Charlie Waller accepts his induction into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. (Photo: Randall Franks)

Correction: Waller was misquoted below in his acceptance speech.

Singer, promoter and producer Charlie Waller, of Georgia, attended his induction into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame at Dollywood recently in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

“The colorful Charlie Waller works tirelessly to preserve and promote Southern Gospel Music,” said Bob Brumley, former SGMA president. “He currently serves as the Southern Gospel Music Association executive director located at Dollywood.

Waller’s Grand Ole Gospel Reunion, held each year in Greenville, SC., was created to be a showcase for traditional Southern Gospel Music and has become a mega-event, Brumley said.

“As a part of this event, Waller was the first to do a “Reunion” style video,” he said. “He promoted his first Southern Gospel concert in 1971, in of all places, New Orleans, La.”

The Booth Brothers sang “I’m Still Feelin’ Fine” to honor Waller. Dr. Jerry Goff welcomed Waller to center stage as SGMA board member Bob Brumley inducted him. Waller jokingly removed his hat and placed it on Brumley’s head to receive the medallion placed on his shoulder. He told the audience, “It’s either hat or hair,” when he was prompted to remove the hat.

“I am honored and humbled by this occasion.” Waller said. “I see Buck Rambo out there tonight. I am honored he is here. The Rambos, I had them for the first concert I promoted. I ought to be mad. I made more money on that first show than I ever did and I was hooked and I been going broke ever since.

“I appreciate the folks in gospel music. I love this industry,” he said. “I don’t know what else I could have done. I accept this tonight in honor of my Mom and Dad and also Charles and Judy Gene Key, who are like my mom and dad. My sisters are here from Mississippi. …. I love you. I love good Southern gospel music.”

Waller currently leads the Florida Boys continuing one of Southern gospel music’s longest legacies. For more information, visit TheFloridaBoys.net.

The other 2009 Southern Gospel Music Association class of inductees are Neil Enloe, Ed Hill, Harold Lane, Don Light, Bill Lyles, Elizabeth “Lady” Mull, and Billy Todd.

Country Music Hall of Famer Barbara Mandrell received the James D. Vaughn Impact Award at the event.

About the Southern Gospel Music Association

The Southern Gospel Music Association is a non-profit organization that maintains the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, the only facility honoring this genre of music, for the historic preservation of the accomplishments of the music and its people. Museum hours match those of Dollywood. Donations are tax-deductible. Individuals and businesses may donate to assist with honoring inductees with special bronze plaques that are displayed in the Hall of Fame. For more information about the museum or its inductees, visit sgma.org.

– from Randall Franks