Noted gospel pioneer, Sallie Martin once observed in an interview, “I’ve never been the greatest,
nobody ever called me the greatest; yet, still I’ve been everywhere the greatest have been, and
that’s just the way it goes.” Another legend, Country-Western Hall of Famer, Hank Snow scored
one of his biggest hits with a song called, “I’ve Been Everywhere.” These themes certainly describe
Nashville’s own, Everett Drake.

As so many stage performers who have gone before, Everett was raised in
the church, singing in the choir for as long as he can remember. Today,
between road trips, he still devotes as much energy as possible to his
beloved First Baptist Church South Inglewood. In the early 1970s, it was
his involvement with gospel music that led him to join a Nashville group
called, The Johnson Ensemble. He both sang and directed the group.
The Johnson Ensemble gained the attention of gospel producer, Shannon Williams, who signed
them to his Nashboro Records label, and over the next few years, several albums were released. The
plaintive, “The Harvest Is Plentiful”, became one of the top selling gospel albums of the year...thus,
Everett experienced singing on his first hit record.

Although Williams produced only gospel, many country producers sought his assistance in
obtaining gospel singers for background work with their clients. Consequently, Everett was
introduced to both Country and Gospel artists that recorded at Woodland Studios. He sang with
such gospel greats as Clara Ward (Aretha Franklin’s inspiration), Reverend Isaac Douglas, Reverend
Cleophus Robinson, Harrison Johnson and country stars, Donna Fargo, Barbara Mandrell, Eddie
Rabbitt and Brenda Lee.

In August of 1980, Everett was engaged by Country star, Donna Fargo, as a
background singer. The next several years were spent with her on tour, which
carried him to audiences throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean,
Korea, Japan and the Philippines. The following list details some of the
highlights of these tours:

BIO

Television

• Nashville Now (Music City Tonight)
• Great Ladies of Country
• Blowout At Billy Bob’s Texas
• Great American Sing-A-Long

Nevada