Comments on: Jim Hamill, RIP

By: CD Fisher

CD Fisher — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:54:41 +0000

My family were all friends with the Kingsmen Quartet back when they had Jim Hamill, Foxy, Squire Parsons, and Ray Dean Reese as singers and Anthony Burger, Beaver, Greg Fox, and Bill McCauley on instruments. They used to visit us and eat at our house when they were in Chattanooga. These were all great men of God and I still grieve at the passing of Jim, Anthony, and Foxy. These men were heroes of the faith and lived the message they sang about. I look forward to seeing them again in heaven.

By: Gerald Cheney

Gerald Cheney — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:34:17 +0000

Big Jim; Who could ever fill his shoes when it comes to Southern Gospel Music; but then none can ever fill anyones shoes or take their place. He was truly a master.

I was priviledged to know and be friends with Jim. He frequented my church when he sang with the Rebels Quartet who were headquarted in Tampa. To this day I continue to pray for his dear wife and family.

By: Joyce Davis

Joyce Davis — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:44:44 +0000

I grew up watching all the big groups in the 1960’s. Jim was one of my favorites. I can see him now walking around backstage in Winston Salem, NC drinking tea out of that quart jar. Looking forward to seeing him in Heaven!!

By: Karen Hollis

Karen Hollis — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:57:52 +0000

I just googled Jim Hamill last night to see where he might be and found his obituary - so he is in heaven singing his heart out as never before. I was 9 yrs. old when I met him for the first performing with the Rebels. They would stay with my aunt and uncles when in the area (Punxsutawney, PA) and I got to know them quite well. That was in 1960 and the last time I saw him was in 1967. I rode home with him in my aunt and uncles car the first night I met him and I fell asleep on his lap and when we got to my home, he carried me to the front door and handed me to my dad. I wanted to hear him sing again, but I’ve waited much too long to try and locate him - my loss. He was awesome and my sympathy, though much belated, to his family. He touched so many lives.

By: JRM

JRM — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:32:27 +0000

I just ran across this post - Was honored to have Jim and The Kingsmen record a song on one of the live albums. He indeed was one of the greats! Thanks for the memories.

By: Paul D. Webb

Paul D. Webb — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:07:49 +0000

Jim Hamill, one of the greatest in Southern Gospel music left behind a tremdous legacy. A loss in Gospel music occured at his death. I deeply missed and still miss his aura and way of emitting the Gospel message.

SG music is basically the only type of gospel music I listen to. Kingsmen is by far my favourite SG group/quartet even through their numerous personnel changes.

Has anyone ever wondered why Kingsmen have not received their do recognition (as a group, not individually)? They do not seem to care. Their ministry of the Gospel is their mission! They spread the Gospel through their music magnificantly!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:42:41 +0000

For some reason I just Googled Jim’s name.

I’ve been friends with Jim and Jan since his days with the Rebels. I taught Jan how to fold diapers when Jennifer was born.

Jim would not want all of this fuss. For sure all the talk regarding the Gaithers.

He was a simple man that loved what he did. Many don’t know of the songs he wrote, the kids he trained, or the many musical arrangements.

I have missed being close to Jan for many years now. She needs our love now as her health is bad.

God put on my heart to make a trip to Hendersonville in order to see Jim one more time. This was just a couple of months before his passing.

My last words to him were that he had to get better in order to sing at my wedding. I told his aide that I was still waiting for Jim to find the groom.

He will still be with us thru the voices of others.

Thank you Jim for being a part of our lives.

By: dirtdigger

dirtdigger — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:53:55 +0000

Jim Hamill will surely be missed! He and the Kingsmen Quartet have often led me to worship through their music and testimony. That is a legacy that lasts beyond the mortal lives we we live.

By: Jeff Fields

Jeff Fields — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:03:50 +0000

I was just a young boy when i first got my first kingsmen album,age 12 to be exact. Big & Live was the major turnaround for me as a christian. I had the chance to see them onstage 8 times in my life & to me there was no other man that gave his all like jim. See you later Mr Hamell.

By: ss

ss — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 07:38:06 +0000

Jim loved the music and he understood. He was the master of the stage. The youth could learn from the wise. He watched the crowd, made calls, and followed through with the field goal. He didn’t retreat until he owned the folks in the seat.

By: Dale Steenhoven

Dale Steenhoven — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 05:23:34 +0000

So was it pnemonia that took our beloved friend, Jim Hamill? I know “my times are in His hands”, and “it’s appointed unto man once to die”, but does anyone know the exact cause of death?

By: Wade

Wade — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:22:56 +0000

#30… A Legend has it… The Goodman’s & Hamill went to the promoters and said they would not perform on any show the Oaks were on… All 3 were very hot and drew a different crowd. Forcing the Oaks to start performing Country Music.

If Goodman’s & Hamill had not done that the Oaks might have never made it as big as they did… So in a back handed way the Oaks could rise above it by helping pay for some of the funeral expenses.

It Also shows HOW BIG SGM COULD be as the Oaks really just sang that style to secular words… Most ppl love the sound of 4 part harmony… but dislike all THE BS that goes on INSIDE the MUSIC.

I hope this clears it up for you WACKY ONE???

By: Janice

Janice — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:42:21 +0000

I wouldn’t even know who Jim Hamill was if I hadn’t seen him on Gaither videos. I know at least two videos where he told stories, not just sang in the choir. I know that whoever is on top (Gaither) gets pot-shots, and I guess it comes with the territory. But it isn’t really fair. I wouldn’t be surprised that even someone as powerful as Bill Gaither would have hurt feelings to be criticized as he is. He has done a lot for Southern Gospel.

By: wackythinker

wackythinker — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:51:03 +0000

#28 - I don’t understand your statement that the Oaks should pay for Jim’s funeral. Your next 2 sentences are incomplete and incoherent. Could you re-phrase and clarify? Thanks.

By: Oldtimer

Oldtimer — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 02:14:53 +0000

# 28 - Inbreeding and territory protecting, huh? Now there’s a thread I would like to read.