The Chuck Wagon Gang

Dave Emery

Dave Emery grew up in a musical family in central Indiana. It was there that he first heard the Chuck Wagon Gang, as a child, on the radio during the Mull Singing Convention broadcast. Singing was a big part of the family and his Dad and brothers formed a quartet with his Mom at the piano. The family traveled from church to church singing many of their songs right out of the Chuck Wagon Gang songbook that the Mulls had published

After college, Dave entered the ministry and enjoyed 20 years of pastoring, teaching Bible College, and singing across the country. Dave has two sons. The oldest is Paul David II and wife, Laci, two granddaughters, Kinsey and Addison. Cameron is his youngest who still in College.

In the late 90's Dave joined the Blackwood Family in Branson and followed them to Pigeon Forge, TN where they currently perform. He moved back to Branson to sing with the Branson Valley Quartet. There, Ronnie Page invited Dave to join the Gang as guitarist. Shortly after coming aboard, Dave became the bass singer, also. Upon Ronnie’s retirement, and later Shaye Smith, Anna’s granddaughter, Dave became emcee and manager as well.

According to Dave, "to join the Chuck Wagon Gang is a great honor and to sing their songs is a real thrill". Dave and his wife, Phyllis, make their home in Seymour, TN.

Shaye Smith

Shaye Smith was born Nashville, TN and grew up in Baton Rouge, LA. She lived in Ft. Worth TX for eleven years, has lived in NC for the past five years. Shaye sings the alto for the Chuck Wagon Gang and is the granddaughter of the Gang's original alto, Anna Carter Gordon Davis and Howard Gordon, who was guitarist for the group for many years. She is married to Andy Smith and make their home in Hertford, NC. They have two sons, Ben and Noah.

Shaye holds two Bachelor's Degrees in Music (Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Music in Choral Conducting) and she arranges many of the Gang's new songs in preparation for recordings. Shaye was involved in many musicals and operas in college as well as choral and theater projects, and so feels completely at home on stage.

Shaye joined her Uncle Roy and the Chuck Wagon Gang in 1993 as soprano. She sang with the Gang until the Wagon was parked in 1996. In 1999, she helped get the group back on the road, eventually moving to her current position of alto. Of all her musical experiences, singing with the Chuck Wagon Gang is what she enjoys most, especially since she has the opportunity to continue the legacy that her grandmother and family began over seventy-four years ago. Shaye says the most important decision she ever made was on August 15, 1983, when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. "Becoming a Christian gave my love for music a purpose. I devoted my life to Jesus and dedicated my voice to singing Gospel Music. I can't imagine being involved in music in any other form or fashion. The Lord has truly blessed me."

Julie Hudson

Julie Hudson was born and raised in Bedford, Indiana. She now resides in Kingsport, TN with her husband John. Their daughter, Brittany was married December 20th 2008. Julie graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 1987 with a bachelors of science in nursing and she practiced nursing in the operating room for 20 years.

"Music has always been a large part of my life. I have been singing in the church since I was a little girl. Performing solos and singing in a quartet with my family. In high school I was in the concert and accapella choirs and I played flute in the band. After moving to High Point, NC, I was the music minister at the church I attend. I have always loved the "old songs" because many have such wonderful anointed messages. I feel so honored and blessed that God has led me to the Chuck Wagon Gang. My greatest desire is to serve my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and to bring glory to His Name. I love and thank Him for allowing me to share His hope of salvation to others."

Stan Hill

Stan Hill was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. He has been married to his wife, Kathy, for 30 years. Together, they have three children: Chris and wife, Melissa, and one granddaughter, Amelia; Brad, and Rebekah.

"Music has always been an important part of my life. Some of my earliest and best memories are of my family gathered around the piano singing a hymn while Mom played. I also remember lying in bed at night listening to the CWG records, and others, when I was supposed to be sleeping. Through the years, I have sung with my wife, local groups and theaters in Pigeon Forge, TN." ”By singing with the Chuck Wagon Gang, I not only get to enjoy these great songs of faith, I also get to share in preserving the history and tradition of this style of music along with that of the Gang's history and tradition. God has truly given me the desires of my heart."

Stan makes a great addition to the long-standing list of excellent tenor singers who have been a part of the Gang's distinctive sound. His quality of voice and blend will continue the high standard established by Dad Carter, who made it clear to his kids...'to sing the old songs and sing them the way I taught you.'

Joe Rotton

Joe Rotton was born and raised in Union Springs, AL. All of his family including a daughter, son-in-law, and six 6 grandchildren still live in the area. In the mid 80’s he moved to Spartanburg, SC with his job at Bonnie Plant Farm. He is semi-retired from Bonnie Plants and continues to work for them during the spring planting season.

He grew up listening to Southern Gospel and singing in the choir at Macedonia Baptist Church. The main group he remembers hearing on the radio was The Chuck Wagon Gang. The first time he was able to see the Gang was in the mid-50’s at the Wally Fowler All-Nite Singings in Montgomery, AL. He attended many of these with his grandmother and uncle. Later in high school he picked up the guitar and played with the FFA band and other local groups for several years.

Joe continued to follow the Gang as a fan through the years. In the early 90’s Pat McKeehen was having back problems and Joe was asked to help Harold Timmons with the bus driving duties. Several years later, in 2004, the group relocated the headquarters from Ft. Worth, TX to Nashville, TN. It was then that Joe began driving to Nashville to again help drive the bus. Someone in the group mentioned it would be nice to have a bass player. Joe offered to learn and a few weeks later started playing with the gang.

Joe says, “This is like a dream come true to be playing with the group that I have been a fan of all my life.” “My only hobbies are The Chuck Wagon Gang and SEC football (in that order).”