Tag Archives: Blackwood

Marvin “Smokey” Montgomery

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Marvin Montgomery IND2

Marvin “Smokey” Montgomery was a member of one of country music’s top history-making bands since the 1930’s and the man known for introducing Dixieland-style jazz banjo to western swing. Since joining The Light Crust Doughboys band in 1935 and continuing through concert appearances as late as May 2001, the influence of “Smokey” as a musician, arranger, writer and producer can be heard on numerous recordings that span an eight-decade career. Bob Wills called Smokey, “a genius on that banjo”!

With the help of fellow “Doughboy”, Art Greenhaw, (pictured above) Marvin was honored with a Grammy nomination for his work in the gospel music field with legendary gospel singer, James Blackwood. Their work also includes several highly successful collaborations with Amarillo’s Lone Star Ballet, The Texas Wind Symphony, The Abilene Philharmonic and Southern Methodist University’s Mustang Band. One of Marvin’s major contributions to the legacy of American banjo music is found in his guidance and direction of the Dallas Banjo Band, (over 100 members) one of the premier educational and performing banjo ensembles in the country.

The 74th Texas Legislature in 1995 called Marvin “Smokey” Montgomery a “national treasure” along with his fellow Light Crust Doughboys – they were designated Official Music Ambassadors for The State of Texas.

Lee Gann

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Lee Gann Lee Gann received the special Calvin Wills “Southern Gospel Style” Award at the 2005 TGMHF Induction Ceremony. Like most of the great “quartet men” to come out of Texas, Lee was very influenced by the Stamps Quartet of Dallas and those early days of gospel music on live radio! Lee joined his first quartet when he was only 12 years old. As a native of Fort Worth, Lee has continued pursue his love for music that began with his parents; Lee Roy and mother, Willie.

His singing career has a varied past including the original Foggy River Boys.
He was instrumental in starting the Ron Blackwood Quartet. He worked with James Blackwood in Memphis when he had his RCA record distribution service. He sang for time with the Stamps Trio with Donnie Sumner and Art Bain. There have been several Texas quartets in the line-up of Lee distinguished music career. For many years a local favorite was The Sons Of Calvary. He started his own quartet twenty-five years ago – Lee and his talented wife, Bonnie, are still singing today with The Lee Gann Quartet.

Larry Ford

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Larry Ford Ind2From Levelland, Texas, Larry Ford made his first recording at age fifteen on Sword & Shield Records owned by the Wills Family of Arlington. His fabulous tenor voice was already gaining him prominence in Texas circles. Gospel music legendary promoter, J. G. Whitfield, hired Larry to sing tenor with the Dixie Echoes of Pensacola, Florida. From the quartet circuit, Larry Ford, emerged as a nationally known evangelist, and was a church pastor for awhile. A few years ago, Larry sang tenor for the James Blackwood Quartet. When Bill Gaither began his Homecoming video series and concerts, he remembered the extraordinary tenor voice of Larry Ford. Larry is a featured soloist on many of the Gaither Homecoming videos, and his recorded projects are in demand worldwide. This Texas tenor has performed in more countries than perhaps any other singer of gospel music. Larry and his wife, Sherryl, are the parents of six children, and currently reside in Fort Myers, Florida.