Philharmonics
Encyclopedia
The Philharmonics were a versatile African-American vocal quintet from Springfield, Missouri
who became successful despite origins in a then-racially-intolerant town and era. They were at their peak in the 1950s and performed across the United States
. The group could adapt to many styles of music from gospel
, rhythm and blues
and pop to country and Western. They had splendid harmony, choreography, a colorful wardrobe and an impeccable stage presence.
The group was originally a quartet, composed of Homer "Jolly" Boyd, George Culp (bass), Elbridge "Old Man" Moss (deceased), and Clarence "Chick" Rice (baritone) (deceased). Joe Neal Hardin (deceased) was an earlier member. The group became a quintet with the addition of James Logan (tenor) (deceased).
Their roots were in gospel music
. Moss, from Kentucky, performed with vocal groups during his World War II service in the US Army. Upon discharge, he visited his brother in Springfield, met and married a local girl, and moved to the town in the mid-1940s. He met the others in the choir at Gibson Chapel Church where they performed with pianist Florence Sample Thompson. Boyd was 17 and in high school when he joined.
In the early 1950s, the group won twice on a talent show on CBS-TV
, The Original Youth Opportunity Program, hosted by Horace Heidt
, which showcased young performers from across the country. They also toured with the show.
The Philharmonics, nicknamed The Phils, were regularly featured on ABC's
nationally-broadcast television show, Ozark Jubilee
, from 1955–60 and provided background vocals for many of the country music
stars on the program. They also appeared on ABC's The Eddy Arnold Show
in 1956, and briefly had their own show on Springfield's KYTV-TV
. They recorded on the Cardinal Records
label. Their singles included "Teen Town Hop" and "That's Why I'm Losing You", both written by Moss.
Boyd and Culp performed at the 2007 Ozarks Celebration Festival at Missouri State University
. In 2008, the group was honored with a star on the Missouri Walk of Fame in Marshfield
.
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
who became successful despite origins in a then-racially-intolerant town and era. They were at their peak in the 1950s and performed across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The group could adapt to many styles of music from gospel
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....
, rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
and pop to country and Western. They had splendid harmony, choreography, a colorful wardrobe and an impeccable stage presence.
The group was originally a quartet, composed of Homer "Jolly" Boyd, George Culp (bass), Elbridge "Old Man" Moss (deceased), and Clarence "Chick" Rice (baritone) (deceased). Joe Neal Hardin (deceased) was an earlier member. The group became a quintet with the addition of James Logan (tenor) (deceased).
Their roots were in gospel music
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....
. Moss, from Kentucky, performed with vocal groups during his World War II service in the US Army. Upon discharge, he visited his brother in Springfield, met and married a local girl, and moved to the town in the mid-1940s. He met the others in the choir at Gibson Chapel Church where they performed with pianist Florence Sample Thompson. Boyd was 17 and in high school when he joined.
In the early 1950s, the group won twice on a talent show on CBS-TV
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, The Original Youth Opportunity Program, hosted by Horace Heidt
Horace Heidt
Horace Heidt was an American pianist, big band leader, and radio and television personality. His band, Horace Heidt and His Musical Knights, toured vaudeville and performed on radio and television through the 1930s and 1940s.-Biography:Born in Alameda, California, Heidt attended Culver...
, which showcased young performers from across the country. They also toured with the show.
The Philharmonics, nicknamed The Phils, were regularly featured on ABC's
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
nationally-broadcast television show, Ozark Jubilee
Ozark Jubilee
Ozark Jubilee is the first U.S. network television program to feature country music's top stars, and was the centerpiece of a strategy for Springfield, Missouri to challenge Nashville, Tennessee as America's country music capital...
, from 1955–60 and provided background vocals for many of the country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
stars on the program. They also appeared on ABC's The Eddy Arnold Show
The Eddy Arnold Show
The Eddy Arnold Show is the name of three similar American network television summer variety programs during the 1950s hosted by Eddy Arnold and featuring popular music stars of the day...
in 1956, and briefly had their own show on Springfield's KYTV-TV
KYTV (TV)
KYTV, virtual channel 3, is the NBC-affiliated television station for the Ozark Plateau area of Southwestern Missouri that is licensed to Springfield. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 44 from a transmitter in Fordland...
. They recorded on the Cardinal Records
Cardinal Records (1950s)
Cardinal Records was an American record label based in Kansas City, Missouri. It was founded during the early 1950s by Louis Blasco, whose wife Betty Peterson Blasco was co-writer of the song "My Happiness" which was the initial reason for starting their music publishing company Blasco Music Inc...
label. Their singles included "Teen Town Hop" and "That's Why I'm Losing You", both written by Moss.
Boyd and Culp performed at the 2007 Ozarks Celebration Festival at Missouri State University
Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
. In 2008, the group was honored with a star on the Missouri Walk of Fame in Marshfield
Marshfield, Missouri
Marshfield is a city in Webster County, Missouri, United States. The population was 6,633 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat and part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
.