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BIOGRAPHY

For more than sixty years, fans have flocked to see The Florida Boys. They appeared on the first gospel quartet concert ever held in New York’s Carnegie Hall. To perform at Carnegie Hall is recognized as the zenith of one’s career. With No. 1 hits like "Standing On The Solid Rock", "When He Was On The Cross, I Was On His Mind", "Lead Me To The Altar" and "I Lean On You Lord", this legendary group has recorded some 100 albums and attained a following of devoted listeners, including the late Elvis Presley.

In July 2007, Les Beasley, Glen Allred and Derrell Stewart decided to retire. They sang their last song together as The Florida Boys in September at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. It was at this performance, before 10,000 fans, these three legends passed the mantel to the present group to continue the Florida Boys legacy which began in 1947.

Lead Vocal: Charlie Waller is one of the more colorful people in Southern Gospel Music. He loves traditional Gospel Music and has worked tirelessly the last thirty-eight years to preserve and promote it. The Florida Boys was the first quartet Charlie ever saw in person. Few people ever knew Charlie could sing. However, he has always sung in church. He sang with a regional group in South Georgia, (Jones Family) for about 6 years. Most folks know Charlie from his Grand Ole Gospel Reunion which is held each year, in Greenville, SC. This event was created to be a showcase for traditional Southern Gospel Music and has become a mega-event. As a part of this event, Charlie was the first to do a “Reunion” style video.

Today, Charlie serves as Executive Director of the Southern Gospel Music Association located at Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, TN., where he was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. He has produced the Vintage Quartet Showcase for the National Quartet Convention and hosted his own television show, America’s Gospel Favorites, for five years.

Baritone: Buddy Burton holds a master’s degree in music, is an ordained minister, and has been in gospel music 38 years as a producer, arranger, emcee, pianist, lead and baritone singer. He sang with The Smitty Gatlin Trio (Smitty was the organizer of the Oak Ridge Boys), J.D. Sumner and the Stamps...(Elvis' back-up group), Hovie Lister and the Statesmen, the Masters V, and Charlie Waller’s Grand Ole Gospel Reunion Quartet. Buddy has recorded numerous gospel projects, and traveled the U.S. and Europe singing gospel music. Buddy was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame with Hovie Lister and the Statesmen in 1998.

Bass: Chip Cooper grew up in gospel music. His dad, Miles Cooper, started the Pine Ridge Boys Quartet with Wally Fowler back in the 60's. At an early age being backstage with some of the greats like The Happy Goodmans, The Florida Boys, The Thrasher Brothers, The Kingsmen, and The Blue Ridge Quartet, encouraged his desire to become a gospel singer. Chip’s 33-year career with groups like The Goodnewsmen, Pine Ridge Boys, Tar-Heel State and the Mystery Men helped him become a quartet-man. He has performed on the Dove Broadcasting Network, TCT Network, INSP Network, and The Jimmy Snow Network.

Tenor: Eddie Broome has quite a resume as one of gospel music's premier vocalists. He began his professional career with Dale Shelnut and the Dixie Echoes, where he remained until shortly after Dale's death. Following the Dixie Echoes, he joined the Palmetto State Quartet, where he remained for 10 years. In 1995 he joined the Trav'lers of Greenville, SC. While traveling with this group, his vocal ability and country humor won the hearts of folks all across the nation. He was recently inducted into the South Carolina Gospel Music Hall of Fame.