Lou Wills Hildreth
 
Member of Texas' First Family of Gospel Music—the Wills Family—celebrating 70 years of singing ministry in 2008. Television Host, Songwriter, Publisher, Journalist, and Industry Leader—Member of the GMA Hall Of Fame Board—and one of the founders of the Southern Gospel Music Guild.

To mention only a few of the honors given this lady—Lou Hildreth was inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998. She is the recipient of the first James Blackwood Award. Lou received an honorary Doctor of Sacred Music from Louisiana Baptist University in May, 2004.

Lou Hildreth is respected in the Nashville music industry as a pioneer. In 1969, Lou became the first woman to own a gospel artist agency—Nashville Gospel Talent. The Lou Hildreth Award—recognizing excellence within the gospel music industry—is presented annually during the Diamond Awards.

In 2005, Lou was inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2007, Lou was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame at Dollywood, Sevierville, Tennessee.

In 2008, Lou was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame, Dallas, Texas.

Lou Hildreth is the smiling redhead seen on many of the Gaither Homecoming Videos. She is a veteran of gospel television having hosted Wills Family Inspirational TV in the sixties, one of the early gospel syndicated shows.

In the seventies and eighties, she hosted a daily TV show in Nashville which was nominated for multiple Dove Awards. Currently, Lou hosts TV specials for Family Friendly Entertainment Network.

Lou and her husband, Howard, live in Houston near their son, Dr. David Hildreth, and their daughter, Kathryn Mumaw. Lou is always the first to give credit to another—and to give praise and thanksgiving to God.                

Read The Lady and Her Legacy, a featured article in Christian Voice Magazine, August, 2011