Comments on: RIP, Shannon Childress

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:57:22 +0000

I met Shannon when we were 3 years old. In 1968 my family moved to Pride Avenue in Madisonville Kentucky and the Childress family live across the street. You could say he was my first best friend. We spent our young years riding bikes all through the neighborhood, played hot wheel cars, hide n seek, and would play for hours in the creek bed near our houses. I would sit on the front porch at his piano teachers house while he had his lessons and listen to the beginning of that very talent. He amazed me even way back then.. I love you Shannon and miss you

By: Rick Dean

Rick Dean — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:02:47 +0000

Well it’s been over a year and after returning from NQC 2012, I really miss my friend Shannon. He was an amazing song writer, singer, pianest, friend, confidant and Christian brother. He is and will always be missed. I am thankful that his songs will live on forever and his legacy will not soon be forgotten. Shannon was my friend.

By: Tony Rush

Tony Rush — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:11:16 +0000

I’m stunned.

Genuinely stunned. I haven’t talked to or heard from Shannon in years and years and suddenly he was on my mind strongly a few weeks ago.

I’ve been out of SGM so long I no longer knew how to reach him. I looked for him on Facebook and didn’t find him.

I got busy and didn’t think any more about it.

I’m stunned to hear that he’d been sick and has passed on. I would have loved to have connected with him once more to tell him how inspiring he was to me when I was a young man in SGM.

Thank you Avery for a great article.

By: Roberta Robbins

Roberta Robbins — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:51:11 +0000

Here’s a link to an old clip of the Rangers Quartet with Elmer Childress at the piano.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:33:38 +0000

Bones, I agree. Im always amazed that they would want to listen to a music that clearly preaches against this lifestyle. Whats more sad is the number of those living this way who have found there way onto the bus. Its easy to spot them, they are the only people who get a good review here.

By: Wade

Wade — Tue, 31 May 2011 06:32:18 +0000

BONES… WoW…they always been there… maybe a little more open to ppl who do not have their head ALL the way under the sand but they have always been there… Bless Your Heart!!!

By: Bones

Bones — Mon, 30 May 2011 22:51:15 +0000

I’m sick of gays in Southern Gospel music. Twisting thru the NQC halls. It used to be just diesel sniffers, NOW IT’S Men. Where have all the good men gone ? No one is chase!

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 30 May 2011 20:58:06 +0000

Milk and Honey

By: Ode

Ode — Sun, 22 May 2011 02:25:47 +0000

@ 20. Amen. Just bought, and listened to some CDs. What a rare gem of a player. May God, the only true judge, be praised!!

Shannon,I hope you, painfree and glorious, are playing piano in heaven now, your soul rejoicing. If you still care for earthly stuff, let me bend your ear.(I am jewish,you are in heaven thanks to my people, you owe me, so listen ;)-
As a former bigot, evolved into fighter for civil rights, I am very sorry that David Storrs is listed in your obituary as just “dear friend”. Sucks. But at least among the family-after parents, before sisters. As I understand how TN operates, it’s still a progress.
Mizpah. “May God watch between you while you are apart…”

By: KC

KC — Thu, 19 May 2011 03:49:27 +0000

Condolences to Shannon’s family. I still enjoy those Hoppers recordings he was on. He was so smooth, and wonderfully talent!

By: Bones

Bones — Thu, 19 May 2011 03:11:28 +0000

Benson music had a Childress family a long time ago “Elmer, June and Pam Too”.

By: natesings

natesings — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:17:36 +0000

I went to The Steve Hurst School of Music for 3 summers and out of all the private lessons I had, the one with Shannon was by far the best! He took a lot of time to go over what seemed to be minor that added up being large in the scope of things.

By: NG

NG — Wed, 18 May 2011 03:56:30 +0000

As someone who has survived cancer twice, it doesn’t seem fair when I think of younger people like Shannon and Roger Bennett.

This was one of Doug’s best blogs and one of the most positive threads. Hope we can have more of them.

By: Helen Jones

Helen Jones — Wed, 18 May 2011 02:29:03 +0000

I loved Shannon…he was my friend! The last time I saw him was in Nashville. He met my husband and I for dinner at Cracker Barrel. He was a special friend, piano teacher and professional musician/song writer. He has made it to Heaven!

By: Ben Storie

Ben Storie — Wed, 18 May 2011 01:18:16 +0000

I appreciate that you gave this rose to Mr. Childress while he was living. Thanks for reposting it again, now.

By: Bryce

Bryce — Wed, 18 May 2011 00:52:30 +0000

I regret never hearing Shannon with Sonya’s band. Wishing great comfort through these difficult days for the Childresses and for David.

By: LaRolf McCoin

LaRolf McCoin — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:33:08 +0000

#12 (Cont’) When I posted #12, the comple website did not get completely underlined. (The second line did not get underlined so you will manually have to type the complete 2 lines)

By: LaRolf McCoin

LaRolf McCoin — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:24:29 +0000

#9….That article can be found at this site: http://absolutelygospel.com/index/content/
articles/shannon-childress-where-is-he-now/

By: Hector Luna

Hector Luna — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:14:18 +0000

Thanks Irishlad, that was a great read. My earliest memories of The Hoppers were with the quiet and humble, Shannon Childress. He was indeed, a master at the keys, and as an arranger. My favorite work of the Hoppers were in the 90’s, with Childress at the helm. And Doug, I read your original article last year, which was quite stunning. Thank you for your sharing. Prayers are indeed with his family.

By: irishlad

irishlad — Tue, 17 May 2011 19:49:49 +0000

9 Absolutely Gospel Where are they now? Shannon Childress with James Hales.

By: irishlad

irishlad — Tue, 17 May 2011 19:45:28 +0000

There’s a really good interview taken awhile back on Absolutly Gospel by James Hales with Shannon.It’s interesting insofar that he addresses a few things about SG in general that are mulled over time and time again on Avery.

By: Ben Harris

Ben Harris — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:48:38 +0000

Shannon was a good friend and I will miss him. He produced several projects that I worked with him on, and he was always both easy to work with and very professional. He loved gospel music and was a great talented individual. His family sings many of the arrangements that Shannon did for them, and there is not a better mixed group on the planet. RIP Shannon.

By: Aaron Baker

Aaron Baker — Tue, 17 May 2011 14:33:49 +0000

Great job of remembering an extremely talented man. I couldn’t agree with you more about ANCHORED being the Hoppers greatest moments, that CD rocked! I always missed seeing Shannon around, and although I heard rumors, it never stopped me from enjoying the memories of the only piano-playing-bass-singer I’d ever heard. RIP Mr. Childress.

By: Butch Wright

Butch Wright — Tue, 17 May 2011 14:03:59 +0000

Thank you for this eulogy to Shannon. He was a great talent and person. He and his talent will be missed - but look what Heaven has gained! Shannon - We’ll see you again some day!

By: yeah...

yeah... — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:27:01 +0000

I wish I could have known Shannon well. Like most, I watched in awe from afar, and enjoyed the several quiet hello’s and hand shakes in saying hello. He quietly, humbly anchored The Hoppers in what I also consider their “gloriest” of glory years. His quiet, unassuming bass singing gave real depth to Claude’s parts. But, his piano was indeed the stuff of genius. He was everything that I admire about sgm, and none of the things that so turn me off. RIP, Shannon, and Doug - your original essay from last Fall, reprinted here, is a piece of superlative writing.