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Homecoming! In the south that means family, church, food, fun, laughter and a gospel sing. It is also a time of sharing blessings old and new. It also means sharing those “let me tell you how it was” stories that entertain and hold our attention for what seems like hours.
Saturday evening, June, 20, 2015 Converse Baptist Church will host the “Annual Pine Ridge Boys Homecoming Sing!” Celebrating 52 years of gospel music, The Pine Ridge Boys share this sing with family, friends and fans young and old alike. It has become one of the highlights each year. This concert will certainly feature some of the upstate’s best gospel music and a few of those great back in the day stories. Appearing this year with the Pine Ridge Boys will be special guests “World Famous” Chuck Wagon Gang and Carolina Quartet. Emcee and soloist Charlie Griffin is also appearing. The 6pm concert is free to the public. A love offering will be received. Converse Baptist Church is located at 325 Main Street, Converse, SC.
The Pine Ridge Boys are carrying on a rich 52 year tradition that started with the likes of Jim Stewart, brothers Darius and Wayne Shuford, Charlie Burke, Miles Cooper, Laddie Cain, Jack Henderson, Reese McKinney, Joel Duncan, Ned Wilder, Farrell Henson, Ray Dean Reese, Charles Abee, Everette Greene and Eldridge Fox. Yes those men were part of the Pine Ridge Boys history. Over the years there were other members, yet today’s configuration is drawing acclaim for their rich quartet harmonies. Larry Stewart (Jim’s son and formerly with the Singing Americans), Wayne Shuford (original member), Ivory Luke and Duane Rizzo have polished the Pine Ridge Boys sound with the timeless songs that captivate audiences young and old. Larry says, “We are excited about our music, the message and most of al; we are loving the chance to sing and meet so many new friends. People are getting to know the Pine Ridge Boys again and we are growing. Classic Artists Records just released a new radio single, IT’S A WONDERFUL CHANGE that is truly quartet music at its best. Good things are happening with the Pine Ridge and we are really looking forward to seeing so many long time friends and the chance to meet new friends in Nashville.”
The Pine Ridge Boys are known for a rich quartet sound that captivates an audience. Quartet arrangements that share the true heritage of southern gospel music are complimented by harmony that is considered a lost musical art-form. From an old convention song to a heart stirring gospel ballad, the Pine Ridge Boys stage gospel music with excitement, passion and a mission to reach people with a positive message in every song and appearance.
A full-time touring music ministry from Inman, SC, the Pine Ridge Boys is experiencing a renewed interest in their music. Once you attend a concert, you will truly know why the Pine Ridge Boys are STILL ENJOYING THE JOURNEY!
Special guest for this year’s concert is the “World Famous” Chuck Wagon Gang, from Nashville, TN. This group is no stranger to gospel music in the SC upstate. They have been featured at concerts while being played on radio stations and have numerous television appearances in the Greenville-Spartanburg area for gospel music fans.
A question posed to listeners of SGM Radio recently asked, “What would be your choice for the top twenty gospel groups of all time?” The listener email campaign listed many of gospel music’s favorites…the Goodman’s, the Speers, the Cathedrals, and all the greats of gospel music, but the number one gospel group of all time according to this poll is The Chuck Wagon Gang.
The results listed the accomplishments of the Gang over the past 75 years such as being history’s best record selling gospel quartet (over 39 million sold on Columbia Records alone) and the fact that the Chuck Wagon Gang’s style has remained consistent through all those years. Dad Carter would have it no other way. “Sing the old songs and sing ’em the way I taught you,” was his sage advice.
The Gang has done just that. At any of their concerts, one will still hear “Echoes from the Burning Bush”, “The Church In The Wildwood”, “I’ll Fly Away” and other familiar old songs that so identify gospel music’s most recognizable style of music.
Today’s group consists of Shaye Smith, Julie Hudson, Stan Hill, Jeremy Stephens, and Joe Rotton. The quartet still maintains the clear, uncluttered sound of pure music that so established them in the mid-30’s. Four voices and one guitar and an acoustic bass is all it takes for this evergreen foursome to transport the listener to another time and another place where life was a bit simpler and time seemed to move to a slower pace.
The Carolina Quartet sound is characterized by rich harmonies, their music is absorbed in solid and meaningful lyrics, and their style and presentation is synonymous with great country gospel quartets like The Oak Ridge Boys and The Statler Brothers. CQ began in mid-2006 following the official retirement of the Melody Masters Quartet, a name synonymous with quality southern gospel music. Legendary names such as James “Big Chief” Wetherington, Jake Hess, and Wally Varner were Melody Masters whose tradition had been carried on by Scott Whitener, Roger Burnett, and Chris Roberts in a very popular and critically-acclaimed version of MMQ in the late 1990’s. One by one, MMQ members began leaving the road and following a brief Melody Masters reunion tour in 2004-2005, Scott, Roger and Chris decided to launch a new endeavor.
Singing the CQ lead vocals Scott Whitener identifies the signature sound of the Carolina Quartet. Scott is noted for his tenure with the Singing Americans and Melody Masters. He has been nominated for some of southern gospel’s most prestigious awards. Scott currently serves as Associate Pastor of the Temple Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC. Scott is also the founding pastor of Gateway Cowboy Church in Stanley, NC, one of the fastest growing “cowboy church” fellowships in America. The foundation of the Carolina Quartet’s sound is bass vocalist Lamar Levi from Zirconia, NC. Regarded as one of the “best singers you’ve never heard,” Lamar’s rich bass vocals are coupled with a sense of genuineness that make him a crowd favorite in concert. Roger Burnett’s blending baritone vocals are the warmth and heart of the CQ sound. Widely regarded as one of the finest blending baritones in the country gospel genre, Roger brings a wealth of singing experience and has is a fan favorite. He resides in Chesnee, SC and is enjoying his retirement years. Rounding out the Carolina Quartet’s harmonies are the tenor vocals of Chris Roberts, Associate Pastor for Music and Worship at Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC. Chris also serves as Professor of Music at Fruitland Baptist Bible College and resides in Flat Rock, NC. The Carolina Quartet will challenge and strengthen your trust in God as they share the love of Jesus Christ in a celebration of our faith, family, and freedom.
Emceeing the Homecoming concert is a veteran of gospel music, soloist Charlie Griffin from Charlotte, NC. Since a teenager, Charlie Griffin has been singing in church, quartets, special events and on concert stages. The music was not always gospel. Yet, you will quickly learn of his love of music, jazz, blues, country and even some pop. But it is his love of gospel music that impacts his audiences today.
Charlie is best known from his time with the Singing Americans and Vanguards. He was also instrumental in the operation of the popular Hallelujah Supper Club in Newton, NC. A contributing freelance journalist covering gospel music, he continues to promote the music but delivers a strong message of faith and conviction in concerts, churches and seminars throughout the Southeast. As you listen to the melodies on his projects, you hear and understand why gospel music is so endearing to him. The journey continues for someone who has been singing for over 35 years. And by the signs, Charlie Griffin does not look like he is slowing down. The enthusiasm is still contagious for the music he shares. The message is still just as vibrant as the day he started. Yes Charlie Griffin is still making music and enjoying what he does — SING…sharing the Good News of faith, family and friends!
Charlie has penned several songs recorded by other artists and records for CLASSIC ARTISTS RECORDS. He teaches Positive Sales Seminars and tours extensively while studying online via Liberty University.
For group reservations and more information, contact The Pine Ridge Boys, Larry Stewart at 864-473-8849.
Directions to Converse Baptist Church:
From Charlotte Metro region, 85s, left on exit 80, left on hwy 57 (Converse Hwy), into Converse, SC, cross over hwy 29 onto Bellamy St, left on Main St, church on the left.
From Greenville, 85N, right on exit 80, left on hwy 57 (Converse Hwy), into Converse, SC, cross over hwy 29 onto Bellamy St, left on Main St, church on the left
From Spartanburg, SC, Hwy 29 thru Spartanburg, pass Converse College, into Converse, Church on the left.
Additional links:
www.PineRidgeBoys.com
www.CharlieGriffin.Net
www.CarolinaQuartet.com
www.TheChuckwagonGang.Net