Southern Gospel Music Association

Glennan “Glen” Allred (1934 – 2022)
Inducted in 2001

Born June 19, 1934 in Monroe, Tennessee, Glen Allred contributed his talent and his life to making Southern Gospel a better industry.

Hired at the tender age of 16 as a guitarist for Wally Fowler and the Oak Ridge Quartet, Glen also served early stints with the Happy Rhythm Quartet and the Spirit of Dixie Trio.

In late 1952, however, he was hired as the baritone singer for the Gospel Melody Quartet of Pensacola, Florida. For the next half century, as a singer and guitarist for the re-named Florida boys Quartet, Glen Allred became a household name throughout the world of Southern Gospel.

One of the most respected gentlemen ever to grace a Southern Gospel stage, Glen stands as one of the classic examples of the industry’s quartet men.

Lister Cleavant Derricks (1910 – 1977)
Inducted in 2001

Born May 13, 1910 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Reverend Cleavant Derricks contributed both his example and a wealth of songs to Southern Gospel.

A Diligent church worker who pioneered across Tennessee as well as in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., he served as pastor and choir director at a number of Baptist churches and , in later years, also achieved note as a singer.

It was as a songwriter that he made his most indelible contribution to the industry particularly through his early compositions written and published through the Stamps-Baxter Music Company. The author of more than 300 songs, Derricks works include the quartet standards “Just a Little Talk With Jesus”, “When He Blessed My Soul”, “We’ll Soon Be Done With Troubles and Trials”, and “When God Dipped His Love in My Heart”.

Vesphew Benton Ellis (1917 – 1988)
Inducted in 2001

One of the premier songwriters in Southern Gospel Music history, Vep Ellis placed his indelible stamp on the health and vitality of the industry.

A Church of God minister for 49 years, he published more than 500 songs over the course of a career that also saw him record five albums and numerous singles of his own. He also served for several years as music director for the Oral Roberts Ministries and as music director of the Tennessee Music and Printing Company.

Among Vep’s best-known compositions were the classics “Let Me Touch Him,” “Do You Know My Jesus?,” “My God Can Do Anything”, and “The Love of God.”

Naomi Sego Reader (1931 – 2017)
Inducted in 2001

A native of Enigma, Georgia, Naomi Easters became one of the best known and best loved women in the history of Southern gospel.

After her marriage to James Sego in 1949, she occasionally sang with James and his brothers as part of their Sego Brothers Quartet. In 1958, she became a permanent member influencing the group’s sound and presentation so much that the group became known as the Sego Brothers and Naomi.

With Naomi anchoring their new sound, the Segos evolved into one of the most successful quartets in the history of Southern Gospel particularly with songs like “Sorry, I Never Knew You” and “Is My Lord Satisfied With me?”

After James Sego’s death in 1979, Naomi kept the Sego name alive as the leader and inspiration behind the re-named Naomi and the Segos.

She passed away after an extended illness on November 3, 2017.