James Buford Abner (November 10, 1917 - November 22, 2011)

Biography

Buford Abner sang lead with the Swanee River Boys from 1939 to 1970 when he retired from singing. Prior to that, he sang tenor in a quartet sponsored by the Pepperell Manufacturing Company of Columbus, GA starting when he was just 15 years old. Later, he sang for a year or so with the Vaughan Five in Knoxville, Tennessee. In all three groups, his brother Merle Abner was the bass singer.

In addition to singing, Buford Abner wrote more than 200 Southern Gospel songs, several of which were recorded by the Blackwood Brothers. After his retirement from traveling, Abner settled in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife Dot to be near their daughter. He worked there as a piano tuner. After living there for forty years, he relocated back to his hometown of Wedowee, Alabama.

Awards

BMI Citation Of Achievement (1956)
Georgia County Music Hall Of Fame (1985)
50th Anniversary Legend Award - Grand Ole Gospel Reunion (1989)
SGMA Hall Of Fame (2002)
Living Legend Award - Grand Ole Gospel Reunion (2003)

Songwriter's Résumé

(Partial List)

Do You Go To Church
Gloryland Jubilee
He Lifted Me From Sin
I Get Happy
Inside Your Heart
I've Got It
Lifted From Sin
Peace Of Mind
Say A Prayer For Me
There Is A God
There's One
Worryin'