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My love , of and for this music, started back around 1953-54 when The Weatherfords came to my home church in San Fernando Calif. There was something about the melodies and the spirit that drew me into this wonderful sound. I was about 9 years old when I attended that concert and was hooked on the music. It wasn’t long after that that my parents took me and my cousin to a Polly Grimes Saturday nite sing in Long Beach that featured The Blackwood Bros, and Statesmen Qt. What a night and what a life changing experience it was for me.

I was fortunate to have parents who loved the Lord and loved Gospel Music. My parents encouraged me and all of my siblings to be participants in all the activities at our church especially the music. One of the greatest joys I had as a child and throughout my life , was listening to Mom and Dad sing together in church and at special events for the church. My Dad played guitar and loved the music of the Chuck Wagon Gang and Red Foley. Dad encouraged me to sing in the choir and sing in a quartet as a teenager. I did and the love of Gospel music grew deeper. I continued to attend all the sings in and around the Los Angeles area , as often as I could ,just to be moved by the sounds and words of this wonderful music. In addition to the groups mentioned before I enjoyed the Speer Family, The Happy Goodmans, Harvesters, Smitty Gatlin and Friends, and the Oak Ridge Boys.

After attending college and getting married I continued to attend these great concert events this time taking my parents with me. I sang in a quartet at our church and encouraged our pastor to bring in other groups. When my Dad retired and my folks moved to Missouri I moved to Bakersfield Ca. and began to attend concerts promoted by Ralph Dean. Ralph is a wonderful man of God who has spent a lot of time, energy and money bringing the best of Southern Gospel to LA and Central California.

Ralph took it upon himself to see that The Stamps, Masters Five, The Hoppers, and Palmetto State Qt. made regular stops here when they were on the west coast and included several local groups on the programs.

Ralph was instrumental in the organization of Western States Gospel Music Association and SGPA many years ago . He is still active in those associations, but as his health and business began to decline He needed someone to help do the leg work for the concerts. I offered and he graciously took me under his wing and taught me more about this wonderful music and how the groups had meant so much to him during the trials of his life. In 2000 we began to promote together and as groups began to retire from the road , we brought newer groups to LA and Central Ca. Legacy Five, Greater Vision and Poet Voices have been truly inspirational to our concerts. I joined WSGMA in 2003 and then the Southern Gospel Promoters Association in 2004.

I want to say thanks my Dad, who passed away Oct 8,2007 age 90, for your love and encouragement and introduction to this wonderful music. I’ll always remember the last songs my Dad sang two days before his passing “His Grace is Sufficient for Me” and “I’ll Meet you In the Morning.”

To Ralph Dean for being my friend and mentor and to Scott Fowler for your friendship and encouragement. To the Herb Henry Family for your devotion to WSGMA and to Jim,Don Eric,Jerry and CJ of RSV Qt for your support.

Gary Young Promotions
3101 Victoria Way Bakersfield , Ca. 93309
Office 661 836-9109 Cell 661 979-0786

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