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Happy Goodmans (circa 1950-1983, 1990, 1996-2002)

The Happy Goodman Family began to be known for their singing around 1950. Brothers Howard, Sam, and Bobby continued to sing together as their sisters married and left the group while their brother Rusty pulled a stint in service. Howard married, and soon his wife Vestal joined the group as well. Rusty sang with the Plainsmen Quartet for a while after returning from service, but ultimately made his way back the family group.

1960-1970s
The fame of the Happy Goodmans grew considerably in the early 1960s. Appearances at the National Quartet Convention got them in front of promoters who in turn booked them across the country. Their first full length recording was I’m Too Near Home, initially released in 1963 and later re-released on Canaan/Word in 1965. In 1968, they were honored with a Grammy award for their 1967 album The Happy Gospel of the Happy Goodmans. Ten years later, they received another Grammy for Refreshing.

The Goodmans broke new ground in gospel music during the 1960s and 1970s by implementing a live band and creating their own unique sound. It was during these years that they developed their now classic "grab a note and hang on" endings. Sam's humorous emcee work, Howard's showmanship at the piano, Rusty's songwriting, and Vestal's hairdos and white handkerchiefs all rose to a new prominence. Tenor Johnny Cook joined the group in 1974 and Rusty's daughter Tanya was added in 1976.

Seperate Paths
Around 1980, creative differences about musical style caused a division in the family. The musical landscape of Christian music was expanding considerably at this time, and Howard and Vestal wanted to maintain their traditional sound. Rusty, Sam, and Tanya wanted take the group in a more contemporary direction. Ultimately, Howard and Vestal decided to leave the group. Rusty, Sam, and Tanya carried on with Johnny Cook returning at tenor. Michael English joined them a couple of years later.

Reunion
Aside from a one time performance at the 1984 National Quartet Convention by Sam, Rusty, Howard and Vestal, the Happy Goodmans did not sing together from 1984 to 1990. In 1990, news that Rusty had contracted cancer prompted the family to record a project together called The Reunion. Although they initially planned to tour in support of the project, Rusty's health deteriorated rapidly. He passed away in November of 1990. Sam followed his brother in death the next year.

The Final Stand
In 1996, Howard and Vestal were joined on vocals by former Happy Goodman band member Johnny Minick. As a trio, they brought back the Happy Goodman name to the delight of fans. Several projects were released over the next five years and they were regular fixtures at Gaither Homecoming events. Their last project was appropriately titled The Final Stand (2001). In 2002, a biographical video titled More Than The Music...Life Story chronicled the history of the Happy Goodmans. Vestal wrote her autobiography and released a number of solo projects before her death in 2004, including two Vestal and Friends CDs featuring duets with a diverse array of vocalists.

See also: Discography, Members

Labels: biography, History

posted by David Bruce Murray @ 11:53:00 AM