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Wally Varner Biography
(Jan. 13, 1926-Dec. 28, 2004)

Wally Varner was noted in the Southern Gospel industry for two skills . . . his songwriting and his lightning fast fingers. Most remembered as the former pianist for the Blackwood Brothers, Varner also played for several other groups in the 1940s and 1950s including the Homeland Harmony Quartet, the Deep South Quartet, and the Melody Masters (a group that also included Jake Hess and "Big Chief" Wetherington at the time). Wetherington typically introduced Varner to radio and concert audiences as the "King of the Keyboard." Some of Varner's better known compositions include "Sing Your Blues Away," "Bells of Joy Keep Ringing," and "Crown Him King."

After his stint with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet (1958 to 1963), Varner engaged in a number of entrepreneurial ventures. At one point, he and his brothers operated a franchise of 23 Kentucky Fried Chicken locations. Varner also owned a tire company and a gas station. He and his wife Polly formed a Southern Gospel music mail order business in 1991.

When Charlie Waller began promoting the annual Grand Ole Gospel Reunion, Varner became a regular fixture on the program. In 1996, Varner was honored to be inducted as a charter member of the Southern Gospel Piano Roll of Honor. He also participated in a number of Homecoming video tapings where he thrilled a new generation of fans with his up-tempo piano playing abilities. Varner passed away in December 2004 at the age of 78 after a bout with myelofibrosis, a rare bone marrow disease.

Labels: biography

posted by David Bruce Murray @ 2:54:00 PM /links to this post/ permalink

Rating: 5 STARS

Artists: Various Artists
Label: Daywind Records
Website: www.daywindrecords.com
Producers: Norman Holland, Ed Leonard, Crystal Burchette, Steven Hoyt and Doug Butts

Songs: "I've Read The Back Of The Book," "Master Builder," "Champion Of Love," "Look For Me," "God Walks The Dark Hills," "I Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now," "My God Is Real," "Old Country Church," "I Was There When It Happened," "I'm Standing On The Solid Rock," "I Call Him Lord," "I've Never Been This Homesick Before," "Because Of Whose I Am," "First Day In Heaven," "Terrible Time Down There," "Climbing Up The Mountain," "Seawalker," "The Lighthouse," and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"

Remembering The Greats is a 110 minute video recorded at the National Quartet Convention in 2004. The product is also available as a double CD (which contains more extensive liner notes than the DVD). Hosted by Gerald Wolfe and Roger Bennett, the event includes a cast of more than 50 well known Southern Gospel singers as they pay tribute to eight classic groups . . . the Cathedrals, Happy Goodmans, Blackwood Brothers, Speers, Statesmen, Rambos, Hinsons, and Imperials. Every Southern Gospel fan should buy a copy of this project. In fact, Daywind Records ought to seriously consider making this an annual event at NQC and turn it into an ongoing series of videos.

Why is it so good? Like most good products, there's a number of reasons. Fresh faces like Mercy's Mark, Karen Harding, and Triumphant Quartet provide interpretations of great tunes like "I'm Standing On The Solid Rock," "Because Of Whose I Am," and "Terrible Time Down There." Several cross group combinations are included. A pair of Rambo-McGuires (Reba and her daughter Destiny) join the Crabb Family for "I've Never Been This Homesick Before." Legacy V and the Mark Trammel Trio sing backup to Greater Vision for the final chorus of "Champion Of Love." Wolfe and Trammell form a quartet with Libbi and Tracy Stuffle for "God Walks The Dark Hills."

In addition to the singing, there's a fair share of reminiscing. Judy Nelon speaks at length about her friendship with Vestal Goodman. Ben Speer provides some insight about his father's teaching methods as he and his siblings were learning how to sing. Ed Hill recalls the Statesmen coming to St. Louis when he was a teenager. Chris Freeman humorously remembers how she came to join the Hinsons after seeing them sing at NQC. Joe Moscheo explains just why the Imperials were more or less forced to explore other styles of music after the departure of frontman Jake Hess.

The video also includes a short biography for each group. Gerald Wolfe narrates these as old photographs are displayed. The bios are included in the CD liner notes as well.

There's a ton of great singing on Remembering The Greats. Of course, there's also a predominant element of nostalgia throughout. More importantly, the product goes beyond sharing tidbits of group trivia. There's a lot of "meat" provided. The viewer gets an overall sense of just why these groups chose to perform gospel music and why those paying tribute now follow in their footsteps. I did notice a few very brief moments where the production quality of Remembering The Greats could have been improved . . . an audio overdub here and a different editing choice there would have made the overall quality a bit better from a technical point of view. However, the actual content is so good that it supercedes any minor flaws. Remembering The Greats is a "Must Buy," and therefore has earned 5 Stars.

Labels: CD Review

posted by David Bruce Murray @ 10:49:00 AM /links to this post/ permalink

RATING: 4 STARS

From the Arrangements of Mike Speck, Lari Goss, and Danny Zaloudik
Arranged and Orchestrated by Lari Goss
Publisher: Word Music
Song Titles: “He Has A Great Name,” “That's Him,” “He'd Still Been God” with “God Is Good,” “Hallelujah,” “He's The Only King,” “He Did Not Come Down,” with “Ten Thousand Angels,” “One Holy Lamb” with “Love Grew Where The Blood Fell,” “Jesus Is,” “There Is Coming A Great Day” with “Great, Great Day” and “We Shall Wear A Robe And Crown,” and “One Holy Lamb Finale”

One Holy Lamb is an easy musical for an early 2005 Easter. It's approximately 40 minutes in length and includes an exciting blend of Southern Gospel favorites.

In addition to the regular songbooks, a number of other One Holy Lamb products are available. My choir will be using the CD accompaniment when we perform this musical, because the production quality is outstanding (and we don't have an orchestra). I think it makes the overall effect of the presentation seem bigger and ultimately more satisfying for the listener. I found out the “PracticeTrax” (Word Music's brand name for part specific rehearsal CDs) are in the wrong sequence (Duh!), but I was able to resequence them for my choir. Listening CDs and orchestrations are also available.

Of the ten selections, three are upbeat, two are in a medium 6/8 rhythm, and five are slower anthems. Tenors are asked to sing a few high notes, but sopranos are kept very comfortable. I believe the highest soprano note is an F. The trio/solo part on “He'd Still Been God” has been simplified by removing some of the words. This is actually more confusing than helpful to singers already familiar with the song. “We Shall Wear A Robe And Crown” also has a few words altered for no evident reason. These are relatively minor issues, but it's enough to knock One Holy Lamb out of a five star rating. Now song “Hallelujah” has been changed to “Hosanna,” but that makes sense given the context.

Anytime songs are simplified to streamline the learning process, some corners must be cut. In addition to altered lyrics, One Holy Lamb has its share of unison sections and a few awkward leaps for some parts. This is offset by the great accompaniment quality, and the nice flow of the musical. Overall, Lari Goss has achieved a good balance between ease of use and the general effect of the work. Despite the minor drawbacks, One Holy Lamb is the best Easter musical for small to medium size choirs released this year.

posted by David Bruce Murray @ 10:43:00 AM /links to this post/ permalink

Labels: biography

posted by David Bruce Murray @ 8:21:00 PM /links to this post/ permalink

Gospel Harmony Boys (1952-present)
(based on info contributed by: Dean Adkins)

The Gospel Harmony Boys were organized as a trio in 1952 by lead singer Harold Lane. He was joined initially on vocals by Leonard Adams at tenor and John Embry at baritone. (Lane would leave the GHB in the mid-1960s to join the Speer Family, replacing Dad Speer.)

The GHB have had a number of significant accomplishments in their 50 plus year history. They were one of the first groups to apppear on live network TV when they were guests of Dave Garroway on NBC's "Today Show". The group hosted a weekly television show for 17 years that was viewed by over a million fans in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. The state of West Virginia honored the GHB by recognizing them as "West Virginia's Official Ambassadors." The group is also a recipient of the Distinguished West Virginian Award.

It appeared the Gospel Harmony Boys history would end at an even 50 years when the group retired in 2002. In the Fall of 2004, though, former GHB members Calvin Thompson and Clacy Williams decided to revive the name. Rusty Ballinger and Dale Chambers joined Calvin and Clacy to form the current group.

See also: Discography, Members

Labels: biography, History

posted by David Bruce Murray @ 10:54:00 PM /links to this post/ permalink