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Musical Tribute and Eulogist Services for Tommy Ellison 1/6/2009
For Immediate Release
January 6, 2009
Gospel Legend Tommy Ellison Of Tommy Ellison & the Singing Stars Musical Tribute and Eulogistic Services Announced
A Musical Tribute and Eulogistic Services are scheduled for January 10 and 11, 2009, respectively.
Public Viewing
Tommy later joined The Sensational Nightingales where he further enhanced and cultivated the vocal talent God had bestowed upon him. After spending three years with The Nightingales, Tommy journeyed to Los Angeles where he joined forces with The Chosen Gospel Singers. During his time with the group, they recorded the hit “When The Saints Go Marching In.”
He remained with The Chosen Gospel Singers until the mid sixties, when he joined the Five Singing Stars. During this period, Tommy, for a brief time, also sang with The Soul Stirrers.
The Five Singing Stars went through several name change, i.e., The Singing Stars, Tommy Ellison and the Five Singing Stars, Tommy Ellison and The Singing Stars. No matter the name, you knew the group would deliver solid traditional gospel music.
The group became an instant hit with gospel music fans far and wide. Their many hits include “Come Home (God Loves You),” “Sailing,” “Holy Ghost,” “You Can If You Will,” “If I Live Right” and “Let This Be A Lesson To You (Drunk Driver)”.
Tommy and The Singing Stars recorded for the Nashboro label. One of their greatest songs with Nashboro was “I Want To Be Loved.” After leaving Nasboro, the group recorded with the Atlanta International Records (AIR) label. Some of their most popular recordings with AIR were “Let This Be A Lesson,” “Closer,” “Power,” and “Trust & Obey.” In spite of having recorded many songs, one of the signature songs for the group was “Sailing.”
Tommy and The Singing Stars performed at The Apollo, Madison Square Garden, and Carnegie Hall, and some of the largest venues in this country and around the world. They have shared the stage with such legendary talents as the great Mahalia Jackson, The Highway QC’s, The Swan Silvertones, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Gospel Keynotes, The Swanee Quintet, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Mississippi, Willie Banks and The Messengers, The Brooklyn Allstars, The Barrett Sisters, The Caravans, Slim and The Supreme Angels, The Swanee Quintet, The Davis Sisters, Evangelist Shirley Caesar, and The Sensational Nightingales. The group was blessed with the opportunity to make their presence felt through the medium of television, appearing on several nationally broadcasted network variety shows.
Tommy received numerous awards during is exceptional enduring career. He was inducted into the American Gospel Quartet Convention Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2007, the Legislature of the State of South Carolina, by Resolution, recognized Tommy Ellison and The Singing Stars for their outstanding contribution toward preserving the heritage of African American gospel music.
Cards, letters, flowers and other expressions of condolence may be sent to:
Ms. Gloria Shelton c/o Leevy’s Funeral Home 1831 Taylor Street Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 771-7799
The family is encouraging all desiring of participating in the celebration of Tommy’s life to attend the Public Viewing and Musical Tribute.
For more information on Tommy Ellison, please contact Ms. Gloria Shelton at 443-286-8532. |
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