Comments on: Florida Boys, RIP

By: Arlie Petree

Arlie Petree — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:02:58 +0000

I have a great appreciation for all singers &
ministers and writers,especially those who
are lifting up Jesus and working hard to share the good news with others.If I must
be negative I can deal with that alone with God.To be a light for Jesus,to forgive and
encourage others is the rewarding way to
go.grandma moses was a crude painter but
was admired by the world.Some are pro’s
some are simple,like me, but God judges the
heart.,rewarding all for their works.The world is watching, let them see us in a
good light.

By: DrummingDrew

DrummingDrew — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:36:31 +0000

FYI…..Josh Garner recenly completed a 2nd solo project of old Florida Boys material. I am not sure of the name, but I know he is still looking for someone to sing with. The other commentors are right. He is a quartet man to the bone….so the Perry’s are out of the question, though it would be nice. If any of you reading this post need an awesome lead singer, Josh is the man.

By: Danny Wilson

Danny Wilson — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 02:40:25 +0000

I saw the Florida Boys last Sat.one night before they retired and Les and Glen and Darrell where at there best. Mr. Ownes done one of the finest Jobs since I heard JD Sumner and the Stamps. As to Gene Mc Donald and all the criticsm of Les Beasley, when Gene and any of the other Members Get 50 years in the singing Business then we will talk about how great they are or how great they where.

By: smith

smith — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:43:53 +0000

Garner going to the Perry’s would be interesting, but Josh has ALWAYS said that he’s a quartet man to the bone. He’s a traditionalist to the core of his soul, and the Perry’s seem to step further and further out into the realm of progressiveness….

And to Stephen…it’s really sad that you feel the way you do about the FB callin’ it quits. If it weren’t for groups like the FB and Inspirations who paved the road in SGM, then you probably wouldn’t be getting to listen to your favorite groups….who, by the way, probably couldn’t hold a candle to the FB and Insp…

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:06:02 +0000

I’d say that I’m sad the Florida Boys are callin’ it quits, but I’d be lying. Can I request that the Inspirations be next?

By: thom

thom — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:50:58 +0000

ps. - Glen Allred’s rock sold smooth baritone singing was the one constant that held the group together vocally amongst all the other personnel changes. He is singing as great as ever and is probably the most under rated, often overlooked baritone vocalist in the business. While all the other parts saw somewhat of a revolving door of singers - there was Glen singing faithfully and consistently night after night, year after year.

Thanks Glen.

By: steve

steve — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:00:29 +0000

I went to 2 FB concerts in the last 18 months. Both were fantastic. It is too bad
they are leaving the stage not at their best. If they knew this was going to happen I would have liked them to have Gene and Harold stay with them an extra 6 months and done a “Final Tour” and retire at the top of their game.

I consider myself a FB fan but it was very frustrating trying to follow anything that was going on with them. The FB had to have the worst web site in SG. They updated that site once every 4-6 months.

By: Daniel J. Mount

Daniel J. Mount — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:23:54 +0000

A “fit of nostalgia”…ha! I just happen to like the traditional groups, that’s all.

Doug, as I think you might know, I was referring to the recent Reed/Garner/Allred/McDonald lineup, which was quite possibly the best lineup they’ve had, except for maybe in the ’70s with Jerry Trammell. They haven’t had a set lineup at any point since Gene left–they’ve just been steadily rebuilding.

By: GLenn

GLenn — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 05:16:03 +0000

As a side note, Daniel Mount’s comment about them going out at the top of their game is the reason that he can not be taken seriously. Saying things that for some reason he thinks people want to hear I’m sure appeals to a lot of people, but certainly, I would assume, not your typical reader. Any serious southern gospel music fan has a soft part in their heart for the Florida Boys. They will always truly be a legend.

By: TerryDvis

TerryDvis — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:46:31 +0000

Your comments were less than that of a gentleman. We all know that the Florida Boys are where they are. There is no need to ridicule. They have pioneered the ground for many decades. Why not congratulate then as the fade into the sunset?
Why pass unflattering remarks? Sort of the unChristian thing to do in my opinion.

By: Aaron Swain

Aaron Swain — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 01:28:35 +0000

hehe oops.. thanks for catchin that

By: Thom

Thom — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:01:43 +0000

and oh, incidentally Aaron - on your blog you have both Josh and Les singing tenor. you may want to make that correction, too. lol =)

By: Thom

Thom — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:59:32 +0000

i had a feeling i was not spelling some of the names correctly, but was sure that one of you bloggers would correct me! thanks Aron…I mean Aaron. lol

By: Aaron Swain

Aaron Swain — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:53:33 +0000

That’s Harold Reed… Harold Reid is the bass for the Statler Brothers

By: Thom

Thom — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:39:48 +0000

Farewell to one of the best quartets ever. Through the years The Florida Boys stayed true to the genre and were not victims to every whim of fashion or style that came down the pike. These men have done more to preserve Southern Gospel music than most people will ever realize.

From the old Jubilee TV series, to the GMA, to the NQC Board, to inspiring countless young singers and showing them the right way to make quartet music - we owe all of you a great big thanks.

It was my pleasure to promote these guys in concert back in the Spring. They were class acts - true gentlemen, very approachable and friendly, very polished, yet very humble. Just talking to Les and Glen and Darrell would have been enough to make the whole experience worthwhile, but the concert they did was absolutely great.

It just happened that the weekend I hosted them was Gene McDonald’s last weekend singing Bass with the group. The weather outside was not what we would have ordered. It had rained most of the day and their were still tornado watches and warnings in the area. Yet the faithful fans came out in droves to hear this legendary group.

So, there they were - Glen Allred on Baritone, Josh Garner on Lead, Harold Reid on Tenor, Gene McDonald on Bass, Darrell Stewart on piano, facial expressions, clowning and mugging for the crowd, and red sock duty, and Les Beasley emceeing, Bass guitar, Stage Director and Anchorman - keeping the crowd eating out of his hand all night long. And they didn’t just do 45 minutes, take the offering, pitch the product, 15 minutes more, pack up and leave. These guys sang for over 2 hours.

The crowd that filled the nearly packed house was never restless but totally relaxed as they watched and listened to true legends of Southern Gospel. They never sounded better than they did that night.

It was one of my favorite concerts of all time and is a memory that I will cherish for a long, long time. And the autographed photo is proudly hanging in my studio right now.

TMR