The Late Jim Ed Brown Remembered for His Faith
On Monday, fans, family and friends gathered at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium to say goodbye to Jim Ed Brown. The country music legend, who was known for hits such as "Morning," "The Three Bells." and "Pop a Top," died of cancer last Thursday at age 81. Fellow singer Brenda Lee, who in March announced that Brown and his sisters would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, called the group "true pioneering legends."
"They were my road family early in my career and watched over me like I was their kid sister," she said."Other beloved voices from our country music family have already joyfully raised their voices to welcome him home into the presence of God."
Lee was one of several speakers who talked about Brown's Christian faith, saying that when she visited him at the hospital, he showed no fear of death. Lee said Brown even told her he had a vision of Jesus in his hospital room.
Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern said they held a special induction ceremony for Brown at the hospital two weeks ago. Singer and songwriter Bill Anderson put the Hall of Fame medallion around Brown's neck. Then the group gathered at his bedside sang, "Will the Circle be Unbroken." Some of the visitors were in tears, but Brown was beaming, Trahern said.
Former Opry President Bob Whittaker said it was fitting that Brown's voicemail message was "Hello friends!" because he was friendly to everyone. The two used to go hunting together, Whittaker said, and in the evening they would sit around the fire and Brown would sing.
"Sometimes he would even let me sing harmony," Whittaker said, which he joked was "taking friendship way too far."
Performers at the memorial included The Oak Ridge Boys - who also are 2015 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame - Crystal Gayle, Craig Morgan, Vince Gill and The Gatlin Brothers.
Lady Antebellum closed the service with "Never Alone." Singer Hillary Scott came onstage a short time after her bandmates. Charles Kelley explained the absence saying, "Hillary got a little teary-eyed."
Tags : jim ed brown jim ed brown funeral service jim ed brown funeral jim ed brown news brenda lee bill anderson lady antebellum bob whittaker Vince Gill Oak Ridge Boys crystal gayle gaitlin brothers
Hot Trends
-
Lee Greenwood Collaborates with Drew Jacobs on New Version of "God Bless The U.S.A."
-
LIFE Worship Drops "Stones of Remembrance - Volume 1"
-
Story Behind Chris Tomlin's New Song "Is He Worthy?"
-
Hillsong Church and Brian Houston Respond After Being Accused of Money Laundering and Fraud
-
Hinson Family’s Jordy Is Engaged To Logan Smith
-
Bethel Music's Kalley Heiligenthal Reflects on Her First Valentine's After the Death of Her Daughter Olive
-
Faith-Based Thriller, "NEFARIOUS," Receives Rave Reviews & Endorsements
-
Jaquita Lindsey Leaves Southern Gospel Trio 11th Hour
-
Luke Wareham On His New EP, Writing Congregational Songs, and Singing the Bible
-
NF is a Christian But Don't Call Him a Christian Rapper
-
Darlene Zschech Celebrates As She Takes Her Final Post-Cancer Pill
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Natasha Owens Releases New Remix of Smash Hit Single “Trump Won” featuring Nick Nittoli
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Join Lauren Daigle's Choir as She Performs at the Carnegie Hall
Most Popular
-
Lee Greenwood Collaborates with Drew Jacobs on New Version of "God Bless The U.S.A."
-
LIFE Worship Drops "Stones of Remembrance - Volume 1"
-
Story Behind Chris Tomlin's New Song "Is He Worthy?"
-
Hillsong Church and Brian Houston Respond After Being Accused of Money Laundering and Fraud
-
Hinson Family’s Jordy Is Engaged To Logan Smith
-
Bethel Music's Kalley Heiligenthal Reflects on Her First Valentine's After the Death of Her Daughter Olive
-
Faith-Based Thriller, "NEFARIOUS," Receives Rave Reviews & Endorsements
-
Jaquita Lindsey Leaves Southern Gospel Trio 11th Hour
-
Luke Wareham On His New EP, Writing Congregational Songs, and Singing the Bible
-
NF is a Christian But Don't Call Him a Christian Rapper
-
Darlene Zschech Celebrates As She Takes Her Final Post-Cancer Pill
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Natasha Owens Releases New Remix of Smash Hit Single “Trump Won” featuring Nick Nittoli
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Join Lauren Daigle's Choir as She Performs at the Carnegie Hall