Southern Gospel Music Association

Roger Douglas Bennett (1959 – 2007)
Inducted in 2007

Born March 10, 1959, Roger grew up in Strawberry, Arkansas. Roger was 15 years old when he played for his first Gospel group, the Wayfaring Singers of Lynn, AR. In November of 1979, Roger fulfilled his life-long dream of being part of professional Southern Gospel music when he was invited by Glen Payne and George Younce to join the legendary Cathedral Quartet as pianist. Though he would leave the group for two years (1987-1989) to serve as the president of Journey Records, Roger was the group’s pianist at the time of the quartet’s retirement in 1999.

When the Cathedral Quartet announced their retirement, Roger and Cathedral baritone, Scott Fowler, organized Legacy Five in order to continue the tradition of outstanding gospel music to which they had become accustomed. In 2004, Roger fulfilled another dream (having his own successful quartet) when readers of Singing News voted Legacy Five as the Favorite Traditional Male Quartet. Although an excellent singer, Roger is best remembered as pianist–and often a comedian–for the Cathedrals and Legacy Five. Roger received the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Southern Gospel pianist 14 years in row (1993-2006). He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006 as a member of the Cathedral Quartet.

Songwriting was another gift of Roger Bennett. Many of his songs appeared on the recordings of the Cathedrals, Legacy Five and others. “I Read the Back of the Book”, “Heroes of the Faith”, “Healing”, and “Jesus Saves”. His writing talent was not limited to just songs, however, Roger was a contributing editor to Singing News, writing his monthly article, “Midnight Meditations.” Also, during his gospel music career, Roger taught many pianists through his gospel piano video series.

Roger was diagnosed with leukemia in 1995. He died March 17, 2007.

Anthony John Burger (1961 – 2006)
Inducted in 2007

Anthony Burger was born June 5, 1961, in Cleveland, Tennessee. After suffering third degree burns on his hands at eight months of age, Burger’s doctor told his parents he wouldn’t likely be able to move his hands in the future. Despite the odds, Burger was healed. At the age of five, he was accepted as a pinao student at the Cadek Conservatory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A child prodigy, Burger was playing a classical piano repertoire within a few years. Burger’s first recording, Anthony Burger At The Lowry Organ, was released in 1975 when he was 14 years old. He joined the Kingsmen Quartet while still a teen and remained with them until 1992. During that time, Burger recorded nineteen projects with the group and was voted the Favorite Pianist in the Singing News Fan Awards for an unprecedented ten years.

In 1992, Burger joined the Gaither Homecoming Tour. The Hazelton Brothers piano company honored Burger just after the turn of the century when they began offering an “Anthony Burger Signature” model. In 2005, Steinway & Sons announced that Burger was being added to their exclusive roster of endorsing artists, making him the first Southern Gospel pianist to ever hold that honor.

On February 22, 2006, Burger died while performing aboard a cruise ship chartered for a Gaither Gospel Cruise. Burger was playing the Dottie Rambo song “We Shall Behold Him” on the piano when he suffered a fatal heart attack.

His life can easily be summed up by a quote he himself stated: “I am a simple man with a majestic instrument and the power of God behind me.” That’s the life he lived. That’s the life he loved, and that’s the legacy he leaves.

Joel Wesley Hemphill (1939 – )
Inducted in 2007

Born August 1, 1939, in Fresno, CA, Joel Hemphill is a noted singer-songwriter, evangelist, musician, and author. He and his wife, LeBreeska, formed the Singing Hemphills in the mid 1960s, traveling the quartet circuit to much acclaim. Their concert repertoire primarily consisted of Joel’s own compositions. The Hemphill patriarch has penned over 350 songs, many of which became Gospel Music classics. His songs included such hits as “Pity the Man,” “Not in a Million Years,” and “Wait Till You See My Brand-New Home.”

Hemphill wrote and recorded six #1 songs which include “I’m In This Church,” “Good Things,” “I’ll Soon Be Gone,” “It Wasn’t Raining When Noah Built The Ark,” and “He’s Still Workin’ On Me,” which topped the “Singing News” chart for eight months. Over a twenty-year period, from 1970-1990, Hemphill had an average #8 song on the “Singing News” Chart. Other powerful songs penned by Hemphill are: “Master of the Wind,” “Consider the Lilies,” “I Claim the Blood,” and “The Only Real Peace.”
Along with his singing family, Hemphill is the recipient of eight (8) Dove Awards. Joel has received three (3) BMI Awards of Excellence.
Hemphill’s television appearances include, The Grand Ole Opry, Crook and Chase, The 700 Club, TBN and Gospel Country. They appeared regularly on the Gaither Homecoming videos and were invited guest at the White House for a Gospel singing when President Jimmy Carter was in office.

Lou Wills-Hildreth (1928 – 2019)
Inducted in 2007

Born in Memphis, Texas on July 13, 1928, Lou Wills-Hildreth has worn many hats in the Gospel Music field.

A member of the Singing Wills Family, noted promoter, journalist, publisher, and songwriter, Lou has been an industry leader and is the first female to have owned her own booking agency – the Nashville Talent Agency. Lou was part-owner of Sword & Shield Recording & Publishing Company publishing songs such as: “In the Shelter of His Arms,” “Now I Have Everything,” “I’m Gonna Walk, Talk, and Sing,” and “There Is A River.” Lou is the writer of songs such as: “Keep a Happy Heart,” “If I Didn’t Have Jesus By My Side,” “America, There is Hope,” and “Bought By the Blood”.

Lou served on the board of directors of many prominent gospel music agencies, including the Texas Music Hall of Fame, the Southern Gospel Music Association, and the Gospel Music Association where she served for over 20 years. As a television personality, Lou was the hostess of the Wills Family Inspirational Time, Hill Country Gospel, Inside Gospel, Family Lifestyles, and Nashville Gospel, a daily talk show. Lou was inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998 and was the first James Blackwood Award recipient.

Lou Wills-Hildreth will best be remembered for her contribution as a wonderful goodwill ambassador of Gospel Music throughout the nation.