The Southern Gospel Music Association is currently accepting nominees for their Hall Of Fame. Each member of the SGMA is asked to submit two living and two deceased individuals for consideration. I am pleased to be nominating:
1. Oak Ridge Boys lead singer Duane Allen,
2. Imperials bass singer Armond Morales,
3. Sensational Nightingales/Revivers front-man Charles Johnson, and
4. comedian/songwriter and former Gaither Vocal Band baritone Mark Lowry

Duane Allen (April 29, 1943 – )

Duane “Ace” Allen was born in Taylortown, Texas to Fred and Loretta Allen. He attended Paris Junior College and Texas A&M University-Commerce, ultimately earning a B.S. degree in music from the latter. In 1965, he began his career as a professional singer at the baritone position with the Prophets, replacing group founder Ed Hill. The following year, believing he was about to be drafted into military service, Allen resigned his position with the Prophets. The Prophets promptly brought Ed Hill back before Allen learned he was not being drafted after all.

Allen was happy to find a spot with the Oak Ridge Boys as their lead singer later that same year. He has been with them ever since. The Oaks took a traditional Southern Gospel sound into mainstream Country music during the late 1970s and early 1980s, exposing many fans to a quartet style they may have never experienced otherwise. Allen and the Oaks resumed recording Southern Gospel albums in 1997 and have continued to draw crowds to large theaters to the present day. 

Armond Morales (February 25, 1932 – December 5, 2022)

Armond Morales sang bass for the Weatherfords in the early 1960s, appearing on In The Garden, an album many historians rank among the best ever recorded. Morales was hand-picked by Jake Hess to sing bass for the Imperials in 1964. He eventually became the group manager, leading the way into the emerging Christian Contemporary market for several years before resuming a more traditional style during the 1990s.

Morales retired from the Imperials in 2003, but the desire to sing was so strong that he soon launched The Classic Imperials with other former Imperials members. He continued to perform with them until shortly before his death in 2022.

Charles Johnson (1931 – October 6, 2014)

Charles Johnson was born in Tyler, Texas where he was raised by his mother, Mamie, on a farm as a sharecropper. He worked as a ranch hand during his teen years which led him to a family that treated him as an adopted son and encouraged his growing desire to sing gospel music. He relocated to California with Robert Hood in the 1950s where they formed a group called The Gospel Consolators. In the early 1960s, Johnson was selected to join one of that era’s top groups the Sensational Nightingales.

After logging over 20 years with the Nightingales, he formed his own group, Charles Johnson & the Revivers in 1984 with Rick and Darrell Luster. The Revivers broke the color barrier, frequently sharing the stage with the top Southern Gospel groups of the day. Their albums were later released on the Canaan label and their bookings were secured by Harper & Associates. “I Can’t Even Walk (Without You Holding My Hand)” became Johnson’s signature song.  

Mark Lowry (June 24, 1958 – )

Mark Lowry’s first album on the Impact label was released in 1970 when he was only 12 years old. Lowry was represented by Skylite Talent Agency at that time alongside other top gospel artists. By 1988, Lowry’s entertaining combination of stand-up comedy and singing had attracted the attention of Bill Gaither who invited him to join the Gaither Vocal Band.

Lowry was instrumental in the success of the Gaither Homecoming Series beginning in 1991, while simultaneously carrying on a solo/comedy career including both audio and video releases for Word Music. He continued to headline his own tours after leaving the GVB in 2001 and after returning to the GVB from 2009-2013. In addition to singing, Lowry wrote the lyrics to the most popular Christmas song of the modern era, “Mary Did You Know”, which has been recorded by dozens of artists spanning many genres. In recent years, Lowry has remained in the public eye through his successful podcast series.