Florida Boys
Encyclopedia
The Florida Boys Quartet is a Southern Gospel
vocal quartet founded in about 1946 by J. G. Whitfield
. Originally named The Gospel Melody Quartet, the group was re-named in 1954.
in 1951 and died shortly thereafter. Doyle Wiggins sang lead for about a year. When he left in 1953, he was replaced by Les Beasley
. Beasley remained at the lead position through 1999, when he stepped aside and hired Josh Garner to fill the position. Beasley continued to play bass guitar
and act as the group's master of ceremonies.
Glen Allred joined as baritone in 1952; Derrell Stewart became the group's pianist
in 1956. Allred, Stewart, and Les Beasley remained at their respective positions for over four decades. During this time, various tenors and basses sang with the group. Billy Todd
joined the group as bass singer in the late 1950s, and stayed with the group until 1972. He was replaced by Buddy Liles
, who had sung with The Orrell Quartet, The Rhythm Masters Quartet, The Landmark Quartet, and The Rebels Quartet. Liles stayed with the group for over two decades.
Their final two albums, "Sing Your Blues Away" (2005) and "Keep On Singing" (2006), were received well by Southern Gospel fans, labeled by many as their best recordings.
In 2007, the Florida Boys had two personnel changes at relatively the same time, as long-time bass singer Gene McDonald
left to work for a bus company, and tenor Harold Reed left to join the Kingsmen Quartet
. McDonald was replaced by Butch Owens, and lead singer Josh Garner moved up to the tenor position, with Les once again singing lead for the group.
Then, in June 2007, Les Beasley
announced that the legendary quartet would be disbanding the following month. However, he also announced that they would come back together once more for a farewell appearance at the National Quartet Convention
in September 2007.
At the "farewell concert" it was announced that, with the blessing of Les, Glen, and Derrell, the Florida Boys name would be continuing. The “new” Florida Boys will be Dustin Bearden - Tenor, Charlie Waller - Lead, Buddy Burton
- Baritone, Chip Cooper
- Bass, and Joshua Pope - Piano.
*Eddie Broome (2008–present).
Lead:
*Charlie Waller (2008–Present).
Baritone:
Bass
Members in bold are Current members
Pianist:
Bass Guitar:
Drummer:
Various Instruments:
Glen Allred & 3 Generations is a Southern Gospel Group. Glen Allred, the former Baritone singer for The Florida Boys, is also the Baritone singer for The 3 Generations. Randy Allred, the former Bass singer for The Dixie Echoes reprises this role. The Alto is Cindy Dunn and the Soprano is Brandy Allred. Shayne Dunn and Shirley Allred were also featured on the latest album.
Their Discography:
I Shall Sing
1. Shake Hands With Mother 2. It Is No Secret 3. I'd Rather Have Jesus 4. Praise Be To Jesus 5. I Bowed Down On My Knees 6. A Perfect Day 7. In That Gettin-Up Morning 8. Look Up To Jesus 9. I've Never Been Homesick Before 10. Land Beyond The Son 11. Lead Me To Calvary 12. You Can Have It All
Time To Sing
1. Only A Few At The Cross 2. Get It Right With God 3. Mama's Teachin' Angels How To Sing 4. Celebration To The King 5. My Daddy Is Only A Picture 6. How Firm A Foundation 7. If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again 8. Thinking About Home 9. He Brought My Soul To Calvary 10. Headlines 11. Holy Hills Of Heaven Call Me 12. Go To The Son
More Singing Please
1. Joy Comes In The Morning 2. He Was The Talk Of The Town 3. Weapon Of Prayer 4. Old Country Church 5. My Daddy Is Only A Picture 6. Talk, Talk About Jesus 7. Medley- Joshua, Victory, Roll On 8. Look For Me 9. Green, Green Grass Of Home 10. Heaven's My Home 11. Lord Let Me See The People
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
vocal quartet founded in about 1946 by J. G. Whitfield
J. G. Whitfield
Jesse Gillis Whitfield , also known as J.G. or Whit, is a gospel musician, music promoter, and member of the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.-Biography:...
. Originally named The Gospel Melody Quartet, the group was re-named in 1954.
History
Roy Howard, the group's original lead singer, had a heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in 1951 and died shortly thereafter. Doyle Wiggins sang lead for about a year. When he left in 1953, he was replaced by Les Beasley
Les Beasley
Les Beasley was the lead singer and manager for the Florida Boys, a Southern Gospel quartet, since 1953. He is said to be one of the pioneers of Gospel Music TV. In 2001, Beasley was honoured at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion with a "This Is Your Life" Tribute...
. Beasley remained at the lead position through 1999, when he stepped aside and hired Josh Garner to fill the position. Beasley continued to play bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and act as the group's master of ceremonies.
Glen Allred joined as baritone in 1952; Derrell Stewart became the group's pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
in 1956. Allred, Stewart, and Les Beasley remained at their respective positions for over four decades. During this time, various tenors and basses sang with the group. Billy Todd
Billy Todd
Billy Todd was the bass singer for the Florida BoysQuartet in the Southern Gospel music industry from the 1950s to 1972. By the end of his tenure with the Florida Boys, he was one of the most popular performers in Southern Gospel music, winning the Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Bass Singer...
joined the group as bass singer in the late 1950s, and stayed with the group until 1972. He was replaced by Buddy Liles
Buddy Liles
Buddy Liles was the bass singer for the Florida Boys, a Southern Gospel quartet, from 1972 through the late 1990s.-References:...
, who had sung with The Orrell Quartet, The Rhythm Masters Quartet, The Landmark Quartet, and The Rebels Quartet. Liles stayed with the group for over two decades.
Their final two albums, "Sing Your Blues Away" (2005) and "Keep On Singing" (2006), were received well by Southern Gospel fans, labeled by many as their best recordings.
In 2007, the Florida Boys had two personnel changes at relatively the same time, as long-time bass singer Gene McDonald
Gene McDonald
Gene McDonald was the bass vocalist with the Florida Boys southern gospel quartet from 1998-2007.-Early years:McDonald's roots in gospel music began when he traveled throughout the Midwest as a child singing with his family. At that time, Gene sang the high tenor part. He sang with his mom, dad...
left to work for a bus company, and tenor Harold Reed left to join the Kingsmen Quartet
Kingsmen Quartet
The Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen...
. McDonald was replaced by Butch Owens, and lead singer Josh Garner moved up to the tenor position, with Les once again singing lead for the group.
Then, in June 2007, Les Beasley
Les Beasley
Les Beasley was the lead singer and manager for the Florida Boys, a Southern Gospel quartet, since 1953. He is said to be one of the pioneers of Gospel Music TV. In 2001, Beasley was honoured at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion with a "This Is Your Life" Tribute...
announced that the legendary quartet would be disbanding the following month. However, he also announced that they would come back together once more for a farewell appearance at the National Quartet Convention
National Quartet Convention
The National Quartet Convention is an annual gathering of Southern Gospel quartets and musicians. It is currently held at Freedom Hall on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.-History:...
in September 2007.
At the "farewell concert" it was announced that, with the blessing of Les, Glen, and Derrell, the Florida Boys name would be continuing. The “new” Florida Boys will be Dustin Bearden - Tenor, Charlie Waller - Lead, Buddy Burton
Buddy Burton
W. E. Burton was a multi-instrumentalist and band leader who appeared on many 1920s Chicago South Side jazz and Blues 78 rpm Phonograph records as vocalist and drummer, and also played washboard, piano, celeste, and kazoo. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky and went to Chicago around 1922...
- Baritone, Chip Cooper
Chip Cooper
Miles "Chip" Cooper II is an American male singer.He is a bass voice in Southern Gospel music.He was nicknamed "Mr. Smoothie", while he was part of Ed Crawford and the Mystery Men.He is currently part of the New Florida Boys .-References:...
- Bass, and Joshua Pope - Piano.
Personnel
Tenor:- Guy Dodd (~1946-1952).
- Buddy Mears (1952–1958).
- Coy Cook (1958–1966).
- Tommy Atwood (1966-~1971).
- Laddie Cain (~1973-~1975).
- Jerry Trammell (1975-~1979).
- Don Thomas (~1980-1983).
- Paul Adkins.
- Johnny Cook.
- Mark Flaker
- Terry Davis 1983-1986
- Rick Busby 1986-1988
- Greg Shockley 1988
- Greg Cook (1988–1995).
- Billy Hodges (1995–97).
- Allen Cox (1997–2004).
- Harold Reed (2004–2007).
- Josh Garner (May–July 2007)
- Dustin Bearden (2008).
*Eddie Broome (2008–present).
Lead:
- Roy Howard (~1946-1951).
- Doyle Wiggins (~1952-53).
- Les Beasley|Lester “Les” Beasley (October 19, 195399, May 2007-July 2007).
- Josh Garner (October May 20, 199907)
*Charlie Waller (2008–Present).
Baritone:
- Edward Singletary (~1946-~1952).
- Glen Allred (September 1952-~1958).
- Tommy Fairchild (~1958)
- Glen Allred (~1958-July 2007)
- Buddy Burton (2008–2010)
- Chip Cooper (2010–Present)
Bass
- J. G. Whitfield|Jesse Gillis “J.G.” Whitfield (~1946-1958).
- George Younce (briefly).
- Billy Todd (~1959-72).
- Buddy Liles (1972–1998).
- Gene McDonald (1998-February 2007).
- Butch Owens (February–July 2007).
- Chip Cooper (July 2007–December 2010).
- Paul Hyde (December 2010 – Present).
Members in bold are Current members
Pianist:
- Ivan “Tiny” Merrill (1946-).
- Emory Parker (1954).
- Livy Freeman (1955).
- Derrell Stewart (1956-July 2007).
- Joshua Pope (March 2008-July 2008).
Bass Guitar:
- Tommy Watwood (1976).
- Barry Miller (bef. 1977-aft. 1983).
- Les Beasley|Lester "Les" Beasley (2001-July 2007).
Drummer:
- Chet Johnson (1973-?).
Various Instruments:
- Tim Lovelace (for 9 years)
Glen Allred's Personal Work
Glen Allred and 3 GenerationsGlen Allred & 3 Generations is a Southern Gospel Group. Glen Allred, the former Baritone singer for The Florida Boys, is also the Baritone singer for The 3 Generations. Randy Allred, the former Bass singer for The Dixie Echoes reprises this role. The Alto is Cindy Dunn and the Soprano is Brandy Allred. Shayne Dunn and Shirley Allred were also featured on the latest album.
Their Discography:
I Shall Sing
1. Shake Hands With Mother 2. It Is No Secret 3. I'd Rather Have Jesus 4. Praise Be To Jesus 5. I Bowed Down On My Knees 6. A Perfect Day 7. In That Gettin-Up Morning 8. Look Up To Jesus 9. I've Never Been Homesick Before 10. Land Beyond The Son 11. Lead Me To Calvary 12. You Can Have It All
Time To Sing
1. Only A Few At The Cross 2. Get It Right With God 3. Mama's Teachin' Angels How To Sing 4. Celebration To The King 5. My Daddy Is Only A Picture 6. How Firm A Foundation 7. If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again 8. Thinking About Home 9. He Brought My Soul To Calvary 10. Headlines 11. Holy Hills Of Heaven Call Me 12. Go To The Son
More Singing Please
1. Joy Comes In The Morning 2. He Was The Talk Of The Town 3. Weapon Of Prayer 4. Old Country Church 5. My Daddy Is Only A Picture 6. Talk, Talk About Jesus 7. Medley- Joshua, Victory, Roll On 8. Look For Me 9. Green, Green Grass Of Home 10. Heaven's My Home 11. Lord Let Me See The People