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| ==Political life== | ==Political life== | ||
| Abernathy launched a campaign for Georgia governor in 1958. He finished a distant third in the ] primary behind William Bodenhamer and the eventual winner, ]. | Abernathy launched a campaign for Georgia governor in 1958. He finished a distant third in the ] primary behind William Bodenhamer and the eventual winner, ]. | ||
| ==Death and legacy== | ==Death and legacy== | ||
Revision as of 11:28, 1 March 2018
| Southern gospel music | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | Sacred harp music, shape note singing, hymns, spirituals, high church music |
| Cultural origins | Late 19th century, white and African Americans who practiced evangelical Christianity |
| Typical instruments | Originally, no or few instruments were used; those used included the piano and (in some regions) banjo |
| Subgenres | |
| Fusion genres | |
| CCM | |
| Other topics | |
| This article is a part in a series on |
| Gospel music |
|---|
 |
| Roots and beginnings |
| Genres and subgenres |
| Related music genres |
| Associations and groups |
| Awards |
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See also: |
Lee Roy Abernathy was a Southern gospel music musician. He was a songwriter, performer, and innovator.
Biography
Abernathy was born on August 13, 1913, in the Atco community of Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia.
He married Louise Ammons, and they had three children, Hugh, Linda, and Susan.
Music
Abernathy's first musical experience came with his father’s group, the Atco Quartet, at the age of five. His parents instilled a love for quartet music and the tradition of gospel singing conventions, where he learned to read shape notes. He was able to sing harmony with the quartet while standing on a Coca-Cola crate. He studied music under James D. Vaughan, J. M. Henson, and Adger M. Pace.
In the 1930s, he founded the Modern Mountaineers, performing live on Atlanta's WSB (AM). In 1936, he wrote "Good Times Are Coming Soon," a reelection campaign song for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He wrote many gospel songs, including "He’s A Personal Savior", "A Newborn Feeling", and "I Thank My Savior for It All", but his signature song was "Everybody's Gonna Have a Wonderful Time Up There." Some pastors objected to its jazz beat, which influenced the early career of Elvis Presley. Abernathy disregarded the criticism, believing that he had written the song as a result of divine inspiration. The song was later called the "Gospel Boogie" and was recorded by numerous quartets, as well as Johnny Cash, Johnny Mathis, and Pat Boone. Boone's recording of the song reached number five on the Billboard charts in 1958.
Abernathy wrote "Burning of the Winecoff Hotel" following the tragic Winecoff Hotel fire in Atlanta in 1946. He was a frequent guest of the hotel and would have been at the hotel on the night of the fire, but had gone home when a friend gave him a gasoline ration stamp.
Abernathy became the pianist for the Homeland Harmony Quartet in 1947. He also performed with the Rangers Quartet, Jubilee Quartet, Miracle Men, Happy Two, and Abernathy All Star Quartet. Happy Two appeared on WAGA-TV television in Atlanta beginning in 1951 and continued for seven years.
Political life
Abernathy launched a campaign for Georgia governor in 1958. He finished a distant third in the Democratic party primary behind William Bodenhamer and the eventual winner, Ernest Vandiver.
Death and legacy
Abernathy continued to teach piano and voice lessons until his death on May 25, 1993. He was buried at Cherokee Memorial Park in Canton, Georgia.
He is a member of the Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame and the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. In 1989 he received the Mary Tallent Pioneer Award from the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
The "Annual Memorial Lee Roy Abernathy Singing" is held in Canton in his honor.
References
- Wolfe, Charles (1981). "'Gospel Boogie': White Southern Gospel Music in Transition, 1945-55". Popular Music. 1: 73–82. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- Birnbaum, Larry (2013). Before Elvis : The Prehistory of Rock 'n' Roll. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press. p. 226. ISBN 9780810886285.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - McNeil, W. K. (2005). Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. New York: Routledge. p. 1. ISBN 9781135377144. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- "Lee Roy Abernathy, Gospel Musician, 79". The New York Times. 29 May 1993. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
