The Mountain Press
4/16/99
Gospel Memorabilia Finds a New Home at Dollywood
by Pat Dorwin, staff writer
Pigeon Forge-- When a group of Southern gospel performers decided they
wanted to make traveling a little more comfortable, they designed the
first tour bus.
The idea of luxury has evolved since the Blackwood Brothers and group
member J.D. Sumner oversaw that first bus, where they relaxed-- and
slept in-- recliners while on tour.
A reconstruction of that first bus can be seen at the Southern Gospel
Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which officially opens April 17 at
Dollywood.
Tour buses spread to all types of music, and the little wrinkles in
design have been ironed out. Recliners first gave way to box springs
and mattresses for slumber.
"They didn't realize once they started driving down the road, the box
springs bounced them out of (the beds)," said Heather Campbell,
executive director of the Southern Gospel Music Association.
The SGMA was formed in 1994 to preserve the tradition of Southern
gospel music. Construction of the hall of fame and museum began last
year at Dollywood.
"Fans will have a place to go and look and learn," said Tim Riley of
the Gold City Quartet, a group that will appear in conjunction with
grand opening festivities. "I think it's really going to be an asset
for Dollywood and Southern gospel music."
Years ago, outside of listening to the Grand Ole Opry and Louisiana
Hayride shows on the radio, there weren't a whole lot of musical
choices.
But when Southern gospel groups began to tour by bus, they were able to
bring the music to more churches and schools than ever before, Riley
said.
"People remember all-day singings and (cemetery) decoration days," he
said.
And now Christian music, which includes Southern gospel, is making a
comeback of sorts. "So many people my age grew up with it," and are now
getting back to Southern gospel, Riley said.
Today's groups have more musical training and high-tech sounds that
help attract new listeners as well.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the hall of fame and museum is 9:30
a.m. Saturday and Dolly Parton, and seven of the 41 members of the hall
of fame, including Bill Gaither, will appear. At the opening ceremony a
half-hour later, the Gaither Vocal Band, the Florida Boys, the Dove
Brothers, and the Kingdom Heirs will perform in the Showstreet Theater.
Riley gives a lot of credit to Gaither for reviving Southern gospel.
"He has awakened this in hundreds of thousands of people... It's really
uplifting to be a part of it," Riley said.
Exhibits at the hall of fame and museum include:
-- Visitors first chance upon an Animatronic Quartet, or robots that
look like real people, Campbell said. It's set up like an old singing
school.
-- A replica of the first touring bus. James Blackwood supervised the
reconstruction, as did Sumner until he died late last year. Sumner was
president of the SGMA and an advocate for bringing the hall of fame and
museum to Sevier County.
-- Five interactive, touch screen computers covering Southern gospel
from 1910 to present day. Users can listen to audio and, for some eras,
see video clips. "You can spend 15 minutes or five days depending on
how in-depth," your research is, Campbell said.
-- A recording studio allows visitors to sing to background music and
tape the song. There are more than 750 song titles to choose from and
the first tape costs $9.99 with additional tapes $4.99 each.
The museum will also have quite a few Southern gospel artifacts, as the
SGMA has been adding items for the past two years, Campbell said.
Computer recordings to preserve Southern gospel are also being made.
"It's a heartfelt music. It deals with the soul," Riley said of
Southern gospel. "It's a music that has a beat to it that people can
enjoy."
In times of trouble, the music can hold promise of a better future and
faith in God.
"Gospel music gives a person hope that there is a better way... That we
can depend on Him. That's the message of Southern gospel, that there's
hope beyond this world," Riley said.
Travel can be tough on the group members and their family.
"It's a sacrifice," Riley said. "You have to marry the right person and
be in it together. It has to be a ministry."
But he knows his music is for a higher purpose.
"It's like a fire in your bones when God tells you to do something,"
Riley said.
Gold City Quartet, based in Gadsden, Ala., will perform 210 concerts a
year, but Riley said they try to get home at least three days a week.
"It's a sacrifice. It's not an easy life," Riley said. "But the Lord
always seems to give you the gumption to go on."
There is no admission charge for the hall of fame and museum, which
will be open during regular Dollywood hours.
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Take care,
Shane Rhyne
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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