Southern Gospel Music Association

Ann Downing
Inducted in 2018

2018 marks Ann Downing's 55th year of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music. She is a Commissioned Song Evangelist with the Church of the Nazarene and a regular on the popular Gaither Homecoming Video series, however, the majority of her time is spent maintaining a full schedule of church concerts and speaking engagements throughout the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.

Raised on a cotton farm in rural Mississippi, Ann grew up dreaming of the day she’d sing Gospel music all over the world. Right out of high school she began to realize her dream by securing a position with the legendary Speer Family. Five years later she met Paul Downing. Suddenly, Ann's dream of singing with the Speer Family for the rest of her life seemed like something she should reconsider. Soon after they married, Ann and Paul co-founded a group that helped shape Gospel music as it exists today. The Downings were founded as a mixed quartet that included Paul and Ann Downing, Greg Gordon, Sue Dodge and pianist, Dickie Matthews. The group released 18 albums in 8 years. Ann and Paul were voted favorite female singer and favorite bass singer respectively in 1973 in the Singing News Fan Awards. Ann won a Dove Award for Female Vocalist within a year of co-founding The Downings, and went on to be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame for her work with the Speer Family. The group disbanded in 1977. Paul and Ann were in the process of reforming The Downings when Paul passed away in 1992.

Today, Ann continues to expand her mark on Gospel music through solo ministry. Ann enjoys speaking at women's events and retreats, seniors' events and retreats, and lay retreats.  Her favorite event every year is the women's retreat she and Paul were planning just before he passed way, Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat.

Tracy Stuffle
Inducted in 2018

Tracy Stuffle was born in Morristown, Tennessee to George and Lucille Stuffle. An only child, Tracy spent much of his time listening to music and eventually formed his own group, Living Water. He sang with Living Water until he joined The Perrys (Randy, Debra and Libbi) in 1985. That's where he and Libbi met, fell in love and were subsequently married in 1987.

Tracy's lifelong passion for singing led him to be named Christian Voice Living Legend and brought him many nominations throughout his career for the Singing News Fan Awards Favorite Bass Singer of the Year.

In addition to his love of music, Tracy was an avid sports fan and especially loved the Nashville Predators and Tennessee Vols. Tracy suffered a massive, debilitating stroke in 2013, but continued to sing from his heart until he was no longer able to travel. He was a hero and a saint to his family and many others. He was a faithful husband and an incredible father. He and Libbi were a wonderful example of God's love, in sickness and in health for more than 30 years.

Mark Trammell
Inducted in 2018

For over forty years, Mark Trammell has been singing Gospel music. Over the years, he has carried the baritone part and won multiple awards with groups such as The Kingsmen, The Cathedrals, Greater Vision and Gold City. Mark and his wife, LaResa have one son, Nick.

Mark has been privileged to perform in some prestigious venues, such as Radio City Music Hall, Brooklyn Tabernacle and the South Lawn of the White House.

The Mark Trammel Quartet has been in ministry more than 10 years now, thrilled to see God's supernatural power working to do the impossible through those who are stubborn enough to simply believe He can.

Norman Wilson
Inducted in 2018

Norman Wilson, mandolinist and tenor vocalist with Primitive Quartet, was born in Franklin, North Carolina. His father was an old-time mountain preacher who knew music well and taught his children to sing shape notes, which is the traditional style that the Primitive Quartet still sings today. Norman traveled and sang with his father, singing at monthly singings and revivals for many years. In August of 1961, Norman felt God's Spirit convicting him and surrendered his life to Christ.

Gardening, woodworking, fishing and hunting were just a few of Norman's hobbies, all second to singing.  He and his wife, Kay (originally from Maryville, TN) resided in Candler, North Carolina.  He passed away suddenly during a hunting trip when he was 70 years old. The group of hunters had treed a bear and was deciding who would take the shot. Norman met Jesus that day, but his family and friends have no doubt he was ready. He was known to say, "Try Jesus, you will never be disappointed." Norman sang from his heart and made it his life's mission to share of God's great love everywhere he went.