The Happy Goodman Family announced today that it is making its “final stand”—both in name and
reality. After 60 years of inspiring service, the award-winning gospel group will wrap up its distinguished career with a final album,
concert tour, television special and home video release, each of these elements entitled The Final Stand.
“I’ve been constantly amazed since the age of 7 by the way Howard and Vestal reach into my soul with their music,” says David
Byerley of Couronne Management. “As I’ve watched this project and tour come together I’ve come to the realization that while they
may make their ‘final stand’ their music will never end.”
Established in Alabama in the 1940s, The Happy Goodman Family has performed variously as a duo, trio and quartet. During its
long history, it has spotlighted the talents of many Goodmans, among them Howard, Gussie Mae, Stella, Eloise, Ruth, Sam, Rusty,
Vestal and Tanya. The group is now comprised of Howard and Vestal Goodman and John Minick.
The album The Final Stand will be released June 12 on Pamplin Entertainment. “The Happy Goodmans have always represented
the best in Gospel music and we are honored to be partnering with them on their final studio project,” comments Pamplin’s Vice
President and General Manager Brad Phillips.
Recordings by The Happy Goodman Family have earned two best-gospel-performance Grammys, and Vestal Goodman won the
first Dove award ever conferred for female vocalist of the year. More recently, her recording of “Angel Band” with George Jones
scored a Dove for best country recorded song.
The Happy Goodmans’ two-hour “The Final Stand” concert special for television broadcast is currently being negotiated with two
networks. Subsequently, the show will be packaged for home video release. A veteran television act, The Happy Goodman Family
starred in the Dove-winning series, “The Gospel Singing Jubilee,” as well as in their own “The Happy Goodman Family Hour.”
The Final Stand Tour will begin on Saturday, September 15, 2001, with a special preview at the National Quartet Convention in
Louisville, KY. The Happy Goodman Family will then make their final performances in select cities throughout the United States
including the Robinson Center in Little Rock, AK, Will Rogers Auditorium in Fort Worth, TX, Cumberland County Civic Center in
Fayetteville, NC, Timmons Arena in Greenville, SC, Freedom Hall in Johnson City, TN, Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC,
Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, AL, Memorial Auditorium in Dayton, OH, and the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston,
WV.
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