The Harper Agency

05/26/2026

05/20/2026

https://singingnews.com/news/top-five-nominees-announced-in-the-2026-singing-news-fan-awards/

The Singing News Fan Awards, established in 1970, allows Gospel music fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite Southern Gospel artists, musicians, songwriters, songs, albums, radio DJs, and more. Here are the three phases of voting: March issue – (Nominating ballot) May issue – (Top 1

05/16/2026

Today we celebrate a true legend. Happy Birthday to the unmistakable bass voice of The Kingsmen, the one and only Ray Dean Reese!

For decades, Ray Dean has blessed audiences with songs that pointed countless people to Jesus, while leaving a lasting mark on Southern Gospel music through his faithfulness, humility, and dedication to the Kingsmen.

Thank you for the memories, the music, and the ministry. We love you, Ray Dean! 🎉

05/16/2026

Wendell Lee "Wendy" Bagwell was born on this day in 1925 in Chamblee, Georgia, the son of Cajer and Arza Bagwell. After serving as a United States Marine where he was twice decorated for bravery, Bagwell returned home where at the age of 21, he adopted an abused nephew. In 1953, he formed "Wendy Bagwell And The Sunliters". Their first major hit was a sentimental song called “Pearl Buttons.” Over the next 40 years, the group released more than 60 recordings. In 1968, they famously played at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Bagwell's group is best remembered for their 1970 release titled Here Come The Rattlesnakes. The title track featured Bagwell’s hilarious comedy routine about the Sunliters singing a date for a church that handled snakes in their worship services. It was the number one “song” on the Singing News chart from November 1970 to January 1971. In 1975, Bagwell released his first all-comedy album titled Bust Out Laffin on Canaan CAS-9765.

Bagwell was later hired to be a spokesman for Stanback brand headache powders in a television ad campaign. He became nationally known for his signature catch phrase “and that’s a fact with my hand up.” Some of his other comedy routines included “Ralph Bennett’s Volkswagen,” “Me, Old Ronnie, and the Monkey,” and “Pickin’ Up Paw Paws.” While carrying on a steady singing career, Bagwell also operated a furniture business in Hiram, Georgia. He passed away on June 13, 1996.

He was the first person directly inducted by the SGMA into the SGMA Hall of Fame in 1997.

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

Tribute Quartet’s Quartet Tribute comes to Memphis, Tn for the Quartet Show on Thursday Evening, June 18 at 6:00pm

Reserve your seats NOW!

Also Appearing on Thursday Evening; Mark Trammell Quartet, LeFevre Qt, Inspirationals of Texas, and the Apostolic Boys