Florida Boys Quartet's Glen Allred Passes Away

Glen Allred, the last of the original Florida Boys Quartet, passed away on July 22. He was 85 years-old. Allred was the baritone singer of the quartet. The group was founded in 1946 by J. G. Whitfield. Originally named The Gospel Melody Quartet, the group was renamed in 1954.

From the 1950s until 2007, the group was led by Les Beasley as lead/guitar, Glen Allred as baritone, and Derrell Stewart at piano, and featured many notable tenors and basses. In 1999, the Florida Boys were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. 

Born June 19, 1934 in Monroe, Tennessee, Glen Allred contributed his talent and his life to making Southern Gospel a better industry.

Hired at the tender age of 16 as a guitarist for Wally Fowler and the Oak Ridge Quartet, Glen also served early stints with the Happy Rhythm Quartet and the Spirit of Dixie Trio.

In late 1952, however, he was hired as the baritone singer for the Gospel Melody Quartet of Pensacola, Florida. For the next half century, as a singer and guitarist for the re-named Florida boys Quartet, Glen Allred became a household name throughout the world of Southern Gospel.

One of the most respected gentlemen ever to grace a Southern Gospel stage, Glen stands as one of the classic examples of the industry's quartet men.

 

 

 

 

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