One of the most recognized voices in Eastern North Carolina fell silent last week.
Johnny Cameron Bryant Sr., 80, died after a brief illness leaving behind a legacy in Southern Gospel music, radio and community service.
“Johnny was a guy who loved Southern Gospel music and was a great friend to everyone in the gospel music world,” said fellow Gospel Music singer Mark Hoggard. “He was the greatest DJ around and could introduce a group at a concert like no other.
“He loved God and his family more than anything else,” Hoggard continued. “He loved to minister whether it be on the radio or pulpit or just one-on-one. I have said it many times since his passing, we lost an icon in Eastern North Carolina. He was a great friend.”
Bryant was an icon in signing Southern Gospel music and was also well known as a minister and, especially, as a radio personality. He owned and operated Lifeline Ministries and operated WIAM 900 AM, WDRP 98.9 and WGTI 97.5 during his career.
“He was a great person to work for… a real character,” said retired Martin County TDA Executive Director Barney Conway, who worked with Bryant at the radio station. “He had a wonderful radio voice and was so personable.”
Conway said one of the neatest things about Bryant were what he and the late David Whitley called “Johnnyisms.”
“If he didn’t like a word, he’d make up one that fit,” Conway mused.
Remembering his time working with Bryant, Conway said he helped to automate the station and helped Bryant move the studio upstairs and then, after his health declined, back downstairs.
“We worked together and replaced wires that may have been there since the 1960s,” Conway recalled.
While he was a great singer and personality, Conway said Bryant was incredible at making his radio guests feel at home.
“Johnny made people very comfortable around him,” Conway recalled. “He was great at what he did and he sure loved his Southern Gospel music.”
Lewis Hoggard, who served as Sports Director for Bryant’s station in Williamston, remembered him as a man who loved his community.
“I had the opportunity to broadcast high school football games with Johnny and for Johnny for well over a decade,” Hoggard remembered. “His voice was deep, rich and distinctive and carried a weight to it that made you listen.
“Not only was his voice that way, any room that he walked into was filled with his presence,” Hoggard continued. “There was just an aura about him.”
He was a man of his community, Hoggard remembered.
“Sometimes he was a bit folksy in his manner, but that showed his attachment to his community,” he said. “He was about local folks and that translated into his support of local athletics.”
Hoggard said he’d always remember Bryant’s love of radio, gospel music and old time country music.
He was also thankful for all his experience with Bryant.
“He gave me my opportunity to broadcast games and to talk about sports on the Inner Banks Sports Report for two hours a day on what was otherwise a 24-hour Christian music station,” Hoggard closed. “I am honored to have worked for him and, more importantly, consider him a mentor and friend.”
A native of Askewville, Bryant was preceded in death by his parents – Elwood Carlyle and Sarah Mizelle, as well as a daughter, Frances Annette Bryant.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Trudy Bowen Bryant, and his children Johnny Bryant Jr., Christa Bryant Dally, Michael Bryant and Stephen Bryant, along with 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Bryant was laid to rest Tuesday, July 30 following a service at the Greenville First Pentecostal Holiness Church.
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