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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Gospel singer LaBreeska Hemphill, who co-founded the award-winning family group The Hemphills, has died in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 75.
A statement from the family's publicist said she died Wednesday. Originally from Flat Creek, Alabama, she got her introduction to music through her singing family, the Happy Goodman Family, and sang onstage at the historic Ryman Auditorium at age 9.
She married Joel Hemphill of West Monroe, Louisiana, in 1957 and in 1966, they signed their first recording contract. The Hemphills were among the most successful gospel acts through the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, earning multiple Dove Awards.
They also added their children, Joey, Trent and Candy, to the lineup. Some of their most popular songs were "He's Still Working on Me," ''I Claim the Blood," and "Consider the Lilies."
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