Category: Top articles

The Inspirationals Quartet making sweet music!

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SPECIAL FAMILY MUSIC GROUP

Nashville, TN (July 22, 2022) The Inspirationals Quartet has been busy in the studio, creating what has been deemed, their best album yet! The new project, slated to release later this year, will be their first album on the Family Music Group Record label.

The Inspirationals has had a long history (since 1958) of presenting gospel music with a cast of well-known vocal artists. Bob Wills, who originally managed the group, had some of the most amazing and talented singers that have left their mark on gospel music. Some of these past members were:

(tenors) Curtis Elkins, Jim Murray, Roger McDuff; (lead) Dale Shipley, Jim Wesson, Jory Walden, and Gary McSpadden; (bass) Big John Hall, Ray Burdett, Jim Tucker, and many others!

Now, continuing the legacy are Bob’s sons, Bob Wills, Jr.(keys), Don Wills (bass), and Ron Wills (baritone) along with Ralph Green (lead) who joined the group in 1972. Following the long tradition of great tenors, John Rulapaugh is the latest addition and one of the finest tenors in gospel music today.

Les Butler, producer and owner of the Family Music Group label, added, “What a great tracking session! Nashville’s best, doing what they do! Steve Mauldin and myself head to the studio in a couple of weeks to record with a live orchestra. Then, vocals in September. Powerful vocalists, powerful songs, powerful orchestrations, and powerful production. Let’s just say this is going to be… well… powerful!!!”  

Hoppers take time to help a faith-based charity in West Virginia

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DAVID INGRAM

The Hoppers concert Friday night raised money for a charity in West Virginia that benefits battered women, displaced persons and around 1,000 families who receive quality meals through the holiday season.

Mountain Mission Inc, is a faith-based non-profit organization in the United States serving individuals in need in the Kanawha Valley area of West Virginia. The organization’s mission statement says it helps, “… those in need with immediate support and communicate the importance of education, careers and financial management.

Funds from Friday’s concert will be used for a Christmas Food Basket program.
The group’s next stop is set for Sunday at the Faith Baptist Church in Pikeville, Tennessee.

Chris Bryant leaving The Kingsmen

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SPECIAL DAYWIND RECORDS

Four years to the day he joined The Kingsmen Quartet, Chris Bryant is departing the group.

Chris says in a release, “As times and seasons of life change, so do goals, dreams and priorities. For now mine are to enjoy this time with my family. To get involved and fed by a local church. And to use everything I’ve learned to prepare me for the next chapter God has for me.”

Longtime Florida Boys Baritone singer Glen Allred dies at 88

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STAFF

Friends and family of a well-loved Southern Gospel singer are preparing for a life celebration.  Glen Allred, whose baritone voice was heard for decades with the Florida Boys, died on Thursday.

Glen was born in Monroe, Tennessee in 1934.  By the time he was 16 he had begun played guitar for the Oak Ridge Quartet. In 1952 he began singing with the Gospel Melody Quartet. You most likely know them better by the name they began using years later: The Florida Boys.

Allred received a Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Baritone in 1971, and was inducted to the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He stayed with The Florida Boys until they retired in 2007.

Funeral services are set for Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

Glenan “Glen” H. Allred was 88.

The REAL Southern Gospel Quartet Making Sweet Music!

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SPECIAL AG PUBLICITY

Nashville, TN (July 22, 2022) The REAL Southern Gospel Quartet spent three days at Hilltop Studios last week, finishing up the vocals for their new album!  This project has been met with excellence in every aspect, from the vocals to the studio, the musicians, engineers, and equipment! Each song was penned by REAL Southern Gospel writers such as, Ila Knight, Logan & Rebecca Peck, Jeff Gibson, Ronny Hinson, Dianne Wilkinson, Dylan Feezell, and more! 

Each member of this power-house quartet has been excited about this recording and it is not only evident in their stellar vocals, but in their comments regarding their experiences:

Tim Maze (lead), “When I started listening to the song demos Les sent, I thought this recording could be special. When Jerry, Terry, Darin, and I came together in the studio with producer Les Butler, the ultra-talented engineer, Matt Butler, and a host of Nashville’s best session players; I knew, without doubt, it would be special. It’s called Real Southern Gospel for a reason.”

Terry Carter (baritone), “Several months ago I was contacted by my friend Les Butler about possibly forming an all-star Quartet to represent the all-new Real Southern Gospel Radio Network. I was so honored that I would even be considered for the baritone position surrounded by such talented singers. When he called me back and said the baritone position was mine, if I was interested, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. As we assembled together at Hilltop Studios in Nashville and began the recording session, I knew, right away, this was going to be an incredible recording! Thanks again to Les Butler, for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of this great recording!”

Darin Hebert (bass), “I didn’t feel as if I was good enough to be a part of what Les was putting together; he told me that I was. Wow! I’m glad he asked, and I’m glad I said yes.”

Jerry Martin (tenor), “It was an honor and a privilege to be asked to be a part of this special record. I never thought that I would record an album again and especially one filled with amazing songs and sung by phenomenal singers like Tim Maze, Terry Carter, and Darin Hebert. Not only was it fun to record with them but I now have friends for life through the making of this record. Having Les bring this all together was amazing to watch as he is top-notch in my book. From the arrangements, and song selections, to the encouragement, and support he has shown me were awesome. Thank you, Les! Matt Butler has to be one of the most talented recording engineers and musicians around, it was a pleasure watching him work his magic and he made the process most enjoyable. Thanks, Matt for everything you do and for your insight into your recording process.”

Les Butler, REAL Southern Gospel label owner, and producer of this album stated, “I’ve been working on assembling this all-star quartet for over a year. I’ve been working on finding just the right songs for almost two years in anticipation of this project. When I look back now and see who the Lord allowed me to assemble as the Real Southern Gospel Quartet and the songs he allowed us to sing, I stand amazed!”