Rev. Raymond L. Anderson

Rev. Raymond L. Anderson, age 86, of Camden, OH, died Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at his residence. Born on June 18, 1924 in Richwood, West Virginia he was the son of the late Jesse A. & Bessie Anderson. Ray was a U.S. Army W.W. II Veteran and had been a pastor & bishop for 56 years. Currently he was serving as the pastor of Roosevelt Church of God in Cincinnati, OH for the past 26 years. His radio program, Country Camp Meeting, was on WCNW Radio in Fairfield, OH. He was an Honorable Kentucky Colonel. Preceded in death by his first wife: Maxine Anderson and a Son: Larry Anderson in 2003.

From Hillbilly-music.com

Articles in 1949 were reporting that he was entertaining the fans over radio station WHOK in Lancaster, Ohio along with Tommy Steph. Both Ray and Tommy were a part of the Tennessee Mountaineers at the time. During that time, it was also reported that they had been signed by the Donnett Hit Records label.
Now we don't claim to know everything about everyone, but in this case, the same 1949 article contains a tidbit that Ray Anderson had his own group known as the Buckeye Ramblers and doing their own show over WHOK. It reported that "Timmie" Steph, a female singer had joined Ray's band. She was a sister to Mickie Steph LaRue who at one time worked over WTNS in Coshocton, Ohio.
In December of 1950, Norm Silver reported that Ray had joined radio station WHTN in Huntington, West Virginia. Norm reported that Ray did so well, he was named the station's program director. Around that time, he had written a tune called "Secret Weapon" that had been recorded by Shannon Grayson on the RCA Victor label. His songwriting talents would become something he was known for later in his career. Cowboy Songs reported in their Disc Jockey Roundup column that same year that Ray had started his own record label - Mountaineer. His show aired from 6:00am to 9:00am, Monday through Saturday. He also did another show from 7:00pm to 9:00pm known as the "Hillbilly Jamboree".
In 1957, Ray had started doing appearances on the WWVA Jamboree, working with the Osborne Brothers and Red Allen. Dusty Owens, owner of the Admiral label, confirmed Ray would come to town and did record a couple of sides for the label, but did not have the specifics. Ray did record with the Osborne Brothers and Red Allen, a tune called "Ho, Honey Ho".
Dusty also notes that one of the tunes Ray did, "At Last" was the first song Dusty ever wrote, when he was just 16 years old.
Remember when Russia first launched the "Sputnik"? That was during the Cold War era of relations between the east and west. At that time, some songs took on the topical expressions of those events of the time. Ray wrote a tune called "Sputniks and Mutniks" as part of that era, touching on the one launch that included the dog named Laika. One source indicates he recorded it for his Mountaineer label, but it was never released. Instead, he worked a deal with Don Pierce and it was released on the Starday label. He also wrote another cold war type song called "Stalin Kicked The Bucket" that was recorded on the Kentucky record label.
Ray's tune "Sputniks and Mutniks" was released on a CD called "Atomic Platters - Cold War Music from the Golden Age of Homeland Security".
In 1965, he became an ordained minister, having left the Osborne Brothers in 1961, he formed his own label, GRS (Gospel Recording Service), while still a pastor at a church in Richmond Dale, Ohio. The label also had a subsidiary one, Victory, which he managed as well until 1969.


Ivan Tribe interviewed him for his book, "Mountainner Jamboree"

Reverend Ray Anderson served the Church of God for many years as a Pastor. Additionally, he held many other positions in the church, including state evangelist, district overseer and served on many state boards and committees. Under State Overseer Raymond Crowley, Rev. Anderson was assigned the task of building a new district while pastoring at the Mt. Vernon Church of God in the early 70's. Brother Ray or Rev. as many would call him, was a church planter and had a heart for people. He left the world of country music to serve God after the Lord saved him. He never looked back and never lost sight of what God called him to do. He pastored here at Roosevelt Avenue for 25 years 11 months and 11 days and God called him home on the 11th of August. His work on this earth was finished and God welcomed him home with open arms. Brother Anderson touched the lives of thousands and preached with fire the "old time gospel" fervently.

Survived by Wife of 10 years: Shirley Mae (Tucker) Anderson; Daughter: Vickie Kindel of Alabama and Step Son: James C. Frazier of Tennessee; 10 Grandchildren and several Great Grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 12:00 P.M. Saturday, August 14, 2010 at Roosevelt Church of God 2680 Roosevelt Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio with Rev. Dale Enders officiating. Family will receive friends on Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the church. Graveside service will be held 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 16, 2010 in Butler Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements entrusted to Nein - Barnes Funeral Home - Camden, OH. Online condolences at www.barnesfuneralhome.com