CAC Benevolent Fund

Jake Hess

For a couple of months, I have wanted to write and tell the world how much I miss Jake Hess. He was a tremendous gospel singer that carried the words out to a different level than most singers could. He was a soft-spoken man that carried a message in every song he sang. He loved gospel quartet singing and was a proud member of many groups in his 60-year career.

Jake battled many illnesses that would have put the average human being down for the three count. He had heart disease, cancer, nephritis and circulatory problems, which afflicted him during his great career. He once said that his goal as a young man was to sing in the nation's top gospel quartet ... and he did that with the Statesmen. He then wanted to be a soloist and win a Grammy and record for a national label ... that happened, too. The rest was all a bonus, according to Jake.

He called Columbus, Georgia his home for many years prior to his death. Most of his family lived near Columbus and in the surrounding states. As a matter of fact, the mayor of Columbus, in an event before 10,000 fans, proclaimed September 6, 1996 JAKE HESS DAY.

Jake was born on Christmas Eve in 1927 in Mt. Pisgah, Alabama. He was the last of 12 children, and his given name was W. J., but he was assigned the name William Jesse when he registered for the draft.

Jake was only 16 when he joined the John Daniel quartet, and it was there that they changed his name to Jake so as not to confuse him with their singer named J.W. Phillips. Jake also toured with three of his own brothers for a while as well, as the Sunny South Quartet.

Jake joined up with Hovie Lister in 1948 and was helpful in making the Statesmen one of the most honored groups in Southern Gospel Music. Alongside him were Doy Ott, Jim "Big Chief" Wetherington and Rosie Rozell.

In 1952, the leading Gospel groups in the country were the Statesmen and the Blackwood Brothers. My grandparents, Roy and Laura Friend, attended many of the all night sings in the South put on by these groups and others.

Jake's music was also very influential to a very young Elvis Presley, and Jake, in fact, did sing at Elvis' funeral, as well as at the funerals of many prominent people in the music industry like Hank Williams.

Around 1960, Jake formed his own group again, and they were known as the Imperials. He toured with them until 1967, when health reasons forced him to the side. He suffered a heart attack, but, a few weeks later, like the mark of a real trouper, Jake appeared on TV and stayed for the next eight years in the Nashville area.

In 1981, Jake and James Blackwood, Rozie Rozell and J.D. Sumner, along with Hovie Lister, hit the road again as The Masters Five. They also became very decorated artists by the recording industry, winning many top accolades.

In 1993, Bill Gaither launched his "Homecoming" video series and invited Jake, along with many of the gospel greats, to join him. The show continues to this day and is a great success due to the talent that it contains from many walks of life.

Jake passed away on January 4, 2004. His obituary read like a Who's Who ... covering nearly a whole page with pictures and stories about him. He was a great provider for his family. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather. He cherished his memories of the many friends and fans that called him at his home and kept his spirits up when he was down before his untimely passing. My own Uncle Basil was one of those people that called Jake on a regular basis.

I remember Jake as an extraordinary and immensely influential singer that brought a peace to my heart every time he sang. I am glad that I got to know this great man in my life.

Rest in Peace, my friend.

JAKE HESS 12/24/1927 - 1/4/2004

Percival A. Friend, Retired
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