Happy Goodman Family

The Happy Goodman Family was a gospel singing group founded by Dora natives Howard "Happy" Goodman (seated left) and his brothers Sam (top left) and Rusty (top right) in the 1940s. Howard's wife, Fyffe native Vestal Freeman Goodman (seated right), joined the group after their marriage in 1949. The group's popularity peaked during the 1960s and 70s, and in 1968 the Happy Goodman Family won the first ever Grammy Award for a gospel album by a gospel group. The group performed in various incarnations, at one time even including all eight of the Goodman siblings, until 1980, when some of the members moved on to solo careers.

Courtesy of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame