Labels New Haven Records | Years active 1936–present | |
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Website www.thechuckwagongang.net Members Jeremy StephensShaye SmithMelissa KemperStan Hill Albums 30 Country Gospel Favorites, Meeting in Heaven Profiles | ||
The Chuck Wagon Gang is a Country gospel musical group, formed in 1935 by D.P. (Dad) Carter and son Jim (Ernest) and daughters Rose (Lola) and Anna (Effie). The group got their first radio break as sponsored singers for Bewley Flour in 1936. The "Gang" signed with Columbia Records and remained with them for 39 years, creating a world record with them that lasted until 2000, when Johnny Mathis' overall contract with the same label (combining both his signage in 1957 and re-signage in 1968) entered its 40th year. At one point they were Columbia's number one selling group with excess of over 39 million in record sales.
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The Chuck Wagon Gang has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Grand Ole Opry. The group has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian Institution's classic American recordings.
1930s
The group was founded in 1935 broadcasting from radio station KFYO in Lubbock, Texas, and took the name in 1936 when they moved to WBAP in Fort Worth.
From Columbia to Copperfield
By the late 1970s, the group was still touring but felt a lack of support from the label they had recorded for during the previous forty-one years. Columbia had stopped servicing their songs to radio; thus airplay had become non-existent. Roy and Ruth Ellen Carter talked about it. They asked each other the question: "What can we do to rebuild what Daddy started?" That became the aim: not to make money, but to truly dedicate themselves to rebuilding the group to the strongest position it had enjoyed in years past. It was at this point starting in 1979 that they began recording for Copperfield Records for several years.
Members
Former members
Original members:
Others
* Source 'CWG 70th Ann. CD Cover'
Partial discography
Songs
Echoes From the Burning BushSacred Songs · 2008
Jesus Hold My HandSacred Songs · 2008
Looking for a City70th Anniversary · 2006