[1] His secondary education was at West Fulton High School in Atlanta, Georgia.

[2] Bagwell served in the United States Marine Corps and twice was decorated for bravery during World War II.

Bagwell returned home where at the age of 21, he adopted an abused nephew.

He joined with two young singers he met in church, Geraldine Terry (later known professionally as Jerri Morrison), and Georgia Jones (ultimately replaced by "Little Jan" Buckner, the wife of Bagwell's adopted nephew), to form the gospel trio.

Bagwell also was seen in television commercials as a spokesman for Stanback Headache Powders.