Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters
Encyclopedia
Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters was a Southern gospel
music and comedy trio that was inducted into the Gospel Music Association
's Gospel Music Hall of Fame
in 2001. The group originally consisted of Wendy Bagwell
, Geraldine Terry (later known professionally as Jerri Morrison), and Georgia Jones; Jones was succeeded by Dot Pressley, Virginia Williams, and, ultimately, by "Little Jan" Buckner, who married Bagwell's adopted nephew Ronnie Buckner. The group was the first Southern gospel group to tour Europe, in 1965. Their 1970 comedy monologue, "Here Come the Rattlesnakes" (sometimes known as "The Rattlesnake Song," although it contains no singing or music), an account of their performance at a small church in Harlan, Kentucky
that handled rattlesnakes
, was the first certifiable million seller in Southern gospel history. Buckner is the only surviving member of the trio.
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 and comedy trio that was inducted into the Gospel Music Association
Gospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association was founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of Gospel music. There are currently about 4,000 members worldwide...
's 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:...
in 2001. The group originally consisted of Wendy Bagwell
Wendy Bagwell
Wendell Lee "Wendy" Bagwell was the founding member and leader of the Southern gospel music and comedy trio, Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters. Born in Chamblee, Georgia, on May 16, 1925, he joined with two young singers he met in church, Geraldine Terry , and Georgia Jones Wendell Lee "Wendy"...
, Geraldine Terry (later known professionally as Jerri Morrison), and Georgia Jones; Jones was succeeded by Dot Pressley, Virginia Williams, and, ultimately, by "Little Jan" Buckner, who married Bagwell's adopted nephew Ronnie Buckner. The group was the first Southern gospel group to tour Europe, in 1965. Their 1970 comedy monologue, "Here Come the Rattlesnakes" (sometimes known as "The Rattlesnake Song," although it contains no singing or music), an account of their performance at a small church in Harlan, Kentucky
Harlan, Kentucky
Harlan is a city in Harlan County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,081 at the 2000 census and was estimated at 1,880 in 2007. It is the county seat of Harlan County.-History:...
that handled rattlesnakes
Snake handling
Snake handling or serpent handling is a religious ritual in a small number of Pentecostal churches in the U.S., usually characterized as rural and Holiness. The practice began in the early 20th century in Appalachia, spreading to mostly coal mining towns. The practice plays only a small part of...
, was the first certifiable million seller in Southern gospel history. Buckner is the only surviving member of the trio.