Florida Boys
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Florida Boys 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.
[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, the Landmark Quartet, and the Rebels Quartet. Liles stayed with the group for over two decades.
[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-today).
Lead:
- Roy Howard (~1946-1951).
- Doyle Wiggins (~1952-53).
- Lester “Les” Beasley (1953-Oct. 1999).
- Josh Garner (Oct. 1999-today).
Baritone:
- Edward Singletary (~1946-~1952).
- Glen Allred (Sep. 1952-~1958).
- Tommy Fairchild (~1958)
- Glen Allred (~1958-today)
Bass:
- Jesse Gillis “J.G.” Whitfield (~1946-1958).
- George Younce (briefly).
- Billy Todd (~1959-72).
- Buddy Liles (1972-1997/98).
- Gene McDonald (Feb. 1998-today).
Pianist:
- “Tiny” Merrell (~1946).
- Emory Parker (1954).
- Livy Freeman (1955).
- Darrell Stewart (1956-today).
Bass Guitar:
- Tommy Watwood (1976).
- Barry Miller (bef. 1977-aft. 1983).
- Lester Beasley (2001-today).
Drummer:
- Chet Johnson (1973-?).
Various Instruments:
- Tim Lovelace (for 9 years)
