Vocalists Wendy Bagwell (1953-1996) Jerri Morrison (1953-1996) Georgia Jones (1953-195?) Sandy Garvin (195?-195?) Dot Presley (195?-195?) Virginia Williams (195?-19??) Jan Buckner (19??-1996) Band Members Charlie Beatenbo (197?-198?) Steve Fowler (198?-198?) Larry Pate Steve Thomason Ricky Lewis Matt Mundy Russell Wise Darryl LeCroy Eric Curtis Keith Massey James Rainey Kevin Williams

Wendy Bagwell & the Sunliters (1953-1996)

Wendy Bagwell and Geraldine "Jerri" Morrison formed Wendy Bagwell & The Sunliters in 1953. Bagwell later joked that the third part was filled by several female singers during the first few years because, "When you ain't payin' nothin', people don't stay long." Georgia Jones was an original member of the trio. She was followed by Dot Presley, Sandy Head, and Virginia Williams. The final permanent piece was "Little Jan" Buckner who joined the group as a teenager. This remained the line-up until the Sunliters retired in 1996.

Many albums released by the Sunliters included at least one comedy routine by Bagwell in addition to regular songs. They are best remembered for the 1970 release titled Here Come The Rattlesnakes. The title track featured Bagwell’s hilarious comedy routine about the Sunliters singing a date for a church that handled snakes in their worship services. It was the number one “song” on the Singing News chart from November 1970 to January 1971.

The group was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Hall Of Fame in 2001, and all three of the longtime members of the Sunliters have been inducted individually into the Southern Gospel Music Association's Hall Of Fame.

Awards

GMA Hall Of Fame (2001)

Discography

1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s

Also see Wendy Bagwell for solo projects.