This page is dedicated to mother, Annie Mae (Petersen) Pflughaupt. Mom was a music lover, church pianist and vocalist, and loved the gospel quartets. The Happy Goodman Family was one of her favorites. This album in particular, she played the grooves off it. I remember as a young teen in junior high school years hearing it all the time, with Mom singing along as she did her housework.
c. 1967 Canaan Records
Produced by Marvin Norcross
Personnel:
Howard “Happy” Goodman – Vocals, Piano
Vestal Goodman – Vocals
Sam Goodman – Vocals
Rusty Goodman – Vocals
Bobby Goodman – Soloist (“I See The Light”)
Musicians unknown – the Goodmans were known for using top Nashville studio musicians for their records, which was unusual for Gospel groups at the time.
In 1968 the Happy Goodman Family won the first-ever Grammy award for “Best Gospel Performance” with this album, in a newly-established award category specifically for Gospel music.
The Happy Goodman Family were trailblazers in the Gospel music arena, being the first to incorporate a variety of instrument on their albums and concerts, such as guitar, steel guitar, and bass, in addition to the piano that was the staple of other groups like the Blackwood Brothers and Statesmen quartets. When Howard and Vestal’s son Ricky came of age, he joined the group on drums in their concerts, another industry first.
