Gospel legend Lille Knauls still singing that song of salvation

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — Her exuberant, cheerful voice lets you know she really does have a song in her heart.

Even through the phone her voice conveys the ear-to-ear smile on her face as she speaks of her “song.”

The world has listened to her voice massage many gospel hymns, including a top hit in 1970, but the song she wants people to hear most is the one God placed in her as a child.

Lillie Knauls, a renowned gospel singer, travels across the country telling others about the song God gave her: Her salvation.

“I was always surrounded by good music,” said Knauls, a native of Arkansas but now residing in Rancho Cucamonga. “I loved singing in the choir and I began singing solos as a little girl. My first song was probably ‘Yes, Jesus Loves Me.’”

Knauls grew up in church, the fifth child out of six sisters and one brother. When her father died when she was 13, her mother moved to be with her sister in Seattle, Wash. to raise the seven children.

Suffering from mild dyslexia, Knauls opted for a career at the phone company rather than pursuing a college degree after finishing high school.

Later she transferred from her job in Seattle to San Jose, Calif. after breaking off an engagement with her boyfriend.

“I knew God had bigger plans for me,” said Knauls, who has never felt called to be married.

Singing takes center stage
In 1969, she joined the popular Edwin Hawkins Singers, a black gospel choir, whose single “Oh Happy Day” rocked the country. It was later featured in the movie “Sister Act.”

“This gospel song burst onto the secular world when it was so needed,” said Knauls. “It was the end of the turbulent ’60s, the Vietnam war, protests, protest songs.”

The song stayed at No. 1 on secular charts for many months.

Meanwhile, the Edwin Hawkins Singers were featured on the Andy Williams Show and other TV appearances with Englebert Humperdinck, Sammy Davis Jr., and Diana Ross and the Supremes.

Full-time ministry
After putting in 22 years in various departments of the phone company, Knauls took a leap of faith to go into full-time ministry, using her voice to minister around the world.

She remembers receiving a phone call from Bill Gaither while she was working at the phone company.

“It was as if the president of the United States was calling,” Knauls said.

That initial call led her to leave her steady job with the phone company to travel with the Gaither Trio. Since then she has traveled to 57 countries and all of the continental United States, except Mississippi, using her music to witness. She can be seen on 57 of the 61 videos filmed for the Gaither Homecoming Series, including a tribute to Billy Graham.

A self-described “musicianary,” her favorites songs are “His Eye is on The Sparrow” and “He Giveth More Grace.”

Knauls continues to sing solo concerts, speak and perform on Gaither videos and DVDs throughout the year. She is currently working on her fifth album.

“The new album has some ragtime and a couple new ones I wrote,” said Knauls, who is well known for her hat collection. “We should have them available by Palm Sunday. This album will be more up-to-date.”

The hat lady
“I wore a hat on my first video with the Gaithers and showed up every time with one after that,” said Knauls, adjusting the black hat she was wearing. “Ever since then, I’ve been called ‘the hat lady.’”

Knauls has numerous hats she wears to women’s ministry luncheons and to all her performances.

One of her sure ways to not be recognized in an airport is to not wear a hat.

She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000 and has been a Dove Award nominee.

But, she still answers all her own phone calls, sends more than 300 birthday cards a year to fans and friends and does most of her own booking.

Instead of e-mail, she has a Web master print out all the e-mails and once a month she responds through correspondence or phone calls.

“I know how I feel when I get a card or phone call,” said Knauls, who keeps drawers stocked full of stationary. “I try to answer every letter.”

She plans to celebrate her 66th birthday in Seattle this year with 66 of her closest friends.

But she has no plans to retire.

“I want to work as long as I can,” Knauls said. “There are so many people in this world that are hurting and need to hear about Jesus.”

Knauls can be seen in Southern California April 9 to 11 when she opens for her church’s Easter drama at Covina Assembly. For more information on her schedule or ministry, log on to MissLillie.com. Contact and booking information can be obtained from Z Agency at (909) 469-2676, or write Knauls at P.O. Box 994 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729.

Writer’s note: I first heard Lillie Knauls sing in the 1970s as a child on an island in the Western Caribbean where my parents served as missionaries. She filled a packed hall of non-believers and brought many to know Him through her message. I was humbled to be able to write about this incredible singer who has continued her fervor to serve the Lord at any cost after 30 years of ministry. She has never waivered in her commitment to share her “song.”

Published by Keener Communications Group, March 2004

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