Who played steel for the Hinsons?

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 18 Nov 2008 4:28 pm

HAHAHAHAHAHA... that's good, Jeff. I know, we go waaaaaaaaaaaay back...

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 18 Nov 2008 6:00 pm

I'm sitting here with Dirk Johnson and Kelly Back... recording history of steel players is Jack Smith on 3 albums, Sonny Garrish on the lion's share, Larry Sasser played on one, first live album was Ronnie Moore, second live album was Ira Johnson, third was Scotty Sanders. John Hughey played on 2 albums, whatever cuts Sonny didn't do. I played on "The Group That God Built" and "Lift The Roof Off" (harmonica and acoustic). They don't recall Lloyd being on anything. Steve Dixon did not work with Bill Anderson. He went with TG. I played on the last album, "One More Hallelujah" (harmonica and acoustic).

Hope that helps clear up some points.

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 18 Nov 2008 7:36 pm

When the Hinsons were at the Veterans Memorial Hall here in Columbus in the 80's Kenny and i talked about me playing steel for them but the $$$ kept us apart . They were looking for a single guy without any family to support ! That would have been fun i think !

Jeff Hogsten · Post by **Jeff Hogsten** » 18 Nov 2008 8:21 pm

the reference I made to Lloyd was on the Happy Goodmans second live album

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 21 Nov 2008 11:38 am

I have no idea who played steel for the Hinsons. I do know, they were my favorite gospel group ever. I started watcthin them in the 70's. And I saw them often on that gospel TV show, hosted by "Les Beasley" I do not remember the name of the show. And what made the Hinsons my favorites was a young lady singer who had, what I believe, one of the most awesome voices ever.

After asking many times over a number of years, I am told her name was "Chris Hawkins".

As pretty as a picture and twice as sweet, but her real gift was that voice. Never heard anything I felt was more from heaven, 'ceptin Connie Smith.

I have no idea what ever happened to her. Does any one know?

carl

Jeff Hogsten · Post by **Jeff Hogsten** » 21 Nov 2008 12:13 pm

the show was the gospel singing Jubilee. The girl is now Chris Freeman. Her and her husband Darell have a group called the Freemans and are very sucessful. I have had them here at the tv station I work at several times. Chris is a great singer for sure.There two kids sing and play with them now. Go to http://www.the-freemans.com They just released a DVD full of recordings from that tv show the Gospel Singing Jubilee. Hope this helps

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 21 Nov 2008 1:50 pm

Thank you Jeff.

I am going to send off for that CD. It will bring back mucho pleasant nostalgia. One of my favorite music's is; "Southern Gospel". But of an older flavor I might add.

And IMO, nobody ever did it better than the Hinsons with Chris of course. She brought out the sparkle of that group.

Thanks again,

carl

Jeff Hogsten · Post by **Jeff Hogsten** » 21 Nov 2008 3:47 pm

I turned down two offers to play for the HInsons. One of my big regrets is I didnt spend a couple of years with them, the GOodmans are my all time favorites but the Hinsons were great. I remember the first time I ever heard them I stopped by Madisonville at the Goodmans studio. Rusty said come in here and listen to this group. They got a 15 year old boy that sounds just like Merle Haggard. Ill never for get it. He played me the Lighthouse, a song Rusty later made a classic, precous memories