NASHVILLE — Howard “Happy” Goodman, the patriarch of one of gospel music’s most popular and influential groups, has died.
Goodman, 81, died Nov. 30 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Goodman began his and his family’s career in gospel music in 1940 in Alabama. Before the group retired last year with its “Final Stand” album, the Happy Goodmans had won two best-gospel performances Grammys and secured a place in the history of gospel music.
“There never has been and I don’t think there ever will be a family group with as much energy and talent as the Happy Goodmans,” said Maurice Templeton, publisher of the Singing News.
Goodman’s group featured members of the Goodman family and provided the basis for two popular gospel television programs, “The Gospel Singing Jubilee” and the “Happy Goodman Family Hour.”
Goodman had recently celebrated his 81st birthday and 53rd wedding anniversary.
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