Klaudt Indian Family facts for kids

The Klaudt Indian Family was a famous music group. They sang southern gospel music. Many people said they were one of the most unique groups to ever perform gospel music.

The Klaudt Indian Family: A Musical Journey

Their Roots and Heritage

The story of the Klaudt Indian Family began in 1929. That year, Reverend Reinhold Klaudt married Lillian White Corn Little Soldier. Lillian was a member of the Arikara-Mandan tribe. Her family had a rich history. She was a direct descendant of one of General Custer's scouts. This scout helped at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Lillian was also related to Chief Sitting Bull, a famous Native American leader.

How the Family Started Singing

The Klaudt family's musical journey started on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. Reverend and Lillian Klaudt raised their children there. They taught their kids to share the gospel through singing.

The family was part of the Church of God. They wanted their children to learn about their faith. So, the children went to the Bible Training School in Cleveland, Tennessee. There, they also improved their musical skills. The main singing members of the family were Vernon, Melvin, Raymond, Ken, and their sister Ramona.

The group first performed with Mom and Dad Klaudt, Vernon, Ramona, and Melvin. As time went on, the other siblings joined in. After several years, Dad Klaudt stopped performing. He focused on managing the group's business instead.

Traveling and Performing

The Klaudts eventually settled in the Atlanta area. From there, they traveled all over the country. They held church services and sang in gospel concerts. The Klaudt Indian Family used many instruments in their shows. These included the upright bass, trumpet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trombone, and piano.

Their music had a jazz sound. This helped them perform in places where other gospel groups usually didn't. They were also one of the first gospel groups to use a special tour bus. They even used large trucks to carry tent equipment. These tents could hold up to 3,000 people for their shows.

Television also helped the Klaudt Indian Family become very popular. They often appeared on a TV show called "Bob Poole's Gospel Favorites." The Klaudt Indian Family performed together for over 50 years. They retired in the early 1980s. However, they came out of retirement for one last show in 1996. This was at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion. Mom Klaudt was 90 years old at the time.

Their Unique Musical Style

When the Klaudt Indian Family first started performing, they were very different. Most other gospel groups only used a piano for their music. But the Klaudts used many string and horn instruments. This made their sound stand out.

They also often performed in amazing Native American costumes. This unique look helped them get shows in many different places. They quickly became a regular act on the Wally Fowler All Night Singing programs.

Some people say the Klaudt Indian Family was the first gospel group known across the whole country. They performed in many places, not just churches. They played in Las Vegas, at state fairs, at professional sports games, and at theme parks. When they were most popular, they often played more than 400 shows a year.

Besides singing, the Klaudt Indian Family also had their own record label. It was called Family Tone. They recorded other gospel groups on this label. They also published sheet music and songbooks. This helped share gospel music with more people.

The Klaudt Indian Family was very flexible with their music. They performed in many ways. Sometimes they were a male quartet, a mixed trio, or a male trio. They also sang duets and solos. Their shows always featured solos by Mom Klaudt. Her sons would sing backup for her.

Legacy and Later Years

Mom Klaudt passed away in March 2001. Dad Klaudt died about four months later. In 2004, Mrs. Klaudt was honored. She was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Most of her family was there to celebrate this special moment.

Vernon Klaudt, the oldest remaining member of the family, passed away in September 2006. Before he died, he worked to raise money. This money helped pay for the winter heating bill for the Indian Mission at the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. This mission was very important to Vernon. Many of his family members found their faith there.

The other siblings, Ramona Carpenter, Melvin Klaudt, Raymond Klaudt, and Kenneth Klaudt, are still alive. They are involved in different businesses. They continue to keep the Klaudt Indian Family's message alive. They started the Klaudt Indian Memorial Foundation. This foundation gives scholarships to students. These scholarships help students attend places like Lee University and the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. They also help students at the University of Georgia and singing schools. The scholarships honor Mom and Dad Klaudt. They also help teach gospel music to new generations.

In 1990, Kim Klaudt, Lillian Little Soldier's grandson, and his wife started World Ministries. This group continues the Klaudt family's outreach work.

The Klaudt Indian Family received more honors later on.

• On November 24, 2007, they were inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame.
• Lillian Little Soldier Klaudt was also inducted into the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame.
• On August 24, 2008, the Atlanta Society of Entertainers gave them a "Lifetime Achievement Award."

On October 10, 2010, the Klaudt Indian Memorial Foundation started a TV show. It is called "Just Keep Singing." This show is seen on several TV channels in Georgia. It has also been watched in 169 countries around the world. Melvin Klaudt hosts and produces the program. He shows videos of the Klaudts. He also features other famous gospel groups from the past and present. The show is now seen worldwide through a partnership with aic-TV. This is an American Indian ministry from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Because of the show's popularity, October 10 is now known as National "Just Keep Singing Day."

In 2020, Melvin Klaudt was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.