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Memories Of Luther G. Presley ------------------------------
By L. Eldon Wright
May I begin with a brief personal background so you
can better understand my joy and sense of satisfaction in
this event.
From a very young age, my father and mother realized
my love of Southern Gospel Music. In those days in the late
1940’s, the radio was for us (like most people) our main source of news and entertainment. A new radio station, KBOA in Kennett, Missouri, had begun broadcasting in 1947, and a well known local quartet, the McDonald Brothers had a Saturday program. Although at the age of 4 I could not tell time, I somehow knew when their program was to begin and was wide-eyed and ready. While listening one Saturday, I learned they would be appearing in my hometown of Piggott on July 4th at our annual celebration. Back then, that picnic was a huge event and drew thousands who had roots in the surrounding area.
The MC for the program that day was a man with whom my father had attended school and I manipulated myself onto the program just before the McDonald Brothers Quartet was to begin their part of the concert. After belting out my song, the tenor singer of the quartet, Harold McDonald, ran on stage and literally scooped me up in his arms and asked where my parents were. I pointed proudly to mom and dad and he told them if they would bring me to Kennett the next Saturday, he would put me on their radio program. That was 60 years ago this year and I truly can say it has been a wonderful life!
I began the study of basic music rudiments in those days under the teaching of Henry Culver and, over the years, attended countless hundreds of singing conventions, singing schools and Gospel concerts from the hills of Arkansas to the concert halls of Detroit, Michigan and throughout the United States. I began teaching the old fashioned 10 night singing schools at the age of 14 and continue doing so to this day. I have been on thousands of radio and television programs and have recorded hundreds of songs in 23 different sessions from the days of the 45’s to the modern day CD. You have just listened to some of those recordings of some of Mr. Presley’s songs.
Now let me get to the subject of this entire event. (Insert Luther G. Presley bio) It was in 1954 that I first met Luther
G. Presley. He, along with his wife Rena and their son Glen Travis, were honored guest at several of the singing conventions I attended from 1954 until I went into the quartet field in 1963. Many times I was asked by Mr. Presley to join him on stage to help direct a song. I suppose it is only natural that, to this day, I emulate him. I have been told that as long as I live, Mr. Presley’s style of directing a song will live on. That is a tribute to the legacy of Luther G. Presley.
Mr. Presley was truly a one of a kind person, rare in his day, and unknown in this modern age of music. When he walked out front of a choir or congregation to direct a song, it was as though everyone came to an abrupt attention. It was not just what he said and did, but the manner in which he did them. He had the unique ability to get more out of a singer than any other director or teacher I have ever known, and I have been blessed to have personally known many of the greatest in Gospel Music. Such names as J. D. Sumner, Hovie Lister, James Blackwood, J. R. Baxter, Jr., Albert E. Brumley, G. T. (Dad) Speer and so many more, have been a part of my life, but none stand as high as Luther G. Presley. He was truly a man with a God given talent, and I was blessed and honored to have known him as a friend and teacher.
Now, may I share with you the how and why I pursued the honor for Mr. Presley and continue to do so for others. (Insert the Statements from both the GMA & SGMA websites)
In the mid 1980’s I was employed by the Blackwood Music Group in Memphis. My responsibility was to oversee everything that was done in the name of the Company and make sure I covered the backs of the Blackwood family. At times, that was more than a challenge, it was almost impossible.
While working for the Blackwood’s, I began talking to various family members as well as with my long time friend, Tommy Fairchild, who later joined me as Co-Founder of the American Heritage Music Foundation, about the need to honor the pioneers of Southern Gospel Music. I told them it was necessary to remember those who led the way in writing the songs as well as those who sang them.
Although many of the big names in Gospel Music like Les Beasley, Bill Gaither and several others have been asked numerous times in person as well as phone calls and letters to assist in honoring Mr. Presley, they continue to this day to ignore him as though he had no impact on the music from which they were, and still are, enjoying the financial rewards. Just so you know how low some people will go when it comes to the almighty dollar, the idea of the Gaither Homecoming Concerts was given by me to James Blackwood years before it began. At the time, James blew it off as being too old-fashioned, but Bill Gaither has become a millionaire. In the same realm, Mr. Presley was paid $1 for the words to “When The Saints Go Marching In”. He was paid a mere $5 for compiling the “Heavenly Highway Hymns” which was released in 1956. That book is one of the most popular song books ever published and still sells in the millions annually.
Let me read to you some of the most astounding statistics concerning the legacy of Luther G. Presley provided by his youngest son Glen T. Presley. (Insert Luther G. Presley’s Music Legacy Lives On) Even with all this, from it’s beginning in 1990, the Southern Gospel Music Association in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee ignored Mr. Presley until October 9, 2008. The Gospel Music Association of Nashville, Tennessee, in which both Bill Gaither and Les Beasley hold major positions, and which also claims to “honor the pioneers” of Gospel Music continues to ignore Mr. Presley as well as others who have long since earned the right to be inducted.
For example, the McDonald Brothers Quartet was recording in Birmingham, Alabama seven years before
the Blackwood Brothers Quartet was organized and when
they disbanded in 1955, after 30 years of traveling all across the United States, they were on over 200 radio stations every week. Yet, neither the SGMA or the GMA have given them their just honor.
I have a favorite saying. “Success is not determined by how high you climb or the amount of money and fame you gain, but by remembering from whence you came and those who helped you on your way.” I have no desire to be famous or earn a lot of money for personal gain, but I do, passionately, desire to fulfill God’s plan for my life which is simply, yet fully laid out in the Statement Of Purpose on our website at www.americanheritagemusic.com
“The purpose of this corporation shall be to promote and preserve the integrity of traditional music in the style of the early 20th century of Southern Gospel, Blue Grass and Country. It is our belief these traditional music forms are of historical significance and, as such, are thereby deserving of preservation for future generations.”
At the core of promoting and preserving the “integrity” of Gospel Music is honoring those who pioneered the industry. Luther G. Presley is unquestionably at the top of the list of songwriters and music teachers who deserve to be inducted into both the SGMA and GMA Hall Of Fame. On October 9, 2008, one step of my 23 year journey was completed. With God’s help and the support of people who share my dream, we will move forward.
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