Dickie Matthews
The passing of pianist Dickie Mathews leaves a void in the Southern Gospel community. Dickie’s legacy will be his contribution to the music he loved.
Dickie was born in West Virginia but later moved to Alabama and Tennessee. His piano career started when his grandmother discarded an old upright that his dad had reconditioned. Dickie fulfilled his dreams by accompanying some of the biggest names in the music industry. Those gospel groups include Bobby Strickland and The Crusaders, Deep South Quartet, Downeys, Homeland Harmony Quartet, Impacts and Chattanooga’s very own Scenic Land Quartet. Dickie also backed up Jimmy Dean, Stuart Hamblem and Elvis. He never bragged about his accomplishments, but was given the “Living Legend award” at the Grand Ole Gospel reunion in 2002.
When Mr. Hamblem came to Dickie”s church while he lived in Athens, Tn., Dickie was the pianist. Mr. Hamblem heard him accompanying the choir. When it came the singer’s time, he told Dickie, “Boy sit down over there. I don’t need these background tapes.” Mathews said it was after that experience of playing for Mr. Hamblen that “It is no Secret” became one of his favorite songs.
Mr. Mathews and his quartet were doing a concert in Dallas in 1955 when his wife Jewell went into labor with their first child. Mrs. Mathews listened to the concert in Chattanooga being broadcast nationwide. Dickie flew home for a few hours to see his wife and newborn but rushed back to his job in Texas. When the piano player for Elvis didn’t show up, Dickie was hired on the spot. He told me, he didn’t know who Elvis was at the time but in just a few minutes learned his songs.
Dickie was part of the Riverboat Ramblers on the Southern Belle Riverboat for 20 years. He never lost his first love of Southern gospel music, accompanying the Scenic Land Boys. Former Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams said, “There’ll never be another to replace Dickie Mathews.”
Adams' dad and Mathew’s father were both preachers and would do each other's revivals. Adams said they had front row seats. At times Dickie was called on to play the piano when someone didn’t show up. Trustee Bill Hullander, another longtime friend, said Mathews is one of the top piano players in the country. Hullander said he didn’t know who gave Dickie the title of Mr. Piano Man but that best described the piano genius.
Dickie loved the Atlanta Braves and was an avid Alabama Crimson tide fan. There was no talking when the “tide” was on TV.
Besides being one of my best friends, Dickie Mathews opened more doors in gospel music for this broadcaster than any other person. He even Introduced me to Bill Gaither. His close friend Dale Meador of the Riverboat Rambers said Dickie was a perfectionist and wouldn’t accept anything less and that’s why he was so good. This past Sunday afternoon our community lost one of its finest piano players and a real gentleman.
Dickie, “We will all miss you and that big smile at your concerts.” In the words of his wife Jewell, “Jesus needed another piano player."
He will be remembered Wednesday at 1:00 at the North Chapel of the Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Earl Freudenberg