Cullman Mayor Max Townson was on hand to present Parsons with a key to the city and a framed citation commemorating his many achievements in the world of gospel music.

Squire Parsons took the stage at the McGukin Civic Center Saturday night to a rousing swell of applause and a standing ovation from a large crowd of Cullman area residents.

Parsons, who is in remission from leukemia, gave credit to his improved health to the Lord and sang praises throughout the evening. He also credited the prayers of churches all over the map.

Cullman Mayor Max Townson was on hand to present Parsons with a key to the city and a framed citation commemorating his many achievements in the world of gospel music. “This is a real key!” exclaimed Parsons.

“It doesn’t fit anything,” said Cullman’s mayor with a comedic shrug.

Parsons signature song, “Sweet Beulah Land,” has won many awards, as had the noted baritone himself.

“I grew up in the time of Elvis and the Beatles,” he laughingly told the crowd. “I’m glad that the Lord got hold of me before they did. There’s no telling where I’d be now if that kind of music had gotten hold of me.”

Parsons performed most of his hit songs, with some new ones thrown in for good measure. One of them, “Thank You For Being A Friend To Me,” was directed at his good friend and fellow minister, Sam Hollis, outreach minister of East Side Baptist Church, who was instrumental in arranging the homecoming concert for Parsons, which included organizing a special choir of approximately 70 singers from various churches all over the area. The choir sang backup for Parsons on three of his most familiar hits, including Sweet Beulah Land.

“To see the number of people who made up the choir was a blessing,” Parsons said. “Especially to see the number of different churches and the different choir directors who took part was humbling. It takes someone like Brother Sam Hollis to spearhead an effort like that.”

Sharing the stage with the noted singer/songwriter was his son, Sam Parsons, 35. The rich tenor and baritone voices of the father-son duo blended and melded into heart-throbbing, almost vibrating, sustained notes on many songs, including “Hello, Mama.”

Parsons shared that he had spent some time away from the Christian upbringing his parents had provided for him. “My parents prayed for us every night of their lives,” he recalled. “When I was away from home along about 9 or 10 o’clock at night, something would nudge my mind and say, ‘Your mom and dad are praying for you’. That will sure mess up your good time,” he said, laughing. “But somehow, I stayed around God’s people, and the great lyrics that I had grown up with stayed in my heart.”

His son, Sam, spent some time away from the fold, too.

“Yes, we sure did, only Sam came to the door instead of calling,” said Squire. “His mother and I were thrilled that he has decided to use his talent for the Lord.”

Parsons shared that he is overwhelmed by his son’s decision to follow in his footsteps. Sam is the youngest of Parsons’ four children.

 “Y’all will sing a feller to death,” laughed Parsons, good naturedly as he took a sip of water.  

A rendition of “Sweet Beulah Land” brought the concert to an end.