Southern Gospel Music Association president Karen Peck Gooch inducts Don Light into the SGMA Hall of Fame recently in Dollywood. (Photo: Randall Franks)

Dailey and Vincent perform "By the Mark" to honor their manager Don Light. (Photo: Randall Franks)

Talent agent, manager and musician Don Light attended his induction into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame at Dollywood recently in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

“He began his career as a Grand Ole Opry drummer and general manager of Billboard Magazine’s Nashville office, secured his place in gospel music history by launching the first booking agency for gospel music artists,” said Charlie Waller, executive director. “Don Light Talent launched with the Happy Goodman Family and the Oak Ridge Boys in 1965, soon adding to the roster the Chuck Wagon Gang, Governor Jimmie Davis, The Florida Boys, the Lewis Family, the Rex Nelon Singers, the Cathedral Quartet, the Singing Rambos, Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters, the Thrasher Brothers and others.”

Dailey and Vincent played tribute to him by performing their hit song “By the Mark.”

Light entertained the audience with a variety of amusing comments including stories about industry veterans.

“Thank you this is a special day to me. It took me a little longer to get here so I try to hurry along,” he said. “I have to thank The Goodman Family – Rusty, Howard, Vestal, and Sam, Herman Harper, Tommy Fairchild, Willy Winn..….. Most of the groups I went out on the limb for didn’t know whether to turn loose of their careers. I appreciate them placing their faith in me. To think the time was right. Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters were a big part of my life as were the Florida Boys.

“This induction is important to me in a special way,” he said. “The part of Christian music I really care about is Southern Gospel – quartet music. You have a great hall of fame. I am honored to be part of it. I want thank the Southern Gospel Music Association. I may have left gospel music but gospel music never left me.”

Other 2009 SGMA class of inductees are Neil Enloe, Ed Hill, Harold Lane, Bill Lyles, Elizabeth “Lady” Mull, Billy Todd and Charlie Waller.

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