Seth Buckley has been a minister of students for most of the years he has been in ministry. He is, however, much more than a title. He has a powerful and beautiful voice, which is on full display when he sings the great songs of the faith with passion and emphasis. His combination of unique abilities is, in part, a tribute to his late father, Sid Buckley.
The elder Buckley became known as the “baritone of the South” and carried his tremendous talent to 43 states, singing in churches and conventions. His family was often with him on his journeys. He served on university faculties and worked as a music minister in local churches.
I had a conversation with Sid Buckley Jr. following Seth’s farewell service at Spartanburg First Baptist Church. His dad started out life in a sharecropper’s shack in Mississippi. Sid Jr. said his dad applied for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in vocal performance at Florida State University, following his graduation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He was told he would need to pass a proficiency test in three foreign languages to qualify for the program. He spent three months locked away in his study, learning three languages on his own. He passed the test, and, as they say, the rest is history.
Seth said his dad sang the national anthem for Florida State University home games — without a microphone! That reminds me of the time Sid was sitting in the rear balcony at a pastors’ or evangelism conference at First Baptist, Columbia. The worship leader was directing the congregation of mostly pastors in a hymn when he spotted Sid in the balcony. He stopped the music and said, “Dr. Buckley, would you sing that next verse?” Without hesitation, a hymn book, or a microphone, Sid stood up and filled the auditorium with a worshipful and melodious sound. Everyone was moved, and, at the same time, impressed by the ability of this man of God.
Sid Jr. said his dad used to tell his family, “Put the plow on, and God will use you.” He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and plowing. Seth added, “He devoted his gifts and talents to lift up the name of Jesus, and he loved to see his children and grandchildren serving Jesus.”
Sid had a serious back injury and lived with chronic pain most of his life, the last 20 years being especially difficult. But singing helped him. When the family would gather at his house, he would say, “Let’s sing some of the old hymns.” Since all the family was musically talented in multiple ways, they always joined in. When they would sing, neighbors would often sit on their porches to enjoy the concert.
Sid died in December 2017 at the age of 81. Seth spoke and sang “How Great Thou Art” at his dad’s funeral.
In some important ways, Sid was an underdog. It is more than interesting that his son, Seth, is a champion for the underdog. Rather than give up on troubled youth, he goes the second mile with them and has now made the transition to work with them at Fire Pit Ranch with his son, Jacob. Seth is convinced that the most conflicted, disadvantaged, or oppressed young person can rise to greatness through the power of God’s grace.
To top it off, he can sing. As my wife and I listened to him sing “The Anchor Holds” at First Baptist, Spartanburg, recently, she turned to me and said, “That man can really — I mean really — sing!” Following the service that day, I said to him, “You are Sid Buckley’s son.” He has a wonderful voice, and it is just one of the gifts in his talent package that he utilizes in serving the God he loves. During a solo, when I see him clench his fist, raise his hand, or plant his foot, I know he is not just feeling the emotion of the song — he is believing it.
Seth Buckley, like his dad, is an extraordinarily gifted person. Now he begins a new chapter in his life, working with his son, Jacob, and others to mentor and disciple disadvantaged boys — most of whom are without a father figure in their lives. We will watch with great interest as he tightens the plow and follows the path in which God leads him.
Sid prayed on his wedding day that the children God may give them would bring God glory.
That prayer has been, and is still being, answered today — not only in his children, but also in his grandchildren.