The Story of Singer Calvin Newton

by Lila Colloton

Newton is an English name, and a most prestigious one at that. Sir Isaac Newton is considered by many to be the greatest scientist of all time. Another Englishman, John Newton, composed one of the best-known anthems to the power of God's mercy--'Amazing Grace.' Calvin Newton is related to both, according to several family members who traced their ancestry.
Calvin's dad, Leonard, was the youngest of six children. He worked in the coal mines of Hancock County, located in northwest Kentucky. He and his three brothers were all wild when they were young. Then when they finally began going to church they became some of the best Christians a person ever knew. All four of the boys became Pentecostal preachers.
Like many others living in northwest Kentucky Ed Newton, Calvin's grandfather, moved his family to Southern Illinois around 1915 to work in the coal mines.

In August 1926 Leonard Newton married a young woman named Irene Richard, the daughter of Luther Richard, a minister in the Church of God. They began their lives together in West Frankfort. Soon they began a family. 
Calvin was the second of three children born to Leonard and Irene Newton. He was named after the president Calvin Coolidge. 

During Calvin's grade school years, his father continued to work in the mines, but began preaching on weekends. With his dad a minister, their family was required to move to various churches in Johnston City, Carrier Mills, Christopher and other towns in the Southern Illinois area.

The constant moving was difficult for the children, especially Calvin. Just as his sister's Lenora and Glatta were beginning to make friends, the family would move again and they would once again have to start the process again. It was different for a young boy in a new environment. Before he could make any friends he had to prove himself, and that was usually with his fists. But it was more than just being the new kid on the block. Calvin was a preacher's kid, and not only that but a “Holy Roller” preacher's kid. 

Many people viewed the Church of God as a nutty hayseed religion in which people screamed and hopped around as if they'd been given a hot foot. The reaction of others became emotionally devastating for all the Newton children. Like many other gospel singers, Calvin began singing in church almost as soon as he could talk. Music was strongly emphasized in the Church of God more so than other denominations at that time.

“When I was about six years old,” Calvin said, “I sang in a trio with my Mother and Dad on Saturday mornings on radio station WEBQ (We Entertain Beyond Question) in Harrisburg. WEBQ was the only radio station in Southern Illinois and everybody in the area listened to it. For me going to Harrisburg was as exciting as going to the moon would be now. Afterwards, Dad would treat us to a meal at a local restaurant, and that was really a big deal--because this was during the depression. When the waitress approached with the tray of food, I would begin singing 'Heaven Is In View' and everyone got a kick out of that.”

By 1940 the depression had been banished by World War II and employment opportunities abounded so the family moved to Chicago. Calvin worked at night unloading boxcars and supervising grown men. By day he attended Austin High School. But he was constantly getting into fights and was suspended.

Calvin's parents knew of a place where he would be surrounded by teachers and students who were committed to the church and the Lord. They reasoned that at the very least he would stay out of trouble. Getting into fights in Carrier Mills was one thing; but a person could get hurt, locked up or even killed in Chicago. 

The school his parents had in mind was a Church of God boarding school in Sevierville, TN. Bible Training School (BTS) was a high school, junior college and school of religious education. As it turned out Calvin was sent to one of the finest gospel finishing schools in the world. Consequently, Calvin began singing in some of the school's gospel groups. While he didn't directly avail himself of the opportunities for developing his vocal talent, he benefited from the musical environment simply through exposure and osmosis. By his late teens he had been recruited by the Blackwood Brothers, the number one gospel quartet in the world. In his mid twenties, while he was singing with the Oak Ridge Quartet his talent and good looks took him on an entirely different road-- one of reckless driving, heavy romancing, and addictive pill popping. Yet they continued to sing together and frequently they would visit the Ryman Auditorium for an all night singing.

One of the times they were there he noticed a young girl named Joyce Wonder. In his typical flirtatious manner he flattered her as he had countless other females. “Little girl,” he announced, “if you hang around another ten years, I'll marry you.” She was twelve years old at the time. 

Although she frequently thought about Calvin throughout the years, it wasn't until she was at another singing at Ryman Auditorium with her high school boy friend that she saw Calvin again. “He looked so haggard, and had lost so much weight he just had a whipped and defeated air about him,” Joyce commented. “We seemed to recognize each other right away and we automatically put our arms around each other. I knew at that moment that he was the man I would spend the rest of my life with.” They were married on the day before Calvin had to be in criminal court. She has continued to be a loyal wife, a constant friend and an over all lifeline for Calvin as he bobbed in and out of trouble. 

Calvin mentioned that Jake Hess, a friend he had known for years, visited him in prison. Jake stood by him when most gospel singers abandoned him. Eventually he wrote Bill Gaither a letter which said, 'Bill, nobody ever asks me to sing. Nobody asks me to come to a singing. Nothing!' Without a word spoken against Calvin, Bill Gaither forgave him! “I owe Bill Gaither for having given me my career back. I was in exile, an outcast, a pariah in gospel music for over thirty years. That man restored me, and made me whole and I'll be eternally grateful. God sent Bill Gaither into my life to help me.” Calvin is now part of the Gaither group and travels around the country singing with them.

At long last, Calvin has obtained serenity, contentment, and peace of mind. He is still Calvin Newton, but now he is older, wiser, kinder and gentler.