Today's selection is a random find from the vast resource that is Ebay. I find many of the records I share on this blog by chance. If I go into a record store and an employee asks me what I am looking for, I cannot tell them. While there are still records I would like to find by the bigger names in Pentecostal music, I don't pretend to know them all. So how can I possibly ask for "The Gospel Accents" before I know there is a band called "The Gospel Accents?" The only way I can find new and exciting records (to me, and hopefully to a lot of you) is by searching general terms. Some general searches find more than others. And if I find one seller selling a Pentecostal record, I look through the rest of their inventory. I rely mainly on instinct, and clues on the cover art, that make me look closer. Girls with PhD's for example (Pentecostal hairdos) are usually a sign. Or a band with their goofy grins plastered on the Bible open to the book of Acts. Kind of a subtle hint!
From there I look at the back cover photo, if available. I search for names online. Olen Edwards is the lead singer, and a quick online search later tells me that Rev. Olen Edwards was a Pentecostal preacher from Okemah, OK. There is not much information, and nothing on the church's website. I think it's sad they don't even remember their heritage on their own website. But there are obituary records. Rev. Edwards also was a huge help in his hometown working with Larry Long of Blue Planet Green Living to help bring the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival to Okemah. You can read more about Rev. Edwards work with Larry here and here.
You can also listen to a sample of Rev. Edwards' contribution to this festival and purchase a digital copy of it here.
So that's all great information! I understand Rev. Edward's help with "bringing Woody Guthrie home" almost cost him his ministerial position. I won't get into Woody's politics, but I think that's a shame that Rev. Edwards' devotion to God was in question over this. The temporal things we focus on in contrast to the eternal....
Finally, if there was any question this was a true United Pentecostal treasure of the past, here it is. The original Pentecostal Publishing House sticker on the record cover, marked down a dollar clearly to clearance it out!
I can not find any information about the others involved in this record. As with anything I share on here, if you have your own memories or experiences to tell with this group or any members within, please share in the comments section below.
This record is good and pleasurable southern gospel. Quite enjoyable.
Download HERE.