The Gospel Music Hymn Sing Foundation exists to preserve and promote the art-form of Congregational Hymn Singing through the promotion of Live Events, Video and Audio Recordings, Printed Materials (including songbooks and other materials), and Educational Scholarships.
HOW THE HYMN SING FOUNDATION BECAME A REALITY
The hymns of the church have been preserved down through the centuries by faithful Christians who have experienced the life-changing power of their message. With changing times, cultures, and styles, the next generation isn’t exposed to these great lyrics and melodies in most Churches on a weekly basis anymore, and those who know and love them don’t often have the opportunity to sing them in a congregational setting. What began as a simple “sing-along,” during a Gospel Concert in a small theater in Shipshewana, Indiana, eventually led to the first video recording of a “Gospel Music Hymn Sing,” in the Summer of 2014. Two local Church Choirs, along with 50 well-known Gospel Music Artists came together for the event at the First Baptist Church of Morristown, Tennessee, and a capacity crowd, with attendees from as far as 2000 miles away, filled the auditorium…for the Monday evening event. It was obvious to everyone in attendance that this was something really special, and there was obviously a real desire, a real hunger, for a revival of congregational Hymn singing. Shortly after the release of the first “Gospel Music Hymn Sing” DVD, the Gospel Music Hymn Sing Foundation was formed by four well-known Gospel Music Artists… Jim Brady, Rodney Griffin, Mark Trammell, and Gerald Wolfe.
GOSPEL MUSIC HYMN SING FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gerald Wolfe
Gerald Wolfe has been in full-time Music Ministry since 1981, beginning his career as pianist for the Dumplin Valley Boys, a regionally-known group, based in East Tennessee. He went on to serve for two years as pianist, and occasional vocalist, for The Cathedrals, before traveling as a soloist for two years. In December of 1990, Gerald and Mark Trammell formed Greater Vision. Gerald still serves as emcee, pianist, and group manager. He also serves as President of the National Quartet Convention, and as a member of the Board of Directors of In Touch Ministries.
Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell brings more than four decades of Christian Music Ministry experience to the Foundation, having served with legendary Gospel Music groups, including The Kingsmen, The Cathedrals, Greater Vision, and Gold City Quartet. In 2002, Mark founded Mark Trammell Ministries, and continues to travel almost 200 days every year with the Mark Trammell Quartet, as well as preaching in several revivals each year. Mark also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Quartet Convention.
Rodney Griffin
Rodney Griffin’s Gospel Music career spans more than three decades. He is one of Gospel Music’s most prolific songwriters, having written more than 500 songs. Rodney has received the Singing News Magazine’s “Songwriter Of The Year” Award 25 times, as well as songwriting awards from BMI and the Southern Gospel Music Association. He has traveled and served with nationally-known groups including The Brashers, Dixie Melody Boys, and Greater Vision, where he has served as baritone since 1993.
Jim Brady
Jim Brady has literally been involved in Gospel Music ministry his entire life. He is the youngest son of a traveling evangelist, and spent most of his young life, traveling from church to church with his family, providing the music for his father’s revival meetings. He is also a prolific songwriter, having written several hundred songs. Jim served as baritone for The Booth Brothers for twelve years, before beginning his own music ministry with his wife, Melissa, in 2015. Jim also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Quartet Convention and the Southern Gospel Music Association.
Jeff Whisnant
Jeff Whisnant’s Gospel Music journey began in 1970, singing with his parents in their family group, The John Whisnant Family. In 1990, when Jeff’s parents retired from the road, he and his wife, Susan, shortened the group name to The Whisnants. They continue to tour more than 150 days every year. Jeff also serves on the Board of Directors of Abraham Productions, and the Advisory Board of the National Quartet Convention.