SHORT TAKES : Gospel Singing a Door Opener
<i> From Times Staff and Wire Service Reports</i>
ATLANTA —
Singing has always been Hovie Lister’s stock in trade, but the gospel artist likes politics enough to spend his winter days opening doors for Georgia senators.
Lister, 64, who sang at the funerals of Hank Williams and Elvis Presley, is an assistant doorkeeper for the Senate this year, a job he sought from music fan Zell Miller, the lieutenant governor. It pays about $1,800 per session.
“I just love politics,” Lister said.
The Statesmen Quartet, started by the Baptist minister in 1948, has been cited as Presley’s favorite gospel group and a major influence on him.