Funeral Arrangements Announced for Southern Gospel Music Exec Norman Holland

Gospel Music veteran Norman Holland passed away on March 10, 2014 from heart failure in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the former A&R Director for Daywind Records, having retired last year after 16 years of faithful service.

In 1980, Norman began his Gospel music career at the Benson Company in the radio promotions department. Through the years, he became a driving force in the careers of such well-known artists as Gold City, Greater Vision, J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet, Jeff and Sheri Easter, The Cathedral Quartet, The Kingsmen Quartet and The Speer Family. As the head of the A&R department for Chapel Records (now Spring Hill), he worked on the Gaither Homecoming Series and helped set the careers of Brian Free and Assurance and The Martins in motion.

From 1998 to 2013, Holland served as the Vice President of A&R at Daywind Records, where he helped direct the careers of Barbara Fairchild, Brian Free and Assurance, Greater Vision, Karen Peck and New River, Legacy Five, Mark Lowry, Mark Trammell Quartet, Sisters, The Booth Brothers, The Nelons, and The Perrys, to name a few. Holland received a lifetime achievement award from the Southern Gospel Music Guild in 2012 in recognition of his tremendous impact on Southern Gospel music during his career.

More than simply a mentor, Holland was also a friend to the artists in his charge. In a press release, Ed Leonard, President of Daywind Records, talked about the heart of Norman Holland, saying, "There may never be another who cares for artists like Norman cared. He was loved by all. This is a heartbreaking loss for all of us who loved Norman, but a tremendous gain for heaven above." Dottie Leonard-Miller, founder and CEO of Daywind, added, "The wonderful memories of working and sharing life with Norman for 16 years are precious. I will cherish them as I cherished him."

One of the many artists who found their lives enriched by Holland, Gerald Wolfe of Greater Vision said, "Norman and I had a great working relationship for 27 years, but more importantly, he was one of my closest friends. His laughter was contagious, and his larger-than-life, magnetic personality always lit up any room he was in. Gospel Music has lost one of its most innovative and influential behind-the-scenes personalities. I have lost a friend. But not for long. I know where he is."

Visitation for Norman Holland will be on Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 1 p.m., until 2 p.m. Funeral services will be held immediately following the visitation. Both services will take place at Sorrell's Funeral Home, 2744 W Magnolia Ave. in Geneva, Alabama. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Norman Holland Memorial Fund c/o Norman's sister, Edith Brown, 1209 Glenwood Street, Dothan, Alabama, 36301. The balance of the fund after funeral expenses will be donated to the Gospel Music Trust Fund.

There will be a memorial service in honor of Norman held in Nashville within the next month.

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Southern Gospel, Obituaries