Speer Family
| Company type | Gospel music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Founder | George Thomas "Dad" Speer, Lena Darling "Mom" Speer, Pearl Claborn, Logan Claborn |
Area served | Southern United States |
| Products | Southern gospel music recordings and performances |
The Speer Family was a Southern gospel ensemble established in 1921 by George Thomas ("Dad") Speer (1891–1966), his spouse Lena Darling ("Mom") Speer (née Brock; 1899–1967), along with his sister Pearl and her husband Logan Claborn. Harold Lane was also among the members.
Early years
Originating from musically inclined backgrounds, George Thomas and Lena formed the group initially to supplement their income from farming. Distinct from earlier gospel ensembles that featured only men, The Speer Family broke new ground by including female vocalists.
Within a couple of years, the group’s rising popularity enabled G.T. Speer to dedicate himself entirely to music. During the late 1920s, they collaborated with the James David Vaughan Music Company, distributing songbooks. Financial difficulties caused Logan and Pearl Claborn to depart in 1925; Logan returned to carpentry. To compensate, G.T. and Lena incorporated their young children, Brock (age 5) and Rosa Nell (age 3), who performed alto and lead vocals respectively. Their concerts showcased duets by "Dad" and "Mom" Speer alongside their children.
In 1934, "Dad" Speer secured full-time employment with Vaughan Music Company, which provided steady financial support. By the early 1930s, siblings Mary Tom Speer (1925–2014) and Ben Speer (1930–2017) had become part of the group.
Following James Vaughan’s passing in 1941, the family left his company. During his time there, "Dad" Speer had composed or co-composed over 600 songs. Afterwards, they joined Vaughan’s competitor Stamps-Baxter and became regular performers on WSFA radio.
Later years/deaths
George Thomas "Dad" Speer passed away in 1966, followed by Lena "Mom" Speer in 1967. Pearl and Logan Claborn died in 1979 and 1981 respectively. Under the leadership of brothers Brock (who died March 29, 1999, at age 78) and Ben, the group experienced multiple lineup changes over ensuing decades. Ben retired in 1993 but made occasional appearances until Brock officially concluded the Speer Family's activities at the 1998 National Quartet Convention. Ben continued contributing to Southern Gospel as Music Director for the Gaither Homecoming Series and as proprietor of Ben Speer's Stamps-Baxter School of Music—a Southern Gospel vocal training institution—until his death in 2017; the school remains operational under his son Stephen.
Ben, Mary Tom, Rosa Nell, and Faye appeared together in Gaither Homecoming videos. The ensemble was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame in 1998 after individual inductions for "Dad" Speer (1971), "Mom" Speer (1972), Brock Speer (1975), and Ben Speer (1995).
The Speer Family earned distinction as the inaugural recipients of the Gospel Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Other accolades include induction into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, receipt of the Southern Gospel Music Guild's Heritage Award, and winning fourteen Dove Awards. Their rendition of "I'm Standing on the Solid Rock" holds the record for longest duration as number one on the Singing News chart within Southern Gospel.
Mary Tom Speer-Reid died on September 16, 2014, at age 89; Faye Speer passed away October 13, 2015, aged 86; Ben Speer died April 7, 2017, aged 86; and Rosa Nell Speer-Powell—the final original member—died May 16, 2017, at age 94.
Following their retirement in 1998, two successor groups have emerged. The New Speer Revival was formed in the early 2000s by former members Marc Speer and Karen Apple; they released one album titled Carrying On The Tradition, featuring classic material from The Speer Family repertoire. In 2018, Brian Speer (son of Brock and Faye) along with his wife Allison Durham Speer established The New Speer Family with bass vocalist Mike Allen and Ben Waites; they have produced one album named A Singing Heritage.
Prominent Southern Gospel performers associated with The Speer Family include Ann Downing, Sue Dodge, Jeanne Johnson, Daryl Williams, and Ginger Laxson.
Discography (partial list)
- 1949: Especially Warm (Heart Warming)
- 1951: Happy Harmonies (Vista)
- 1955: The Speer Family Album (RCA Victor)
- 1958: "Dad" Speer's Golden Anniversary In Gospel Music (Sing LP 701)
- 1958: The Speer Family Sings Songs You Requested (Skylite)
- 1959: Because Of Him (Skylite)
- 1960: The Singing Speers (Skylite)
- 1961: All-Night Singing: Speer Family Style (Starday)
- 1961: Family Favorites (Skylite)
- 1963: The Speer Family Sacred Hour (RCA Camden)
- 1964: Garden Of Melody (Skylite)
- 1964: Old-Time Family Religion (Speer Family, Johnson Family, Carter Family) (RCA Camden)
- 1965: A Singing Heritage (Heart Warming)
- 1965: On Concert Tour! (Heart Warming)
- 1965: The Happy Jubilee (Heart Warming)
- 1965: Won't We Be Happy (Skylite)
- 1966: Rejoicing With Mom (Heart Warming)
- 1966: The Gospel In Song (RCA Victor)
- 1967: "Dad" Speer's Greatest Hits (Skylite)
- 1967: Hymns Of Joy And Peace (Heart Warming)
- 1968: Big Singing Day (Heart Warming)
- 1969: Heavy On Ben (Heart Warming)
- 1970: The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference (Heart Warming)
- 1971: The King Is Coming (Heart Warming)
- 1972: A Family Affair (Heart Warming)
- 1972: The Speers In Concert (Heart Warming)
- 1973: Friendship with Jesus (Vista)
- 1973: Happy Harmonies (Vista)
- 1973: He Touched Me (Vista)
- 1973: Touring That City (Heart Warming)
- 1974: A Tribute - The Songs Of Bill and Gloria Gaither (Heart Warming)
- 1974: God Gave The Song (Heart Warming)
- 1975: Doug Oldham and the Speers (Heart Warming)
- 1975: Especially Warm (Heart Warming)
- 1975: Something Good Is About To Happen (Heart Warming)
- 1975: The Best of the Best (A/The Speers, B/The Imperials) (Heart Warming)
- 1975: The King Is Coming" (Heart Warming)
- 1976: Between The Cross and Heaven (Heart Warming)
- 1977: Cornerstone (Heart Warming)
- 1978: Promises to Keep (Heart Warming)
- 1978: The Songs Live on (Heart Warming)
- 1980: Interceding (Heart Warming)
- 1981: 60th Anniversary Celebration (Heart Warming)
- 1981: Celebrating 60th Anniversary Featuring Mom & Dad (Skylite)
- 1982: Hallelujah (Heart Warming)
- 1982: Tribute (Heart Warming)
- 1983: Keep a Happy Heart (Skylite)
- 1983: 'The Speers Live' (Featuring The Speer Sisters) (Heart Warming)
- 1984: Sunday Morning Singing (RiverSong)
- 1985: Family Reunion (RiverSong)
- 1985: Rejoicing (Riversong)
- 1985: The Speer Family (GreatComm)
- 1986: Stepping Out in Faith (RiverSong)
- 1987: 'Celebration At Sea' (Live) (Riversong)
- 1988: Saved To The Uttermost (Homeland)
- 1989: 'He's Still In The Fire' (Homeland)
- 1990: 'Best of the Best...Songs You Keep Asking For' (Homeland)
- 1990: 'Hallelujah Time'(Homeland)
- 1991: 'The Speers 70th Anniversary Celebration'(Homeland)
- 1992:He Still Reigns"(Homeland)
1993:A Beautiful Day"(Homeland) 1994:Giving"(Homeland) 1995:A Family Affair"(Homeland) 1996:75th Diamond Jubilee"(Homeland) 1999:Through All These Years"(Homeland) 2000:Blessed Assurance"(Homeland) 2002:Just Can't Quit"(Homeland)
Awards
GMA Dove Award recipient for Mixed Group of the Year spanning 1969 to 1977; the 1971 accolade was annulled, which would have honored The Speer Family.
Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame are The Speer Family (1998), Dad Speer (1971), Mom Speer (1972), Brock Speer (1975), and Ben Speer (1995).
Honorees of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame include Dad Speer, Mom Speer, and Brock Speer (all inducted in 1997), Ben Speer (1998), Rosa Nell Speer Powell (2005), Mary Tom Speer Reid (2006), and Faye Ihrig Speer (2014).