J. G. Whitfield
Encyclopedia
Jesse Gillis Whitfield also known as J.G. or Whit, is a gospel music
ian, music promoter, and member of the Southern Gospel Music Association
Hall of Fame.
, Whitfield worked in the grocery business in Florida
. In 1947, as a bass singer, he founded and managed the Gospel Melody Quartet, composed of his friends. Several personnel changes followed including the additions Glen Allred in 1952 and Les Beasley
in 1953. Whitfield was eventually persuaded to change the group's name to the Florida Boys
in 1954. He continued to manage and sing bass until he left the group in 1958 in order to avoid traveling away from his family.
Whitfield formed the Dixie Echoes
, another Florida-based group. Whitfield worked as a concert promoter across the South, helping to launch the Gospel Singing Jubilee television program. In 1969, he began publishing the Singing News
to promote his concerts.
The Southern Gospel Music Association
inducted Whitfield into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
ian, music promoter, and member of the Southern Gospel Music Association
Southern Gospel Music Association
The Southern Gospel Music Association is a non-profit corporation formed as an association of southern gospel music singers, songwriters, fans, and industry workers. Membership is acquired and maintained through payment of annual dues...
Hall of Fame.
Biography
After serving in the Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, Whitfield worked in the grocery business in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. In 1947, as a bass singer, he founded and managed the Gospel Melody Quartet, composed of his friends. Several personnel changes followed including the additions Glen Allred in 1952 and 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...
in 1953. Whitfield was eventually persuaded to change the group's name to the Florida Boys
Florida Boys
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.- History :...
in 1954. He continued to manage and sing bass until he left the group in 1958 in order to avoid traveling away from his family.
Whitfield formed the Dixie Echoes
Dixie Echoes
The Dixie Echoes are a professional Southern Gospel quartet based in Pensacola, FL.-History:They got their start in 1960 by JG Whitfield. Whitfield, only just a couple of years earlier, had yielded his bass singing role of the Florida Boys to spend more time at home...
, another Florida-based group. Whitfield worked as a concert promoter across the South, helping to launch the Gospel Singing Jubilee television program. In 1969, he began publishing the Singing News
Singing News
The Singing News is an American magazine which focuses on the Southern Gospel music industry....
to promote his concerts.
The Southern Gospel Music Association
Southern Gospel Music Association
The Southern Gospel Music Association is a non-profit corporation formed as an association of southern gospel music singers, songwriters, fans, and industry workers. Membership is acquired and maintained through payment of annual dues...
inducted Whitfield into the Hall of Fame in 1997.