Best of Dr. Butler: Interview with Gospel Legend Brother Everett Drake

Re broadcast of my interview with Gospel Legend Everett Drake. (Amen Goes Right There) Gospel pioneer Sallie Martin once said, “I’ve never been the greatest, nobody ever called me the greatest; yet, still I’ve been everywhere the greatest have been…” These words could have easily been spoken by Nashville’s own, Everett M. Drake, as he, too, has shared the stage with many of the music industry’s greatest luminaries.

Everett’s musical roots began in the church, singing in the choir and later serving as Choir Director of his beloved First Baptist Church South Inglewood. His dynamic passion for singing and directing were soon recognized by other gospel singers and he was tapped to join The Johnson Ensemble, a local singing group. They were enormously popular during the 1970s and recorded several albums. Their signature album, “The Harvest Is Plentiful” brought them national recognition.

It didn’t take long for Everett to catch the eye of other Music City’s heavyweights. They include Donna Fargo, Brenda Lee, Eddie Rabbitt, Barbara Mandrell, Wynonna Judd, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Brooks & Dunn and crossover giants, Lyle Lovett and Bonnie Raitt. His tours with Ms. Fargo and Mr. Lovett took him to audiences throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, Korea, Japan and the Philippines.

Though comfortable with all types of music, Everett’s first love remains gospel music. So, it was only natural his path would eventually intersect with Nashville’s renown gospel tour de force, Dr. Bobby Jones. As a featured vocalist on BOBBY JONES: GOSPEL, which is shown internationally on Black Entertainment Television and the WORD Television Network, Everett, again, finds himself in the company of gospel music’s hottest stars, from Shirley Caesar, Rance Allen and John P. Kee to Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary and Tye Tribbett.