From the beginning in the 1950s to their plans for the new millennium, the Kingsmen have had one purpose in mind to present the gospel of Jesus Christ through the medium of southern gospel music. The Kingsmen began as a part-time group and really came to the forefront of the gospel music industry after Jim Hamil joined them prior to the 1973 recording called Big and Live. The group was affectionately called in those days the ton of fun. They have won numerous fan awards from the Singing News and Gospel Voice Magazines and are the recipients of nine Dove awards from the GMA. They have made history with their song “Excuses” which maintained it’s #1 status for 19 months. The Kingsmen performed at the White House for President Jimmy Carter in 1977 and were the first group to record and film a live performance at the famed Grand Ole Opry. The group founded by Eldridge Fox currently consists of Ray Dean Reese, Greg Fox, Parker Jonathan, Bryan Hutson, Jerry Martin and Andrew Ishee. Past members have included Jim Hamil, Frank Curshall, Jerry Redd, Ray Talley, Johnny Parrack, Squire Parsons and Anthony Burger to name a few. The Kingsmen are as active today in gospel music as they have been for the last 40 years.