"Spreading the gospel with songs and music" by Susie Sansom-Piper

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS, SERIES 4, PART 4

Spreading the gospel with songs and music

by Susie Sansom-Piper

Rockdale Reporter - February 24, 2011

Two singing groups who left their marks on years past were the Rockdale Gospel Singers

and The Hardeman Echoes.

ROCKDALE GOSPEL SINGERS - The Rockdale Gospel Singers originated in the 50s.

Their purpose was to spread the gospel through songs.

With Frankie Moore McDonald as piano accompanist, they rendered services in the community

and many surrounding towns.

This group was composed of Myrtle Mae Tindle, Imogene Gray, Etta Mae Walton, Minnie

Mullins, Charles Etta McFarland, Laura Mae Monroe, Eva Morgan and Lillie Johnson.

THE HARDEMAN ECHOES - On Oct. 4, 1980, at Springfield Baptist Church, a group of inspired

men and women came together for the purpose of organizing a gospel singing group.

At the first meeting, 12 people were present and called themselves the Rockdale Community

Choir, because it was composed of members from four local churches.

Two weeks later it was unanimously voted to change the name to The Hardeman Echoes in

honor of Doris Hardeman who was instrumental in organizing the group.

Their purpose was to sing and serve to benefit the community and surrounding areas and

give glory to God.

The original group was composed of Charles C. Wesley, Freddie Gray, Larry D. Williams,

Imogene Gray, Carol Ann Williams, Doris Phillips, Barbara McKee (organist), Jo Ann

Bradford (pianist), Evelyn Moultrie, Doris Nell Turner, Mae Joyce Cashaw, Coleman

Burgess, Doris Hardeman, Ocie Bowens and Rev. James Green.

Others who later joined the group were Lula Mae Rivers, Uneeda Page, Rev. A. Bradley,

Larry Jackson, Debra Green, Rose Wilhite, Brenda Harris, Marie Russell and Joyce Ford.

The group no longer exists because many members are deceased or have moved away from

Rockdale.