Gospel legend and author will appear at Southern Gospel
Music Hall of Fame April 18 and 19
Music Hall of Fame April 18 and 19
The Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum at
Dollywood will welcome legendary gospel performer Melvin Klaudt.
Dollywood will welcome legendary gospel performer Melvin Klaudt.
He will appear in the museum April 18 and 19, 2014 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. both days.
Klaudt was a member
of the Klaudt Indian Family Gospel Singers for over 40 years. His late mother
Lillian Little Soldier Klaudt was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
of the Klaudt Indian Family Gospel Singers for over 40 years. His late mother
Lillian Little Soldier Klaudt was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
“We are tremendously
excited to have a visit from a member of one of gospel music’s most interesting
groups,” said Arthur Rice, SGMA president. “This talented family often appeared in full Indian regalia and featured a
vast array of instruments in their programs.
excited to have a visit from a member of one of gospel music’s most interesting
groups,” said Arthur Rice, SGMA president. “This talented family often appeared in full Indian regalia and featured a
vast array of instruments in their programs.
“They were one of the
best-loved groups on the Wally Fowler All Night Singings,” he said. “ The
popularity of the group continued through the 1960s as they were fixtures on
the Bob Poole Show as well as other Gospel Music programs.”
best-loved groups on the Wally Fowler All Night Singings,” he said. “ The
popularity of the group continued through the 1960s as they were fixtures on
the Bob Poole Show as well as other Gospel Music programs.”
Klaudt, who was born
on Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in Northwest North Dakota, will be visiting
with guests and signing his book “Thank God I’m Uncivilized.”
on Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in Northwest North Dakota, will be visiting
with guests and signing his book “Thank God I’m Uncivilized.”
“I wrote the book
because I am concerned about how civilization in this country has changed over
my life for the worse,” Klaudt said.
because I am concerned about how civilization in this country has changed over
my life for the worse,” Klaudt said.
The 81 year-old
author describes the book as a tongue-in-cheek, 226-page history of his family
and his life sometimes laced with satire.
author describes the book as a tongue-in-cheek, 226-page history of his family
and his life sometimes laced with satire.
“It has some strong
serious spiritual moments,” he said. “Everyone that has read the book, give it
a thumbs up review.”
serious spiritual moments,” he said. “Everyone that has read the book, give it
a thumbs up review.”
He said his strength
in his later years has been his lifelong ties to Southern Gospel Singing and
the message of Christ.
in his later years has been his lifelong ties to Southern Gospel Singing and
the message of Christ.
“It is a must for
anyone serious about Southern Gospel Music and Native Americans,” he said.
anyone serious about Southern Gospel Music and Native Americans,” he said.
Klaudt is the
administrator of the Klaudt Indian Memorial Foundation and is host of the television
ministry “Just Keep Singing” that is viewed in 112 nations around the world.
administrator of the Klaudt Indian Memorial Foundation and is host of the television
ministry “Just Keep Singing” that is viewed in 112 nations around the world.
“The program
features many of the present day gospel groups, plus many of the Southern gospel music legends of
the past,” he said.
features many of the present day gospel groups, plus many of the Southern gospel music legends of
the past,” he said.