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Please Pray for The Beasley Family

Remembering Les Beasley

Singing News posted this morning:

Les Beasley, the president of the National Quartet Convention and the longtime owner/manager/singer of The Florida Boys, has passed away at the age of 90.

Born in Crockett, Texas, in 1928, Mr. Beasley would go on to become one of Gospel music’s most influential personalities. J.G. Whitfield hired Mr. Beasley in 1953 to sing in his Gospel Melody Quartet, which was later renamed The Florida Boys. After the retirement of Mr. Whitfield, Mr. Beasley assumed part ownership (with Glen Allred and Derrell Stewart) and leadership of the quartet, and continued those roles until 2007.

During his time with The Florida Boys, Mr. Beasley became a key decisive leader in the development, promotion, and expansion of many of the entities that have provided the foundation of the modern era of Gospel music: “The Gospel Singing Jubilee” TV program, the National Quartet Convention, The Gospel Music Association, and others.

Tentative funeral plans include services Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. The family will share additional information as it is confirmed.

The Beasley family appreciates your prayers during this difficult time.

We at SGN Scoops are praying for Clarke and The Beasley Family and all our friends at the Singing News:

​LES BEASLEY HONORED AT NQC 2017

​Les Beasley honored at NQC 2017

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. ( September 30, 2017) –  Beloved Gospel music icon and legend, Mr. Les Beasley was honored for his lifetime of contributions to Gospel Music during NQC’s 60th Anniversary. The presentation occurred today, Saturday, September 30, 2017 during the afternoon showcase, A Tribute to the Gospel Singing Jubilee. Clarke Beasley, son of Les and NQC VP, presented the honor on behalf of the NQC Board of Directors.

 

Les Beasley

Beasley, known for being the lead singer and manager for The Florida Boys, was a pioneer in Gospel Music TV as well. Beasley produced the Gospel Singing Jubilee for over two decades. Under Beasley’s direction, the popular television program aired on Sunday mornings in every major television market in the United States. Millions viewed the show every Sunday where the careers of many of Gospel Music’s most loved artists were launched and some of the most beloved Gospel songs were introduced for the first time.

 

NQC – the National Quartet Convention – was founded in 1957 by gospel music legend and former backup vocalist for Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner who co-produced the event with James Blackwood. The annual convention was moved in later years to Nashville, TN and then to Louisville, KY where it was held for 20 years.

 

For more information and tickets, visit www.NQConline.com.

2016 SGMG HARMONY HONORS CELEBRATE LES BEASLEY AND THE GOSPEL SINGING JUBILEE 

Les Beasley accepts the SGMG Harmony Honor in celebration of the Gospel Singing Jubilee on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at Trinity Music City (TBN) in Nashville, TN. Photo by Chip Woods

Clarke Beasley: At The Helm Of The National Quartet Convention

The National Quartet Convention has long been one of the biggest and most prestigious Southern Gospel institutions. From its humble beginnings in 1957 in Memphis, Tennessee, this weeklong event sees fans and performers from all over the world descending on Louisville Kentucky for six days and nights of Southern Gospel Music. During this last year at Louisville, SGN Scoops is reprinting an SGMRadio feature on the NQC Executive Vice President, Clarke Beasley, about the man behind the helm of what JD Sumner called, “The Grand Daddy of them all”.

Clarke Beasley

Clarke Beasley, son of a man who is also a Southern Gospel institution, Les Beasley, took on the role of Executive Director of the National Quartet Convention in 1993.“It was a big challenge, but it was also very exciting”, Clarke says. “ I had been working at the GMA for two years and had received quite a bit of event planning experience there helping to produce GMA Week.  That really prepared me for the job at NQC… I was hired [initially] to bring all of the convention services in house, i.e. ticketing, advertising promotion, event management, etc., and move our headquarters to Louisville in preparation for the event’s move to Louisville in 1994.”

James Blackwood

When JD Sumner first conceived the idea of a three-day event, he wanted to bring together artists and industry personnel, which was a unique idea at the time. However, Clarke also pays tribute to another Southern Gospel legend for making the NQC come to life. “[JD] was singing for the Blackwood Brothers at the time and convinced James Blackwood that it was something the Blackwood Brothers should sponsor.  Much credit should be given to James Blackwood for being willing to take the initial risk.”

The National Quartet Convention is now a major production; a yearlong project directed by a board that oversees all of the activities, exhibits, concerts and showcases. What might appear enormously daunting to outside observers, Beasley finds exciting. “It is a multi-faceted event with many moving parts. The challenge is to keep all of the balls in the air without dropping any of them.  That aspect of the job makes it a continuous challenge.”

“I love the event itself, and I always have.  Even though I have enormous responsibilities now, I still love the event as much as I did when I attended the event as a kid.  The actual event itself always charges my batteries for the planning process that takes place throughout the year.”

There are always special occurrences at NQC that are not experienced anywhere else, and as both industry insider and Southern Gospel fan, Clarke has his favourite memories. “The moments that stand out were the Speer Family retirement celebration, the Singing Senators performance (Trent Lott, Larry Craig, John Ashcroft and Jim Jeffords) and of course the Cathedrals Retirement and Glen Payne’s [call-in] performance of “I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone.”  That was probably the most special moment of them all.”

Cathedral Quartet

To those who think that this event has had it’s day, Beasley responds, “Some say that about our music in general.  I believe that as the music goes, so goes the NQC.  That is why I work really hard to expand the economic base of the entire industry through my work with the Southern Gospel Music Guild.”

“SGM is musically charming and unique…however, the most important component of our music is the overt, straight-forward presentation of Biblical truth within its lyric.  We must guard with all vigilance that component of our music to insure that never changes.”

Clarke has seen the industry from both a performer and a promoter outlook. He traveled for several years with the Florida Boys, and knows what it’s like to get on the road, week after week. “What many do not realize is how truly arduous the lifestyle is.  Traveling over 200 days a year is enormously taxing both physically and psychologically.  Those who do it are truly called and gifted.”

Les Beasley

Having this insight into the life of a Southern Gospel Artist has given Clarke great regard for many of the industry’s performers who have been traveling for decades. This includes his father, Les Beasley. He is grateful to have grown up as the son of one of SGM’s legends. “It was quite a privilege, not just because of his status in Gospel Music, but because of who he is.  I cannot imagine a greater example to emulate.” Clarke continues, “My favorite quote of his is, ‘There is no limit to what someone can do as long as he does not care who receives the credit.’ That is a belief he has lived by.”

The next generation will tell the tale of the future of Southern Gospel. What does Clarke see as the future of SGM? “I see a future where we are a regular component of Sunday morning worship in most churches.  I also see a future where high standards will be set and artists will be required to meet them. These high standards will be set not only in musical excellence but in ministry readiness and in personal conduct.”

“I believe that the next few years will be of critical importance to the next 20 years of the future of our music, and as I said before, as the music goes, so goes the NQC.” Clarke continues, “I am very optimistic on what we can achieve.  I am convinced our music will be used as a powerful tool of evangelism to reach the lost and encourage the believers.”

Clarke Beasley and his team are working hard to pull together an event that will, as always, surpass the year before it. That requires a day-to-day determination to keep to the vision and mission of the event, as they work toward September and the beginning of the next NQC. Even Clarke however, is aware that Southern Gospel and the NQC are rooted in an experience in the daily lives of the singers, songwriters, and all who are involved in this type of musical evangelism. He was reminded of this lesson again recently.

“With one of my close friends and neighbors losing his wife this week, I am reminded that life is precious and short, and I should strive every day to enjoy the God-given blessing of life and make each day contribute something to the Kingdom of God.”

For more information on the National Quartet Convention, click on www.natqc.com .

Edited from an SGM Radio website feature entitled “Clarke Beasley: At the Helm of the National Quartet Convention”, published July 2006 http://www.sgmradio.com/

TUNE-IN: JASON CRABB hosts HARMONY HONORS

The SGMG Harmony Honors were presented on Monday, July 18, 2011 at TBN Music City Auditorium.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (July 21, 2011) – The HARMONY HONORS were presented at TBN’s Music City Auditorium on Monday, July 18 with a night of exciting performances and special presentations to distinguished honorees CLAUDE AND CONNIE HOPPER and JEFF AND SHERI EASTER. The ninth annual event was presented by the Southern Gospel Music Guild and hosted by Grammy® Award-winning vocalist JASON CRABB. The evening featured an all star line-up of musical performances and appearances by THE BOWLING FAMILY, THE HOPPERS, JEFF & SHERI EASTER, KAREN PECK & NEW RIVER, KEVIN WILLIAMS, LEGACY FIVE, LES BEASLEY, THE MARTINS, THE NELONS, TRIUMPHANT QUARTET and SGMG PRESIDENT CLARKE BEASLEY.
Special Harmony Honor presentations were made to Claude and Connie Hopper, celebrating 50 years of marriage and music ministry, and Jeff and Sheri Easter, celebrating 25 years of marriage and music ministry. These special tributes were highlighted by video tributes from friends including BILL GAITHER, MARK LOWRY, and THE BOOTH BROTHERS.

SGMG Harmony Honors Special Presentation L-R: Jeff, Morgan & Sheri Easter, Clarke Beasley (SGMG President), Host Jason Crabb, Dean & Kim Hopper, Les Beasley (NQC President), Mike Hopper, Connie & Claude Hopper. Photo by Aaron Crisler/The Judy Nelon Group

SGMG President Clarke Beasley stated: “The entire SGMG (Southern Gospel Music Guild) was thrilled with the Harmony Honors presentation, and those who attended were really treated to an example of our music at its finest as the performances were strong and the production was first class. We felt it really made a strong statement about the level of talent with which our music is blessed, and we are eager for the response the telecast will receive.”
TBN will broadcast The Harmony Honors on FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2011 at 9 PM CST/10 PM EST.

Photo by Aaron Crisler/The Judy Nelon Group

Viewers are encouraged to email comments@tbn.org to thank them for airing the show.
For more information, visit www.SGMG.org.

Photo by Aaron Crisler/The Judy Nelon Group

GUY PENROD-Texas Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Induction—Tickets available

Native Texan GUY PENROD will be inducted into the TEXAS GOSPEL MUSIC HALL OF FAME  Saturday, February 26, 7 PM at Dallas Baptist University, 5000 Mountain Parkway, Dallas, Texas.  After 14 fabulous years with the Gaither Vocal Band, Guy Penrod is now riding high in a solo ministry, garnering a 2011 Dove Award nomination. Guy and Angie live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their seven sons and one daughter.  He is famous the world over and Texans are proud of this native son.   With his induction into the TGMHOF, Guy joins notable Texans Larry Gatlin & the Gatlins, Cynthia Clawson, Duane Allen, Les Beasley, Larry Ford, Glen Payne, Walt Mills, Roger McDuff, Lou Wills Hildreth, Wills Family, Chuck Wagon Gang, pioneers V. O. & Frank Stamps, W. B. Nowlin, and others who have influenced gospel music in Texas and far beyond.  Joining Guy Penrod, the 2011 inductees on February 26th are Jack Davis, radio, Jack Taylor, pioneer keyboardist, Plainsmen Quartet,  Marion Snider’s Original Imperial Quartet, Bob Wills & The Inspirationals.   Doors will open at 6:00 and the public is encouraged to attend this benefit and help preserve the gospel music heritage of Texas.  General Admission is $25.For more information call Randy Wills 214-934-5983.