Mr. Hoyt Sullivan was the founder/owner of Hoyt Sullivan Enterprises (HSE). He was responsible for releasing hundreds of wonderful gospel recordings throughout the 70’s on his HSE (45 – LP), HSH, Hoyt Records, Su-Ann (45s - LP) , Ken-Tone, Sullivan , JSJ (no gospel records) and Sav-All labels. Collectively they make a superb chronicle of the sound of gospel “quartets” during that period. Unfortunately very little is known or written about Mr. Sullivan and his life in music.

Hoyt Sullivan hailed from Pickens County, South Carolina. Ms. Faye Deal Hood, who worked with Mr. Sullivan in his later years, believes he grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina in a family of very limited means, and was “uneducated”. Ms. Hood conjectures that his humble roots may have played a part in his affinity for African American artists and their music. She recalls him as being a big, gentle man. There are no known published photographs of Mr. Sullivan.

While still in Greenwood, Mr. Sullivan created Hoyt Sullivan Beauty Products, manufacturing and selling hair and skin products specifically for African Americans. He advertised heavily on WLAC out of Nashville, notably on John Richbourg’s radio show.

Hoyt Sullivan began producing records while still in Greenwood, but at some point he moved to Nashville and his labels reflect that change of address. Mr. Sullivan produced records by both noted, veteran gospel artists, and artists who never recorded before or again. Evidence is that many of his recordings were the result of groups paying for a package of studio time and a number of records which they could sell themselves at performances. It appears that Mr. Sullivan was closely associated with Jim Stanton who owned Champ Studios in Nashville, and many of the Hoyt Sullivan produced records were recorded there.  Mr. Lloyd Cannady, of the Flying Clouds of South Carolina, states that Mr. Sullivan was never present when they recorded and had no hand in shaping their sound. He also recalls that Mr. Sullivan was “a good man as far as I’m concerned”, “straight up with me”.  The consistent high quality of Hoyt Sullivan produced recordings makes it difficult to believe that his operation was a purely “pay-for-play” operation, and that he didn’t have a hand in directing the overall sound of his labels. More research is needed and first hand accounts would be most helpful.

At the end of the 70’s Hoyt Sullivan sold his music business to his associate Mr. Larry Blackwell and moved to McCormick, South Carolina. He purchased a restaurant and called it Su-Ann’s, after his wife. Ms. Hood recalls that he quickly grew dissatisfied with running a restaurant and attempted to revive his music business without a great deal of success.

Hoyt Sullivan passed away at the Veterans Hospital in Augusta Georgia on September 4, 1991. He was 78 years old. The brief obituary in the McCormick Messenger makes no mention of his life in music.

In the mid-70s, Hoyt Sullivan wrote in liner notes:

 

Let me tell you about myself. I am a sinner saved by the Grace Of God through the blood of Jesus Christ. Before God came into my life I was an alcoholic, a thief and a liar. I was everything that the Devil wanted me to be. I am fifty-nine years old but really just twenty-two years old. That is how long I have been fighting the Devil.

 

Any help with gathering further information on Hoyt Sullivan and filling gaps in discographies of his musical output would be greatly appreciated.

 

John Glassburner

(January 2007)