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Ann Downing Ministries

  • Home
  • About
    • Downing Ministries
  • Donate
  • Press Kit
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Ann On Demand
  • fANN Chat
  • Shalom Christian Missions

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.

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In Photos

Ann with her Momma and Daddy

Ann with her Momma and Daddy

Ann and her Momma

Ann and her Momma

Ann at the piano where she learned to play

Ann at the piano where she learned to play

Ann and Family at her 2nd NQC

Ann and Family at her 2nd NQC

Speer Family group photo

Speer Family group photo

Ann on stage with The Speer Family

Ann on stage with The Speer Family

Ann and Paul on a trip to CA

Ann and Paul on a trip to CA

Ann and Paul at The Eastern Gate

Ann and Paul at The Eastern Gate

Ann with Golan Heights soldiers who requested leave to attend the concert.

Ann with Golan Heights soldiers who requested leave to attend the concert.

Early Downings lineup

Early Downings lineup

Dove Awards Female Vocalist

Dove Awards Female Vocalist

Downings filming for TV

Downings filming for TV

Ben Speer, Anthony Burger, and Ann prep for a taping

Ben Speer, Anthony Burger, and Ann prep for a taping

On stage at NQC

On stage at NQC

Ann and Woody Wright at the last Gaither Fall Fest in Alexandria, IN

Ann and Woody Wright at the last Gaither Fall Fest in Alexandria, IN

Welcome to Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat

Welcome to Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat

Ann with Buddy Mullins and Mark Lowry off set at a video taping

Ann with Buddy Mullins and Mark Lowry off set at a video taping

Ann with Michael English off set at a video taping

Ann with Michael English off set at a video taping

Long-time friend, Bill Gaither

Long-time friend, Bill Gaither

Headed on stage

Headed on stage

Signing those books.  Sorry, no longer in print.

Signing those books. Sorry, no longer in print.

Ann with Kim and Connie Hopper at the 2018 SGMA Hall of Fame Induction

Ann with Kim and Connie Hopper at the 2018 SGMA Hall of Fame Induction

Ann with The Hoppers

Ann with The Hoppers

Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Induction

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

Brother-in-law Jimmy, Niece Scarlett, Sister Lavern, and Ann after the SGMA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

©Ann Downing Ministries 2023. All Rights Reserved.
615-822-1900      Press Kit

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