First Scholarship Award


	P.O. Box 490727 Lawrenceville, GA 30049 770.513.1045
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Laura Marie Jones, an Echota Cherokee Indian from Trinity, Alabama, received the Lillian Little Soldier Klaudt Scholarship, the Foundation’s first Scholarship.

Ms. Jones inspired the audience with a rendition of, "His Strength Is Perfect". Her solo, to close the free concert given at The Conn Center, was greeted with a standing ovation. Laura Marie began her singing career at age 3 in her local Assembly of God Church. She gradually graduated to the adult choir at age 15, became a part of the church's Praise Team at age 16, and recorded her first CD at age 16. Watch for Laura Marie to do some great things for the Lord in the future.

The event began with the Lee Symphonic Band Brass Ensemble playing several renditions to the delight of the audience.


This was followed by *The Voices of Lee* bringing the audience to their feet with three spirited acappella numbers. *Danny R. Murray* , professor of Music at Lee University then welcomed the audience and introduced *Dr. James Goff, Jr* ., Professor of History at Appalachian State University in Boone , NC , who is the President of The Klaudt Indian Memorial Foundation.	*Dr Goff* then introduced each group participating by giving a masterful and concise historical background of each group before they sang.

Vernon Klaudt and Bennie Triplett, a product of the Church of God 's Orphanage in Sevierville , Tennessee , recreated *The Kingsmen Four* . This is the group they sang with in 1945 while attending BTS in Sevierville. Singing with them was Vernon 's son-in-law, Danny Pruitt and Bennie's son Steve Triplett. Playing the piano was Jimi Hall; on guitar was Bennie's grandson Jesse Triplett and Vernon 's son, Kim Klaudt played the bass guitar.	*Sunday Edition* then followed The Kingsmen Four. Sunday Edition is composed of Deon Unthank, Amy Unthank and Chris Unthank. Once again the Unthanks proved you can't beat a family's harmony. Deon is the father of Amy and Chris. The Unthanks own SoGospelNews.com located in Murfreesboro , Tennessee, probably one of the Nation's top information web pages for gospel music news.

*The Homeland Harmony Quartet* that sang out of Lee in the late forties and early fifties was recreated by Bob Shaw, who sang in the group at one time. Singing with the group was David Clark, Jimi Hall, Bob Shaw and Bill Curtis. Jack Clark, father of David Clark played the piano.	*Bob Crews*, age 85, sang two solos, accompanied by his wife Norma, and is presently referred to as "The Chairman of The Board" of Southern Gospel Singing. He is a former member of the Harmoneers Quartet and is in The Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

*The Sunshine Boys*, composed of Fred Daniel, Bob Shaw, Jimmy Jones, with Ed Wallace at the Piano, kept the audience laughing with their down-home humor. The always professional Sunshine Boys range in age from 75 to 80 years of age. They received a standing ovation when they left the stage.	*The Jody Brown Indian Family* was probably the highlight of the evening's festivities. This family of Cherokees, from near Cherokee, NC, are probably one of the most exciting singing groups in the Nation. The talent of, son Jeremy on the guitar and daughter Stephanie on the mandolin is quite exuberating. Their rendition of America the Beautiful. sung acappella to begin their stand, brought tears and a standing ovation from the crowd. They are composed of Jeremy Brown, Stephanie Brown, Ashley Brown, Jeremy's wife, Donna and Jodie Brown.
	(All photos courtesy of Dr. Monte Klaudt, San Diego, California)
*The Klaudt Brothers*, who haven't sung but two other times in the last twenty plus years, ended the night's program by enjoying themselves one more time. The brothers, Kenneth, Raymond, Melvin and Vernon were accompanied by their long standing pianist, Ralph Seibel, his step son Josh Vibert on drums, Jesse Triplett on lead guitar and Kim Klaudt, Vernon's son on bass guitar.