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Glen, Beckie is so much the professional, strong willed, goal oriented woman, what specific charm did you have to snag her to the altar of matrimony?
It had to be a God thing!
Beckie, what weakness of yours was Glen able to capitalize on to get you to the altar?
Kind, gentle, and loving people are my heroes. Glen was (and is) one of the sweetest and kindest guys I’ve ever met, who loves God with all his heart. He’s a man’s man with a soft and gentle side. His songwriting led me straight to his heart and told me what kind of person he is.
Tell us a little of how you got together.
I actually knew of Glen several years ago when he was with The Tennesseans, whom we booked at the time when I was at Century II. Several years later, in 2004, he came to the National Quartet Convention, saw the BSA booth and stopped to say hello. He never said his name, just walked up and started talking. We chatted a few minutes and he left. I tried to remember who he was and told some of my friends, “I can’t remember his name! I know him, but he is not from my world! He is from ‘the other side’!” Up u ntil that night, we had not seen or heard from each other in years! When I got back home, he called me at work and it was then I remembered that he was one of the Four Guys Quartet from the Grand Ole Opry. The first thing he asked me when he called was, “Do you own a pair of tennis shoes and blue jeans?” I told him, “Yes, but I seldom wear them!“ After a day of Flea Markets and Dave’s Ribs, I was falling head over heels! We started dating and it wasn’t long before he became my best friend!
Beckie Simmons Agency is one of the most successful booking agencies in Southern Gospel Music. Tell us a little about how you got into the business.
I was born and raised in the Church of God and we always had great music. My Dad and my brother pastored, and we all played instruments, sang and were very involved in the church full time with not only a church, but a Day Care Center, a Printing Shop, a Radio program and a Television Show. I worked full time for the church and even taught piano lessons at the church. I did not attend my first Southern Gospel Music concert until I was a young adult. I was featured on a local 30-minute “organ show” on the Southern Gospel Station in our area and one day the station manger called and asked if I would play the Hammond Organ 30 minutes prior to a Gospel concert the following week. I said yes! That concert featured The Rambo’s, The Oak Ridge Boys, J.D. Sumner and The Stamps and The Downings! I loved the music and was hooked! From there, I sang with a local trio for a few months at some of the major SGM concerts; and from there became involved in promoting concerts. I used to say that forming Century II, a promotion company and talent agency was an “accident”, but now I know it was the hand of God directing my life. In 1995, I rededicated my life to God and BSA came into existence in 1997. Again, I was on a God path! God blessed me with a son, Todd, who has a degree in business administration and computer technology, without whom, along with his wife, Melinda, who is a right hand to me in booking, would or could I ever be able to run a business as successful as BSA! I couldn’t do it without them!
What was your biggest obstacle in becoming so successful?
Being a woman! It does make a difference, but I’ve never let it stand in my way!
What has given you the most pleasure?
Seeing young and new artists develop and become successful in God’s eyes, as well as in their field of music. I take great pleasure in being a part of upgrading our Industry and doing everything on the highest level of professionalism and integrity as possible.
Beckie, what got you interested in Gospel Music?
The first Gospel concert I ever attended touched my heart in a way that no sermon ever has! Being a preacher’s kid, I have been in church all my life. However, a song always ministered to me in such a strong way. I remember writing a couple songs even before I ever attended a Gospel concert. They weren’t great, but that was like I was talking to God. I feel as close to God as I can get—through a song! That’s why I love this music!
Have you been involved in Gospel Music besides your booking agency?
Well, I’ve done a lot! And I am sure all of those “background” things have helped me do a better job as a booking agency. I sang with a girl’s trio! I played organ and piano opening up SGM concerts! I helped promote concert dates; settled box office statements, helped promote tours (both Gospel and Country), over-saw photo shoots, and have been involved in several record projects. I was a partner in a SGM T elevision Show called “Music City Special” and I helped book the talent, did make-up and hair! I even played the organ prior to each opening night at the National Quartet Convention when it was still in Nashville! I’ve done many things that most people don’t even know about. Infact, I have to go back in time to remember all of them!
Glen, what is your history in Gospel Music? What have your ties to Country Music been?
My love for Gospel Music goes back to my childhood. My grandfather founded a very large church, which embraced Southern Gospel Music, and I’ve had a love for that style of harmony ever since I was a child. After college, I directed music, as Minister of Music and Youth, in two large churches. From there, I came to Nashville. Duane Allen of The Oak Ridge Boys picked me up at a Nashville motel for breakfast and then took me to Music Row where he introduced me to some people in the Southern Gospel Music Industry and one, Lou Hildreth, has become a lifeline friend! I moved from my home in Missouri to Nashville as baritone singer and emcee for The Tennesseans and went on from there to sing lead temporarily with The Downing’s and from there, left Southern Gospel Music and went on The Grand Ole Opry as one of the Carole Lee Singers. A good friend, Louise Mandrell, whom I had been working in the recording studio with, arranged for an audition for me with The Four Guys, a male quartet who were regular members of The Grand Ole Opry and I sang with them until the year 2000 when our lead singer, Buddy Jewell, got his major record deal. The last five years, while singing on The Opry, I was also a staff writer with Glen Campbell Music. During the year 2000, my heart start ed changing and my roots began pulling me, like water, back to Southern Gospel Music. The Lord had plans for me that I am just now finding out about!
Glen, your song writing is getting quite a bit of attention lately. What is your inspiration for songwriting? What songwriting have you done outside of the Gospel industry?
From the year, 1995 until 2000. when he closed his office in Nashville, I was a staff writer for Glen Campbell Music. When I was writing Country Music, I would sit with men in rooms for hours and hours, working on line after line, to create a Country song. That’s where I honed my craft. Every vessel pours out what it has been filled with; and these Gospel songs flow out from a different source. Writing Gospel Music is so totally different. The lines just come pouring out. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who actually writes these songs. I give thanks to God for letting His Holy Spirit pour out of this vessel. The songs I write come from Him! He is the potter! I am the clay!
What do you feel is your most significant song? Give us the story behind that song.
If you will only listen to the words in the songs that I have written for Crystal River and the new Tribute project, you will understand why it is hard for me to choose one song over another. However, there are two songs that I feel are very significant; one because it contains a universal message to the whole world, “There Is A Hope”, which will be released on Crystal River’s next Project featuring Dusty Barrette. I remember very vividly Beckie and I sitting on the floor looking out the window talking about dreams. I just reached around, picked up my guitar and the words came flowing out, “There is a hope that comes with every dream; There is a hope no matter how impossible it seems; When the winds of doubt begin to blow, Never let it show; There is a hope!” The other song is “Mercy River”, which will be Crystal River’s next single. The song was sparked by the memory of a friend of mine who drove to the banks of a river and took his own life. The song tells of a man who drives to the river to take his life, but a Bible slides out from under his seat and flops open to the place where Jesus died for Him! He finds the mercy of the Lord on the banks of Mercy River!
I understand that you have become pretty diversified in the Gospel Music Industry. Aren't you trying to become a full service company to certain groups that you have taken on? Tell us about all of your new interests?
I feel that I have always been here for all of my artists in all aspects of their lives and careers. With the addition of Glen in my life, with his songwriting and producing abilities, new doors are opening. Glen is working hand in hand with Todd, our son, and the future looks full for BSA. God is good!
When Beckie has booked her last group, and Glen has written his last song, how do you both want to be remembered?
Glen says, “I want to be remembered as the Vessel!” Beckie says that she wants to be remembered as the Helping Hand! “I am most grateful that God has enabled me to help so many in our Industry down through the years”, says Beckie. “Making a difference is my greatest reward here on earth!”
How has each of you strengthened the others work?
"Two heads are better than one; and we help each other look at the same situation from a different perspective," states Glen. Beckie adds that, "having someone who loves the same things you do, someone who loves the Music as much as you do, someone to share your dreams, your goals, and your love of God is very strengthening and rewarding!"
Beckie Simmons Agency - http://www.bsaworld.comReader Comments
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Written: 01/31/2007 
Author: SGN
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