Inducted 2007

Born October 1, 1927, James Sego was filled with one burning desire as a youth in the rural South —to be a gospel singer.  Years of hard work and determination saw that dream turned into a reality.  In 1941, Sego sang with his brother, Lamar, and sister, Blondean, as the Sego Family on radio station WMGA in Moultrie, GA.  In 1946, James, along with his brothers W.R. and Lamar, organized a quartet called the Harmony Kings. They were heard on the Mutual Broadcasting Network on 458 stations.  Sego stated, “Had it not been for shape notes I would not have learned to sing properly”.   The quartet first appeared with Uncle Ned and his Hayloft Jamboree on WMAZ-TV in Macon, GA. in 1958 as the Sego Brothers and Naomi.

Sego is credited with writing several songs such as “We’ll Have A Good Time” and “I’ll Really Be Free”.  The Sego Brothers and Naomi recorded the first million-seller in Southern Gospel music, “Sorry I Never Knew You”.

James Sego succeeded in gospel music against all odds. In the beginning, the popular groups shunned him, his alcoholic days (which he overcame) nearly ruined his health, and two paralyzing strokes almost killed him - yet he continued.  Sego didn’t dress fancy or resort to stage acrobatics, nor did he engage in saccharin sweet testimonies that lacked reality.  He simply belted out the gospel in a heart warming “down home” style—that many found refreshing.

Sego died July 24, 1979, while undergoing open heart surgery.