Florida Boys
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Florida Boys Quartet | |
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| Background information | |
| Genre(s) | Christian, Southern Gospel |
| Years active | 1946 - Present |
| Website | www.floridaboys.com |
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.
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[edit] History
Roy Howard, the group's original lead singer, had a heart attack 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; Darrell 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 of 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 Darrell, 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.
[edit] Personnel
Tenor:
- Guy Dodd (~1946-~1953).
- Buddy Mears (~1954).
- Coy Cook (~1958-1967).
- Tommy Atwood (1967-~1971).
- Laddie Cain (~1973-~1975).
- Jerry Trammell (1976-~1979).
- Don Thomas (~1980-1983).
- Paul Adkins.
- Johnny Cook.
- Mark Flaker.
- Terry Davis (1980s).
- Greg Shockley (1980s).
- Rick Busby (1980s).
- Greg Cook (1988-1995).
- Billy Hodges (1995-97).
- Allen Cox (1997-2004).
- Harold Reed (2004-2007).
- Josh Garner (May-July 2007)
- Dustin Bearden (2008-Present).
Lead:
- Roy Howard (~1946-1951).
- Doyle Wiggins (~1952-53).
- Lester “Les” Beasley (1953-Oct. 1999).
- Josh Garner (Oct. 1999-May 2007).
- Les Beasley (May 2007-July 2007)
- Charlie Waller (2008-Present).
Baritone:
- Edward Singletary (~1946-~1952).
- Glen Allred (Sep. 1952-~1958).
- Tommy Fairchild (~1958)
- Glen Allred (~1958-July 2007)
- Buddy Burton (2008-Present).
Bass:
- Jesse Gillis “J.G.” Whitfield (~1946-1958).
- George Younce (briefly).
- Billy Todd (~1959-72).
- Buddy Liles (1972-1997/98).
- Gene McDonald (1998-February 2007).
- Butch Owens (February-July 2007).
- Miles "Chip" Cooper II (2008-Present).
Pianist:
- “Tiny” Merrell (~1946).
- Emory Parker (1954).
- Livy Freeman (1955).
- Darrell Stewart (1956-July 2007).
- Joshua Pope (2008-Present).
Bass Guitar:
- Tommy Watwood (1976).
- Barry Miller (bef. 1977-aft. 1983).
- Lester "Les" Beasley (2001-July 2007).
Drummer:
- Chet Johnson (1973-?).
Various Instruments:
- Tim Lovelace (for 9 years)
