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The Speers
The Speer Family was established in 1921. The original members included G.T. (Dad) Speer, Lena (Mom) Speer, Dad Speer's sister and brother-in-law. When the original group was formed, Dad Speer taught in Singing Schools, upholding his infamous image for being a "stickler" for singing every note exactly correct! By the 1930's, Mom and Dad Speer were traveling as a family group with their own children. As the children would mature, their duties would change: Brock became the bass, Mary Tom sang alto, Ben took the lead and Rosa Nell served as pianist. Over the years the sisters left the group to, as Brock always says, "have kids and raise husbands." After the sisters left the group, Dad Speer had to look outside of the family for female vocalists. Many great talents would join The Speers over the years, such as Jeanne Johnson, Ann (Sanders) Downing, and Sue (Chenault) Dodge, all principles of the Gaither Homecoming Videos. After the deaths of Dad and Mom Speer in the mid 60's, Brock took over management of the group. When Dad Speer died, The Speers needed tenor singers and there has been a talented line of tenors who have sung with the group, such as Harold Lane and Charles Yates. Throughout their career, The Speers have continued the tradition of excellence that Mom and Dad Speer started so many years ago. Mom and Dad were among the very first to be inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame. The Speers, as a group, are recipients of 8 Dove Awards for Best Mixed Group of the Year. They have won such awards as the GMA Lifetime Achievement Award, along with numerous song of the year awards, for hits such as "Saved to the Uttermost" and "He's Still In the Fire." As The Speers continue to sing, even after 75 years of ministry through Gospel Music, the overwhelming feeling is "THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!"
[Ben Speer] [Brock Speer] [Faye Speer] [Mary Tom Speer] [Rosa Nell Speer] [Speer Family History] [Photo Gallery]
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