Soul Stirrer Dillard Crume Resting Easy

From D.A. Johnson of Malaco Records:

Jackson, MS. March 24, 2008– On Friday, March 21, 2008, Gospel music lost another legend. Dillard Crume, producer, guitarist and lead singer of the legendary Soul Stirrers passed away after an extended illness.

Dillard was born in a small town in Missouri but due to economics the family
of 10, eight boys and two girls, migrated to Chicago. Dillard and the other
Crume brothers would later be introduced to Gospel music through their
eldest brother A.C. Crume. Dillard quickly found out that this is what he
wanted to do for the rest of his life and the brothers formed a group called
the Crume Brothers.

Other major Gospel groups became interested in the Crume Brothers because of their musical ability. At the age of 19 Dillard was approached by the Blind Boys of Mississippi. He accepted their offer and became their guitarist and background vocalist. After singing and playing with Blind Boys, Dillard became a member of the Highway QC’s. After singing with the Highway QC’s, Dillard left the Gospel Field to sing R&B. One night while singing in a night club in California, Dillard was approached by a motion picture company to be a part of an upcoming film entitled “Blume In Love”, starring George Segal and Shelley Winters. Dillard and his brother Rufus wrote a song for the movie entitled “I’m in Love With You”. Dillard also appeared in the movie.

In the midst of all of the fame and fortune, Dillard still felt a void in his life and returned to his roots, Gospel Music. Dillard began producing records for labels such as Specialty Records, Checker Records and Jewel Records. Whatever label the Soul Stirrers were on, Dillard would somehow land a job. In 1976, an opportunity became available for Dillard as one of the lead singers for the Soul Stirrers. He gladly took the job and remained there until his death. While with The Soul Stirrers, Dillard wrote such hit songs as “Resting Easy”, “Meeting Over Yonder” and “If You Love Jesus Raise Your Hands” just to name a few.

In February 2008, the Soul Stirrers were all reunited at the Malaco recording studio in Jackson, MS to record the upcoming release, “A Soul Stirring Reunion” on Malaco Records.

Darrell Luster, member of The Sensational Nightingales and producer of “A Soul Stirring Reunion” states, “Dillard was my childhood idol. I learned so much from him. He taught me the Nashville Number System and how to read and write music charts. We’d stay on the phone for hours talking about the business. He will definitely be missed by me.”

Dillard Crume will be greatly missed by his family, fans and friends, and by
the Gospel Community who admired and cherished his life’s work.

Wake / Viewing
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 7:00 PM- 8:00 PM Whitaker’s Funeral Home 25 N.
Kennedy St. Metter, Ga. 30439 Phone # 912-685-5158

Funeral
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:00 AM
Greater Bethel A.M.E. 119 Oak St. Reidsville, Ga. 30453

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Whitaker’s Funeral Home
25 N. Kennedy St. Metter, Ga. 30439

Please send cards and flowers to the funeral home.