'Western Union' songwriter now praying for sick in Lodi

By Ross Farrow
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Remember the 1967 hit called "Western Union" by a group called The Five Americans?

If so, do you recall the background vocals where two band members sing "Dot dot dot dot dot dot" ad infinitum throughout the song?

One of them lives in Lodi.

He's Norman Ezell, who also wrote the lyrics to "Western Union," which reached No. 6 on the Billboard charts and sold more than a million records.

Fast forwarding to 2004, Ezell loves music and continues to write songs as much as he ever did, but now he's praising the Lord.

And Ezell will begin a new program which he calls a "healing meeting," which combines a Saturday night service, his music and discuss the concept of "divine healing" at Zion Christian Fellowship, 715 S. Central Ave. The healing meetings will be held at 7 p.m. each Saturday beginning March 13.

Anyone throughout the community with a physical malady who shows up to the service may walk up to Ezell at the pulpit and have Ezell administer a special prayer.

Ezell stops short of saying he will heal people because he has no ability to do so.

"If there are any healings, it will be by Christ," he said. "I feel like the Lord has given me a strong desire to help people."

Ezell has lived throughout the country and moved to Lodi two years ago from Bakersfield because he has family in the area. He joined Zion Christian Fellowship because his brother, Rod Ezell, and other family members were already members.

"I think this church is a special church," Ezell said. "There is a lot of love in it."

Ezell serves on the church board and performs in a band during Sunday services with his brother. Norm Ezell sings harmonies while playing the guitar and harmonica. Drummer Bruce Gaetke leads the band.

However, at the Saturday services, the music will be more subdued with Norm Ezell and a guitarist from Delhi named Harold Bell performing.

The Saturday service/meetings are not official Zion Christian Fellowship activities, but Pastor Dick Patterson says he fully supports what Ezell plans to do.

Although Ezell is active at Zion, he has his own ministry, Gloryland Ministries, where he has preached and sung in churches, prisons, jails, missions and streets throughout America.

After leaving The Five Americans in 1968 and leading a life of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, Ezell discovered God and Jesus Christ in 1975. He taught special education for 13 years, including last year in the Stockton Unified School District.

More information on Ezell may be found at two Web sites, www.normane.com and www.fiveamericans.com.

Contact Religion Editor Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.