Jesse Gillis Whitfield (1915–2006), also known as J.G. or Whit, was a

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

ian,

music promoter A promoter works with event production and entertainment industries to promote their productions, including in music and sports. Promoters are individuals or organizations engaged in the business of marketing and promoting live, or pay-per-view ...

, and member of the

Southern Gospel Music Association The Southern Gospel Music Association (''SGMA'') is a non-profit corporation formed as an association of southern gospel music singers, songwriters, fans, and industry workers. Membership is acquired and maintained through payment of annual dues. T ...

Hall of Fame.

Biography

After serving in the

Air Force An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an a ...

, Whitfield worked in the grocery business in

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

. In 1947, as a bass singer, he founded and managed the

Southern gospel Southern gospel music is a genre of Christian music. Its name comes from its origins in the southeastern United States. Its lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as ...

group, Gospel Melody Quartet, composed of his friends. Several personnel changes followed including the additions Glen Allred in 1952 and

Les Beasley Les Beasley (August 16, 1928 – November 17, 2018) Liverett, David (2005). ''This Is My Story: 146 of the World's Greatest Gospel Singers''. Thomas Nelson, Inc. . P. 9. was an American Southern Gospel musician. From 1953 to 2007 he was the lea ...

in 1953. Whitfield was eventually persuaded to change the group's name to the

Florida Boys The Florida Boys were a male vocal quartet in Southern gospel music. 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 ...

in 1954. He continued to manage and sing bass until he left the group in 1958 in order to avoid traveling away from his family. Whitfield formed the Dixie Echoes, another Florida-based group. Whitfield worked as a concert promoter across the South, helping to launch the Gospel Singing Jubilee television program. In 1969, he began publishing the ''

Singing News Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...

'' to promote his concerts. Mr. Whitfield also sang bass in a little-known northwest Florida Southern Gospel Group called "The Workmen Quartet." This was the last group he sang with. Note: He did not start this quartet. He was inducted into the

Gospel Music Hall of Fame The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, created in 1972 by the Gospel Music Association, is a Hall of Fame dedicated exclusively to recognizing meaningful contributions by individuals and groups in all forms of gospel music. Inductees This is an incompl ...

in 1990. The

inducted Whitfield into the Hall of Fame in 1997."Jesse Gillis "J. G." Whitfield"
, 1997 Inductee Biography, Southern Gospel Music Association, 9 May 2005

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitfield, J G 1915 births 2006 deaths 20th-century American musicians Southern gospel performers