On March 19, 1931, Sam Goodman was born in Bremen, Alabama, followed soon after by Sam’s brothers Rusty and Bobby. Sam served in the US Air Force. When Sam’s brother Howard began traveling an an evangelist, all of the siblings were recruited during through late 30s, 40s, and 50s to sing, thus forming the many variations of the early Happy Goodman Family. From the group’s earliest days, Sam became known as the group’s spokesperson, introducing the songs and the group members on stage, often telling funny stories and including moving recitations such as “The Goodman Family Story”, “The Beauty of a Child” and “The Pledge of Allegience” on many albums. Sam sang with the Happy Goodman Family in churches, camp meetings, all night sings, auditoriums, and radio and television around the nation from the 1940s through the 1980s.
In 1982, Sam received Minister’s credentials with the Assembly of God and continued to travel, sing, record solo albums, and also preach in churches and on Christian television across the nation until his death in 1991. In 1990, Sam reunited with Howard, Vestal, and Rusty to record their final album, The Reunion, which received a Grammy nomination that year.
Spanning seven decades, the Happy Goodman family received many Grammy nominations, 2 Grammy awards, and sang at the White House for President Jimmy Carter. In 1974, Sam was awarded the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Baritone. In 1998 the Happy Goodman Family was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and now, Sam takes his place with Howard, Vestal, and Rusty as a member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Here is a YouTube video of the Happy Goodman Family http://youtu.be/2hTrI7ijnz0
In 1982, Sam received Minister’s credentials with the Assembly of God and continued to travel, sing, record solo albums, and also preach in churches and on Christian television across the nation until his death in 1991. In 1990, Sam reunited with Howard, Vestal, and Rusty to record their final album, The Reunion, which received a Grammy nomination that year.
Spanning seven decades, the Happy Goodman family received many Grammy nominations, 2 Grammy awards, and sang at the White House for President Jimmy Carter. In 1974, Sam was awarded the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Baritone. In 1998 the Happy Goodman Family was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and now, Sam takes his place with Howard, Vestal, and Rusty as a member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Here is a YouTube video of the Happy Goodman Family http://youtu.be/2hTrI7ijnz0
On March 19, 1931, Sam Goodman was born in Bremen, Alabama, followed soon after by Sam’s brothers Rusty and Bobby. Sam served in the US Air Force. When Sam’s brother Howard began traveling an an evangelist, all of the siblings were recruited during through late 30s, 40s, and 50s to sing, thus forming the many variations of the early Happy Goodman Family. From the group’s earliest days, Sam became known as the group’s spokesperson, introducing the songs and the group members on stage, often telling funny stories and including moving recitations such as “The Goodman Family Story”, “The Beauty of a Child” and “The Pledge of Allegience” on many albums. Sam sang with the Happy Goodman Family in churches, camp meetings, all night sings, auditoriums, and radio and television around the nation from the 1940s through the 1980s.
In 1982, Sam received Minister’s credentials with the Assembly of God and continued to travel, sing, record solo albums, and also preach in churches and on Christian television across the nation until his death in 1991. In 1990, Sam reunited with Howard, Vestal, and Rusty to record their final album, The Reunion, which received a Grammy nomination that year.
Spanning seven decades, the Happy Goodman family received many Grammy nominations, 2 Grammy awards, and sang at the White House for President Jimmy Carter. In 1974, Sam was awarded the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Baritone. In 1998 the Happy Goodman Family was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and now, Sam takes his place with Howard, Vestal, and Rusty as a member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Here is a YouTube video of the Happy Goodman Family http://youtu.be/2hTrI7ijnz0
In 1982, Sam received Minister’s credentials with the Assembly of God and continued to travel, sing, record solo albums, and also preach in churches and on Christian television across the nation until his death in 1991. In 1990, Sam reunited with Howard, Vestal, and Rusty to record their final album, The Reunion, which received a Grammy nomination that year.
Spanning seven decades, the Happy Goodman family received many Grammy nominations, 2 Grammy awards, and sang at the White House for President Jimmy Carter. In 1974, Sam was awarded the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Baritone. In 1998 the Happy Goodman Family was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and now, Sam takes his place with Howard, Vestal, and Rusty as a member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Here is a YouTube video of the Happy Goodman Family http://youtu.be/2hTrI7ijnz0
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