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Born on Christmas Eve in a house at Mt.
Pisgah Church in Limestone County, Jake Hess has become one of
Gospel music's most imitated singers, innovators and leaders.
His accolades are the best chronicle of his distinguished
career. Labeled as Mr. Gospel Music, Hess was inducted into the
Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1987. A Year later, SESAC presented
him with its "Lifetime Achievement Award", and he
received the Alabama Music Hall of Fame's "America's Music
Award" in 1989.
Hess sang with the John Daniel Quartet, Sunny South Quartet
and the Original Melody Masters before joining the Statesmen
Quartet in 1948 as an original member and lead singer. In 1963,
Hess formed The Imperials, who backed Elvis Presley on a gospel
album.
In 1967, Hess hosted a Nashville television program, then
joined with his two children to form "The Jake Hess
Sound" during the mid-70s. Since 1980, he has performed with
The Master V, premiered a weekly syndicated television program,
"Jake Hess And Friends", and in late 1991 reformed the
Statesmen Quartet with original member Hovie Lister.
The winner of four Grammy awards, Hess was a founding father of the National Quartet Convention and a director of the Gospel Music Association.
Jake Hess died January 5, 2004 at the age of 76.
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