A friend reminded me the other day that I left someone out of my “Chattanooga Radio and Television” book. Despite my efforts to include the most memorable faces and voices of our city’s 90-plus year broadcast history, I wasn’t able to include everyone. In some cases, photos were not available, and in other cases I simply used poor judgement. “How,” my friend asked, “did you manage to leave out Mull’s Singing Convention?” Good question. For about thirty years, the faces of Rev. J. Bazzel Mull and his wife Elizabeth (Lady Mull) were about as familiar as anyone’s.
The Mulls first brought Southern Gospel music to local audiences on WRGP Channel 3 in 1956, then switched to WTVC Channel 9 in 1959. At first, the Mulls did a nightly show, before settling into a Saturday noon time slot from 1960 until 1975, in glorious black and white. For the next several years, their show was seen Sunday mornings, well into the 1980s. They had a long run of loyal sponsors like Soddy Men’s Shop, Elm Hill Meats, Mayfield Milk and JFG Coffee, but when the sponsors ran out, the Chattanooga telecasts ended. The Mulls continued their show in their home base of Knoxville as long as they were physically able to go to the studio.
J. Bazzel, blind since a childhood accident at the age of 11 months, was best known for his raspy voice, and a frequent question to his wife that became a local catch-phrase: “Ain’t that right, Miz Mull?” “That’s right!” she would cheerily reply. He often wore thick glasses to hide his closed eyelids, and many viewers had no idea he was blind.
From Channel 9’s old Signal Mountain studio, and later from the Golden Gateway, the Mulls would introduce live or filmed performances from the Speer Family, the Blackwood Brothers, the Chuck Wagon Gang, and the LeFevres, to name a few. In addition, the Mulls would host live multi-act concerts at Memorial Auditorium, part of local TV’s one-two punch of big ticket sellers at that venue (Harry Thornton’s live wrestling shows also filled the seats). The Mulls also sold truckloads of record albums and song books. At their peak, they presented 75 live concerts, primarily in the Southeast, every year.
Today’s young people might wonder how a weekend gospel music TV show had such a big impact. After all, in today’s 400-channel universe, it’s hard for anyone to get noticed. But in those days, we had only three channels from which to choose. The Mulls’ had a prime spot of TV real estate, between Saturday cartoons and football games, so it’s quite likely their weekly show was must-see TV for many, or just on in the background at the very least. Frankly, it was hard not to notice the voice of J. Bazzel Mull. We didn’t know it at the time, but when the preacher would get carried away and lose track of time, “Lady Mull” would pinch his leg under the desk to let him know it was time to move on, and introduce the next group.
Old-timers still chuckle about their J. Bazzel stories. The preacher loved a good joke, even when he was the subject. His blindness led to some (hopefully) good-natured pranks in the studio. One old Channel 9 crew member told me about the time Rev. Mull got wound up talking about a Bible issue. The fellows who had been listening tiptoed away, leaving the preacher talking to a hat rack for about five minutes. Another remembered an auditorium show in which the person who was supposed to lead him off the stage forgot to do so, leaving Rev. Mull standing awkwardly in front of a singing quartet for the better part of their song.
He didn’t let his blindness keep him from his busy calling. Mrs. Mull, who drove him everywhere, faithfully read the Bible to him daily, and even late in life he had a photographic memory of every chapter and verse. The Mulls owned a Knoxville radio station, and his distinctive voice was also heard on powerful New Orleans station WWL (AM 870) with a nighttime signal that carried into several states. Long distance truckers were among the Mulls’ biggest fans.
Both Mulls were inducted into the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame, and are credited with starting the careers of many acts that became household words. J. Bazzel passed away in 2006 at the age of 91, and Elizabeth passed away in 2012 at the age of 85. Their daughter Charlotte continued the show, but passed away the following year at 67. All three family members are buried in Lenoir City, Tennessee.
Although it no longer airs in Chattanooga, the show is now in its 60th year, hosted by Tommy Spencer, and airs in Knoxville Sundays at 7 a.m. on WVLT2 and at 4 p.m. on the KNOX Fox affiliate.
Lesson learned: I have another book coming out soon, and the Mulls will be in it. Here is a brief clip with audio from their Chattanooga show:
I remember growing up here in Dayton and my mom and me always watched them. It was a great time in our lives. So many things have changed in life since then. But we have our great memories.
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grew up with the Mull Singing Convention and heard t many times on the old tube radio Grandma and Grandpa used to have. I wish I could find all of their songs on CD. Do you know where I could get these? Thanks! God Bless.
Used to listen to this program on Sundays before church as a child in the eighties. Loved it!
Some of my fondest memories growing up in rural east Tennessee was waking up on Sunday mornings and the smell of sausage and gravy and biscuits my Mom was fixing us for breakfast. Mulls Singing Convention was always on TV as we ate and got ready for church. My Dad pastored a small church and we watched Mulls from 7 am to 9:30 on WBIR out of Knoxville before we went to Sunday School at 10:00. Looking back, those were the best days of my life and I cherish the memories of the Mulls singing convention program.
I grew up in western Oklahoma. I found the Mull Singing Convention on the radio in the evenings, I think it was on Friday nights, and loved listening to it. I fell in love with the Chuck Wagon Gang and purchased several albums from them. I, too, loved his familiar introduction to the program, “… this is J Bazzel Mull ( and Mrs. Mull) with your singing convention.
I met the Mulls around 1970 or 71 my wife and I had been to the Smokie Mts for the first time I had listened to the Mulls on radio for several yrs love southern gospel music especially Chuck Wagon Gang we had stopped in a restaurant for Breakfast in Lenoir City we were sitting in a booth and I overheard the folks talking in the booth behind us l told my wife that had to be J Basel Mull no one else could sound like him I turn around and it was the Mulls I introduced myself told them I listened to them all the time loved there program they were such nice folks.my wife had never heard of them being a city girl and not into gospel music as I was we lived in Dayton Ohio back then but now have lived in Cookeville Tn for 40 plus years now I travel to Knoxville and the Smokies several times a year and I never pass the Lenoir City sign the I don’t think of the Mulls. Traveling thru To Knoxville today I Thor about them wondered if they were still living so I googled them and learned when they passed away I had no idea until I read about Mr Mull in this story that he had been Blind since age 11.sure miss hearing them on the Radio I’m now 71 think about those days more often now.
I can remember as a young man living in the St.Louis Mo. area listening to the Mull singing convention when I could pick it up on my car AM radio late at night. My father was from E.Tennessee and had no idea that I could pick them up anywhere outside the Knoxville area. They were so sweet & kind and a pure blessing from God.
I grew up watching the Mull’s every Sunday as we were getting ready for Sunday School and Church.
I also remember their advertising of a book about “Old Home Remedies” but I cannot recall its name. I remember them saying laying Banana peeling around the sides and forehead would cure a headache!
Would love to have a copy of it as I can remember my Grandmother talking about old home remedies!
As a child, growing up in rule, Missouri, my family, and I loved to hear the Mull singing convention in the evenings. I do not remember what station it came on, but always enjoyed the songs. The funniest part was when they were about to go off the air and my dad would make a beeline to get to the radio as fast as he could. Because as soon as, the songs will go off, the next song would be “I’ve got a Tiger, by the tail it’s plain to see!” we always had a good laugh when dad would try to protect our ears after hearing good gospel songs! Sure do miss the calm, precious moments of family, enjoying wholesome music!
Me and my wife seen them in person at rockwood