Memories of 1970 Awards Program & Dinner

Today we are going back 35 years. The first GMA Dove Awards program was held in 1969. I took these photos at the second Dove Awards program in 1970. In those days the GMA and the Dove Awards were ALL SOUTHERN GOSPEL.

These photo were taken at the Holiday Inn Rivermont in Memphis Tennessee. We had a black tie banquet before the awards program and these first photos were taken during the banquet. Boy! does thirty five years make a difference.


Howard and Vestal Goodman.


Dottie Rambo


The one and only Dale Shelnut


Shirley and Glenn Allred


Now folks look close, Yep! you're right that not only looks like Derrell Stewart, it is Derrell Stewart. Have you ever seen so many long black sideburns in your life?


All you TBN viewers, this is LeVerne Tripp. Looks like LeVerne must have traded his motorcyle in on a good horse for a safe ride in his ah.. ah.. ah.. senior years. It appears thirty five years have made a black and white difference in ole LeVerne, so to speak.


And the long black sideburns just keep coming. Here is Kenny Gates of the Blue Ridge Quartet. I think Kenny had set Blue Ridge product on his table so he could sell while he ate.


L/R Herman Harper and Jake Hess. Looks like Jake could only muster up a half side burn. Maybe toupees don't come with sideburns. Boy, I hope Jake don't have a computer in heaven, he'll get me for that one.

I have saved my favorite for last. During the 1970 Awards show we had a "Western Skit." It was hilarious !


I warned Little Jan I had this old photo and would not publish it if she sent me a $1,000.00 gift certificate to the Cracker Barrel. Well I have not received the certificate so HERE"S ........................Little Jan. In the skit Little Jan and Jerri Morrison were saloon girls. Seated is Burl Strevel of the Blue Ridge Quartet.

What's Next Jan????????



L/R Derrell Stewart, Burl Strevel and Pierce LeFevre. "On your knees, you're taller than trees."


"But not tall enough not to need watering." Derrell said, " I'm sure glad we did this on a Saturday night. Now I'm already bathed and I an't even home yet."
Copyright by Jerry Kirskey 2005

Hope you enjoyed this short journey back to 1970. I got lots more so I'll keep digging.

"DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:"
Do you know what God wants from you today? Reconciliation. That's far more important than singing in the choir, preaching a sermon, serving in the nursery, or giving an offering. When we learn this, God is going to bring great revival to our churches. Revival always begins when people begin to confess their faults to one another, pray for one another, and forgive one another. Revival isn't raising the roof with a lot of emotion. It is getting the walls down. It is not just saying,"I am going to get right with God. "It is saying,"I want to get right with my brothers and sisters" When we are reconciled, revival will come. And rejoicing will surely follow. And not any kind of rejoicing, there will be Holy Spirit joy when you know there is nothing between your soul and the Savior and nothing between your soul and a brother! Joy unspeakable! Dr. Adrian Rogers

I'm working on some more great stuff, see you soon..........

Posted by Jerry Kirksey at 9:32 AM - Send Comments - Email This Post