When the Southern Gospel Music Forum graciously offered me the opportunity to write
something about Eldridge Fox for this website, I wondered if I had
enough insight into this legendary gentleman to do the piece
justice. Then I thought to myself, I’ll write what I know from the
perspective I’ve had over the years.
Long before I ever came
into the field of Southern Gospel and many years before I ever
attended my first concert I knew of two Gospel quartets. One of them
was The Kingsmen and just for the record, the other one was The
Inspirations. In 1975, as a young appliance salesman I called on an
account in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. In the office
of that downtown business, heartily engaged in a conversation with
another person who was present, sat Eldridge Fox. They were
discussing the Elvis Presley concerts that had just taken place at
our Civic Center. I remember having this thought, “Man, that’s
Eldridge Fox and he’s a Gospel singer.” I wasn’t so impressed with
the fact that he obviously seemed to know Elvis. His Christian
witness preceded him and that’s what impressed me. I knew Eldridge
Fox was a fulltime ambassador for Christ. Later in my life I came to
realize that we all are called to be one.
Now I’ll fast-forward to
the year of 1990. A songwriter friend of mine by the name of Michael
C. Williams had been taking his songs over to Eldridge for several
years. Foxy, as busy as he was, always took the time to listen to
them and to offer his advice. He gave Mike something every
struggling songwriter needs even more than a royalty check -
encouragement. The great quartet man would say, “Well, that’s not
quite what I’m looking for, but keep trying.” And the reason I know
all this is because my friend had started a song he just couldn’t
seem to get past the first verse and part of the chorus with. He
asked me if I could help him with it. He’d been working on this
particular song for quite awhile, ever since the death of both of
his parents in fairly close succession. I invited Mike to come to my
home for a writing session and together we worked on what was to
become “Wish You Were Here,” a song the Kingsmen took all the way to
the top of the charts in 1991 and then named Song of the Year in
1992
.
I tell all that only to
convey one important fact - over the course of his life, Eldridge
Fox has been a friend and mentor to countless unknowns, up and
comers, struggling writers - you name it. The stories of the many
people Foxy has helped along the way in the field of Gospel music
would fill volumes. But he didn’t do it for the recognition or for
some monetary reward. These acts sprang forth from a generous heart
and a desire to give something back to this field of endeavor that
had been so good to him. The bottom line is - it was the Jesus
inside him always coming out!
In February 1995, I had
the very good fortune of coming to work for Crossroads; a company
Eldridge had a hand in forming. This is where I really got to know
the soft-spoken gentleman up close and gain some real insight into
what he was all about. At that time, I was working in our sales
department calling Christian bookstores. Whenever Mr. Fox came by,
he always made it a point to come into our room and say hello. He
usually left us with a good-natured “sell Kingsmen” directive as he
walked out the door. We all loved him!
November of 1996 is a
sad month in the annals of Gospel music history. Late that month the
Kingsmen held their annual homecoming concert in the Thomas Wolfe
Auditorium in Asheville. Who would know at the time that it was to
be Foxy’s final performance with the quartet he’d started so many
years before? The evening also marked their fortieth year and as I
recall, many Kingsmen alumni were present onstage. There were
presentations being made, congratulatory messages from politicians
and celebrities being read, and things of that nature. After the
ceremonial aspect of the evening had gone on for awhile, Eldridge
walked to the microphone and said, “This is nice, but these people
came tonight to hear us sing.” Yes, he was concerned about the fans
first and foremost. That has always stuck out in my mind. Concern
for others and their needs is the defining mark of true greatness in
my estimation. Ironically, it was only a matter of days after the
Asheville concert that Foxy had the first in a series of strokes
that incapacitated him and left him unable to board the Kingsmen
bus. Life on the road, something he’d known for the better part of
his life, was now behind him. Even though he had to trade his berth
on a custom coach for another vehicle known as a wheelchair,
Eldridge Fox didn’t lose his indomitable spirit or keen wit. That’s
something about him that has really impressed and inspired me. And
what a memory he has! If he ever met you once, you can be sure he
hasn’t forgotten you. Another handy gift Eldridge has is that of
having one of the best ears around for recognizing hit songs. He
knows what people will like. Even after his stroke he was still
picking hits. When we were listening to the first single from a
particular Kingsmen album he told me, “That’s not the best song on
the project.” He went on to say that it was “The Next Cloud” and
sure enough, that’s the song that went to number one!
The trophies and awards
Foxy and his Kingsmen picked up along the way would probably fill a
good-sized storage unit. But his real life’s accomplishment won’t be
found hanging on a wall somewhere. It’s found in all the living,
breathing human beings that he helped to guide and gladly assisted
as they made their way through this world.
To me, as I stated
earlier, the true mark of a great man is best illustrated by how he
treated others and his willingness to invest his time in them. And
speaking of great men, another giant of the faith, Mr. Martin Cook
of the Inspirations had this to say about him. “Eldridge has always,
always had his heart in Gospel music. He has loved it. He always
tried his best to help and encourage as many people as he could. And
he always tried his best to be a good friend to as many people as he
could.”
All I can add to that is
Amen.
Article Written by: Jim Stover, Crossroads
Marketing
