The Gospel Music world has lost one of its greatest showmen. Buddy Thrasher of the Thrasher Brothers Quartet went on to join that Heavenly Parade that he longingly sang about. Born Clyde Lamar Thrasher in 1940, he was known as “Buddy” most of his life. He is the middle child of three brothers who moved with their parents to Birmingham from Heflin Alabama in 1949. Their mother taught them to sing in harmony at age 6, 8, & 10, and they appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in 1948. In 1953 they won the Ted Mack Amateur Hour and appeared on national TV. The never looked back, and Buddy added the baritone voice blending with his brothers Jim and Joe, along with various bass singers over the years.
Their popularity in the Gospel circuit grew as they became known as dynamic and entertaining, closing many shows on Saturday all night singings in auditoriums across the country. In 1969 they introduced the TV show “America Sings with the Thrasher Brothers” which ran nationally for three years. The brothers first introduced the song “One Day At A Time” in 1974, which is still recorded by artist today. After a shift in careers to a wider audience, the brothers toured across America with country music group Alabama before choosing to retire at the top of their journey in 1987. They would return to their gospel roots in 1996 for one last fantastic gospel album, fittingly called “Encore” and dedicated to their parents. In 2005, the Thrasher Brothers were inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Muscle Shoals.
Buddy was always known as the comedian of the group. His on stage, and off stage, antics entertained and thrilled audiences. Not being the lead singer like Joe, he would carry on a routine of insisting that he be featured on a song. Audiences ate up the banter between him and his older brother Jim. After being thwarted throughout most of the show, Buddy would finally get his chance, and everyone cheered as he finally got to sing his song. But the Heavenly Parade that Buddy got started would begin to go on and on, until he had his fill for the night. People lined up for hours to meet this man that made them feel so good inside.
And that was the core of who Buddy was. He had nothing but good to say about anyone. His positive attitude exuded across you as he assured you that it was a beautiful day, and that everything was “just marvelous.” He was recently preceded in death by his wife Suzanne, and is survived by his two sons Michael Dewayne Thrasher and Patrick Lamar Thrasher, grandsons Jake Thrasher, Clyde Thrasher, Walter Thrasher, and granddaughter Jade Thrasher. His legacy will live through the love of the larger Thrasher family, and through the fans of many albums and appearances over the years.
A visitation for Clyde will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Ridout's Trussville Chapel, 1500 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235, followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutstrussvillechapel.com for the Thrasher family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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