KSGSC Hall of Fame
Rex Agers (1985 & 1993 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2021
Rex Agers was born on July 12th of 1946 in Allen County. He spent his childhood in Fountain Run then moved to Glasgow in 1965 where he began working in the funeral business.
In 1972, he started hosting the Optimist Club Gospel Sings as a fund raiser for the Optimist Club. In 1976, Rex along with some others, formed the Barren County Gospel Singing Association. He was elected president and still holds that title today.
In 1979, Rex began his first term on the Kentucky State Gospel Singing Convention and served a total of 23 years on the board. He served as Secretary/Treasurer in 1980 and was president for the years 1985 & 1993.
Rex wishes to thank everyone for their support over the years.
Roger Barrick (1998 & 1999 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2021
At the age of thirteen, Roger received his first keyboard, a Magnus Organ. Since there was no piano player available at church at the time, he learned a few songs and took it to church to play for services and revivals.
At 15 years of age, Roger was blessed with his first piano. By the next year, a group called, Good News Singers, took him under their care and taught him southern gospel group piano and singing style of music. Roger was honored to be introduced to so many different styles of churches in the surrounding counties. When needed, he started to help lead singing and play the piano at various churches.
Later in life, Roger met Joy Bowens and realized it would be in his best interest to get her interested in marrying him. Six months later they got married. Roger and Joy, along with various other gospel singers, sang as a group for several years as, The Barrick’s. The last few years Roger and Joy have been able to support their home church in music and song.
Back in 1996, Roger was asked to be a part of the Kentucky State Gospel Singing Convention. Promoting and encouraging southern gospel singing groups to sing the gospel in song has not only been an enrichment in our life, but the lives of others. Thank you KSGSC for all that you do and for allowing us to be a part of KSGSC.
Bill & Hazel Bryson
INDUCTED 2021
Hazel and Bill Bryson loved Southern Gospel Music. They were always attending a singing. They even hosted a singing every year in July for 25 years at multiple venues throughout Bowling Green. Several groups that have performed at the Kentucky State Gospel Singing Convention have come to sing.
Hazel sang in several different groups for many years. Bill wasn’t a singer but he promoted Southern Gospel Singing. They lived to go to a singing for many years. Hazel was the Secretary for a couple of years and also the President for a couple of years of the Kentucky State Gospel Singing Convention. This was a weekend they absolutely loved so much every year.
They would be very honored to receive this Hall of Fame tribute. They would be glad knowing Gospel Music was reaching so many people. They never did any of it for recognition, it was for the love of southern gospel music and the many friendships that they made over the years.
Bill Clouse
INDUCTED 2023
Bill was born August 14, 1944 in Franklin, KY. He was raised by Christian parents and brought up in the church singing Southern Gospel with his mother and cousin. Very few people are aware that he was born blind with Congenital Cataracts and underwent his first eye surgery around the age of 1. Since then, he has undergone multiple surgery medication treatments. It is said that by the time he was 9 or 10 years old, he knew most of the church hymns, wedding and funeral music by heart and could play the majority of them by ear. Bill's mother taught him well. He started leading the church music and directing the choir at age 15.
In 1969, Bill met and joined The Servants, a Southern Gospel group looking for a piano player. They traveled from Delaware to Texas. In 1973, Bill left the group to become part of a family-owned business in Hopkinsville, KY where he met and joined The Littlefields. After The Littlefields, he played for Jake Hess of the Statesmen Quartet fame and the Bill Gaither TV videos. After several years of filling in as pianist for several groups and churches, he returned to his home church as organist, playing the same organ hi mother played.
Lyndell Graven (1996 & 1997 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2021
Lyndell was born in Glasgow, Ky 1949 and lived in Barren County until he had almost reached the age of 3 at which time his family moved to Washington Court House, Ohio. They lived in Ohio for almost 11 years
and then came back to Kentucky to their farm outside of Bowling Green on Louisville Road…. the same place where he and his wife, Debbie, currently live. During his “growing up” years he had the good fortune to be part of a family that enjoyed Southern Gospel music. As he grew older, he also developed an appreciation for Southern Gospel. He spent a lot of his time over the years attending concerts, church singings and the
National Quartet Convention. It was also during this time that he was asked to join the Kentucky State Gospel Singing Convention Board in 1994 and served that year as Secretary. He had the honor of being named KSGSC President for the 1996 and 1997 years. He was asked to again serve as Board Secretary during 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and currently serves in that position for our 2021 KSGSC year now in progress.
During these years, he has had the pleasure of serving on the board and helped with various responsibilities during many KSGSC-sponsored events and especially serving wherever needed over the years at our annual KSGSC State Singing Convention (which is generally held the third weekend of October each year). He
considers these events to be “opportunities for service” as a board member and has enjoyed all the responsibilities assigned to him during these years of KSGSC membership and participation.
Lyndell looks forward to continuing that service in this current year and years to come, the Good Lord willing!
He greatly appreciates the personal support for his board participation he has received over the years from his family and especially from his wife, Debbie Graven, who has been his supporter for forty -five wonderful years.
P.G. Graves (1974 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2021
P. G. Graves did not have the opportunity to attend the convention as he unfortunately passed away from complications from surgery for lung cancer on September 13, 1974. He was so honored and elated to serve as president of the convention and had worked diligently to make the convention a success.
His start in gospel music began in 1969, when he was asked to substitute for the lead singer of the Friendly Five. His wife, Carol, was pianist for the group. When he was approached , His response was, “I can’t sing!” The bass singer of the quartet told him to just stand there, and so he did! His first singing was in a small church in Allen County, but he made the comment the church must have seated 1,000 people! He then became the permanent lead singer for the group. That same year, he became president of the Allen County Singing Convention and organized the annual New Year’s Eve singing which is now held at Scottsville Baptist Church.
The Friendly Five hosted a weekly radio program on WLCK every Saturday and is still ongoing. He enjoyed gospel music, but most of all he loved telling others about Jesus. His untimely death at age 41, devastated his family as well as his gospel music family. Even though he didn’t preside over the convention in 1974 at the Allen County-Scottsville High School auditorium, he attended a much better convention in heaven! Many others have since joined that heavenly choir, and oh, what a day when all of God’s singers get home!
David & Becky Hensley (1980, 2004 & 2005 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2023
David & Becky are celebrating 52 years of singing gospel music. They organized The JoyWay Singers in 1971. The JoyWays sang for 10 years. They decided to retire the group, so they could raise their daughter, LaBreeska, in church. They became the music directors of Coral Hill Baptist Church and served there for 15 years. In 1992 they organized New Harvest and traveled and sang. Then on to Salem Baptist Church and served as choir director and pianist for 12 years and singing occasionally. From 2000 to 2009, New Harvest traveled and sang. David & Becky have been serving as music directors at New Life Ministries since January 2022 to present. They still take appointments for singing as New Harvest. Their lives are full being Papa D & Nana B to their four grandchildren. They are thankful to be a small part working for Jesus. They are thankful for His tender love and mercy. May each of you be blessed.
Leland Humphry
INDUCTED 2023
Leland Humphrey was born into a musical family. His father was an evangelist and pastor so he was exposed to gospel music at an early age. The family would often load up the car and head to Memphis or Nashville for the Quartet Convention and all-night singings or his dad would host groups at the churches he was pastoring.
Leland learned to play the piano as a kid and played for the family in revival meetings. He started his musical journey with The Joymakers in 1961. He went on to travel with other groups like The Kinsmen, The Littlefields, The Corinthians, The Spiritual Sound, The Joymakers again for 10 years, The Harvesters, The Conquerors, Leland Humphrey Family, and has currently been with The Joymakers for the last 19 years.
In 1961, Leland and his niece, Yvonne, entered the talent contest at the National Quartet Convention in Memphis, TN and took home first place. He has also had the opportunity to fill in and sing with his son Kent for a few shows as tenor for The Dixie Melody Boys. Leland has served as a worship pastor and holds a Doctorate in Theology.
He currently resides in Scottsville, KY with his wife of 61 years, Bernice. They have 3 children, 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Jack Hurt
INDUCTED 2022
Jack Hurt was born on July9, 1947 to Sherman and Mary Hurt of Edmonton, KY. His parents sang gospel music as the Grace Union Quartet. The quartet was known locally for their weekly Sunday morning radio show on WAIN in Columbia, KY, hosting it for more than 20 years.
Although Jack was in church every weekend, he didn't always live a Christian life. He met his wife Patty in high school and in order for them to date, he had to go to church with her whenever she went. He was saved on a date with her, were married after high school, and then moved to Louisville, KY for 2 years.
The Spirituals began singing as a result of a revival at their local church. Jack, Patty and some of her cousins were asked to do the music for the revival. After the revival they were invited to another church to sing, and then another, and have found no place to stop in the past 34 years. He was called to preach in the late 80's. The Lord's calling was not for Jack to pastor a church but to be an evangelist as a part of the group's ministry.
Singing and ministering was Jack's life. His happiness came from the Lord allowing him to have his family travel with him in the singing ministry. Jack Hurt went home to be with the Lord November 22, 2009.
Buddy Lowe (1965 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2021
Buddy Lowe started a gospel Quartet in 1957 called the Joymakers. His love for gospel music has over the years touched many hearts and lives. His contribution to southern gospel music in the region goes far beyond anyone's imagination. He was influential to the current, modern lineup of the group as he was dating all the way back to the original members in 1957. He gave many men and women a chance to use their God given talents to bless people as they traveled from place to place sharing the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whenever a singer or musician decided it was time to leave the road or "go to the house", as Buddy called it, he would have someone in place in a week or so to continue the music ministry of the quartet and band. He was one of the first weekender regional groups that utilized a full live band. Many former member of the Joymakers have had the privilege of learning music and life in general from Buddy.
Buddy Lowe was and is what the Joymakers stand for today. His willingness to go above and beyond have been instilled in all of the members that have passed through the Joymakers. 2020 is the 63rd year for the Joymakers and what Buddy started back in 1957 is still continuing today.
Gary Martin (1994-1995 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2022
Gary Martin was born in 1943. The love of Southern Gospel Music was deeply instilled into Gary's life by his parents, Virgil and Ethel Martin and others as far back as Rev. John Salmon, 1st KSGSC President in 1946. His parents were members of the Graham Quartet who sang for 32 years. His father sang bass and his mother played the piano. Arthur Groves, a member of the Graham Quartet, was KSGSC President in 1948. Gary's mother served as Secretary that year. In 1945, the quartet attended a Stamps-Baxter School of Gospel Music in Chattanooga, TN, led by the founders "PA" Baxter and V.O. Stamps. Gary was 18 months and was present at the school. So, one could say he's been around gospel music his entire life. Gary still has a silver dollar Rev. John Salmon gave him. Gary served as KSGSC Secretary in 1991 and 1993 and as President in 1994 and 1995.
Gary Graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1966 with a Music Education degree and taught vocal music for 27 years at Allen County School. In 1967, he married Margaret Keen. In 1972, he began singing with The Thomas Quartet, which later became known as The Regals. In 1985, Gary formed The Martin Family Singers with his wife, Teresa (daughter), Ben (son), and Alan Sullivan singing gospel music until 1994. He sang briefly with a group called Foundation with Dewayne Harris and Bobby Simpson who are still with Commonwealth Quartet. Gary served as Minister of Music at churches in Scottsville, 1975-1985 and 2000-2010, Bowling Green, 1994-2000, and currently serving at Russellville First Baptist Church.
Gary taught in singing schools during the summer for approximately 30 years including Stamps-Baxter and Cumberland Valley Schools of Gospel Music, as well as others in Alabama, Georgia, Texas and Tennessee.
Haskell & Annette McCubbins
INDUCTED 2021
"Down through the years, God has been faithful, He's never left us to walk all alone, Crossed rivers and valleys, and even the mountains, God has been faithful, Down through the years"....
For some, these may be lyrics for just another song. But for one couple, these are the words that God blessed them with along life's journey together, a journey that has lasted over six decades.
Haskell began singing at a young age with his brothers in a quartet, The McCubbins Brothers Quartet, with one of his brothers playing the guitar. Eventually, the quartet dissolved with one brother surrending to preach, one entered the military, and one brother passed away after a brief illness. Annette served the Lord in her church and in other churches playing the piano for revivals and Bible Schools. Haskell and Annette met in church and began dating in 1957. The couple began to sing together. They married in January of 1958, and the ministry of The McCubbins Family began. As Jane Ann, Sherice, and Lucindy were born, they began singing as soon as they could talk.
Over the years, The McCubbins Family have recorded seven albums, and have written 15 songs. They have traveled many miles all over Kentucky and many states, led revivals, sung in many state singings, and went wherever the Lord led them. They have done many benefits for those in need, held offices in the Kentucky State Singing Convention, and hosted a gospel radio program for over twenty years. They hosted Singing Down on the Farm featuring local groups for 12 years.
The McCubbins Family has been blessed with sixty-two years together of faith, music, and love. Every step of the way, God has been faithful. He has always provided for them and is still contintuing to do so ... Down through the years.
Lynwood Montell (1989 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2021
Lynwood Montell feels especially honored to be inducted as a member of the Hall of Fame because he is no singer!
Lynwood’s life goal has been to be the historian of the "common man”, those men and women who go about their everyday tasks and leisure activities doing their best. They want to be a faithful steward of their God-given abilities, often without formal recognition.
In 1985, he realized that within the southern gospel singing community were such people who should have someone record, for future generations, their names, their history, and their accomplishments. Over the next five years, as he was compiling the book “Singing the Glory Down”, he traveled more than 30,000 miles. He crisscrossed the area, seeking to hear the different groups as they performed at churches, schools, outdoor functions, and fund-raising efforts.
Looking back, Lynwood remembers, “The singers totally accepted me, viewing me as one of them. They drew me into the round of activities that I had set out to document. I was honored when I was chosen to serve as president of the Kentucky State Singing Convention in 1989.”
He is pleased that KSGSC has continued its musical ministry well into the 21st century.
Jerry B.Patton
INDUCTED 2023
Jerry B. Patton was born into a spiritual family that emphasized the importance of serving the Lord and using their Godly gifts. From an early age, he sang in church with his mom and three aunts. They visited numerous sister churches and would gloriously sing, "Child of the King", "Hallelujah, What A Morning" and "Not Made with Hands".
Jerry learned the fundamentals of music when he was a young man from his close friends, Elzie Lindsey and Sherman Tomes. He led singing at Sweeden Missionary Baptist Church for several years, until he married his wife, Marilyn Webb Patton, and united with Pleasant Union United Baptist Church. Jerry sang lead with The Commanders from 1965 to 1970. The group consisted of Jerry, Phil Cooper, Michael & Clayton Lindsey and Hoyt Webb Jr. They sang on occasions with the Oak Ridge Boys, Suwanee River Boys and the Speer Family. Jerry enjoyed singing, however God had a greater calling for him. He was ordained into the ministry in November of 1975. Years later, Jerry sang bass in his family quartet, The Cornerstones, with his daughter, Andrea Brantley, nephew, Adam Cottongim and close friend, LeeAnna Dennison. They visited churches, sang for benefits, and sang several time with Jeff Stice and Triumphant Quartet. In recent years, Jerry sang bass with The Golden Keys - Bro. Fred Vertrees, Rusty Vertrees, Tim Ashley and Mike Waddle, and The Caveland Quartet - Lonnie Miller, Hoyt Webb Jr. and Joey Webb.
Jerry has proudly served the people of Edmonson, Barren and surrounding areas for over fifty years at Patton Funeral Home. God truly gave him a servant's heart, and he in turn has blessed others through his voice, his ministry and profession.
Garry Wayne Polston
INDUCTED 2022
Rev. Garry W. Polston was born April 5th, 1952 in Jabez, KY on Lake Cumberland in Russell County. Garry grew up singing with his Mom and Dad and twin brother, Larry. They attended every singing school around, learning shaped notes and singing out of the new Vaughn and Stamps-Baxter song books.
In 1971 Garry was invited to sing with his first regional group, The Servants from Campbellsville, Kentucky. He later formed The Brotherhood Quartet who sang full time with his Evangelistic Ministry. Garry also sang with his wife and daughters as the Garry Polston Family while finding time to pastor Methodist churches in Kentucky for 37 years. After running our of Polston's, Garry suggested to David Martin the he re-organize his Noblemen that had disbanded several years earlier and David sang bass with Garry and his family. So , The Noblemen were re-organized and has had good success among old friends and fans as well as making new ones. Garry plays piano and sings baritone with The Noblemen from Shelbyville, Kentucky. Garry and his wife Lula of 50 years make their home in Eminence, Kentucky in Henry County.
Alan Sullivan (2002 & 2003 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2021
Alan Sullivan was born in Indianapolis Indiana. He was raised in a large family surrounded with a love of the gospel through song, along with many family singers and musicians. His parents also sang in a quartet until the mid-1970’s,
At a young age he began to learn to play guitar from his father and uncle. They encouraged him to play along with them at church as he continued to build his skill and confidence. At the age of 13, Alan was asked to play bass guitar for a female quartet known as The Calvary Sisters. In 1975, the family returned to Allen County Kentucky, to help in the care of his grandparents.
During his freshman year of high school, he was asked, by his choir teacher, Gary Martin, to play along with a new quartet known as The Regals. Alan would go on to play with several well-known local gospel groups such as: The Kentuckians, The Thomas Quartet, The Spiritual Four, and The Martins.
A new family group was formed in 1991 by Alan, his wife Laurie and son Josh, and Alan’s younger sister Pam Williams, forming the group known as The Sullivan’s. Alan has been a part of the Kentucky State Gospel Singing Convention since 1994, and has served as a board member, as well as president in 2002-2003. He and his family are proud to continue to be a part of this musical heritage, and look forward to singing at this years, 75th annual Kentucky State Gospel Singing Convention.
INDUCTED 2022
Brodus Tabor was born February 18, 1930 in Allen County, Kentucky. Named after the young son of a tenant farmer that worked on his father's farm, Brodus and his two brothers often gathered around the living room to play gospel and country music. At age 13, he was singing in trios and quartets while learning to play a variety of instruments, guitar, mandolin, piano and fiddle.
Upon attending the Stamps-Baxter Music School, he went to many rural churches teaching the shaped note concept of reading music. Brodus, like man during that era, listened to such groups as the Blackwood Brothers and the Statesmen Quartet. Little would he know during the years of the Nathional Quartet Conventions he would share the stage with so many nationally known greats including the Oak Ridge Boys, Happy Goodman Family, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps, Lefevers, Florida Boys and many more.
Brodus sang with the Melody Makers in the mid 1950's, on radio programs on WLBJ in Bwling Green, WLCK in Scottsville and made appearances on WLTV (WBKO) TV.
Brodus was president of the KSGSC in 1961. In the later part of hislife, he sang with Southern Harmony Quartet.
On his deathbed he would still hum gospel music. While battling dementia, he always had a big smile when gathered around hisson and grandson to sing the harmonies of gospel music. For him, it was the best.
Brodus Tabor (1961 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2021
William “Bill” Twyman grew up in a musical family on a red-clay dirt farm in Hart County, Kentucky. After his father, Herbert, showed him a few chords on a guitar, Bill started playing at age 14. On his 16th birthday, he took to the stage for the first time with the Twyman Family Band playing country music. In 1964, he joined The Four Duces, a small rock band, playing guitar and singing backup. His gospel music career began in 1967 when he joined the Joymakers as a guitarist and soloist. He continued with the Joymakers until 1984.
After his time with the Joymakers, he formed the Heartland Quartet in 1984 featuring Johnny Howard as tenor, Doug Roy as lead, JB Root as bass, Brenda Roy as pianist and himself as baritone. Many members have traveled the road with the Heartland Quartet while playing and singing, including his daughter, Kelly Twyman Cruze, son-in-law Dewey and granddaughter Jordan.
In 1997, Bill organized and was emcee of the Community Gospel Singing. He gathered many musicians, soloists, trios and quartets to share some of the old hymn favorites throughout the state of Kentucky. He retired the Community Gospel Singing in 2019.
Bill had a 35-year career in education where he was a teacher, principal and superintendent. He served as president of the Kentucky State Singing Convention 2000-2001.
Bill Twyman (2000 & 2001 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2022
Ronnie Williams always loved singing and playing gospel music since he was 6 years old. He felt God had called him to sing and promote God every opportunity he was given. At age 16, he started playing for The Faithfulaires. After that, he played and sang with The Free Spirirts, Spiritual 4, The Kentuckians, Southern Harmonaires and New Harvest.
Also at age 16, he started in gospel radio. At age 18, he became a board member of the Kentucky State Gospel Singing Convention for several years. During that time, he served as President of the KSGSC for two terms durin the years of 1981 and 1988.
Now that he no longer plays and sings in a group, he is serving as the President of the Allen County Singing Convention promoting gospel music and groups every Saturday on WLCK radio. It has been a joy and a blessing that God has allowed me to be able to do this. Gospel music will continue to be my life and what it stands for as long as I live. I will appreciate every singer and group that has tried to spread the work with gospel music till God comes back to take his faithful followers home. AMEN!
Ronnie Williams (1981 & 1988 KSGSC President)
INDUCTED 2023
Charlie Witty was born April 5, 1943 in Metcalfe County, KY. While growing up, he was more interested in hunting, fishing and other sports than music. In his teens, he became interested in gospel music and quartet singing, although he never was in a group. He mostly sang in his home church. At the age of 20, he was introduced to harmony and choir singing by Bro. Frank Longino at Calvary Baptist Church in Glasgow, KY. He learned to sing harmony and sang lead in a group within the church. At the age of 21, he was asked to join a regional group called The Jubilaires and sang lead with them, then later he sang the The Edmonton Quartet. He as asked by a friend to try out for the bass position with another regional group called The Servants. Since then, he has sung bass with The Servants, The Joymakers, Commonwealth Quartet, The Jordan River Boys and The Friends. Charlie is now retired and sings in his local church, Riverside Baptist, in Greensburg, KY. He says he has been so blessed to travel and minister to so many people through the years and see many accept Christ and others renew their faith or have their needs met. Blessing to those who still travel and carry His message.