two months after the previous performance at Virginia Beach. (Don Robertson)
The Isaacs - Mountain Praise (1996)
Live: Mountain Praise is a 1996 live Bluegrass Gospel project by The Isaacs released on Horizon Music Group. It features an introduction by country legend Porter Wagoner and showcases tight family harmony alongside traditional acoustic instrumentation.
The Isaacs - (1999)
Pieces of Our Past by The Isaacs is a 1999 acoustic Bluegrass Gospel album from 1999. Three special songs by the amazing Sonya Isaacs are: 1) “I Will Always Love You” with Vince Gill (1998), 2) “Carry Me” sung on the tape When All God’s Singers Get Home from Bill and Gloria Gaither, and 3) “Since I Gave My Heart Away” released with the film Geppetto from Disney in 2000.
The Isaacs - Stand still (2001)
This is a rare video that was released coincident with the Album Stand Still.
A Taste of Southern Raised
Southern Raised is an award-winning American bluegrass gospel band formed by a sibling quartet: Lindsay, Sarah, Emily Grace, and Matthew Reith. Hailing from the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, they blend classical music training with traditional bluegrass and gospel sounds.