Wendy Bagwell

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Suit worn by Wendy Bagwell on display at the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame located at Dollywood Theme Park

Wendell Lee “Wendy” Bagwell (1925 - 1996)

After serving as a United States Marine, Wendy Bagwell formed the Sunliters in 1953. By 1961, the Sunliters consisted of Bagwell, Jan Buckner and Jerri Morrison, a line-up that would remain together for more than 30 years and release more than 40 recordings. Their first major hit was a sentimental song called “Pearl Buttons.” The group is best remembered for their 1970 release Here Come The Rattlesnakes. The title track featured Bagwell performing a comedy routine about the Sunliters singing a date for a church that handled snakes as part of their worship. It ultimately became the first Southern Gospel album to be certified as a million seller. The group also performed at New York City's Carnegie Hall.

Bagwell was hired to be a spokesman for Stanback brand headache powders in a television ad campaign. He soon became nationally known for his signature catch phrase “and that’s a fact with my hand up.” Some of his other comedy routines included “Ralph Bennett’s Volkswagen,” “Me, Old Ronnie, and the Monkey,” and “Pickin’ Up Paw Paws.”

Bagwell passed away in 1996 and was posthumously inducted into the SGMA Hall Of Fame in 1997.