Bluegrass Gospel: The Music Ministry of Jerry and Tammy Sullivan
In our May 2025 issue, we printed an article by Jack Bernhardt introducing us to a bit of the history of bluegrass gospel music. Bernhardt, an anthropologist and journalist, researched the history of gospel bluegrass while preparing this new book, which focuses on the gospel bluegrass of Jerry and Tammy Sullivan, father and daughter bluegrass gospel performers.
Starting in 1993, Bernhardt had traveled with the Sullivans on many occasions while they toured throughout the South performing at small church congregations. He gives us vivid first-hand accounts of life on the road with the Sullivans as he rides along with them from the smallest of backwoods churches—having a congregation of only a few dozen people—to the stage at the Ryman Auditorium and performing with Bill Monroe.
Bernhardt’s descriptions of all aspects of Sullivan’s daily routines as they traveled the southern backroads are captivating. The reader not only learns about the trials and tribulations of road life performing for “love offerings,” but is introduced to the church culture of the rural south and the interesting characters who were the preachers and parishioners hosting and attending the Sullivan’s performances.
The Sullivan family of Washington County, Alabama, have roots in ministry and musical performance starting with Jerry Sullivan’s older brother, Arthur (1913-1957), who built a brush arbor meeting place near his home after having a near-death experience in 1939. Arthur, whose father J.B. Sullivan played “drop-thumb” banjo, was a guitar player and recruited many of his family members to join him playing gospel music. At various times he recruited a number of his eleven siblings, including brother Jerry (1933-2014) and his children, Enoch and Emmett, and Enoch’s wife Margie.
In 1977, the Sullivan Family was returning home from a concert in Louisiana and were involved in a car accident. While Enoch and Margie were able to recover and get back on the road quickly, Jerry’s injuries were more severe and his recovery difficult. His daughter, Tammy (1964-2017) helped him recover and get back on the road, performing by his side. They released their first album in 1979.
This book takes a deep look into the life of this famous bluegrass gospel family, highlights the songwriting of Jerry Sullivan, the singing of Tammy Sullivan, the family’s relationship with a young Marty Stuart—and Jerry’s songwriting collaborations with Stuart—and the family members who are carrying on the Sullivan gospel tradition today after the passing of Jerry and Tammy. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in bluegrass gospel music.
