Squire Parsons, a songwriter and vocalist possibly best known for his song, “Sweet Beulah Land,” will be at Murmil Heights Baptist Church, 203 Beacon Drive, El Dorado, at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.
His song, “Sweet Beulah Land,” was voted “Favorite Song of the Year” by Singing News in 1981. Some of the other gospel classics he has written include, “Master of the Sea,” “I Call it Home,” “I’m Not Giving Up” and “Hello Mama.”
On Oct. 9, 2008, Parsons was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame, in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
He is a native of West Virginia and was introduced to gospel music by his parents. His father, Squire Parsons Sr., was a choir director in their home church.
Parsons attended West Virginia Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in music in 1970. He has served as interim music director, church soloist, elementary school music teacher, high school band director and in 1975 he became the baritone singer for the Kingsmen Quartet. He began his solo ministry in 1979.
Since 1978, he has been nominated by the Singing News fans for “Favorite Baritone,” “Favorite Gospel Songwriter” and “Favorite Gospel Singer.” In 1988, he was named “Favorite Southern Gospel Male Singer.”
He has been nominated for Dove Awards for male vocalist and songwriter. In 1990, he was presented with the Marvin Norcross Award.
Some of his other gospel classics include “Oh, What a Moment,” “The Broken Rose,” “He Came to Me,” “I Sing Because” and “I Go to the Rock.”
In 1999, he was honored by his alma mater, West Virginia Institute of Technology, with an honorary doctorate of humanities and on Jan. 13, 2013, he was one of several songwriters given the “Harmony Honor Award” by the Southern Gospel Music Guild for contributions to gospel music.
Parsons has been a guest soloist at numerous churches and events across the country, including Dr. Charles Stanley’s First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Ga.; the Little Rock Billy Graham Crusade in 1989; Singing at Sea Cruise and January Bible Study Cruise with Templeton Tours of Boone, N.C. and has been a part of the “Gaither Homecoming” video series.
He and his wife, Linda, live in Leicester, N.C. and have four adult children.