Speer Family

Infobox Musical artist
Name = The Speer Family

---

Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin =
Genre = Christian
Years_active =
Label =
Associated_acts =
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members =

The Speer Family, a Southern Gospel family group, was founded in 1921 by George Thomas ("Dad") Speer, his wife Lena ("Mom") Speer, and his sister and brother-in-law Pearl and Logan Claborn.

Early years

Within two years, the group had become so successful that George Thomas "Dad" Speer decided to make the group full-time. In the late 1920s, the group established a working relationship with the James David Vaughan Music Company, selling songbooks.

However, the group's success proved to be insufficient to support two families' budgets. In 1925, Logan and Pearl Claborn left the group; Logan returned to his job as a carpenter.

The Siblings Join

To fill the void, "Dad" Speer enlisted 5-year-old Brock and 3-year-old Rosa Nell to sing with him and his wife. The group's concerts featured several duet songs by "Dad" and "Mom" Speer, and several songs with Brock singing alto and Rosa Nell singing lead.

In 1934, "Dad" Speer accepted a full-time job with the Vaughan Music Company. This position afforded greater financial security for the family. Also in the 1930s, two more siblings, Mary Tom Speer and Ben Speer, joined the group.

In 1941, James Vaughan died, and the Speer family left his company. They joined the Stamps-Baxter company, a Vaughan competitor, and also became a regular performer on the WSFA radio station.

Later Years

"Dad" Speer died in 1966 and "Mom" in 1967. The group, led by brothers Brock and Ben, underwent various configurations over the next several decades. Ben retired from the group in 1993 although he did appear on occasion with the group until Brock officially retired the Speer Family at the 1998 National Quartet Convention. Ben Speer continues to be involved in Southern Gospel music as the Music Director of the Gaither Homecoming Series, and as owner of [http://stampsbaxterschool.com/ Ben Speer's Stamps-Baxter School of Music] , a Southern Gospel singing school.

Brock died in 1999.

Mary Tom and Rosa Nell continue to make appearances in Gaither Homecoming videos.

The group was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame in 1998, following individual inductions for "Dad" Speer (1971); "Mom" Speer (1972); Brock Speer (1975); and Ben Speer (1995).

Partial Discography

* "Family Favorites By The Speer Family" (Temple 7702)
* 1955 "The Speer Family Album" (RCA Victor)
* 1958 "Dad" Speer's Golden Anniversery In Gospel Music (Sing LP 701)
* 1963 "The Speer Family Sacred Hour" (RCA Camden)
* 1964 "Old-Time Family Religion" (Speer Family, Johnson Family, Carter Family) (RCA Camden)
* 1966 "The Gospel In Song" (RCA Victor)
* 1972 "The Speers In Concert" (HeartWarming)
* 1973 "Touring That City" (HeartWarming)
* 1973 "Friendship with Jesus" (Vista).
* 1973 "Happy Harmonies" (Vista)
* 1973 "He Touched Me" (Vista).
* 1974 "A Tribute - The Songs Of Bill and Gloria Gaither" (HeartWarming)
* 1974 "God Gave The Song" (HeartWarming)
* 1975 "Especially Warm" (HeartWarming)
* 1975 "The Best of the Best" (A/The Speers, B/The Imperials) (HeartWarming)
* 1975 "The King Is Coming" (HeartWarming)
* 1975 "Something Good Is About To Happen" (HeartWarming)
* 1976 "Between The Cross and Heaven" (HeartWarming)
* 1977 "Cornerstone" (HeartWarming)
* 1978 "Promises to Keep" (HeartWarming)
* 1978 "The Songs Live on" (HeartWarming)
* 1980 "Interceding" (HeartWarming)
* 1981 "Celebrating 60th Anniversary Featuring Mom & Dad" (Skylite)
* 1981 "60th Anniversary Celebration" (HeartWarming)
* 1982 "Tribute" (HeartWarming)
* 1982 "Hallelujah" (HeartWarming)
* 1983 "The Speers Live (Featuring The Speer Sisters) (Heartwarming)
* 1983 "Keep a Happy Heart" (Skylite)
* 1984 "Sunday Morning Singing" (RiverSong)
* 1985 "Family Reunion" (RiverSong)
* 1985 "Rejoicing (Riversong)
* 1985 "The Speer Family" (GreatComm)
* 1986 "Stepping Out in Faith" (RiverSong)
* 1987 "Celebration At Sea" (Live) (Riversong)
* 1988 "Saved To The Uttermost (Homeland)
* 1989 "He's Still In The Fire (Homeland)
* 1990 "Hallelujah Time (Homeland)
* 1990 "Best of the Best...Songs You Keep Asking For (Homeland)
* 1991 "The Speers 70th Anniversary Celebration (Homeland)
* 1992 "He Still Reigns (Homeland)
* "All-Night Singing Speer Family Style" (Starday)
* "Because Of Him" (Skylite)
* "Between The Cross And Heaven" (There's A Whole Lot Of Living Going On) (HeartWarming)
* "Big Singing Day" (HeartWarming)
* "Dad" Speer's Greatest Hits" (Skylite)
* "A Family Affair" (HeartWarming)
* "Family Favorites" (Skylite)
* "Garden Of Melody" (Skylite)
* "Happy Harmonies" (Vista).
* "The Happy Jubilee" (HeartWarming)
* "Heavy On Ben" (HeartWarming)
* "Hymns Of Joy And Peace" (HeartWarming)
* "The King Is Coming" (HeartWarming)
* "The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference" (HeartWarming)
* "On Concert Tour!" (HeartWarming)
* "Rejoicing With Mom" (HeartWarming)
* "A Singing Heritage" (HeartWarming)
* "The Singing Speers" (Skylite)
* "The Speer Family Sings Songs You Requested" (Skylite)
* "Won't We Be Happy" (Skylite)
* "Especially Warm" (HeartWarming)

References