Nobody Likes It But The People Bio – John Crenshaw

John Crenshaw hosts the "Remembering Gospel Music History" forum on the SGM Radio Message Board where he asks daily gospel music history questions about people and events in gospel music of the past. He also hosts a monthly segment, "Remembering Gospel Music History with John Crenshaw" on the "Southern Styles Show", a nationally syndicated weekly radio show featuring southern gospel music hosted by Rob Patz.

John is a staff writer for the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion and historian for the SGMA Hall of Fame. John has been a contributing writer to several gospel music magazines. He is currently writing two books about the history of gospel music.

http://www.sgmradio.com/

http://www.southernstylesshow.com/

http://www.grandolegospelreunion.com/

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The Florida Boys Bring a Smile to Your Face

It's nice to go to somewhere and just have fun. This Sunday night, I did just that. I went to see the Florida Boys at a little Baptist church in the backwoods of Vale, NC, and a grand time was had by all.

I arrived at the concert with a rather heavy heart. One of our dearest friends had just lost their six-month-old granddaughter the day before, and little Jamie and her family were on my mind. No, the concert didn't make me forget these dear people, but it certainly uplifted my spirits.

The Florida Boys have been singing for more than sixty years. Although none of the gentlemen in the current group were with the group in their early days, these men all have a great pedigree in gospel music. In fact, three of the four members have been inducted in a gospel music hall of fame. Tenor singer Eddie Broome is a member of the South Carolina Gospel Music Hall of Fame stemming from his years with the Trav'lers Quartet. Baritone Buddy Burton is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as a member of the Statesmen Quartet. Their leader, Charlie Waller, was recently inducted into the SGMA Hall of Fame and also serves as director of the SGMA Hall of Fame. Although bass Chip Cooper isn’t a member of any hallowed halls, he has also sung with several top groups through the years.

There were very few empty seats at Providence Baptist Church on this Sunday evening, as many folks gathered to be encouraged by the gospel in song. The Florida Boys sang many standards that the group had recorded through the years, and also included a few tidbits of their own. The crowd loved their spirited version of "I Must Tell Jesus," as well as their new radio single, "Then I Found Jesus."

After singing a bout forty-five minutes, they took a short break. Several folks had seen the group a couple of nights before and requested them to sing some of their pop songs. Never did I think I'd hear "Sherry Baby" in a Baptist church, but the crowd loved it! In fact, this brought the quartet the first of their three standing ovations. They closed the program with a medley of western songs, a patriotic medley, and the Florida Boys biggest hit "When He Was on the Cross, I Was on His Mind."

The Florida Boys don't come to preach. They come to SING! Their ministry is through their music. Their program is one of the most versatile of any group on the road today, as they can blend pop, western, and patriotic music with a long string of gospel hits the group has made famous throughout their long career.

They leave you with a song in your heart and a smile on your face.

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