Founded in 1972 by Calvin Wills, with support from J. Howard Rogers and others, the Southern Gospel Music Association of Texas (SGMA of Texas) is the oldest southern gospel music association in Texas. The organization began its work to connect gospel music artists and industry personnel, build gospel music interest, and promote the Lord through gospel music. The nonprofit organization has provided singers, musicians, songwriters, promoters, songwriters, music publishers, recording companies, radio stations and industry personnel an opportunity to join forces to build a strong foundation for gospel music in the area. Calvin Wills was elected as President of the organization for many years, working with other officers and directors elected by the membership. He later become Chairman of the Board, upon a bylaws change to create a three-member Executive Board with lifetime or long-term seats to preserve the organization’s mission, and to work along-side member-elected officers and directors. Tom Ellis was seated on the Executive Board, then later elected Chairman of the Board by the officers and directors upon Calvin’s death. Johnny Huckaba was elected to a long-term seat on the Executive Board upon J. Howard Rogers death, and Lou Wills Hildreth was named to the third executive seat upon Tom Ellis’ move to Chairman of the Board. Upon Lou Hildreth's retirement, Bob Wills was elected into the executive seat by the SGMA Board.
SGMA of Texas has provided assistance to area members through performance, educational and networking opportunities. The organization has also promoted gospel music by presentation of concerts for the public around the state featuring artist members. The organization's annual two-day convention and “Festival of Gospel Music” has traveled to the Texas cities of Weatherford, Stephenville, Paris, Sherman, Amarillo, Irving, Lubbock, Arlington, Duncanville, Gainesville, Garland, Tyler, Nacogdoches, Beaumont, Waco, Round Rock, Odessa, Richardson, Mount Pleasant and other cities throughout its history.
The association began an annual awards ceremony in its early years, honoring excellence in gospel music and promotion of the Lord through gospel music. Various categories include Group of the Year, Soloist of the Year, Musician of the Year, and Promoter of the Year. The awards ceremony continues to present an opportunity for members to recognize their peers for their work in gospel music.
The organization has always emphasized preservation of gospel music and education by its presentation of an annual Music School. A traditional “singing school” with shaped note instruction was presented annually for many years under the leadership of Calvin Wills and J. Howard Rogers. In recent years, an educational conference weekend has been presented to deliver educational and skill-building workshops to enhance gospel music artists’ ministry and performance. Past educational events featured workshop presentations by industry leaders and professionals Aaron Wilburn, Gerald Crabb, Nick Bruno, Jim and Jane Wesson, Glenn Wilson, Judy Nelon, Rick Shelton, Chris Binion, Randy Wills, Charlie Campbell, Mary Fay Jackson, Showcase Management’s Brian Hudson, and Lou Hildreth.
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