Maurice Surrell Sr., front, of the Jackson Southernaires, has been inducted into the American Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame. He’s pictured here in this 2006 file photo with fellow members, from left, Larry D. Brown, Huey Williams and James Burks.
Maurice Surrell Sr., a member for three decades of the Jackson Southernaires, is now in the American Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame.
The Jackson resident was inducted during a ceremony at the 21st annual American Gospel Quartet Convention on Jan. 26 in Birmingham. The convention’s theme was To Serve This Present Age.
Recognized as “the godfather of quartet and gospel drummers,” Surrell is known as “the pocket drummer.” He began his career in 1968 at age 13 with the Williams Brothers of Smithdale. He played the drums and sang with the group for more than 14 years before joining the Jackson Southernaires in 1982.
Surrell serves as the group’s assistant manager, business manager, secretary/treasurer, fashion coordinator and tenor singer. He is also the owner of LLERRUS Music Publishing.
Surrell became one of Malaco Records’ in-house studio drummers in the early 1980s. His dexterity and showmanship as a percussionist gained him his very own signature drumsticks in the early 1990s, and he is pursuing an endorsement with a major drumstick company.
Although Surrell has now retired his sticks, he is still passionate about the drums and has a great admiration for upcoming drummers and percussionists.
He he achieved recognition for such Special Achievement awards as Mississippi Gospel Music Award (Musician of the Year), Gospel Music Workshop of America (Quartet Division Award) and the California State Assembly (Certificate of Recognition). Surrell said he draws his advice to upcoming groups from Matthew 6:33: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”
Surrell is a member of Faith 4 Life Church. Whenever he is home from travelling with the Southernaires, he attends church and serves as a member of the praise team and the Voices of Faith choir. His motto is: “Have Faith in God, for with God, all things are possible.”
Born Dec. 14, 1954, in Jackson, Surrell is the son of David Surrell Sr., a former member of the Jackson Southernaires, and Gloria Jean Lea. He and his wife, Deloris Robinson Surrell, have a son, Maurice Jr., and a daughter, Erica Surrell. He a graduate of C.M. & I High School in Jackson.
article courtesy of The BelleReport.com
