SG History 101

SG History 101 - Don Baldwin

This month's article is about the latest "living legend" of gospel music, as recognized recently in Knoxville, TN at the Grand Ol' Gospel Reunion.

Don Baldwin, ca.1958

Such recognition is a bit belated for Don Baldwin, a man who for many years was manager and MC for one of gospel music's leading quartets, and who was also a major creative force inside and outside the gospel music industry. But however belated it may be, it is certainly well deserved. Here is the story of a talented man who was able to not only fulfill a lot of his own dreams, but also to help others in doing the same.

Donald Edward Baldwin was born Nov. 30, 1931 in Hamilton, Ohio, and grew up in the very non-southern gospel city of Chicago, IL. Like many future gospel singers, his boyhood was spent in church for the most part, and he first was attracted to gospel music as a result of the choral music he heard there in his teens.

Don's appetite for gospel music was further whetted when he entered the service during the Korean War. Spending a lot of time in Las Vegas, where he was stationed, he was able to hear the Blackwood Brothers on the radio on his frequent trips back to Chicago. He thus fell in love with gospel quartet music, and was determined to do something with his love for it.

By 1954, Don had enrolled at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO, ostensibly to study for the ministry. At that time, gospel quartet music was all the rage among young Christians, and CBC was known for the number of gospel quartets that were formed there.

One quartet that caught Don's ear was the Couriers Quartet. That name had been used by several quartets at CBC in the years prior to Don attending there, and the latest such incarnation had begun in 1953, and by 1954 had disbanded.

Don really got the bug to form a quartet of his own after an appearance by the Blackwood Brothers (his favorite group) at the Shrine Mosque Auditorium in Springfield in 1954. The concert, which also featured the Statesmen, was such a success that in the ensuing days, all the talk on campus was about forming gospel quartets.

Don saw this as his chance to finally form his own quartet, so he invited tenor Lem Boyles from the previous Couriers Quartet, and a tall young incoming student from Pennsylvania who had never really sung in his life, but was eager and determined to learn. Thus Dave Kyllonen became the bass singer for the new Couriers Quartet.

This edition of the Couriers Quartet was a long way from the polished sound of the group in subsequent years, but primarily due to Don's enthusiasm and drive, they practiced and sang, and steadily improved.

By 1956, the Couriers Quartet had acquired the services of an outstanding young tenor from Iowa via Oklahoma, Duane Nicholson, and a first rate pianist from Memphis who had been in the Songfellows Quartet that had Jim Hamill and Cecil Blackwood in it at one time, a young man named Eddie Reece.

By 1957, the Couriers had a new young lead singer from Illinois named Neil Enloe, and the group began to sing in the area around Springfield on weekends. Don's energetic leadership and drive enabled the Couriers reputation as singers to grow progressively.

Then, in 1958, again led by Don's ambitious leadership, the Couriers Quartet opted to leave the confines of CBC and enter the world of full-time gospel quartet singing. Although there were those at CBC who warned the young men that they were taking a fairly large risk in doing so, the determined youngsters set out to make their mark in gospel music as a traveling quartet.

cover of Don's 1965 solo album,
"More About Jesus"...

But where would they call home? Almost no one in the Southeast (where most gospel quartets were based) knew who they were, and in turn, the Couriers didn't really know anyone in that part of the country, either. Again leading the way, Don opted to investigate the Assembly of God church connections the group had developed in college, and also look into a location that had not been served with gospel quartets.

The place the Couriers settled on was Harrisburg, PA, an ideal location in the Northeast United States. It was close enough to major markets like New York, Philadelphia, Don's native Chicago, and Detroit as well as strategically close to Canada (which would figure in Don's vision), and not too overly far from the more traditional Southern markets that quartets had traditionally thrived in.

Don felt that the Northeast was ripe for gospel quartet music, and the Couriers quickly developed a loyal fan base in the region, as well as being the first group to make regular appearances in Canada. The combination of the new style of music and the evangelical approach of the Couriers in concert made the group a major player on the gospel quartet scene within the next five years.

As the Couriers' popularity grew, so did their musical abilities. By 1962, they had become regulars at the National Quartet Convention, and they had proved that there was a market for southern-style gospel in the Northeast. As a result, they were able to book the top southern groups in the Northeast, and get major dates in the South in exchange as well.

The Couriers acquired quite a reputation because of the talents of Nicholson on tenor, and Enloe as lead, arranger, and songwriter. Don himself had learned how to use his robust baritone voice as quite a musical instrument, and with all that and Kyllonen's messages at their concerts, the Couriers were near the top echelon of the industry as a group, particularly after the addition of "Little" David Young on piano by 1963. And in 1964, the Couriers became one of the charter groups on the new syndicated TV show, "The Gospel Singing Jubilee", and were a part of the show's cast in its' first year.

The industry was noticing Don's innovative managerial and MC work as well, and when the GMA was organized in 1964, Don became one of its' first officers. Don was recognized at the time as one of the leading figures in the gospel quartet industry.

Then, in 1965, Don decided that life on the road had gone on long enough. He had other dreams that he was set on achieving, so in June of that year, he left the Couriers for the world of business.

To backtrack a bit, Don formed Hymntone Records in 1958 to distribute the Couriers' records, as they were a new group for the most part, and obviously could not get a record contract of their own at that time. Hymntone grew steadily as the Couriers' popularity grew, and by 1965, it was starting to become a business venture that demanded more of Don's attention.

In the meantime, Don began doing solo concerts in the Harrisburg area. Then, Roger Kling (a member of the 1953 Couriers Quartet) became ill while singing with a PA trio the Couriers owned and began in 1965, the Vicounts, and Don filled in with them until they could hire a replacement. As with the Couriers, Don was their MC on stage while he filled in with them.

While Don was singing with the Vicounts, the group had no pianist. Therefore, to compensate, Don took the piano portions from their records and made instrumental tracks on tape from them, and the Vicounts sang with those soundtracks backing them from the stage, arguably the first gospel group to make regular use of backing soundtracks on stage. Don had to explain to the audiences each night what was going on, so amazed were audiences at this "new" breakthrough technology.

When the Vicounts finally got a replacement, Don continued to make personal appearances as a soloist, continuing to use the backing soundtracks to accompany him. Don's use of soundtracks undoubtedly helped them to become acceptable means of reproducing instrumental backup onstage, along with the Couriers' own use of them in subsequent years. Don also continued to produce the recordings of the Couriers through 1967 or so for Hymntone.

Also in 1966, another of Don's visions was coming to pass. He commissioned construction on an office complex in Harrisburg which housed not only his own offices, but those of the Couriers, Vicounts, Christian Troubadours, the Keystone Quartet, and other artists, along with Hymntone Records. In the same facility was a state of the art recording studio, as well as a printing plant and a section devoted to making record jackets and cassettes, whose labels (as well as those for 8-track tapes…remember them?) were also made on the premises.

Don hired a young man named Nick Bruno to supervise the activities in the recording studio. Nick produced and played on recordings as well as doing the arrangements for them, and occasionally would wander across the hallway to Don's music store, where he would demonstrate the Yamaha pianos sold there to the delight of the potential customers.

Bruno stayed with Don until the early 1970s, when he moved South to join the Kingsmen. As you might guess, Don was becoming quite the mentor for young and aspiring professionals. Groups like the Christian Troubadors, the Keystone Quartet, and the Jacobs Brothers all benefitted from Don's considerable experience and counsel. Eventually, Bruno's old job was taken over by another talented youngster from New Jersey, Cliff Cerce, and to this day, Cerce considers Don one of his key mentors and influences.

Not only Hymntone artists benefitted from Don's studio, artists such as the Four Freshmen, Thurlow Spurr and the Spurrlows, the Cathedral Quartet, and the Goss Brothers also recorded frequently in Don's Harrisburg studios. From the moment Don settled in the Harrisburg area with the Couriers, one of his dreams was to make Harrisburg a recording center, especially for gospel musicians, and to a large extent, Don's dream came true.

Don also entered the clothing business for a while. His "Pacesetters" company made suits for gospel groups. This business, as you might imagine, did quite well in the style-conscious days of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Along the way, Don's MC talents were always sought after, he was an MC at the National Quartet Convention during the mid 1970's.

But Don wasn't done yet with making his dreams come true. By 1986, he sold the recording studio equipment and furnishings to the Assemblies of God to help that denomination establish its' new media center in Springfield, MO. He then sold the Harrisburg facility up for sale and relocated to Florida, where perhaps he made his finest contribution to the Kingdom of God yet.

Don and Roy Pauley in 2006

The year before (1985), he had begun work with Dan Betzer, the host of the popular Revivaltime radio show and an ex-employee of Don's in the Vicounts, on a series of children's albums. Betzer, an accomplished ventriloquist, told Bible stories with his ventriloquist figure "Louie", and the "Dan and Louie" Bible story albums are still among the most popular children's recordings to this very day. Thousands of children who are now adults became Christians due to the lessons they learned from"Dan and Louie", and in a way that not even his work with the Couriers could have done, Don was able to make a significant impact on a generation of young people.

In recent years, Don has had to deal with health struggles. He had a stroke in 1996, from which he has made a remarkabl reccovery. And in 1999, he underwent triple bypass heart surgery as well. All that has not silenced his vibrant baritone, for in 2004, Don sang several songs with his old singing mates in the "original" Couriers Quartet at their 50th Anniversary Reunion. During his rendition of "More About Jesus" (one of his most featured songs with the Couriers), his very moving solo earned him a tremendous standing ovation.

Don in 2006

In 2002, Don was one of the first people named to the Pennsylvania Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He survived another health scare in the past year, and today, he and his charming wife Cheri enjoy traveling and attending gospel concerts.

And as I mentioned at the outset of this article, he was given the"Living Legend" award at this year's GOGR in Knoxville, and when one considers what Don has done during the past 50+ years as a performer, MC, promoter, producer, mentor, businessman, and finally, his wonderful project for children, one can see that Don Baldwin is indeed a "living legend", in and out of the gospel music world.

About This Article - SG History 101 - Don Baldwin

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Written: 09/01/2006 |

Category: SG History 101

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Reader Comments

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/01/2006

How well I remember the particulars of your accurate and inspiring story of Don Baldwin. I was there through it all. Being a backward and unpolished kid when I joined the Couriers Quartet, Don Baldwin was more of a father figure to me, in that he was way ahead of most of the other members in the group in terms of leadership, direction and purpose. He was insightful, innovative and always looking to the future.

One key aspect of Don that you couldn't have known was his unbelievable sense of humor. He was always entertaining the troops with his hilarious antics. I've never since laughed as hard or as often as when Don would grab anything within reach and make a prop to vent his humorous imagination. In the time of our humble beginnings his lightheartedness was aimed at making sure we didn't lose our joy in the process of our setbacks from trying to gain a foothold in the music ministry.

Given his advanced abilities in business one would think that music would be a sideline, but no, Don was a savvy musician who knew when and where to tweak the emotion and excitement. He learned his musical lines quickly and executed them with precision. He could position himself to get lost in the blend or make a solo sizzle.

Astute businessman, powerful and persuasive emcee, sensitive musician and top notch baritone singer, Don had it all. And he utilized his gifts to bless the other members of the Couriers.

He also made sure we looked the part and presented ourselves well groomed to gain acceptance from our concertgoers. He knew that we were on a mission for the King of Kings.

For one, I'm a better man for having lived under the positive influence of a dear friend, to this day, Don Baldwin. Ruth and I have been Don and Cheri's Pennsylvania motel for the past several years. They're welcome anytime. We love them.

Congratulations, John. Another great article.

Neil Enloe

CliffCerce ~ 09/01/2006

CliffCerce's avatar John - I think this is your best article to date!

Don Baldwin is one of the major reasons I am in the ministry today, along with his other Courier partners-in-crime.

This "youngster from New Jersey" was 28 years old when Don brought me aboard. I clearly could not even polish Nick Bruno's shoes, who was my successor. Don told me I needed to learn - and that I would never learn without an opportunity and some guidance. What a mentor!

Don was like a second Dad to me during those years. I was real close with my real Dad, but the miles separated us from visiting often. Don would take me to lunch 3 times a week to "show me the ropes" and teach me this business. After the small talk, the lesson would be about booking, or how to put together a program so that there was the proper "tension and release" in the flow of songs, or MC techniques, or managerial skills in general, or how to keep morale high in a group - the list was endless. I feel guilty that I didn't pick up the tab more often, as I was getting a free education.

It seems like Ho-Ho's Chinese Restaurant began to be a favorite, and I would sometimes be summoned to Don's office in the late morning, and would face a stern-faced boss sitting at his desk, while I wondered what I had done wrong. Then his eyes would twinkle and he'd break into that familiar grin as he said, "Ho-Ho's?"

He was always looking ahead. I remember being called to his office in 1980 to learn what I was doing wrong. He said I was doing a good job of replicating what others were doing, but he wanted to challenge me to be innovative. He told me that Barry Manilow was busy figuring out what would be happening 3 years from then - and he was working hard to get there first, so he would be copied by others. He wanted me to do that for Gospel.

He told me how he had seen the struggle years ago in "Country & Western" music between the Texas Swing fans and the Hank Williams-style fans and the other styles of that genre. It was, at one time, so divided that all were struggling - until Charlie Rich and others came along in the early 70's and came out with "Country" music that included elements of all of the specific styles - so there was wide appeal - and the Country Music genre exploded.

Similarly, he saw the Imperials take the basic Blackwood/Statesmen and black Gospel foundation and marry it to a modern contemporary style - and invent a style of Gospel music that was embraced by young and old alike.

He saw the struggle that would soon divide Gospel Music into Southern Gospel, Contemporary, Inspirational, Black - and 6 other categories. He said that, just like Country Music and the Imperials before, there would soon be an emergence of a style that would marry all of those elements - and would become acceptable to many. My assignment was to figure out what it would be - and get there first.

I racked my brain and tried to figure it out, but I failed miserably. Of course, I recognized that new style when Bill Gaither soon started the Vocal Band and Sandi Patti, Larnelle Harris, Steve Green and others captured the ears and hearts of America. Again, Don was right.

But, I believe the crowning achievement of his life was one that he and his awesome wife, Cheri, did out of public view and virtually unnoticed by anyone.

Several years after I moved to Missouri to produce "Revivaltime" for Dan Betzer, Don presented his masterpiece of a plan to Dan for a Childrens' Bible. (I have been privileged to work for 2 absolute geniuses in my lifetime - Don and Dan).

Dan would record the 101 major stories of the Bible, with music and sound effects, in humorous fashion with "Louie", who was his ventriloquist's dummy. Dan was the straight man and Louie was the naughty little boy with a smart mouth (remember Alvin and the Chipmunks with David Seville?) and the kids were hooked.

But, when Don put a plan together, he was a genius at covering all bases. The parents and grandparents would make about a $25 downpayment and get the colorful binder with pictures that would hold the 24 cassettes, along with the first 2 cassettes that would contain 8-9 Bible stories. Then, they would pay about $12 each month (including shipping) for the next 11 months and receive the next 2 cassettes, with another 8-9 stories.

The marketing plan was great but, more importantly, Don knew that the children would be focused each month on the 8 or 9 stories they received that particular month - and would listen to them over and over again until they had just about memorized them. Then, they would focus on the new 8 or 9 stories the next month, until they knew them by heart, as well. And, Betzer would see to it that many of the stories invited the children to accept Jesus into their hearts, explaining the plan of salvation.

In this way, Don ingeniously made the Childrens' Bible affordable, while devising a plan where the children would know all 101 major Bible stories at the end of the year.

Pure genius!

Revivaltime received an average of 54,000 letters a month back in those days (it aired on 600 US radio stations weekly and in 85 other countries), and there is written documentation that THOUSANDS of children (who are now adults) gave their hearts to the Lord because of the awesome ministry of Dan Betzer and the talents of Don Baldwin. And, 20 years later, the stories are still being marketed in CD form to a whole new generation by another firm that the project was recently assigned to, now that Don is retired. (See http://www.danandlouie.com ).

Proverbs 11:30 says, "He that winneth souls is wise." Once Don and Cheri, saw that children were being saved in amazing numbers, I saw them literally divest themselves as quickly as possible of their Pennsylvania holdings and responsibilities (that had become distractions from their new Childrens' Bible passion) and move to Florida, not far from where Betzer lives, to put 100% of their efforts into this project.

Just before leaving for Florida, Don received an offer to manage a major company that would pay him more than 4 times more annually than he could have expected to make from the Childrens' project - and I saw him turn it down - feeling that God had called him to reach these children with the Gospel.

Both Don and Cheri have been mightily used of God to win thousands of children to the Lord, and the project still continues to this day, winning a whole new generation.

Our new live album, to be recorded in St Louis early next year, will include a Neil Enloe song, "Choose Your Heroes Carefully".

That's something I really mastered years ago.