In the year 1921, G.T. "Dad" and Lena "Mom" Speer formed the Speer Family with Dad's sister Pearl and her husband Logan Claborn. The Speer Family sang continually as a singing group until their retirement in 1998, an unprecedented 77 years. Here is a history of the First Family of Gospel Music.
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Speer Family History Timeline
George Thomas Speer born in Fayette County, GA. He is standing in the lower left-hand corner with his mom, dad, and the rest of the family.
Lena Darling Brock born in Shady Grove Hill, Cullman County, AL. In this photo of the C.A. Brock family, Lena is third from the left. Her brother, Dwight, second from left, went on to become known as the "dean of southern gospel piano players."
G.T. Speer was drafted into the U.S. Army and deployed to France in WW I. He battled homesickness by bringing along songbooks to read, and wrote “I Know My Savior Cares For Me” as a result of his experience overseas.
G.T. Speer and Lena Brock were married on February 27 in Athens, AL. Jackson Brock Speer is born on December 28, 1920.
The Singing Speer Family formed with G.T. and Lena Speer, G.T.’s sister Pearl, and her husband, Logan Claborn. They first sang both gospel and secular music.
Rosa Nell Speer born, and the group gained what would become its first piano player. Her brother Brock is on the right
Mary Tom Speer was born shortly after they moved to Double Springs, AL.
Ben Lacy Speer was born and soon contracted whooping cough. While singing at a revival, G.T. “Dad” Speer asked the church to pray for him, and Ben started to get better. A couple of nights later, Brock gave his heart to the Lord.
Dad Speer secured a job with the Vaughan Music company in Lawrenceburg, TN, and moved his family there. Dad had been a melody writer, but lyricist James Rowe encouraged Dad to try his hand at writing lyrics, too. After much prayer, he wrote “The Dearest Friend I Ever Had.”
Dad Speer taught at a singing school and had a new student, Mosie Lister, who went on the write the gospel standard, “’Til The Storm Passes By.”
The Speer Family joined the staff of WSFA radio station in Montgomery, AL and started a daily radio program which aired daily live at 6:15 AM.
Brock was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent three years in Italy driving trucks for the Army Air Corps after basic training in Rantoul, IL. Every morning Brock was away from the family, Dad Speer walked to the nearby Nazarene church and prayed for Brock’s safety with the church’s pastor.
Brock was discharged from the Army as a corporal. The family moved to Nashville, TN, for Brock to attend Trevecca Nazarene College on the G.I. Bill. Brock would say that the G.I. Bill was the only good thing the U.S. Army ever did for him.
Rosa Nell married Edwin Powell in June, and Brock married Faye Ihrig in August. In order to increase the size of his family, Dad Speer offered $50 for each granddaughter and $100 for each grandson. His grandchildren eventually cost him $950.
The Speer Family started a daily radio program, later a TV program, which aired live at 6:00 each morning on WSIX in Nashville. They also signed with the Bullet record label.
Ben married Mildred Bradley.
Mary Tom married Robert Reid and the group signed with RCA-Victor.
The Speer Family hired the first non-family group member, Joyce Black West. Joyce was the first of many talented singers to be a part of the Speers.
Dad Speer was honored for his 50th year in Gospel Music at the National Quartet Convention in Memphis, TN.
Dad Speer suffers his first of three heart attacks. Dad and Mom would join the group for selected engagements.
The Speers began regular appearances with the LeFevres on the Singing Time In Dixie television show taped in Atlanta.
The Speers signed with Heartwarming Records, a part of The Benson Company.
Dad Speer passes away.
Mom Speer passes away.
The Speer Family is awarded the first of seven Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association.
The Speers premiered Bill & Gloria Gaither’s, “The King Is Coming,” which became one of their biggest songs.
The Benson Company celebrated the Speers’ 50th anniversary as a singing group by releasing “Let The Song Go On,” a book on the history of the family. Dad Speer was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall Of Fame.
Mom Speer inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall Of Fame. The Speer Family sings for 200,000 at Explo '72 in Dallas, TX.
Brock Speer is inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall Of Fame.
The Speer Family received first of 5 Grammy Award nominations. The group is invited by President Jimmy Carter to perform on the White House south lawn with several other artists. Brock Speer presents President Carter with a Steuben Glass bowl from the Gospel Music Association.
The Speers celebrated 60th anniversary with special recording featuring Rosa Nell and Mary Tom, who joined them on select dates.
The Speers celebrate 75 years in gospel music
Dad, Mom, and Brock Speer are inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
The Speer Family retired from public performance at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. The group was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award by the Gospel Music Association Hall Of Fame. Ben Speer is inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Rosa Nell Speer Powell is inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Mary Tom Speer Reid is inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Faye Speer is inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
