The Swanee River Boys and Their Deeply Rooted Ties to Chattanooga
Chattanooga held a special place in the lives of the late Buford and Merle Abner, original members of the legendary Southern Gospel group, the Swanee River Boys. The city which they once called home for several years has a rich history that intertwines with their path to Gospel music stardom.
Co-founder Buford Abner, in an interview held in 2007, reminisced about his Alabama sharecropper roots and his journey towards a successful music career. Aged 15, Abner became a bass singer for Columbus-based group, the Pepperell Manufacturing Company Quartet. However, it wasn’t long before he and his brother, Merle Abner, formed the Vaughn Four Quartet and moved to Knoxville to work at WNOX Radio.
In late 1939, Abner and Merle decided to change their name to the Swanee River Boys as a nod to North Florida’s Swanee River, near where they performed regularly. The quartet consisted of more than just the Abner brothers though, with Bill Nelson and Bill Carver also contributing to the group’s distinguished sound.
The Swanee River Boys became nationally recognized with the help of CBS’s Radio Playhouse broadcast, run by Chuck Simpson at WDOD Radio. Simpson had convinced the group to relocate to Chattanooga, a move that significantly enriched their careers. More than just a career destination, Chattanooga was where Abner met his future wife, Dorothy Jean Dalton, who was part of the Sunshine Sisters, another musical group part of the Radio Playhouse.
The Swanee River Boys began singing a blend of western songs until WDOD management suggested they pivot towards Gospel tunes. The Gospel genre was gaining popularity during the early years of World War II, and the quartet readily embraced this shift, moving their music focus predominantly to Gospel.
After serving in the military, the Abner brothers returned to the U.S. in 1946. Their careers took a further upward turn when they received a call from WSB Radio in Atlanta. Over the years, the quartet performed in various places, including WBT Charlotte and WSM Nashville, and toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe.
The group made significant contributions to the genre of Gospel music, recording hits like “Oh What a Savior” and Abner-penned songs such as “Remember my name in your Prayers” and “Tear Stained Altar.” They also recorded for big names in the music industry like MGM, King, Zondervan, and Skylite records throughout their journey, with “That’s Gospel Brother” being one of their most beloved songs.
After they retired, Buford and Merle returned to Wedowee, Alabama. However, their dedication to Gospel music didn’t go unnoticed and in 2002, they were inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In their absence, Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires commented, “The Swanee River Boys believe in their music and feel each word and note they sing right down to the depths of their hearts.”
Throughout their journey, the brothers have left an indelible imprint on the heart of Chattanooga. As Abner once quoted, “We always loved the Read House and would stay there every time we visited the city we called home for several years,” proving that their connection with Chattanooga was much more than just a musical journey.
