Rex Nelon
Encyclopedia
Rex Nelon was one of the senior statesmen in the field of Southern Gospel
music. His career spanned over 40 years of singing gospel music, as well as being an outstanding music publisher.
, which eventually became known as the Rex Nelon Singers, now called the Nelons. Rex mentored his daughter Kelly Nelon who continues to carry on the family traditions by heading the group. It was from the early Rex Nelon Singers that the careers of Janet Paschal
and Karen Peck
began to take shape.
Fan Awards as the “Favorite Bass Singer" and also he was named "Mr. Gospel Music." In 1998, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
with the LeFevres. Rex's publishing catalog is a timeless collection of some of gospel music's all-time favorite songs like, O What a Savior
, "Come Morning, "The Love of God, "The Old Country Church, "Hide Me Rock of Ages, "Sweeter As The Days Go By, "Thanks," and If We Never Meet Again."
Rex along with his group recorded over 25 projects and received 5 Dove Awards, 3 NARAS Grammy nominations and many Singing News Fan Awards. They have appeared on the Grand Ole Opry
, "Music City Tonight," and "The 700 Club
" and numerous national television shows. They are credited with over 13 "Top Five" radio singles. In 1987, the Nelons received the Short Form Music Video of the Year Award for "Famine In The Land," as well as winning the New York Film Festival
Award that same year. In 1997, the Mayor of Atlanta declared May, "Nelons Appreciation Month" Later that year, they were presented the Silver Angel Award for "Glad You're Here," by the Excellence in Media.
Rex Nelon died while on tour in Europe with the Gaither Homecoming
series.
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
music. His career spanned over 40 years of singing gospel music, as well as being an outstanding music publisher.
Early life
Rex's love of songs began as a boy in Asheville, NC. At age 14, he won his first singing contest. The prize was a pair of shoes. On Monday nights, he attended a weekly singing class where he was taught to read shaped note music and began to develop a solid ear for singing bass. In time, he was singing with regional groups, then in 1955, he was hired to sing bass with the Homeland Harmony Quartet. In 1957, he joined the LeFevres, one of the legendary family groups of southern gospel music. In 1973, he assumed direction of the The LeFevresThe LeFevres
The LeFevres, or The Singing LeFevres, were an American Southern gospel singing group, active for nearly 50 years in the middle of the twentieth century....
, which eventually became known as the Rex Nelon Singers, now called the Nelons. Rex mentored his daughter Kelly Nelon who continues to carry on the family traditions by heading the group. It was from the early Rex Nelon Singers that the careers of Janet Paschal
Janet Paschal
Janet Paschal is a Contemporary Christian and southern gospel vocalist and performer, often associated with Bill Gaither's Homecoming events.- Background :...
and Karen Peck
Karen Peck and New River
Karen Peck and New River is a southern gospel trio based in Gainesville, Georgia.-Music career:The youngest of three daughters, Karen was exposed to the traditional sounds of gospel music at a very early age...
began to take shape.
Career
In 1980 and 1982, he was voted by the Singing NewsSinging News
The Singing News is an American magazine which focuses on the Southern Gospel music industry....
Fan Awards as the “Favorite Bass Singer" and also he was named "Mr. Gospel Music." In 1998, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Gospel Music Hall of Fame
The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, created in 1971 by the Gospel Music Association, is a Hall of Fame dedicated exclusively to recognizing meaningful contributions by individuals and groups in all forms of gospel music.-Inductees:...
with the LeFevres. Rex's publishing catalog is a timeless collection of some of gospel music's all-time favorite songs like, O What a Savior
O What a Savior
"O What a Savior" is a hymn penned by the Free Will Baptist hymnist Marvin P. Dalton in 1948.-Lyrics:Once I was straying in sin's dark valley,No hope within could I see,But up in Heaven there is a Savior,who saved a poor lost soul like me,...
, "Come Morning, "The Love of God, "The Old Country Church, "Hide Me Rock of Ages, "Sweeter As The Days Go By, "Thanks," and If We Never Meet Again."
Rex along with his group recorded over 25 projects and received 5 Dove Awards, 3 NARAS Grammy nominations and many Singing News Fan Awards. They have appeared on the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
, "Music City Tonight," and "The 700 Club
The 700 Club
The 700 Club is the flagship news talk show of the Christian Broadcasting Network, airing in syndication throughout the United States and Canada. In production since 1966, it is currently hosted by Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen, Kristi Watts, and Gordon P. Robertson, two of whom will host on any...
" and numerous national television shows. They are credited with over 13 "Top Five" radio singles. In 1987, the Nelons received the Short Form Music Video of the Year Award for "Famine In The Land," as well as winning the New York Film Festival
New York Film Festival
The New York Film Festival has been a major film festival since it began in 1963 in New York. The films are selected by the Film Society of Lincoln Center...
Award that same year. In 1997, the Mayor of Atlanta declared May, "Nelons Appreciation Month" Later that year, they were presented the Silver Angel Award for "Glad You're Here," by the Excellence in Media.
Rex Nelon died while on tour in Europe with the Gaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming is the name applied to a series of videos, music recordings and concerts, which are organized, promoted and usually presented by Christian music songwriter and impresario Bill Gaither...
series.