Jerry Kirksey was theeditor ofSinging Newsmagazine from its inception in 1969 through 2010. He has been involved in theSouthern Gospel industry for over 45 years and was inducted in the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
Jerry Kirksey was born inPanama City, Florida, United States June 13, 1940. AfterWorld War II he and his family moved back to his parents' native home ofPensacola, Florida. He attended public schools inPensacola and graduated with the class of 1958.
Jerry began working inradio during his junior year ofhigh school. After graduation he moved back toPanama City and worked atradio station WTHR. In March 1960 he returned toPensacola and began working for the Florida Boys, a nationally recognizedSouthern Gospelquartet. His job at that time wasradio promotions and office manager for the quartet.J.G. Whitfield, owner of the Florida Boys quartet, and Jerry founded theSinging News magazine in May 1969.
Jerry married Carolyn Sue Rhodes on October 1, 1967. They had their first son, Kenneth Bryan, on March 9, 1969, and their second son, Kenton Brett, on March 6, 1971.
Boone, North Carolina businessman Maurice Templeton had been advertising hisSouthern Gospel music cruises inSinging News for several years when he purchased themagazine fromJ.G. Whitfield and moved the new corporation toBoone in July 1987. Jerry continued as editor of themagazine through the changes in ownership—including the purchase bySalem Communications in January 2006—until his retirement in 2010.
Jerry was inducted into theSouthern Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame in 2011.