Singing Americans
Encyclopedia
The Singing Americans was a Southern Gospel
group based in Maiden, North Carolina
. They are best known for being a stepping stone to popular singers, such as Mark Flaker (Florida Boys) Ivan Parker
(Gold City
), Danny Funderburk (The Cathedrals), Clayton Inman (Kingdom Heirs, Won By One, and Triumphant), David Sutton
(Kingdom Heirs
and Triumphant Quartet
), Michael English (Gaither Vocal Band
), Mark Fain (Gold City and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
), Taylor Barnes (Gold City), and Jeff Easter (Jeff and Sheri Easter). The group was popular throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
( by Lamar and Sims )and was owned by Homer Wadford. In 1973 when the Oak Ridge Boys were beginning to make their transition from gospel to country, the Singing Americans were signed by the prestigious Lou Wills Hildreth agency in Nashville. In an article announcing the signing, the Singing News predicted that based on their sound and popularity, that the Singing Americans would take the Oak Ridge Boys spot as the number one quartet in gospel music. Unfortunately, their owner, Homer Wadford had a different sound in mind, and wanted to see the group move in a different direction stylistically. In 1980, the group was sold to Charles Burke, who later went on to own the Kingsmen Quartet
name for a few years, and obtained all new personnel with Mark Flaker singing tenor, Charles Surratt singing baritone, Ed Crawford singing Lead, and Charles Burke's son, Dwayne, singing bass.Mark Flaker left later that year and was replaced by Danny Funderburk. Ed Crwaford left and was replaced by Michael English, who would leave for a couple years and be replaced by Ivan Parker then Clayton Inman. Also, in 1982, Surrat would leave and be replaced by Southern Gospel legend, Ed Hill. When Michael English left for the second time in 1985, he was replaced again by Clayton Inman, who would replace Hill in 1987 in the baritone spot, leaving the lead open for Scott Whitener. The 1990s started a decline in the popularity of the Singing Americans, but it did not mean they still weren't capable of producing popular singers. David Sutton and Taylor Barnes passed through the group during this time. Finally, in 1993, the Singing Americans produced their final album, "Live from Chicago", before retiring in 1994.
Tenor
Lead
Baritone
Bass
Drummer
Piano
Bass Guitar
(Partial List)
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
group based in Maiden, North Carolina
Maiden, North Carolina
Maiden is a town in Catawba and Lincoln counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Maiden is also known as "The Biggest Little Football Town in the World"...
. They are best known for being a stepping stone to popular singers, such as Mark Flaker (Florida Boys) Ivan Parker
Ivan Parker
-Musical career:Ivan Parker was raised in Sanford, North Carolina, where his father was a pastor in a Pentecostal church. In 1982, Parker joined the Singing Americans, and in 1983 he became lead vocalist of the Dove Award-winning group the Gold City Quartet...
(Gold City
Gold City
Gold City is an American Christian music group that is based in Gadsden, Alabama.-Early years:The Mississippi-based Christianairs were renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to begin the year 1980 with bass Dallas Gilliland, tenor Bob Oliver, lead singer...
), Danny Funderburk (The Cathedrals), Clayton Inman (Kingdom Heirs, Won By One, and Triumphant), David Sutton
David Sutton
David Sutton is the current editor of the Fortean Times magazine. Sutton was educated at the University of East Anglia, University College London, Birkbeck College and the British Film Institute...
(Kingdom Heirs
Kingdom Heirs
The Kingdom Heirs Quartet are a Southern Gospel quartet based at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.-Musical career:The Kingdom Heirs perform multiple shows daily at Dollywood during the months that the park is open. While the park is closed, they tour just like any other group. The group has...
and Triumphant Quartet
Triumphant Quartet
The Triumphant Quartet is a United States Southern Gospel group that performed at the The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. They sang at the theater from 2003–2005, when it was known as The Louise Mandrell Theater...
), Michael English (Gaither Vocal Band
Gaither Vocal Band
The Gaither Vocal Band is a Grammy award-winning Christian music vocal group, headed by Bill Gaither. They originally recorded contemporary Christian music, but after the popularity of the Gaither Homecoming videos, the group has become known for southern gospel.-Group history:The Gaither Vocal...
), Mark Fain (Gold City and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Kentucky Thunder
Kentucky Thunder, or Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, is the band that plays with Ricky Skaggs. Many members of the band have won numerous awards. Bandleader Ricky Skaggs plays mandolin and is the lead vocalist...
), Taylor Barnes (Gold City), and Jeff Easter (Jeff and Sheri Easter). The group was popular throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
History
The Singing Americans were started in 1968 in Winston-Salem, North CarolinaWinston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
( by Lamar and Sims )and was owned by Homer Wadford. In 1973 when the Oak Ridge Boys were beginning to make their transition from gospel to country, the Singing Americans were signed by the prestigious Lou Wills Hildreth agency in Nashville. In an article announcing the signing, the Singing News predicted that based on their sound and popularity, that the Singing Americans would take the Oak Ridge Boys spot as the number one quartet in gospel music. Unfortunately, their owner, Homer Wadford had a different sound in mind, and wanted to see the group move in a different direction stylistically. In 1980, the group was sold to Charles Burke, who later went on to own the Kingsmen Quartet
Kingsmen Quartet
The Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen...
name for a few years, and obtained all new personnel with Mark Flaker singing tenor, Charles Surratt singing baritone, Ed Crawford singing Lead, and Charles Burke's son, Dwayne, singing bass.Mark Flaker left later that year and was replaced by Danny Funderburk. Ed Crwaford left and was replaced by Michael English, who would leave for a couple years and be replaced by Ivan Parker then Clayton Inman. Also, in 1982, Surrat would leave and be replaced by Southern Gospel legend, Ed Hill. When Michael English left for the second time in 1985, he was replaced again by Clayton Inman, who would replace Hill in 1987 in the baritone spot, leaving the lead open for Scott Whitener. The 1990s started a decline in the popularity of the Singing Americans, but it did not mean they still weren't capable of producing popular singers. David Sutton and Taylor Barnes passed through the group during this time. Finally, in 1993, the Singing Americans produced their final album, "Live from Chicago", before retiring in 1994.
Members
This list only contains members from 1980 to 1994.Tenor
- Bob Sims ( 1968 )
- Rodney Hoots (1972-197?)
- Mark Flaker (1980)
- Danny Funderburk (1980–1983)
- Rick Strickland (1983–1986)
- Phil Barker (1986–1988)
- Greg Shockley (1988–1990
- David Walker (1990–1992)
- David Sutton (1992–1994)
Lead
- Bob Lamar (1968-197?)
- Ed Crawford (1980–1981)
- Michael English (1981–1982)
- Ivan Parker (1982–1983)
- Clayton Inman (1983)
- Michael English (1983–1985)
- Clayton Inman (1985-1987), switched to baritone
- Scott Whitener (1987–1992)
- Dale Forbes (1992–1994)
- David Hill (1994)
Baritone
- Wayne Maynard (1970's)
- Charles Surratt (1980–1981)
- Ed Hill (1981–1987)
- Clayton Inman (1987–1989)
- David Jenkins (1989–1990)
- David Harvell (1990–1992)
- Taylor Barnes (1992)
- Buddy Burton (1992–1994)
Bass
- Dawyne Burke (1980–1990)
- Larry Stewart (1990–1994)
Drummer
- Jon Mark Russell (Founding - 197?)
Piano
- Bob Lamar (1968-1972)
- Joel Harris (1972-73)
- Little Jimmy Taylor (1970s)
- Jerry Hatley (1981-84)
- Martin Gureasko (1984-85)
- Milton Smith (1985-86)
- Phil Huffman (1986-87)
- James Rainey (1987-90)
- Keith Denson (1990-92)
- Jerry Kelso (1992)
- Joe Lane (1992-93)
- Chuck Trivett (1993-94)
Bass Guitar
(Partial List)
- Jeff Easter (198?-1987)
- Mark Fain (1987–1988)
- Taylor Barnes (199?-199?)
Discography
- 1975-Wanted Live
- 1977-The Singing Americans
- 1977-Our Tribute to God and Country
- 1980-Tell the Angels
- 1981-The Exciting Sounds of the Singing Americans
- 1981-Hymntime
- 1982-The Exciting Sounds of the Singing Americans
- 1982-The Sensational Singing Americans
- 1982-Sing Gospel Hits
- 1983-Everybody Ought to Praise His Name
- 1984-Something Old, Something New
- 1984-Live and Alive
- 1985-Black and White
- 1986-Hearts of Praise, Songs of Majesty
- 1987-Homecoming Live
- 1988-Sing Out
- 1988-We're Blessed
- 1989-Angels on Board
- 1989-Songs We Salute
- 1990-Watch & Pray
- 1991-Live & Well
- 1991-Revival
- 1992-On Stage
- 1993-Live from Chicago