Tennessee State Officials Recognize 70th Anniversary of Sunday Tradition

State officials were on hand to give special recognition to Tommy Spencer for the 70^th Anniversary of the television program, Sunday Tradition.  The presentation was made to Tommy Spencer by State Representative Lowell Russell and Tennessee Lt. Governor Randy McNally at a Paul Belcher concert in Knoxville, Tennessee, at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium.

Sunday Tradition is a television program that was started in 1954 by J. Bazzel Mull, who was a prominent preacher, radio personality and promoter in the Knoxville area for decades. Known for years as “Mull’s Sunday Tradition,” the television program became a Gospel Music institution in East Tennessee, being seen by scores of thousands of people every week in the East Tennessee region. J. Bazzel and his wife hosted the program until Mr. Mull died, and at that point, the program was continued by Mr. Mull’s daughter, Charlotte Mull, who was General Manager of WJBZ Radio. While Charlotte hosted the program, Tommy Spencer, a sponsor of the program, would frequently co-host with her.

When Charlotte Mull passed away, it was uncertain as to whether or not the long-running program would continue. Resolved to not let the program go off the air, Tommy Spencer took over the program as host and worked to maintain the show’s sponsors. Ten years later, the show is still seen on the CBS and CW affiliate stations in Knoxville and reaches most of East Tennessee. Now known as simply “Sunday Tradition,” the program has a Nielsen Ratings confirmed viewership of 150,000 plus every week. As it has been on the air continuously for 70 years, Sunday Tradition is the longest running Gospel music program in history.

“I’m so thankful that God has allowed me to continue the great tradition started by Preacher Mull,” stated Tommy Spencer. “Thanks to our devoted viewers and faithful sponsors, I’m confident Sunday Tradition will be seen on TV in East Tennessee for years to come.”