When He Calls I'll Fly Away - Hovie Lister and the Statesmen

[Sing4More]

If I could play the piano, I would want to play just like Hovie. Back in the early days, I don't think he could have played if he had to sit still.lol

[CadillacL]

Hovie, & the boys are just having them some fun!

[harlthegr8]

I cant get enough of Hovie on this song. Such a great tune with so much soul behind it. What a pick me up!

[BurlCurl]

Hovie's just killin the piano on the original!

[alphashed]

As a Michigan small town boy I couldn't hear this great music unless I stayed up until late at night when WLAC in Nashville TN's signal would make it through to Michigan. What a joy it was to be where I had never heard it and then be able to experience the warmth and emotion of this great music.

[llarzelere]

I wonder what the original B&W was done in? 16mm? Kinescope?

[calimarton]

GREAT!

[aezanc]

Love the Statesmen!

[bartssue]

So enjoyable!

[forgottentenor]

That was awesome!

Lil' Robert

[GVFans]

White guy singing SOUL AFRO! BROTHA! Put da whoop dog on Gold City!

Seriously...

[forgottentenor]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha­hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!  Sho nuf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lil' Robert!!!

[militarychief]

I may be wrong but I believe the Blackwood Brothers started before the Statesmen.

[GospelPhil]

Yep, James and the guys started back in 1934. The Statesmen began in 1948.

[statesmensfan63]

These old clips from Hovie Lister and the statesmen are so wonderful. I am loving every one of them I am watching. Oh this is such a blessing!!

[rcpringle]

oh glory makes me want to load the bus right now.

[rexhickey]

After seeing this video, this Baptist preacher feels like breaking Pentecostal...lol. I miss this kind of singing.

[militarychief]

I was raised as a Freewill Baptist and my parents and uncle sang these types of songs in Baptist churches

[john0deere8]

My family was all raised Freewill Baptist, My grandpa was a Freewill Baptist minister in Fresno, California. My great grandparents came from Oklahoma and Texas and were Deacons they also helped start a church in Kerman, California.I was also raised on this type of music and still like listening to it today.

[rooze1974]

To those who were questioning Hovie's minsiterial background... he was an ordained Southern Baptist minister. The only church he ever pastored was Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Cobb, County Georgia. He preached a lot of revivals in his early years, but later served as a deacon at Druid Hills Baptist Church in Atlanta, until his death.

[code2high]

Curious ; what is Hovies background ? Does he have a minister background ? He'd be a good one !

[caddyorganist]

Hovie was a Baptist preacher for a while.

[code2high]

Hovie was a preacher ??? I bet he was an inspiration AND an entertainer wrapped into one ! I sure loved him and his Statesmen !

[ZAGJAG]

I was always told that Hovie was Church of God. Never met him to ask but he does act a little Pentecostal, lol

[code2high]

Acted a LITTLE Pentacostal ???? LOL......

[CadillacL]

I remember first hearing of The Statesmen from this Gaither video. I've been a fan since. They are w/out a doubt the standard that ALL Quartets should follow.

[adkinsda]

In the original B&W toward the end, Big Jim Hamill comes out and "helps" Hovie - Great stuff!

[caddyorganist]

I'd love to see that, you should upload it to your site!

[adkinsda]

One of my favorite Hovie songs