Vern Jackson's Story

When my Mom was pregnant with me, she prayed that she would have a baby boy that would grow up and sing for the Lord. I like to say "Here I am, living proof that God does answer Presbyterian's prayers."

Vern in 1959

I was born on January 1, 1940 and named LaVern Hal Jackson,  son of Holden and Loretta Jackson, I was raised in Afton, Iowa, a little country town in the southwest corner of the state... population of 900... maybe!

Mom discovered that I could sing at the age of six. Mom, acting as my "agent", would book me into every Ladies Meeting, Book Club Meeting, Bible Study Group, church, wedding or funeral in town. If there was a talent contest with a three hour drive, I was there.

Growing up when I did, TV was getting real popular and it seemed all the local TV stations in Des Moines and Omaha had a lot of talent contests. Without bragging, I won my share. I would also sing at church regularly. As I look back on all that, it was a great time to grow up. My Dad managed the Farmer's Co-op for 25 years and on week-ends and summers. I would work there and at a local gas station. 

I have one sister, Hallie, who is three and a half years younger than me. She and her husband, Ron are retired and live in Harlington, Texas. She worked for J. C. Penny's for many years and Ron retired as a lieutenant in the Iowa Highway Patrol. 

In 1956, our pastor Elman Davison, his wife, Irene and their daughters, Claudia and Linda moved from Afton to Anaheim, California. Soon after they arrived in California. Irene secured employment at Knott's Berry Farm, a western themed amusement park.

In 1957, our family decided to take a trip to California to visit the Davisons. Unbeknownst to me, Irene had arranged an audition for me with the leader of the western group, The Wagonmasters, who performed at Knott's Berry Farm. I was scared to death. I sang "old Man River" for the evening show and got a standing ovation. We had not rehearsed anything else, so I sang it again and received another standing ovation. WOW! At 17 years old, I had never experienced anything like that. After the show, we went back to the dressing room and Dick Goodman, the leader of The Wagonmasters, asked me to come to California when I got out of high school and join the group. I graduated from Afton High School on May 9, 1958 and was singing at Knott's Berry Farm on May 19th. 

Vern and  Sandra married in 1964 at the Church by Reflection Lake in Knott's Berry Farm

My favorite and most important memory is meeting my wife, Sandra there in 1960. We were married in 1964.  

I kept thinking I was thinking I was going to get my "big break", leave Knott's and become a major singing star. All my life people had told me this would happen to me, but evidently, the people who could make this happen hadn't been informed. Disappointed, I left Knott's in 1962.  

My girlfriend (now my wife), Sandra had a friend, Peggy whose husband, Don Harding drove a catering truck, and did quite well. He got me a job and I drove a catering truck for the next nine years for Orange County Food Services in Orange County, California. Thanks to Tony Sigolos for your support and friendship. 

Vern and Sandra with Pastor Phil Agular

For the nest 10 years, I would sing at my church and maybe a wedding or funeral. Just like when I was a little boy. People use to say, "You should send a tape to TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network). I didn't think they'd be interested, so I didn't make any effort.

In 1991, my pastor, Phil Aguilar asked me to make a cassette tape, as he wanted to give one to anyone who wanted one. I thought that would be a blessing and I did it. A few weeks later, Pator Phil and his wife, Sandra flew to Dallas, Texas, where TBN founders, Paul and Jan Crouch were living. Jan let them use her car, so they wouldn't have to rent one. When Pastor Phil and Sandra Aguilar returned to  California, Sandra had "accidentally" forgotten and left one of those tapes in Jan's car. God had orchestrated my whole life. That is why I never got that "big break" as a young man. I probably couldn't have handled it and would have missed these many blessings he had for me in my later years. I was almost 52 when Paul and Jan invited me to start singing on TBN.

My family is well now. We have had our share of turmoil like most families do. That's part of my testimony when I go to churches. Randy, my first son works for an amusement park ride company. Landon is a fantastic guitar player and is in a Christian band and Brandon is married to a wonderful Christian young lady, Sonja and works in the home entertainment retail business.

God is good! Thank you for visiting!

Vern