Florida Boys

The Florida Boys Quartet
Genres	Christian, Southern Gospel
Years active	1946 (1946) - present
Website	www.floridaboys.com
Members
Eddie Broome Chip Cooper Charlie Waller Paul Hyde
Past members
Guy Dodd Buddy Mears Coy Cook Tommy Atwood Laddie Cain Jerry Trammell Don Thomas Paul Adkins Johnny Cook Mark Flaker Terry Davis Rick Busby Greg Shockley Greg Cook Billy Hodges Allen Cox Harold Reed Josh Garner Dustin Bearden Roy Howard Doyle Wiggins Lester “Les” Beasley Josh Garner Edward Singletary Tommy Fairchild Glen Allred Jesse Gillis “J.G.” Whitfield George Younce Billy Todd Buddy Liles Gene McDonald Butch Owens Buddy Burton

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

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; Derrell 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^[who?] 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 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 Derrell, 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.

Personnel

Tenor:

• Guy Dodd (~1946-1952).
• Buddy Mears (1952–1958).
• Coy Cook (1958–1966).
• Tommy Atwood (1966-~1971).
• Laddie Cain (~1973-~1975).
• Jerry Trammell (1975-~1979).
• Don Thomas (~1980-1983).
• Paul Adkins.
• Johnny Cook.
• Mark Flaker
• Terry Davis 1983-1986
• Rick Busby 1986-1988
• Greg Shockley 1988
• Greg Cook (1988–1995).
• Billy Hodges (1995–97).
• Allen Cox (1997–2004).
• Harold Reed (2004–2007).
• Josh Garner (May–July 2007)
• Dustin Bearden (2008).

*Eddie Broome (2008–present).

Lead:

• Roy Howard (~1946-1951).
• Doyle Wiggins (~1952-53).
• Les Beasley|Lester “Les” Beasley (October 19, 195399, May 2007-July 2007).
• Josh Garner (October May 20, 199907)

*Charlie Waller (2008–Present).

Baritone:

• Edward Singletary (~1946-~1952).
• Glen Allred (September 1952-~1958).
• Tommy Fairchild (~1958)
• Glen Allred (~1958-July 2007)
• Buddy Burton (2008–2010)
• Chip Cooper (2010–Present).

Bass

• J. G. Whitfield|Jesse Gillis “J.G.” Whitfield (~1946-1958).
• George Younce (briefly).
• Billy Todd (~1959-72).
• Buddy Liles (1972–1998).
• Gene McDonald (1998-February 2007).
• Butch Owens (February–July 2007).
• Chip Cooper (July 2007–December 2010).
• Paul Hyde (December 2010 – Present).

Members in bold are Current members

Pianist:

• Ivan “Tiny” Merrill (1946-).
• Emory Parker (1954).
• Livy Freeman (1955).
• Derrell Stewart (1956-July 2007).
• Joshua Pope (March 2008-July 2008).

Bass Guitar:

• Tommy Watwood (1976).
• Barry Miller (bef. 1977-aft. 1983).
• Les Beasley|Lester "Les" Beasley (2001-July 2007).

Drummer:

• Chet Johnson (1973-?).

Various Instruments:

• Tim Lovelace (for 9 years)

Glen Allred's Personal Work

Glen Allred and 3 Generations

Glen Allred & 3 Generations is a Southern Gospel Group. Glen Allred, the former Baritone singer for The Florida Boys, is also the Baritone singer for The 3 Generations. Randy Allred, the former Bass singer for The Dixie Echoes reprises this role. The Alto is Cindy Dunn and the Soprano is Brandy Allred. Shayne Dunn and Shirley Allred were also featured on the latest album.

• 

  The latest release

Their Discography:

I Shall Sing

1. Shake Hands With Mother 2. It Is No Secret 3. I'd Rather Have Jesus 4. Praise Be To Jesus 5. I Bowed Down On My Knees 6. A Perfect Day 7. In That Gettin-Up Morning 8. Look Up To Jesus 9. I've Never Been Homesick Before 10. Land Beyond The Son 11. Lead Me To Calvary 12. You Can Have It All

Time To Sing

1. Only A Few At The Cross 2. Get It Right With God 3. Mama's Teachin' Angels How To Sing 4. Celebration To The King 5. My Daddy Is Only A Picture 6. How Firm A Foundation 7. If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again 8. Thinking About Home 9. He Brought My Soul To Calvary 10. Headlines 11. Holy Hills Of Heaven Call Me 12. Go To The Son

More Singing Please

1. Joy Comes In The Morning 2. He Was The Talk Of The Town 3. Weapon Of Prayer 4. Old Country Church 5. My Daddy Is Only A Picture 6. Talk, Talk About Jesus 7. Medley- Joshua, Victory, Roll On 8. Look For Me 9. Green, Green Grass Of Home 10. Heaven's My Home 11. Lord Let Me See The People

References

External links

• "Retired" Florida Boys Official Website
• The "New" Florida Boys Official Website