Written by Jerry Kirksey, Trade Review, August 1998 (reprinted by permission)

One of the toughest jobs on earth is to be the son of a great and famous man. Many sons falter at the task of living up to the standard that society sets for such men, but a few go on to become great men in their own right.That is just what Bob Brumley had accomplished. Bob is one of the most respected men in Southern Gospel Music today. He is known for his honesty, integrity, hard work and undying love for his father and mother- and devotion to Southern Gosple Music.

In Southern Gospel Music circles, Bob's father, Albert E. Brumley, is recognized as a founding father and preeminent Southern Gospel songwriter. Of course, the entire world sings Albert E. Brumley's "I'll Fly Away". Currently, Bob is Owner/CEO of Albert E. Brumley and Sons Inc., and Hartford Music Company. Both of these companies are among Southern Gospel Music's oldest and finest publishing houses. After the death of his father, Bob took over promoting and directing the Albert E. Brumley Gospel Sing in Springdale, Arkansas and has continued to run it. Additionally, Bob and John Barker are co-owners of Integrated Copyright Group of Nashville, TN.

Bob is a very active industry leader. He is a past vice-president of the Southern Gospel Music Guild and currently serves on the advisory boards of Gospel Music Tevevision (GMT) and is a board member of the Southern Gospel Music Association. He is heavily involved in the Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame in Dollywood and committed to preserving the heritage of his father's music along with Southern Gospel Music.

Bob served as Postmaster in his hometown of Powell, Missouri, for 11 years. He was a member of NAPUS (National Postmaster Association), the McDonald County School Board (1982-1983), McDonald County Tourism Committee, the Crowder College Foundation Board and managed the Hill and Hollow Folk Festival in Powell, MO, for 25 years.

His awards include the prestigious SESAC Award for National Performance Activity for the song "I'll Fly Away". He was listed in the 1992-93 Platinum Edition of "Who's Who", and was awarded Southern Gospel Music's highest honor, the Marvin Norcross Award.

Bob was born December 7, 1937 in Harrison, Arkansas; he is the fourth son of Albert E. and Goldie Brumley. Given the middle name Bartlett by his father to honor his great friend and mentor E.M. Bartlett, who wrote "Victory in Jesus", Bob has devoted his adult life to the advancement of Gospel Music and keeping alive the legacy left by his father. Married on September 18, 1960, Bob and his wife Deloris (Tudy) have three children; Susan Elaine, Robert Bartlett II, and Elizabeth Anne. Elaine and her husband, Bradley D. Johnson, live in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Brad holds the position of Senior Program Analyst with the Wal-Mart Company and Elaine is a housewife and does volunteer work.

Robert II (Bob also) holds the rank of Major in the United States Air Force and is temporarily stationed in Montgomery, Alabama. Bob and his wife Jane have two sons; Robert Bartlett III (Trey) and Caleb. Elizabeth (Betsy) lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she is a Maintenance Planner with American Airlines.

The Brumley family are members of the Powell Church of Christ where Bob is song leader and teaches the adult bible class.

Bob Brumley is one of those men who are strong Christians, good husbands and fathers, God-fearing and America loving. He's a man who works hard, supports his family, is law abiding and who studies his Bible and obeys it's teachings. These are the kind of men who have made America the grandest nation on earth.

The reason Southern Gospel Music is so strong today and is growing faster than any other form of Gospel Music, is the caliber of men and women who make up the industry leadership. Men like Bob Brumley are the pillars of their communities and the foundation of the Southern Gospel Music Industry.

Robert Brumley and James Blackwood

Bob and Pat Rogers, SESAC Senior Vice President, writer/publisher relations