Southern Gospel Music is a genre of music that stands on it’s own. The presentation of a Southern Gospel song not only represents the Gospel of Christ, but it also introduces several types of harmonies that actually bring life to that song. There have been so many individual involved in bringing Southern Gospel Music to the level that it is today. From the early 1900’s we recall James D. Vaughan often referred to as the “father of Southern Gospel Music”. We look back at his first quartet, his songwriting abilities and the successful publishing company that was started that also involved another legend, Virgil O. Stamps. It is safe to say that Southern Gospel Music was founded on a “firm foundation”, solid enough to stand through the test of time. We saw quartets such as The Blackwood Brothers, The Statesmen Quartet, The Speer Family and many others. With individuals and groups such as these, the future looked bright for this genre of music. Bright enough that a man by the name of Eddie Crook was interested in carrying the torch that was starting to dim.

Eddie Crook established The Eddie Crook Company in 1977 and there aren’t many people whose credentials measure up to those of Eddie Crook. The Happy Goodman Family is the first “artist” that comes to my mind when thinking about Eddie’s achievements. Vestal, Howard, Sam, and Rusty, a vocal blend and family harmony that is still very distinguishable after nearly 3 decades. We remember songs like,

I WOULDN’T TAKE NOTHING FOR MY JOURNEY NOW, LOOKING FOR A CITY, GOD WALKS THE DARK HILLS and so many more. Eddie Crook was the man behind the scenes, managing such groups as The Bishops, The Palmetto State Quartet, The Wilburns, The McKameys, The Isaacs, The Perrys, and so many more. While working with these “new” groups, Eddie was able to establish a foundation based on Godly principles that would one day pave the way for the genre that we have come to love, known as Southern Gospel Music. Without Eddie, we might not have ever been blessed by the songwriting efforts of Mark Bishop, or the family harmony that was presented to us from the Martins. So many things that have occurred in this style of music may not have occurred if it weren’t for the efforts of Eddie Crook and The Eddie Crook Company.

On behalf of the SG Music Forum we would like to say a special “thank you” to Eddie Crook and his entire staff for leading us into a new millennium of Southern Gospel Music as an industry leader. Congratulations, keep being “Too Southern” and always be proud of the heritage!