Dr. H Bert Coble, a native of Jackson, Tennessee, began his music career taking piano lessons in his grammar school and then played trumpet in his high school band. After military service in WWII and Korea he entered Southwestern Baptist Seminary to prepare for service as a Minister of Music in Baptist Churches. In 1969 he returned to school at Belmont University in Nashville and the University of Colorado in Bolder, CO to prepare to teach on the high school and college level.

He came to Cumberland College in Lebanon in 1972 where he established an Associate of Music degree. During these years he received his doctoral degree. It was here that the Christmas Dinner Shows were begun in support of the music program. Upon retirement from Cumberland University in 1988 he was approached by the American Cancer Society asking if he would continue the dinner shows in support of their society. Thus the Bert Coble Singers Christmas Dinner Shows were begun. This support was expanded to include the American Heart Association and the Bert Coble Music Scholarship at Cumberland University. After 25 years as conductor of this organization he retired handing the baton to his associate conductor, Ms. Jennifer Perry.  Dr. Coble passed away on March 9, 2017.