Comments on: Fake Florida Boys for Dinner

By: David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:35:15 +0000

“Fake” is a term that should be applied when a “former member” “revives” a legendary name in an attempt to capitalize.

The word “fake” doesn’t apply to the current Florida Boys. Charlie Waller must have acquired the name appropriately or else he wouldn’t have received Les Beasley’s blessing at NQC last year. There was sufficient hoopla made of Les’, Derrall’s, and Glen’s retirement along with a gap between them quitting and Waller’s group getting underway…nothing fake about any of it, that I can see.

Now, “fake” in the sense that some might go hear the group expecting the three legends to be there…maybe. But that’s no more fake that going to see any group today and finding out one or more members have changed.

I stood in line for a Gaither Vocal Band/Signature Sound concert a couple of years ago, and I listened to people in line wonder out loud whether or not Mark Lowry was going to be singing with the Vocal Band that night. This was after Marsh Hall and Wes Hampton had joined the group. Lowry was long gone.

By: GH

GH — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:01:17 +0000

What happened to the young piano player that had joined the FL Boys? He is no longer in the photos or listed as a member in anything I’ve seen.

By: Ben Harris

Ben Harris — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:00:57 +0000

Naw you missed the point entirely. The product is the music, ie Dodge etc. The owners and managers of the company are the ones in charge…regardless if it is to your liking or mine. Charlie Waller has done a lot for gospel music, and he is keeping an old name from going away. Rather than degrade him for this process it seems to me we should prop him up. Les, Glen and Darryl, in one accord, made this possible for Charlie. Certainly one would not expect those three men to continue on at their age. There must be a time when we allow our heros to retire, but that does not mean that the name of the group they happened to be with should retire also. As to seeing the Oaks with a different lineup….I have been doing that very thing for the last 40 years or so. There is not one person currently in the group that was in the group when I first heard them. As to Alabama, even though I made my living in that genre of music for many years, I am far from being a fan. Randy Owen was the glue, and I told their producer that the first demo we ever made of them, long before they were nationally known. The rest of the guys were a decent garage band at best. Randy could have gone out on his own, but he didn’t do so because of his relationship to the other guys. The offer was extended, and he turned it down.

By: DRL

DRL — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:28:51 +0000

The difference between Chrysler and the Fake FB is, of course, the people. When you keep the product basically the same and the people basically the same, and only change the management, that’s one thing.

But when you totally change the product and the people … Get real! You went to see the Cathedrals because of George and Glen. The FB were Les, Darryl and Glen. You could replace a few warm bodies now and again, but the core is the people, which in the case of music, (especially sg) IS the product!

Try to imagine going to see Alabama, or the Oak Ridge Boys, getting to the show and realizing it was a completely different set of ppl putting on the show. How would you feel?

I would feel like I had been ripped off and was being played for a fool! The Fake FB … no different.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:15:25 +0000

A word about the “chicken fried chicken” thing … if anyone in these blogs had been responsible enough to actually call Charlie and confirm some of your “facts,” you would have known that there will be no food served. As I understand it, the tables are coming out and theater seats are going in … sounds like it’s going to be a class act. In the words of J.D., “I can’t wait!”

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:11:26 +0000

I live in Pigeon Forge, so I’m not repeating hearsay like much of what I read on these blogs. Say what you want about Charlie Waller (A lot of people HAVE said a lot of things and, in most cases, Charlie ends up proving them WRONG!), but he’s put together a quartet that should be emulated by more of the quartets today. They have awesome harmony, they dress the part, and they’re true professionals. Charlie is keeping a revered name alive and paying homage to the first quartet he ever saw in person. “Fake” Florida Boys? Not by a long shot!!! One more thing … when was the last time anyone saw a palmetto tree in Nashville?

By: Ben Harris

Ben Harris — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:17:48 +0000

When Chrysler was purchased by Diamler from Germany, I don’t remember anyone referring to Dodge as “fake Dodge” or “Fake Jeep”, or even “Fake Chrysler”. Why do we refer to the current Florida Boys as fake? It is a name, and a great attempt at keeping a historic name in the business and at the forefront of this music we call gospel. These attacks on this group of men is without merit. Doug, I love your insight and most of the time I agree with you, almost 100%, but in this regard I think you are wrong, and feel it is high time to let pull in the barbs.

By: D. Ann Bailey

D. Ann Bailey — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:58:00 +0000

I was in Pigeon Forge this weekend, Showcase has a sign out front. Coming Soon the Florida Boys - 8/20.

By: SouthernGospelBlog.com » Saturday News Roundup

SouthernGospelBlog.com » Saturday News Roundup — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:26:16 +0000

[…] Waller’s New Florida Boys have lined up a dinner theater gig. Averyfineline has the story. Sounds like they will be at the Showplace Dinner Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN. Of course, […]

By: natesings

natesings — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:57:23 +0000

For those that have a Golden Corral (similar to Ryans or Ponderosa if you happen to know of those) they crank out some great chicken.

By: Leebob

Leebob — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:06:34 +0000

nonsgfan…”food blasphemy”…may I use that line? It would go well along with my belt being a fence around a chicken grave yard.

By: GospelMusicFan

GospelMusicFan — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:42:12 +0000

Tell that to the locals in Down East Maine.

By: not a grammarian

not a grammarian — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:06:40 +0000

#11
Depending on your taste, Cracker Barrel or Popeye’s are OK, but the best fried chicken in the South is probably at some “meat and 3″ that only locals know about.
Beg to differ with you on fish being better in the north - Hawaii is the place for fish, hands down

By: Trent

Trent — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:40:06 +0000

Please elaborate about the Gaither/Branson venture. I never heard about that one, but I’d love to.

By: gc

gc — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:18:26 +0000

There is a niche market for that kind of SG act. Ron Blackwood has done extremely well in the Smokies but Triumphant struggled to consistently break the 100 mark. You must have a great PR and market person that hits the pavement to make that deal work. It is not an easy task and many have tried and failed at placing a SG act in a theatre full time.(Pigeon Forge and Branson). Even Gaither had a failed attempt in Branson and I thought he never failed.