Chuck Wagon Gang Visits Flintstone Baptist Church

I don’t claim to be a Chuck Wagon Gang historian but I have cherished memories. When I was growing up, my mother listened to the Gang every day over WLFA Radio in LaFayette, Ga. Our old radio was an Emerson with record player, the tube type. We lived in Red Bank and at times there was a lot of static during the program, but Mom didn’t mind.

 

When I went to work for WDOD in 1965, I was introduced to Southern Gospel Music as the station played three hours early Sunday morning.

The station’s library was limited, but I do remember we had a copy of “Sacred Songs” by the Gang. I knew most of these songs from listening to WLFA. The most popular was Albert E. Brimley’s “I’ll Fly Away”. Shaye Smith, who owns and manages the Gang, told me Mr. Brumley tried to give the song to several quartets but they weren’t interested. After leaving the song in his desk for several years, Mr. Brumley took the song to the Gang. The rest is history. It is still one of their most requested tunes.

As far as I know the Chuck Wagon Gang sang one time at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga. That was on a country show. WDOD was the sponsoring radio station. If memory is correct, the headline acts were Porter Wagoner, Norma Jean, the Wilburn Brothers, and Loretta Lynn. Also on the program was former Governor Jimmy Davis, who was married to one of the Gang’s original members, Anna Gordon Davis. Remember Davis’s “You Are My Sunshine” and “Suppertime”? I was 19 at the time, “greener than an apple,” and told to introduce the group. I managed to corner Mrs. Anna and get a few facts. After the introduction, my dad, who was in the audience, told me, “Son, you did fine but you need a little polishing”.

 

I met each member of the Gang and former Governor Davis. They were the most gracious people. Anna told several of us to come see them and she would make us some biscuits. I’m almost certain Mrs. Anna sent me a picture of the group which the late Jay Branum at Bridgeview Photo restored for me. It hung in my office at WDOD for years. While overseas at the American Forces Network, Europe, I played a song of inspiration on my country show every morning.”I’ll Fly Away” was probably my most requested Gospel song. The Troops and Europeans loved it.

 

One Thanksgiving while visiting relatives in Knoxville, the late Homer Nelson found out I was going to be staying there for a few days. The day after Thanksgiving, Homer picked me up and we went to the home of Rev. J. Basil Mull. We got in his car and rode to the post office. Bro. Mull told both of us, “You can help me carry the mail to the trunk”. I remember five large bags of letters. Bro. Mull said they were orders for the Chuck Wagon Gang’s records. Mr. Mull was on several 50,000 watt stations late at night including WLAC in Nashville and WWL out of New Orleans. Bro. Mull told me he attempted to sell other groups’ records but his listeners overwhelmingly requested the Chuck Wagon Gang. He said Mrs. Mull would have all the orders ready to go out Monday - there were thousands. I heard Mitch Miller say one time the Chuck Wagon Gang was the top selling artist for Columbia in the late 40’s and 50’s. Mr. Miller said the Gang’s record sales kept the lights on at Columbia for a time.

 

Fast forwarding, the current group sang to about 125 “die hard” fans Friday night^, at the Flintstone Baptist Church. WDYN general manager Tom Sneed and I sat on the fourth row. The Gang wasted no time. I counted 32 songs. One right after the other including “I’ll Fly Away”, “Echos from the Burning Bush”, and many more.

 

Shaye Smith owns the group now. She is the granddaughter of original alto Anna Gordon Davis. Shaye has two degrees in music and is an accomplished musician. As Shaye and Melissa Kemper sang “In the Garden”, I closed my eyes remembering Anna and Rose. It’s the only recorded duet of the ladies that I’ve been able to find. Melissa Kemper is from Texas. I told her we’d eventually make a Tennessean out of her. She can hit those high notes just like Rose. Stan Hill took the lead on, “When They Ring Those Golden Bells”. Stan lives in Knoxville and loves to collect records - just ask his wife. The group’s only instrument is a guitar. It’s played by Karl Smakula, former member of the Country Pride band. I like this guy. He graduated from East Tennessee State University.

 

For nearly an hour following the concert, the group stood at their product table greeting their guests. The Gang recorded a CD of country singer Marty Stuart songs with the Gang flavor. Marty has been a fan most of his life. CBS anchor Dan Rather grew up listening to the Chuck Wagon Gang. He’s interviewed in Stuart’s DVD, “The Legacy Lives On”. Thanks to Pastor Bret Smith for such an enjoyable evening.

 

The Gang sings tonight (Saturday) at the Clay Hill Baptist Church in Riceville, Tn. They’ll be at the Hullander Farm the 3^rd Sunday in October for the Red Back hymnal singing. Thanks to the Chuck Wagon Gang for 83 years of Precious Memories.

 

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Contact Earl Freudenberg at julie1971@comcast.net