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.

Today, the Florida Boys consist of Gene McDonald - bass, Glen Allred - baritone, Josh Garner - lead, Harold Reed - tenor, Derrell Stewart - piano, and Les Beasley continues to manage the group while playing bass guitar and singing on specialty numbers. Their recent albums "Sing Your Blues Away" (2005) and "Keep On Singing" (2006) have been received well by southern gospel fans, labeled by many as their best-yet recordings.