Name Wendy Bagwell | Role Singer | |
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Died June 13, 1996, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Albums This, That, And The Other, I Feel Like Singing Similar People Florida Boys, Happy Goodman Family, Speer Family, The Kingsmen Quartet, Rex Nelon | ||
this train wendy bagwell sunliters
Wendell Lee "Wendy" Bagwell (May 16, 1925 - June 13, 1996) was the founding member and leader of the Southern gospel music and comedy trio Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters.
Contents
- this train wendy bagwell sunliters
- Sing me home wendy bagwell the sunliters
- Early years
- Career
- Death
- Recognition
- References
Sing me home wendy bagwell the sunliters
Early years
The son of Cajer and Arza Bagwell, Bagwell was born in Chamblee, Georgia. His secondary education was at West Fulton High School in Atlanta, Georgia.
Bagwell served in the United States Marine and twice was decorated for bravery. Bagwell returned home where at the age of 21, he adopted an abused nephew.
Career
In 1953, he formed Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters. He joined with two young singers he met in church, Geraldine Terry (later known professionally as Jerri Morrison), and Georgia Jones (ultimately replaced by "Little Jan" Buckner, the wife of Bagwell's adopted nephew), to form the gospel trio.
Bagwell was best known for his comedy monologues, notably the million-selling "Here Come the Rattlesnakes" (also known as "The Rattlesnake Song"), an account of the trio's performance at a small church that engaged in snake handling.
Bagwell also was seen in television commercials as a spokesman for Stanback Headache Powders.
Death
Bagwell died on June 13, 1996.
Recognition
Bagwell was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997 and into the GMA Hall Of Fame in 2001.
In 1970, Bagwell was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance (Other Than Soul Gospel) for the album Talk About the Good Times.