The Speer Family, a Southern Gospel

Southern Gospel

Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...

 family group, was founded in 1921 by George Thomas ("Dad") Speer (1891–1966), his wife Lena ("Mom") Speer, and his sister and brother-in-law Pearl and Logan Claborn.

Early years

Within two years, the group had become so successful that George Thomas "Dad" Speer decided to make the group full-time. In the late 1920s, the group established a working relationship with the James David Vaughan

James David Vaughan

James David Vaughan was a music teacher, composer, song book publisher, the founder of the Vaughan Conservatory of Music and the James D. Vaughan Publishing Company.-Biography:...

 Music Company, selling songbooks.

However, the group's success proved to be insufficient to support two families' budgets. In 1925, Logan and Pearl Claborn left the group; Logan returned to his job as a carpenter.

The Siblings Join

To fill the void, "Dad" Speer enlisted 5-year-old Brock and 3-year-old Rosa Nell to sing with him and his wife. The group's concerts featured several duet songs by "Dad" and "Mom" Speer, and several songs with Brock singing alto and Rosa Nell singing lead.

In 1934, "Dad" Speer accepted a full-time job with the Vaughan Music Company. This position afforded greater financial security for the family. Also in the 1930s, two more siblings, Mary Tom Speer and Ben Speer, joined the group.

In 1941, James Vaughan died, and the Speer family left his company. They joined the Stamps-Baxter company, a Vaughan competitor, and also became a regular performer on the WSFA radio station.

Later years

"Dad" Speer died in 1966 and "Mom" in 1967. The group, led by brothers Brock and Ben, underwent various configurations over the next several decades. Ben retired from the group in 1993 although he did appear on occasion with the group until Brock officially retired the Speer Family at the 1998 National Quartet Convention. Ben Speer continues to be involved in Southern Gospel music as the Music Director of the Gaither Homecoming Series, and as owner of Ben Speer's Stamps-Baxter School of Music, a Southern Gospel singing school.

Brock died in 1999.

Mary Tom and Rosa Nell continue to make appearances in Gaither Homecoming videos.

The group was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame

Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame

150px|right|thumb|Entrance.The Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame is a site operated at Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, by the Southern Gospel Music Association. It was established in 1997...

 in 1998, following individual inductions for "Dad" Speer (1971); "Mom" Speer (1972); Brock Speer (1975); and Ben Speer (1995).

Partial discography

• Family Favorites By The Speer Family (Temple 7702)
• 1955 The Speer Family Album (RCA Victor)
• 1958 "Dad" Speer's Golden Anniversary In Gospel Music (Sing LP 701)
• 1963 The Speer Family Sacred Hour (RCA Camden)
• 1964 Old-Time Family Religion (Speer Family, Johnson Family, Carter Family) (RCA Camden)
• 1966 The Gospel In Song (RCA Victor)
• 1972 The Speers In Concert (HeartWarming)
• 1973 Touring That City (HeartWarming)
• 1973 Friendship with Jesus (Vista).
• 1973 Happy Harmonies (Vista)
• 1973 He Touched Me (Vista).
• 1974 A Tribute - The Songs Of Bill and Gloria Gaither (HeartWarming)
• 1974 God Gave The Song (HeartWarming)
• 1975 Especially Warm (HeartWarming)
• 1975 Doug Oldham
  Doug Oldham
  Doug Oldham was an American Southern Gospel singer and a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.-Musical career:...
  
  and the Speers (HeartWarming) {did gospel concerts}
• 1975 The Best of the Best (A/The Speers, B/The Imperials) (HeartWarming)
• 1975 The King Is Coming" (HeartWarming)
• 1975 Something Good Is About To Happen (HeartWarming)
• 1976 Between The Cross and Heaven (HeartWarming)
• 1977 Cornerstone (HeartWarming)
• 1978 Promises to Keep (HeartWarming)
• 1978 The Songs Live on (HeartWarming)
• 1980 Interceding (HeartWarming)
• 1981 Celebrating 60th Anniversary Featuring Mom & Dad (Skylite)
• 1981 60th Anniversary Celebration (HeartWarming)
• 1982 Tribute (HeartWarming)
• 1982 Hallelujah (HeartWarming)
• 1983 The Speers Live (Featuring The Speer Sisters) (Heartwarming)
• 1983 Keep a Happy Heart (Skylite)
• 1984 Sunday Morning Singing (RiverSong)
• 1985 Family Reunion (RiverSong)
• 1985 Rejoicing (Riversong)
• 1985 The Speer Family (GreatComm)
• 1986 Stepping Out in Faith (RiverSong)
• 1987 Celebration At Sea (Live) (Riversong)
• 1988 Saved To The Uttermost (Homeland)
• 1989 He's Still In The Fire (Homeland)
• 1990 Hallelujah Time (Homeland)
• 1990 Best of the Best...Songs You Keep Asking For (Homeland)
• 1991 The Speers 70th Anniversary Celebration (Homeland)
• 1992 He Still Reigns (Homeland)
• All-Night Singing Speer Family Style (Starday)
• Because Of Him (Skylite)
• Between The Cross And Heaven (There's A Whole Lot Of Living Going On) (HeartWarming)
• Big Singing Day (HeartWarming)
• "Dad" Speer's Greatest Hits (Skylite)
• A Family Affair (HeartWarming)
• Family Favorites (Skylite)
• Garden Of Melody (Skylite)
• Happy Harmonies (Vista).
• The Happy Jubilee (HeartWarming)
• Heavy On Ben (HeartWarming)
• Hymns Of Joy And Peace (HeartWarming)
• The King Is Coming (HeartWarming)
• The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference (HeartWarming)
• On Concert Tour! (HeartWarming)
• Rejoicing With Mom (HeartWarming)
• A Singing Heritage (HeartWarming)
• The Singing Speers (Skylite)
• The Speer Family Sings Songs You Requested (Skylite)
• Won't We Be Happy (Skylite)
• Especially Warm (HeartWarming)

External links

• http://www.grandolegospelreunion.com/sg-101/speer_best.htm GOGR Music History - Speer Family