Steve Mann of Black Box Photography in Asheville, NC has been promoting and photographing Tommy Ellison and the Singing Stars and other gospel quartet figures for fifteen years.

He was given exclusive permission to photograph Bro. Ellison’s homegoing service, held Saturday, January 10, 2009 at Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia, SC. TBGB is honored to share these photos with you; special thanks to Steve for his generosity.

Mann reports, “It was a beautiful service with tributes from the Singing Stars, the Swanee Quintet, The Brooklyn Allstars, Doc Mackenzie, Darrell McFadden and the Six Voices of Zion.”

Singing Stars Dennis Bowers and Sam Williams pay their last respects to Tommy Ellison.

5 Comments

  1. Champislove February 7, 2009 at 3:21 pm - Reply

    There are a lot of Tommy fans that waned to go but couldn’t that would like to see more pictures. Pleasepost more.

  2. Fitiavana Gospel Choir February 8, 2009 at 1:15 am - Reply

    Please post some more pictures. These one are greats !

    Peace

    Fitiavana Gospel Choir

    • Jean Gosa November 29, 2023 at 7:44 am - Reply

      I learned last year of his passing, such a soldier for the kingdom of God! They are one of my favorites, I was blessed to see them last in Wilmington, Delaware ❤️

  3. Beatrice February 1, 2021 at 12:46 am - Reply

    Please post more pictures. I had no idea Tommy had made his transition. My heart is sad. I left SC and moved to MI in 2001. All of us in Laurens, SC followed this amazing Gospel group for years. Tommy was truly a Super Star. Please keep his legacy going.I will be watching

  4. Rev Huston Crayton Jr July 19, 2023 at 9:30 pm - Reply

    In 1959 at 10 yrs old I showed Tommy how to get to the church he was singing at with his group and The Hightower Brothers. Tommy held his own. Not many could come behind Sugar Hightower. But Tommy had that Tremola Hoop| This was at Columbus Ave AME. In Boston, Mass.

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Written by : Bob Marovich

Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.