The Southern Gospel Music Association is accepting nominations for 2026 Hall Of Fame inductees through March 13. Each member of the SGMA is asked to submit two living and two deceased individuals for consideration. I am pleased to be nominating:

1. Gospel Music Association and Sons Of Song founder Don Butler,
2. Sensational Nightingales/Revivers front-man Charles Johnson, 
3. comedian/songwriter and former Gaither Vocal Band baritone Mark Lowry, and
4. Singing News Vice President Danny Jones

Don Butler (1931 – February 3, 2011)

Don Butler was a co-founder of the Gospel Music Association in 1964 and served that organization for many years. He also served as president of Sumar Talent Agency, vice-president for Stamps-Blackwood School of Music, and chairman of the board of directors for the International Gospel Music Hall Of Fame. Additionally, Butler held executive positions with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the organization which produces the annual Grammy Awards) and the National Music Educators Association.

Butler administered music catalogs for several major publishers, sang with several groups including the Sons Of Song (which he co-founded), and produced several major television productions including Singing Time In Dixie and the GMA Dove Awards.

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.

(May 28, 1966 – )

Danny Jones began his career in the early 1980s working at WGRG (now WDDK) radio in Greensboro, Georgia when he was in high school and college. During this time, he launched a promotions/booking company. He was hired as promotions director for Eddie Crook‘s Harvest Records in the early 1990s and then was promoted to A & R Director for Crook’s MorningStar Records. During the early 1990s, Jones also hosted a Saturday morning program on WENO in Nashville, Tennessee.

In early 1995, Jones went to work for Crossroads Music. In August of that same year, he got the call from Singing News magazine editor Jerry Kirksey to join their team in Boone, North Carolina. Following Kirksey’s retirement, Jones was promoted to the position of Editor. In 2021, when Singing News was purchased by Sea Walker Media Corporation, Jones’ title was upgraded to Vice-President. Jones has frequently appeared as an emcee at concert events, and he has co-hosted the Gospel Music USA television show. He was a co-founder of the Memphis Quartet Show and is the author of several books.