The History...
More than likely you’ve seen Ann Downing as a regular on the popular Gaither Homecoming Video series, however the majority of her time is spent maintaining a schedule of church concerts and planning for her weekly Thursday night online sing-a-long, "It Is What It Is...LIVE!".
Raised on a cotton farm in rural Mississippi, Ann dreamed of the day she’d sing Gospel music all over the world. Fresh out of high school she began to realize her dream upon securing a position with the legendary Speer Family. Five years later Paul Downing's booming bass voice singing "There She Is Miss America" in the middle of a restaurant captured Ann's attention, and later, her heart. Paul eventually proposed- twice. That's quite the story! Soon after marriage, Ann and Paul co-founded a group that helped shape Gospel music as it exists today and is credited by many as being the root that sprouted the Contemporary Christian genre. Ann became the winner of her industry’s highest honor—the Dove Award—for Female Vocalist within a year of co-founding the Downings. She is a Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame inductee for her work with the Speer Family. In September 2018, Ann was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame as a soloist.
Today, Ann continues to expand her mark on Gospel music through solo ministry. She is also a speaker and author (Skidmarks on the Road of Life). She is thankful God entrusted her with Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat for nearly thirty years. She and Paul were planning the first retreat just before he passed away. Sadly, the retreat was a victim of the 2020 COVID pandemic, but the spirit of MTWR lives on through the relationships and memories formed during those life-changing weekends.
In Photos
Ann with her Momma and Daddy
Ann and her Momma
Ann at the piano where she learned to play
Ann and Family at her 2nd NQC
Speer Family group photo
Ann on stage with The Speer Family
Ann and Paul on a trip to CA
Ann and Paul at The Eastern Gate
Ann with Golan Heights soldiers who requested leave to attend the concert.
Early Downings lineup
Dove Awards Female Vocalist
Downings filming for TV
Ben Speer, Anthony Burger, and Ann prep for a taping
On stage at NQC
Ann and Woody Wright at the last Gaither Fall Fest in Alexandria, IN
Welcome to Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat
Ann with Buddy Mullins and Mark Lowry off set at a video taping
Ann with Michael English off set at a video taping
Long-time friend, Bill Gaither
Headed on stage
Signing those books. Sorry, no longer in print.
Ann with Kim and Connie Hopper at the 2018 SGMA Hall of Fame Induction
Ann with The Hoppers
Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Induction
Brother-in-law Jimmy, Niece Scarlett, Sister Lavern, and Ann after the SGMA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony