Bill LaPointe

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Bill LaPointe

According to Ross Ingram there is a very prominent Maritimer who was instrumental in the promotion of Southern Gospel for many years. Bill LaPointe, father of current CCM/SGM favourites The Lapointes, is well known throughout the East for his tireless efforts in support of this style of music. In many ways a pioneer of SG along the East Coast, Bill is well known to many in the Southern Gospel circuit throughout that area.

“Bill LaPointe was for many years the leader of the Gospelaires -- for 50 years New Brunswick's most active SGM group... Around 1950 the Gospelaires were prominent for public performances, radio, television and recordings -- a phenomenon that went on for 50 years until they retired from old age”. Ross relates that Bill’s group was responsible for bringing many American groups into this area, and for building the strong base for SGM that exists there today. New Christian radio stations are popping up across the country, and Ross points to the strong SG foundation as the base for CFRI-FM, the first station east of Ontario with a Southern Gospel/Country Gospel format. This station begins to air this month, and Sgmradio.com extends our best wishes to Ross Ingram and all of the crew in Fredericton. Ross is grateful to artists such as Bill and the Gospelaires for developing this foundation.

Beginning in 1945, Bill LaPointe sang with his wife’s two brothers in a group which eventually became known as the Gospelaires. In 1978, they released a patriotic album called “United We Stand” which was presented to every member of the Canadian Parliament. This was a timely release as Canada was struggling with national unity, a perpetual issue which had risen to the forefront once again. They received letters of support and commendation from many levels of government, including then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Bill retired in 1995, but continues to produce radio and television programs supporting Southern Gospel.

Source: article "Music in the Maritimes" written by Lorraine Walker for http://www.sgmradio.com