SGMA of West Virginia

09/04/2026

The SGMA of West Virginia is so excited to be a part of this very special evening as we celebrate The Lordsmen and their 60 years of ministry. Make plans now to be there!

Just a little over 2 months away!! Are you coming to The Lordsmen 60th Anniversary Celebration? It’s going to be an amazing night of worship!

08/26/2026

Services announced for our dear friend and SGMA of West Virginia Hall of Famer Tank Tackett

Gayle (Tank) Tackett Celebration of Life
Three Oaks Church August 31st 6pm
(Visitation 4pm-6pm)


Gayle Tank Tackett went to heaven into the arms of Jesus on August 12, 2026, at the age of 80. He was born in Charleston, WV on April 6, 1946. He started his ministry singing and playing bass guitar at a young age in West Virginia with local groups. He sang for over 50 years in the states and abroad. He performed with the Plainsmen, The Envoys, The Weatherfords, Jerry & The Singing Golfs, Nashville Tennessee’s Christ Church Choir, and Elvis. In 2024, Tank was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association of West Virginia Hall of Fame (SGMA).

Tank was known for his kindness, smiles, laughter, and being a comic with friends and family. He leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Olivia Sweeley Tackett; sister Pam Tackett Seabolt (Rick Seabolt); son David Tackett (Susan); son Travis Tackett; daughter Charissa Tackett; grandchildren Sasha Tackett Hamrick (Justin Hamrick; Dylan Tackett (Rebecca Tackett); Triston Phelps; and Chloe Lane. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Lee Tackett and mother Norma Lee Scott Tackett.

Celebration of Life will be on August 31st, 6pm at Three Oaks Church, 502 Douglas Bend Road, Gallatin TN. Visitation 4-6pm.

08/24/2026

Who’s ready for another SGMA of West Virginia announcement for 2027?! 🙋🏼‍♂️

Join us Thursday, March 11 at Emmanuel Baptist Church for the SGMA of West Virginia Presents March Gladness: An Evening With The Kingdom Heirs!

This amazing quartet made their return to Charleston last year after many years and we are excited to welcome them back in March for another special Thursday night service. There is no admission charge, but a generous love offering will be received for the group. Doors open at 6, with the music starting at 7. Get this on your calendar now!

Already announced for 2027:

6th Annual SGMA of West Virginia Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Concert - April 10 @ Christ Temple Church in Huntington, WV

We have a HUGE 2027 planned so keep checking for more updates throughout the coming weeks!

08/19/2026

In memory of our friend and hero Tank Tackett, please enjoy his SGMA of West Virginia Hall of Fame induction video from 2024. We love you, Tank!

08/15/2026

The deadline is this Saturday night at midnight! Get your ballots in ASAP!

There is one week remaining to make your voice heard for the 2027 class of our SGMA of West Virginia Hall of Fame!

If you are a member in good standing, a nominating ballot was emailed to you. Please make sure you check your spam folder for the email if you do not see it.

Still need to sign up or renew your membership? It’s not too late! You can do so quickly and securely by clicking below ⬇️

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/QVTM5AA25TZH8

Nominations close Saturday, August 15 at midnight so get your ballots in today!

08/13/2026

We have just received word that SGMA of West Virginia Hall of Famer Tank Tackett has passed away. A member of the Class of 2024, Tank possessed one of gospel music’s most powerful tenor voices, having ministered to fans across the nation as a member of The Weatherfords, The Statesmen, Jerry & The Singing Goffs and others. Locally, many remember him from his days with The Gospel Harmony Boys and The Newsmen.

Please keep his wife Olivia, the Tackett family and all of Tank’s many friends in your prayers. Heaven just keeps getting sweeter.

08/08/2026

There is one week remaining to make your voice heard for the 2027 class of our SGMA of West Virginia Hall of Fame!

If you are a member in good standing, a nominating ballot was emailed to you. Please make sure you check your spam folder for the email if you do not see it.

Still need to sign up or renew your membership? It’s not too late! You can do so quickly and securely by clicking below ⬇️

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/QVTM5AA25TZH8

Nominations close Saturday, August 15 at midnight so get your ballots in today!

08/07/2026

The SGMA of West Virginia is so excited to be a part of this wonderful evening as we celebrate the rich legacy of The Lordsmen! Come out and be a part of this celebration!

Big Announcement!! We are so excited!

60th Anniversary Celebration - Nov 7th 2026
Mt Pleasant Baptist Church
58 Mount Pleasant Dr
Elkview, WV 25071

Past and Current Lordsmen Members along with our friends New Journey from PA and Paul James Sound from Ohio.

Host and Emcee - Chris Akers, President of the SGMA of West Virginia

We will close out the night with songs from our brand new recording “Legacy of Praise” which releases soon.

Special Thanks to our Sponsor
Swor Insurance

08/04/2026

We have some exciting news!

As you know, the SGMA of West Virginia partnered with our friends at the Charles Novell School of Music earlier this year to offer the first annual Dean & Diana Hickman Heritage Scholarship. This scholarship provided our inaugural winner Madelyn Swor with a comprehensive week of training with some of gospel music’s top artists, musicians and instructors.

We are thrilled to announce that the Charles Novell School of Music will be offering a special regional session right here in West Virginia! On May 14 & 15, 2027, Mount Calvary Baptist Church - Charleston WV will be the host site for this special weekend of study, focusing on voice, piano, performance, songwriting, social media and more! This will give those enrolled a chance to experience what the school has to offer before the weeklong program in Tennessee later in the summer. Enrollment is limited so please do not miss this chance to be a part of this very special weekend.

To register, and for more information on the session, please click below:

https://www.cnsmusic.com/regional-weekend-sessions

We are also excited to announce the Hickman Heritage Scholarship will return for 2027! Be watching for more information on how to apply.

We couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity to help preserve our music for generations to come!

08/01/2026

The nomination ballots for our 6th Annual SGMA of West Virginia Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Concert have been sent!

The good news is it’s not too late to join or renew your membership to the SGMA of West Virginia! Simply click on the link below to sign up or renew, and we will send you the ballot:

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/QVTM5AA25TZH8

Your support of our ministry is crucial, as it allows us to continue promoting FREE Southern Gospel music services throughout our state and to continue honoring our Mountain State heroes. God bless each of you for your continued support!