A Beautiful Love Story, Feature Article

Jun

2004

A Beautiful Love Story

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[26] Comments

In 1963, Sherrill Nielsen (tenor singer with the Speer Family) met Brenda Hall, his first love and the love of his life while performing in a concert hosted by the Couriers Quartet in Harrisburg PA. It was love at first sight for both of them. On December 12, 1963, they were married in Gettysburg PA and moved to Atlanta GA to team up with and organize the Imperials Quartet. In 1965, the Imperials moved to Nashville TN, where their beautiful daughter, SherRee’ was born. In 1966, Sherrill and Brenda moved to Ontario CA to team up with the Songfellows and the Brush Arbor Jubilee. In 1967, Brenda assessed the situation and realizing that Sherrill did not need the strain of a wife and baby at this point in his career, she released him like a cherished butterfly to pursue his musical career. In 1985, SherRee’ was killed by a drunk driver in Tyler TX. SherRee’ was Sherrill and Brenda’s only child.

Sherrill left CA and joined the Plainsmen, then later the Statesmen. In 1973, he because a part of the Elvis Presley Show. According to Felton Jarvis, Elvis’ producer, Sherrill was Elvis’ favorite singer. After Elvis’ death in 1977, Sherrill continued his own career. In the mid 1980’s, Sherrill joined the Masters V to replace Rozie Rozzell (who had suffered a heart attack). Sherrill is the only artist to be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as a member of three different groups: the Speer Family, the Imperials, and the Statesmen. Brenda who was busy with her Government career, took out a few years and performed with the Weatherford Quartet and James Clark and the Love Revival Singers. Sherrill, never got over his love for Brenda and has carried a torch for her for the past 40 years. He never dreamed it possible that he might be able to find her again but Brenda’s secretary, JoAnn Garza, found Sherrill in Europe, where he has been touring for the past 12 years, and the rest is history in the making. Some 40 years later the cherished butterfly flew back from Denmark and the two were remarried on June 28, 2004 in Las Vegas NV.

Brenda is currently working as an Architectural/Designer and Manager with the Government in Houston TX. Sherrill and Brenda will be living in the Houston TX area. The happy couple can be contacted at P. O. Box 20152, Houston TX 77225.

Reader Comments

I have followed bits and pieces of Sherril's career but this is one aspect I was not aware of. Sherril and Brenda, I wish you the best.

Commented by Tim Maze On 07/07/2004

What an interesting and unique story!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 07/07/2004

And John Crenshaw's article about the Imperials started the ball rolling.

Dean

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 07/07/2004

Ol' matchmaker John has made history!

Commented by Alan Kendall On 07/07/2004

James I agree with you. This is awsome, goes to show ya if it be real, love never dies.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 07/08/2004

I ahve always thought Sherrill Neilson was one of the most underated performers in SGM a true talent, and I am so happy for him and his wife

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 07/09/2004

This is a wonderful story with a happy ending! God bless!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 07/09/2004

I just hope we get to hear him sing again. This is one wonderful and very missed gospel singer.

The first Imperial group was fabulous- Sherrill, Jake Hess, Gary McSpadden, Armond Morales and Henry Slaughter. Thru the years the Imperials have had a great roster.

It makes sense that Brenda would transition into the Weatherfords. Many people do not realize the connection between the Weatherfords and both the Imperials and the Cathedrals. If there had never been the Weatherfords with their close harmony, their passing the melody back and forth without ever losing it in the mix, their classic moves (like cascades and the four part seven half-step slides in What A Precious Friend Is He), backup in the verses, the endings and never singing out of your range and shrieking and turning red in the face- there never could have been an Imperials or a Cathedrals. Many of both groups early personnel and arrangements were from the Weatherfords.

Now back to the original subject- may God bless both of you and may the rest of your life be the best of your life. Rekindled love makes a tender love story- it's a God thing! I pray God's best for you. This is one of the great "The Rest Of The Story" stories.

Commented by Dan Adkins On 07/12/2004

Wow, John, great work. I guess we have to change your (self proclaimed) name from stupid dude to cupid dude... LOL

Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog

Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 07/13/2004

Oh,~ Sherril my dear friend~ I am so very happy for you! I worried about you in Denmark. I remember the sad longing look in your eye when you shared about your marriage with me when we first meet in the early 70's. It was so great getting back in touch with you for a short time a few years ago! May God richly bless you both! She is beautiful!
And YES What a very missed voice in gospel music!!!

Very sincerely,

Carolyn Brooks-Wood

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 07/18/2004

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