Southern Gospel History

GEM Awards

The GEM Awards were presented by the Southern Gospel Music Association from 1982 to 1986. Some categories were split between "Professional" and "Non-Professional" for the first two years with "Non-Professional" being rebranded to a more positive "Most Promising" title starting in 1984.

Album Of The Year (1982, 1984-1986)

1982 It's Raining by Lamar Sego Family (Professional Category)
1984 Live In Atlanta by Cathedrals (Professional Category)
1985 Feeling Good by Dixie Echoes (Professional Category)
1986 It Ain't Love Till You Give It Away Wendy Bagwell And The Sunliters (Professional Category)

Band Of The Year (1982-1986)

1982 Gold City's Band Of Gold (Professional Category)
1982 Buxton Family Band (Non-Professional Category)
1983 Dixie Melody Boys (Professional Category)
1983 Buxton Family Band (Non-Professional Category)

1984 Dixie Melody Boys (Professional Category)
1985 Dixie Echoes (Professional Category)
1986 Dixie Echoes (Professional Category)

Horizon Award (1984, 1986)

1984 The Payne Family (Professional Category)

1986 Perrys (Professional Category)

Female Vocalist Of The Year (1982-1986)

1982 Jan Buckner (Professional Category)
1982 Ann Buxton (Non-Professional Category)
1983 Karen Peck (Professional Category)
1983 Daphne Anderson (Non-Professional Category)
1984 Karen Peck (Professional Category)

1984 Susan Peck (Most Promising Category)
1985 Jan Buckner (Professional Category)
1985 Susan Peck (Most Promising Category)
1986 Debra Talley (Professional Category)
1986 Penny Buxton (Most Promising Category)

Male Group Of The Year (1982-1986)

1982 Dixie Echoes (Professional Category)
1982 The Gospel Boys (Non-Professional Category)
1983 Singing Americans (Professional Category)
1983 Georgia (Non-Professional Category)
1984 Cathedrals (Professional Category)

1984 Georgia (Most Promising Category)
1985 Singing Americans (Professional Category)
1985 New Revelation Quartet (Most Promising Category)
1986 Cathedrals (Professional Category)
1986 Liberty Quartet (Most Promising Category)

Male Vocalist Of The Year (1982-1986)

1982 Dale Shelnut (Professional Category)
1982 Doyle Jones (Non-Professional Category)
1983 Dale Shelnut (Professional Category)
1983 Lee Burke (Non-Professional Category) 1984 George Younce (Professional Category)

1984 Mike LeFevre (Most Promising Category)
1985 Mike English (Professional Category)
1985 Larry Nipper (Most Promising Category)
1986 Randy Shelnut (Professional Category)
1986 Mark Stapleton (Most Promising Category)

Mixed Group Of The Year (1982-1986)

1982 Rex Nelon Singers (Professional Category)
1983 The Hopper Brothers & Connie (Professional Category)
1983 Singing Laceys (Non-Professional Category)
1984 Rex Nelon Singers (Professional Category)
1984 Buxton Family (Most Promising Category)

1985 Rex Nelon Singers (Professional Category)
1985 The Singing Nippers (Most Promising Category)
1986 Talleys (Professional Category)
1985 The Laceys (Most Promising Category)

Silver Mic Award (1984-1985)

1984 Paul Heil (Professional Category)

1985 Wayne Wallace (Professional Category)

Song Of The Year (1982-1986)

1982 "Canaanland" written by Jeff Gibson (Professional Category)
1983 "Step Into The Water" by Kirk Talley (Professional Category)
1984 "We Shall See Jesus" Cathedrals (Professional Category)
1985 "I Bowed On My Knees" Singing Americans (Professional Category)
1986 "Sweeter As The Days Go By" Talleys (Professional Category)

Impact Award (1986)

The Impact Award was a special recognition presented by the SGMA board.
1986 Jack Pittman

Pioneer Award (1982-1985)

The Pioneer Awards was a special recognition presented by the SGMA board.

1982 Wendy Bagwell
1983 Glen Daniels for Sing Out America

1984 National Quartet Convention Board Of Directors
1985 Charlie Waller

SGMA Hall Of Fame (1982-1985)

The Hall Of Fame was a special recognition presented by the SGMA board.

1982 James Sego
1983 Eva Mae LeFevre
1984 "Big Chief" Wetherington

1984 Wendy Bagwell
1985 Lee Roy Abernathy
1985 Urias LeFevre