Song Hall Of Fame: “Plan Of Salvation”

It is time for me to honor another of Southern Gospel’s greatest compositions by placing it into the Southern Gospel song hall of fame.

Today’s inductee dates back to 1966, the earliest known recording of the song by Gary McSpadden.  The only other artist to record “Plan Of Salvation” during this era was the Galileans on their 1970 album, Today.

The song hit the Southern Gospel mainstream when the Cathedrals recorded it on their 1986 album, Master Builder.  It allowed George Younce to showcase his bass voice and the song has since been used by quartets for that very reason.

Ruby Moody penned “Plan Of Salvation”; this now Southern Gospel quartet classic.

Song Hall Of Fame: “I Never Shall Forget The Day”

It is time for me to honor another of Southern Gospel’s greatest compositions by placing it into the Southern Gospel song hall of fame.

Today’s inductee dates back to 1937, or that is at least when the song was published.  “I Never Shall Forget The Day” was written by George Speer, patriarch of the Speer Family.

The earliest recording of the song, on LP, was 1958 on the Speer Family’s Skylite recording, Golden Anniversary.

“I Never Shall Forget The Day” has become a Southern Gospel classic and became a major live concert song for the Hinsons in the 1970’s.

Song Hall Of Fame: “God On The Mountain”

It is time for me to honor another of Southern Gospel’s greatest compositions by placing it into the Southern Gospel song hall of fame.

Today’s inductee goes back to 1973, but wouldn’t become known in Southern Gospel music until 1988.  “God On The Mountain” will forever be associated with the McKameys.  The song was found on the group’s live recording Gone To Meetin’ (1988).

The song is one of the most well-known Southern Gospel songs having been recorded over 200 times.  Outside of the songwriter, the earliest recording of the song I am aware of is by the Song Masters on their 1976 album, Behold The Lamb.

“God On The Mountain” was penned by Tracy Dartt.  Enjoy this video clip of the author performing his masterpiece.

Song Hall Of Fame: “When My Feet Touch The Streets Of Gold”

The month of August is just around the corner.  It is time for me to honor another of Southern Gospel’s greatest compositions by placing it into the Southern Gospel song hall of fame.

Today’s inductee goes back to 1975.  “When My Feet Touch The Streets Of Gold” was first recorded by the Kingsmen on the album, Jubilation.  It became a crowd favorite and they would re-record the song on one of their greatest albums; Live…Naturally (1981).

An interesting tidbit about the song involves the LeFevres.  While the song will forever be remembered as a Kingsmen classic, it was the LeFevres who had a top ten hit with the song in 1976.

This new song hall of fame inductee was penned by Conrad Cook.

Song Hall Of Fame: “Bring My Children Home”

The month of June is just around the corner.  It is time for me to honor another of Southern Gospel’s greatest compositions by placing it into the Southern Gospel song hall of fame.

Today’s inductee goes back to 1988.  “Bring My Children Home” was recorded by the Nelons on the album, Get Ready.

Not only is Get Ready one of the greatest albums in the Nelons discography, “Bring My Children Home” happens to be one of the greatest songs the group recorded.

This masterpiece was penned by Jerry Thompson.

Song Hall Of Fame: “Green Pastures”

The weekend is almost here.  It is time to honor another of Southern Gospel’s greatest compositions by placing it into the Southern Gospel song hall of fame.

Today’s inductee goes back to 1963.  At least that is when songwriter H.W. Van Hoose penned the song for the Stamps Quartet Music Company.

“Green Pastures” was barely heard of until the Goodmans recorded it on their 1981 recording, Goin’ Higher.  The song charted for the group and became a favorite.

Here is a recent performance of the song by bluegrass/country legend, Emmylou Harris.

Song Hall Of Fame: “It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me”

Happy Monday!  It is time to honor another of Southern Gospel’s greatest compositions by placing it into the Southern Gospel song hall of fame.

Today’s inductee goes back to 1984; “It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me”.  It is the first song to land in the song hall of fame from both the Greenes, who recorded the song and Jean Canter, the songwriter..

The song was found on the group’s 1984 album, Greenhouse.  It was also the first top five radio hit from the Greenes.

Song Hall Of Fame: “I Will Glory In The Cross”

It is time to honor another of Southern Gospel’s greatest compositions by placing it into the Southern Gospel song hall of fame.

Today’s inductee goes back to 1978; “I Will Glory In The Cross”.  It is no surprise another of Dottie Rambo’s compositions finds a home in the Southern Gospel song hall of fame.

The song was found on the group’s 1978 album, Queen Of Paradise.  A song that is often times overlooked when compiling a list of Dottie’s greatest songs; but one of her all time best.