Started in Philadelphia in the 1950s as a club to save and invest money, the Savettes prayed and sang hymns at the beginning of their investing sessions, a practice that produced dividends that may be unique in the annals of financial investment. They helped each other reach their savings goals over covered dish dinners shared together at members' houses. When founding member Consuella Howard encouraged them to sing at each others' churches, it was the beginning of the musical group that took the name of the investing club. In a Gospel feature on July 28, 1979, Billboard pointed to the Savettes as prime examples of "soul Gospel." The group continued to flourish into the 21st century with second and third generation members. National recognition accompanied their 1977 Phil-LA of Soul album release, Blessed Quietness. From 1962 to 1978, in the period that Blessed Quietness was recorded, Goldwire McLendon was a member of the Savettes. Soon after Blessed Quietness was recorded, Goldwire McLendon was called to pastor the St James Holiness Church in Tennille Georgia for 16 years from 1978 to 1994. After returning to Philadelphia, he auditioned and came in second in BET’s “Sunday Best” in March 2010 at the age of 79. Other members of the group at the time that Blessed Quietness was recorded were songwriters, arrangers, musicians and soloists including Dolores Ford, Harold Thompson, Frederick Bowers III, Ann Harris, Magnolia Ruff, Angela Burton, Lionel Darty, Gabriel Hardeman, Jr, Clarence Davis. and Cloretta Baker. Gabriel Hardeman, Jr. wrote the song "Blessed Quietness," which is in the album and gave the album its title. Philadelphia's Queen of Gospel Louise Williams called the album, "inspirational, well-produced and well put together." Produced by Al Edmondson, Jr., Blessed Quietness is an early milestone in the famous Philadelphia group's long and blessed career.
