He was dearly loved by his friends, family and the music community. JUST WANTED THE FAMILY TO KNOW WE ARE STILL THINKING ABOUT THEM.GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!!! Singer/songwriter Gary McSpadden, whose music career includes time performing as part of vocal groups including The Statesmen Quartet, Oak Ridge Boys, Imperials, Bill Gaither Trio and Gaither Vocal Band, died April 15 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. Burger said in a biography on his Web site that "gradually, the Lord healed my hands because he had a job for me to do." Price was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998. A LITTLE TIME HAS PASSED,JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW-YOU'RE STILL IN OUR PRAYERS AND HEART.JUST THINK WHAT A TIME JAKE IS HAVING.WOW!!!! He earned his net worth mainly from his devotion in the Christian music industry. He was a founding member of the National Quartet Convention and received a Life Achievement Award from SESAC. It was while he was with the Gaithers that he and Bill, along with backup singers . *We will meet you in the morning *. The series started in 1991. The Gaither Vocal Band has lost several members. He performed at the White House and on "Today" as well as the Billy Graham Crusade and won awards from the Southern Gospel Association. God Bless all of you, our prayers are with you during this time. *Announcement Posted Monday Morning, August 7*. I was saddened to hear of Jake's death. Earl Weatherford died in 1992. Our hearts are heavy as we try to understand how quickly life changes. Jake Hess. He was a friend of the Wilson family going back to his days singing with the Statesmen.We will hear him sing again in heaven one day. Thank you so much for sharing your father and grandfather with all of us fans. In 1948, he became lead singer of The Statesmen Quartet. "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Bill served in the United States Air Force. Bill and Gloria Gaither - Because He Lives 50th Anniversary Easter SpecialMake sure you click the SET REMINDER button so you don't miss this special premiere. *NEW* A Celebration Service honoring the life of Stephen Hill will be held at Grace Church of the Nazarene in Nashville on. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and for the hundreds of kind comments we have received honoring Stephens life and music. 110 Homecoming videos produced by Bill Gaither featuring the Homecoming Friends singing Southern Gospel Music. I will never know or feel the depth of your loss, but know my prayers are being offered for all of you to have comfort and peace. He also lent his talents to television shows and music concerts in Branson, including Jubilee and the PTL Club. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. This thrilled her to meet him and she never forgot it. We first saw Jake with the Statesmen in 1960, in Long Beach California! OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. In December 1999, Pierce took his talents to musical theater, appearing in Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He has lived in Columbus since 1993. Stephen was in the middle of a sound check before a solo concert in Lumberton, North Carolina, when he suffered a massive heart attack that took his life. NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Gospel music pianist Anthony Burger, who played for the popular Gaither Homecoming shows and earned Dove Award nominations for his albums of instrumental . We were blessed to be at the lay out early and to stay late. What a great singer, i!ve listened to him over 50 years. Our prayer is that he now has the strong body and voice he deserves. We loved to hear Jake sing. Dr. Ben Lacy Speer, age 86, passed away on April, 7, 2017. Thanks for sharing him with us. In 1999, Lily published an autobiography, With All My Heart. One of the best added to God's Chorus! Jake was a true inspiration at all the Gaither Homecoming Concerts. He won . I will always remember the way I felt when Mr. Hess would sing a song. Also this year, Burger's album "A Tribute to Bill and Gloria Gaither" was nominated for the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award in the instrumental album category. They too were a groundbreaking group that set new standards in gospel music. The warmest thoughts of sympathy go out to you today. He was born on June 26, 1930 in Double Springs, Alabama, the youngest child of Lena and George Thomas Speer. He has produced up to 700 gospel songs and more than 40 albums in total. I WISH I HAD KNOWN HIM. To the Hess Family, God had only need of one of his greatest treasures here on earth, Bro. Thats where I got my vocal experience and passion [for music]. In the same feature, Pierce said it was Naomi Judd who discovered him and brought him to the attention of The Imperials. I just wanted to add my condolences to the Hess family. N. 4. Consider offering these words of comfort if you're not sure what's appropriate. |. Survivors include his daughter, Becky, and husband, Brent Buck of Columbus; son, Chris, and wife, Cindy, of Columbus; son, Jake Jr., and wife Judy, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren, Emily Trotter and husband Jim, Brent Buck, Lauren Buck, Ansley Buck, Megan Hess, Natalie Hess, Casey Hess, Jake Hess III, Hannah Hess and Emma Hess; one great-grandchild, James Purdy (Bo) Trotter IV; and a sister, OmaDee of Haleyville. Mr. Jake I never had the pleasure of knowing you but listening to your songs over and over I know I was blessed with your presence.You and Vestal keep the angels singing in heaven cause we all knew you were angels here. Legal Statement. Vestal's funeral was well attended, she looked good, and the events of. He was also a soloist, writer, and television host. He was a brilliantly talented artist and always a friend.. What a wonderful christian and friend. A concert is filled with me telling stories about myself and others I know. Despite his busy schedule as a pastor, McSpadden focused on his music career, eventually stepping down from his position as co-pastor of the church. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. He operated his design business, Pierce & Company, in Nashville. Thanks for everything Mr. Hess. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Morningside Baptist Church in Columbus, according to McMullen Funeral Home. Connie Hopper Obituary. The Homecoming family is extremely sad to announce that our dear friend, Stephen Hill, passed away suddenly on Sunday evening, August 5. The Gospel music industry has surely lost one of the all time greats and, no doubt, he will surely be missed. Sincerely, Linda and Garnett Smith. I have loved Jake's singing for 50 years. Newly added information is marked by asterisks (*). Pisgah, Ala., the youngest of 12 children born to the late Stovall and Lydia Hess of Haleyville, Ala. He was a Southern Gospel group The Imperials member and performed with the Gaither Vocal Band. Joining with Hovie Lister, he began a magical 15 years in which the legendary group recorded for RCA Victor, sang on network television, created one of the earliest syndicated TV shows and blessed audiences all over the country. My deepest sympathy to the Hess family. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Connie Hopper (Brownwood, Texas), born in Brady, Texas, who passed away on June 15, 2018, at the age of 78, leaving to mourn family and friends. I Love to hear Jake Hess Sing. You have inspired us to do the same. Only eternity will reveal the lives Jake Hess has touched. God bring comfort and mercy to his family., Another of Pierces friends, fellow singer Jody McBrayer, said in a tweet, So extremely sad to hear about the tragic passing of Jonathan Pierce. You were and are a blessing to God. Released: Oct 10, 1995 Curb Records A single heart Broken for its own creation Then gave itself to suffer in our place A living sacrifice of one Would be the price for all Enough for every nation Every walk of man Enough for all our shame Enough for all the darkness in our land Chorus. You will be missed here but we know you are enjoying the presence of Jesus as never before. I remember hearing Jake sing and being in awe of his marvelous tenor voice! We saw Jake at Publix one Saturday, and my husband asked him to come over and say hello to my mother. 35 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart. Pierces friend Paul Ciupek said in a Facebook post on May 10, Just heard that Christian artist Jonathan Pierce has passed away. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The Gaither Vocal Band also lost Mark Lowry, the original tenor in the Bill Gaither Trio. CMD / Spring House / Gaither Music Group. always looked forward to watching the Bill Gaither Homecoming programs and listen to Jake Hess. This tenderhearted gentleman will be sorely missed. There is that disagreement every once in a while. How my life has been enriched! Jake Hess & Terry Blackwood) [Live], The Church In The Wildwood (feat. A Nashville-based Christian musician, Jonathan Pierce was born and raised in Odessa, Texas. You are in our thoughts and prayers, and have our deepest sympathy. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website. Funeral sermons include remarks (eulogies) made by ministers regarding the life of a deceased person. Head of East Germany's foreign intelligence service who helped to recruit 1,500 West German spies during the cold war. And David Phelps has recently left the group to pursue a solo career. Singer Danny Gaither dies at 62. He relocated to Nashville shortly after graduating high school in order to further his music career. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Christmas with Bill & Gloria. In a 2001 interview with Cross Rhythms, the singer spoke about his performance style, saying: I am me and thats what I want to be me. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Homecoming family is extremely sad to announce that our dear friend, Stephen Hill, passed away suddenly on Sunday evening, August 5. He was a blessing to us with his smiles and his singing. Jake is in the best of company! Price spent almost fifty years in Gospel music with more than two decades as a member of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet. Jake's daughter remembers the occasion where the piano was moved to the center of the auditorium and all four of the Statemen were singing on top of the piano. During his musical career, Pierce spent time as the lead singer of The Imperials and as part of the Gaither Vocal Band. Burger is survived by his wife, LuAnn, two sons and a daughter. Jason Bruce Cooper, age 41 years of West Union, Ohio passed away Thursday, January 14, 2021, after a battle with a long-term illness. He had previously performed with such country and gospel icons as Marie Osmond, Jake Hess, and Dolly Parton. Through the years, Jake's powerful voice and unique styling influenced generations of singers, including a young Elvis Presley, who often hung around concerts where The Statesmen were performing. A friend said in a Facebook post that Pierce died while recovering from heart surgery. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the best local news, sports and entertainment coverage. A dynamic performer, and a fine Christian man, he will never be forgotten, and will live on as long as there are VCR's and DVD players. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. He seemed to enjoy life and talked to her so proudly about his children and grandchildren. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. During his time at the magazine, Jerry created Southern Gospel musics first National Radio Airplay Chart (1970) and the Singing News Fan Awards (1971). So sorry to hear of his passing. In January 2016, Pierce told Christian music news site Hallels, The church has to be credited with everything, what Ive done, who I am. Tina Patterson, 55, was our THB delivery carrier. Jake Hess, a founder of the Imperials and a member of the Statesmen Quartet, also passed away in a hospital. He was a blessing to us. Undoutedly, you will be bombarded with people's memories of Jake. THE MINISTRY GOD GAVE ME OVER 40 YEARS AGO IS "GOOD GROUND" .. They will, sometimes, disappoint your expectations. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. READ NEXT: Teenage Porn Star Controversy Rocks California High School, Jonathan Pierce Dead: Gospel Singer Dies at 49, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. McSpaddens smooth voice and good looks were his trademark during his years with the trio and vocal band. His wife, Joyce, who died in 2000, predeceased him. Armond Morlaes of the Imperials passes away. After quitting the group, Pierce found solo success in Contemporary Christian Music; his voice is notably heard on GVBs I Believe In A Hill Called Mt. In addition to being one of the founding members of the Gaither Homecoming, Goodman was also part of the Happy Goodman Family. See more ideas about christian singers, gaither, southern gospel music. My Mother took me to hear Jake Hess from the time I was born 48 years ago. She met Howard Happy Goodman in the late 1940s, and the two later formed a family quartet. We love you all. His wife, Carol, has made a tribute to her husbands memory, while his sister Cheryl Kartsonakis has shared a touching, The former British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, was known as the Iron Lady, and she once gripped Jonathan Pierces neck as he sang for her. Man Man Man, I love the Lord, but i just want to ask him one question today, What is he doing in Heaven, that takes need of Vestal Goodman and her old Boyfriend Jake hess, in less than 10 days? And voice he deserves if there are new matching items but we know you are enjoying presence. That disagreement every once in a while * we will meet you in the same feature, spent. Just heard that Christian artist Jonathan Pierce was born 48 years AGO Lowry, the original tenor in the Gaither! We are STILL THINKING about THEM.GOD BLESS all of you for your to! 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