CLARKE BEASLEY, PRESIDENT
Clarke Beasley was born on October 9, 1968, in Pensacola Florida. Clarke is the son of Gospel Music Hall of Famer, Les Beasley, who is the manager of the Florida Boys Quartet. Clarke's whole life has revolved around Gospel Music. Les began taking Clarke on the road with him when Clarke was just three years old. Clarke joined the group part-time singing and playing bass in 1984. After graduating with Who's Who honors with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Pensacola Christian College in 1990, Clarke joined the Florida Boys full time.

In June of 1991, Clarke moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and became the membership director and association accountant for the Gospel Music Association. During this time, Clarke was a regular featured columnist for the Singing News Magazine.

In April of 1993, Clarke was hired as the Executive Director for Gospel Music's largest annual event, the National Quartet Convention. Clarke oversaw the move of the National Quartet Convention from Nashville, Tennessee, to Louisville, Kentucky, and established the NQC headquarters there in Louisville. During Clarke's first five years, the NQC attendance almost tripled and the NQC exposition more than quadrupled.

In addition to his NQC duties, Clarke serves as President of the Southern Gospel Music Guild, and is currently on the advisory board of the Southern Gospel Music Association and is on the Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame Committee.

JUDY NELON
Judy Spencer Nelon's love of gospel music began in her daddy's church in Columbus, GA. She and her sisters (The Peck Sisters) Sharon and Linda began harmonizing in the little bathroom where the acoustics' where just right, as they got ready for church. The Blackwood Brother's on the Arthur Godfrey Talent radio show would be the place that the girls gathered to sing and learn their parts. At an "All Nite Singing" Les Beasley of the Florida Boys would draw the sisters winning ticket for their first television, where now they could see their favorite gospel groups too. Howard Goodman, a life long friend, babysat Judy while her sister Linda was being born and he would later walk her down the aisle to marry Rex Nelon.

Judy was the owner and editor of "Gospel West" music newspaper in Los Angeles, CA. In 1973 she was first elected to serve on the Gospel Music Association board. She also has been active with both the GMA Hall of Fame and the SGMA Hall of Fame. In 1998, she chaired the GMA Hall of Fame banquet where ten Gospel Groups (Andrae Crouch and the Disciples, Blackwood Brothers, Chuck Wagon Gang, Happy Goodman Family, Imperials, Jordanaires, Le Fevre's, Speer Family, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps, Hovie Lister and the Statesmen) were inducted into the hall, and considers that event one of the highlights of her career. In 2003, she was the first woman elected president of the Southern Gospel Music Guild. And today is again on the GMA board representing Southern Gospel Music. She has been a featured writer in U.S. Gospel News, Singing News and The Homecoming Magazine. Judy wrote biography's with David Liverett's drawings: "This is my Story," the Thomas Nelson Publishing book featuring 146 gospel artist stories. She enjoys speaking and sharing her story. Long time friend Lillie Knauls says: "Judy's honest and transparent delivery can make you cry and then you'll find that you are laughing. She is good!"

Judy is Vice President of Manna Music Inc. Publisher of "How Great Thou Art" and other classic gospel and sacred songs which include the first songs that Andrae Crouch composed. She is also CEO of the Nelon Publishing Group, with "Oh, What a Savior," "Sweeter As The Days Go By," and "If We Never Meet Again," among the over 10,000 songs her late husband, Rex acquired as a result of his devotion to Southern Gospel Music. She is honored to carry the torch down the path so many others have sacrificed to light.

ED HARPER
BIO COMING SOON

CHRIS WHITE
BIO COMING SOON

BECKIE SIMMONS BATES
Beckie Simmons has been an industry force for more than 20 years, and is known for her hard work, enthusiasm and integrity. As co-owner of Century II Promotions, she took virtually unknown musicians and developed them into some of the most popular and best-selling Gospel artists in the country. Artists and industry professionals respect Beckie and benefit from her knowledge, experience and resources. Since June 1997, she has done what very few agents and managers can do even one time – she has built yet a second agency, BSA, into one of the premier booking companies in all of Southern Gospel music.

ED LEONARD
Ed Leonard is the president of Daywind Music Group, a leading Christian music label in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Joining Daywind and its sister company New Day Christian Distributors in 1993, Leonard helped direct the label’s expansion and has contributed to the tremendous growth of Christian music in the U.S. and internationally.

In addition to leading Daywind, Leonard takes time to participate in several Christian music organizations. He is treasurer of the Gospel Music Association and the Southern Gospel Guild and sits on the executive committees of both. He holds a seat on the Southern Gospel Music Association’s Board of Directors. Other involvement includes the Christian Music Trade Association and NARAS. Leonard is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Music.

Leonard earned a BA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame in 1987 and an MBA in Finance and International Business from the University of Chicago in 1992. Before entering the Christian music industry, Leonard had a career in banking as an associate loan officer for the American National Bank in Chicago and assistant vice president of Banque Nationale de Paris, heading the large corporate lending approval department of its Chicago branch from 1991 to 1993.

Most importantly, Ed and his wife, Kathleen, are the parents of nine children. He is involved in coaching soccer, lacrosse and basketball in the Hendersonville Parks system and attends St. John’s Catholic Church in Gallatin.

LOU HILDRETH
Lou has served for twenty years on the Gospel Music Association Board and is one of the founding members of the Southern Gospel Music Guild.

Lou was born in Memphis, Texas. She was a member of the Texas First Family of Gospel Music, the Wills Family. Lou has been a television host, songwriter, publisher, journalist, an industry leader, and served twenty years on the GMA board. She is a passionate supporter of the SGMA Hall of Fame in Dollywood. In 1998, Lou was inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame, and in 2004, she was the recipient of the first "James Blackwood Award."

Lou received an honorary Doctor of Sacred Music degree from Louisiana Baptist University, and the Crabb Family recognized her dedication to the youth of gospel music by honoring her with the first "Golden Crabb Award." Lou was the first woman to own a gospel music agent booking agency and was Mark Lowry's first agent. The "Lou Hildreth Award" -- recognizing excellence within the gospel music industry is presented during the Diamond Awards at the National Quartet Convention.

Always smiling, Lou is the redhead seen on many of the Gaither Homecoming videos. She is a veteran of gospel television having Wills Family Inspirational Time in the 60's, one of the original syndicated shows. In the 70's and 80's, she hosted a daily television show in Nashville and was a Dove Award nominee. Currently, Lou is host of Hill Country Gospel TV and co-host of Inside Gospel with J. P. Miller. Her travels with husband, Howard, are chronicled in the U.S. Gospel News. She is the first to give credit to another, and to give praise to God. Lou Wills Hildreth is a shining example of a lifetime committed to sharing the gospel through the power of a gospel song.

GARY CASTO
Gary is one of those people, if you spend a little time with, you just know they love the Lord. When you talk about the things of the Lord, tears come to his eyes. Gary has the heart of God and the voice capable of leading the new group Monument Quartet. Even though he attended West Virginia University and West Virginia State, pursuing a career in sports medicine, God knew the real desire of Gary's heart. He is now deeply involved in the professional end of the Southern Gospel Music Industry. Not only has he been the tenor singer for the fabulous Wilburns, he also coordinates the Talent Competition for the National Quartet Convention.

Gary sings lead for the popular Monument Quartet and serves as the secretary for the SGMG. "I think investing in the future of our industry is a necessity if this wonderful music is to continue. I am excited to be a part of the SGMG!"

CRYSTAL BURCHETTE
For over 6 years, 30-year-old Crystal Burchette has led the publicity department at Daywind Music Group in Nashville, Tennessee. With career highlights including, red carpet press for two consecutive GRAMMY® Awards, numerous mainstream television promotions and working along side the Grand Ole Opry and prestigious publications, such as Billboard Magazine, Burchette balances a daily routine of seeking maximum exposure for a full roster of recording artists.

Burchette has been honored with many award nominations, including a 2004 nomination for non-musical support, which was presented by her peers and a 2001 Dove Award. She currently serves on the executive committee for the Southern Gospel Music Guild and the GMA Industry & Media Relations Committee. She is an active member of the Gospel Music Association and the Recording Academy (GRAMMYS®.)