SOUTHERN GOSPEL - by Lou Hildreth

We are blessed to have the privilege of greeting you, our BAGMA friends, via the TRUMPET.  We appreciate the volunteers who put great effort into assembling it and getting to you.

Howard and I loved seeing many of you at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, recently.  The NQC is a place for all to come together from every state, and other countries, to get an overview of our beloved music. Getting to know so many of the young people who are involved in Southern Gospel is an encouragement.  At times, the NQC is huge and somewhat overwhelming, but it is filled with exciting events!  I always enjoy doing television interviews for Family Friendly Entertainment in their booth.  Howard and I spent much of our time at a booth with Judy Nelon and the Southern Gospel Music Guild.   Judy insisted we offer our book "Deep Within My Heart" for sale with a free copy of the Christian Voice Magazine that has my face on the cover and an update inside about our passion for gospel music. A very special event was the Gaither Vocal Band Reunion.  We will always be grateful for the opportunity to help launch Mark Lowry, Steve Green, and Gary McSpadden's solo ministries, and for the fabulous years of working with Bill Gaither and the Vocal Band.  Seeing them onstage together, and talking with them backstage, was a precious time.  Each year at the NQC, Gaither does a Homecoming Sing-Along.  Being on the main stage with the Homecoming Friends is a highlight of the week!  Many of the heroes have passed on, and it was wonderful to spend time, and laugh, with Les Beasley, Jim Hill, and Mosie Lister as we tried to follow Bill's directions at the Gaither Sing Along.

A few days later, I flew to Nashville and traveled with my sister and brother-in-law, Betty & Walt Stephens, to Pigeon Forge for the SGMA Hall Of Fame Induction at Dollywood.  The seven inductees were Doris Akers, Doyle Blackwood, "Bobo" Lester, Willie Wynn, Roy Carter,  Kenny Gates, and Jerry Kirksey.  SGMA Executive  Charlie Waller, producer of the show, asked me to present the induction of Jerry Kirksey.  That was indeed a great honor.  Jerry is now retired after spending many years as editor of the Singing News.  I wrote a monthly column for this renowned  magazine, years ago.  Standing onstage at Dollywood after presenting Kirksey with the medallion and trophy, I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father as I remembered my own induction into this Hall Of Fame in 2007.  Howard and I had such a sweet time at the 90th birthday celebration of Myron Morrison.

We saw many of our BAGMA friends, and loved every minute of it. The music was great, with Wilma at the piano, and the food and fellowship was outstanding!  Seeing Nelda and JC Johnson, and all of you dear people, was fabulous!  Please keep us in your prayers.  Our desire is to continue our mission to encourage everyone we meet, and to lift up the name of Jesus at every opportunity! 

Contact us at P. O. Box 271106 Houston, TX 77277
gosplvideo@aol.com 
website:www.louhildreth.com