Well, seeing as how the only site I could find with any information about the country-gospel outfit Paul Emms and the Green Valley Boys states that it doesn't actually have any information, we'll have to rely on the album's liner notes, which tell us that Emms turned down a future in junior hockey to concentrate on music, that his father Hap Emms was the coach of the OHA's Niagara Falls Flyers, that he played live stage shows in Toronto, appeared on CKVR-TV in Barrie, Ontario, and had his own radio show on CKBB, also in Barrie.

But, as it turns out, Paul didn't turn his back on hockey for good. He took over from Hap as coach of the Flyers when Hap moved on to a three-year stint as general manager of the NHL's Boston Bruins (where he signed hockey legend Bobby Orr), and in 1968 became the fifth person to win the Memorial Cup as a player and as a coach. And then there's this bit of trivia:

"In 1972, [Hap] Emms sold the Flyers and immediately bought the neighboring St. Catharines Blackhawks. During that tumultuous time in St. Catharines, Emms was suspended by the league for an incident involving the Toronto Marlboros' Mark Napier, who had signed a pro contract to play for the WHA's Toronto Toros. The contract was not to take effect until after his junior season was complete, but Emms felt it was wrong to have a player he deemed a professional playing in junior hockey. Emms and son, Paul, who was the coach of the Blackhawks, allegedly ordered their players to wear their sweaters backwards in protest. The antics resulted in the Marlboros being awarded a 14-0 decision, and Emms being fined $1,000 and suspended for the balance of the season."

Aside from his exploits in hockey, Emms was also a pretty good singer. None of the Green Valley Boys (or female backup singers) are identified on the record, but whether they were an actual band or a group of Arc session musicians, they capably back Emms with that rock-solid old-time country sound. All four of the tunes I'm posting are gospel standards; "Church In The Wildwood," on which the backup singers sound kinda (I'm going to hell, aren't I?) sexy, is my favourite of the bunch.

Church In The Wildwood
In The Garden
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Can't You Hear The Blessed Jesus Calling You