There are more than 100,000 acres of farmland in Lawrence County, Tenn. Besides being a big ag-producing county, it’s also known as the birthplace of southern gospel music.
When you pay a visit to Lawrence County, Tenn., about an hour and a half southeast of Nashville, you’ll find the thriving little town of Lawrenceburg, surrounded by farmland and a large Amish community. The town square is bustling with mom-and-pop eateries and shops.
“Lawrenceburg is growing, and the downtown is the hub of that growth,” says Keeli Allen with the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. “Just north of the square is the famous Crockett Theater.”
This local landmark is named after the frontiersman David “Davy” Crockett, who once called Lawrence County home. The Crockett Theatre is now home to the annual James Vaughan Quartet Festival, which is held there each July.
“Lawrenceburg is the birthplace of southern gospel music,’ Allen continues. “James Vaughan taught people in the early 1920s and 30s and started hymnals and the first radio station in Tennessee and recorded the first gospel music recordings a year before any country music was made.”
A highlight of the festival is a “hymn sing.” Where lovers of classic church music can come together and sing along, not just hear those beloved songs.
Bobby Lee and his wife travel from their home in Ashland City, Tenn., every year to be a part of it. This year’s festival marks their 13th year in attendance.
“You just feel the presence of the Lord,” Lee says, “and we’ve met people, so we just love it.”
Vaughan is the man credited with establishing what’s known as shape note music. His publishing company produced thousands of songbooks, making it easy to teach songs to groups of people. There’s even a museum on the town square honoring this member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
So, whether you come for the history or the hymn singing, you no doubt will leave Lawrenceburg feeling like you have gotten a little glimpse into heaven’s choir room.
