Squire Enos Parsons Jr. (born April 4, 1948), is a Southern Gospel singer and songwriter. He was born in Newton, West Virginia, to Squire and Maysel Parsons,[1] and was introduced to music by his father, who was a choir director and deacon at Newton Baptist Church. Squire's father taught him to sing using shaped notes.[2]
Following graduation, he accepted a teaching position at Hannan High School in Mason County, West Virginia, and served as music director of various churches.[3] During this period, he wrote "Sweet Beulah Land", his signature song.
He joined the Kingsmen Quartet as a baritone in 1975 and toured with them for four years before embarking on a solo career.[4]
In 1975, Parsons was ordained as a minister at Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina. Among his most popular compositions are "The Master of the Sea", "Walk On", "He Came to Me", "I Call it Home", "I Sing Because", "I'm Not Giving Up", and "Sweet Beulah Land".
In April 2019, Parsons announced his retirement from touring, and possibly all public appearances, due to declining health after "life-saving surgery."[7]
Awards
Parsons was nominated for a Dove Award in 1999 for contributing to a tribute album to Dottie Rambo.
He won the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Male Singer in 1988. He won a Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Songwriter in 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995. He won the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Baritone in 1986 and 1987.
"Sweet Beulah Land" won the Singing News Fan Awards for Song of the Year in 1981.
In 1999, Parsons was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, West Virginia Institute of Technology.[8] He makes public appearances at churches across the country, both large and small.
