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 lead singer, bass guitarist, and manager for 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 ...

. He was considered to be one of the pioneers of Gospel Music TV.

Early life

Beasley was born to Lester Beasley and Edna Stewart Beasley. His father was a minister, and his mother a

homemaker Homemaking is mainly an American and Canadian term for the management of a home, otherwise known as housework, housekeeping, housewifery or household management. It is the act of overseeing the organizational, day-to-day operations of a hous ...

. Beasley started singing at an early age in his father's churches. Growing up, Beasley lived in many places, including Crockett TX, Ripley TN, Mt Vernon TX, Mobeetie TX, Benton AR, Burdette AR, Jena LA, Kentwood LA, and West Helena, AR. Beasley graduated from

Louisiana State University Louisiana State University (officially Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as LSU) is a public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1860 nea ...

Career

Beasley started his career singing with a group called the McManus Trio and then in 1953 joined The Gospel Melody Quartet, which eventually was renamed The Florida Boys Quartet. Joined by future Southern Gospel music legends and hall of famers Glen Allred and Darryl Stewart, Beasley was the lead singer and bass guitarist from 1953 to 1999. After developing severe vocal problems, Beasley stepped aside as lead vocalist in 1999 but stayed on as manager of the group as well as bass guitarist. An innovator in the Southern Gospel world, he introduced a newer sound by adding guitars in addition to vocals as he and Glen Allred both sang and played bass and electric guitar, respectively. In the 1960s and 1970s, Beasley co-produced the popular syndicated television program The Gospel Singing Jubilee, which introduced Southern Gospel Music to other areas of the country. He also served as president of the

Gospel Music Association The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of gospel music. As of 2011, there are about 4,000 members worldwide. The GMA's membership co ...

in 1970 and 1971, and co-designed the Dove Award statue. Beasley was the owner of Beasley and Barker Publishing Company and also served as a lifetime member and permanent board member of the Gospel Music Association. He served on the board of the National Quartet Convention for many years and was also an accomplished songwriter with such songs as ''Lead Me To The Altar'' to his credit. Beasley 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 1989 and the

Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame 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. ...

in 1997. Beasley retired from the Florida Boys in 2007 along with Allred and Stewart, their last performance as a group was at the 2007 National Quartet Convention. Upon his retirement Beasley leased the name of the group to Southern Gospel Music promoter Charlie Waller so the group could continue performing with all new members.

Personal life

Beasley was married to his wife Frances for almost 50 years and had 6 children, 12 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren and remained active in gospel music until his death November 17, 2018.

Achievements

* Produced The Gospel Singing Jubilee, the nationally syndicated program that ran for years * President of the

for two years * Lifetime member of the Board Of Directors of the Gospel Music Association * He, Bill Gaither and Herman Harper, as a committee, suggested to the GMA board that an awards program be a part of the annual meeting. The

Dove Awards A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Award ...

is the result of that suggestion. Beasley named the award. * President of a Southern Gospel Music Association that later became the Southern Gospel Music Guild * President of The National Quartet Convention that promotes the National Quartet Convention * Member of The GMA Hall of Fame * Member of The Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and The Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame * Member of the Christian Music Hall of FameLes Beasley inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame

References

External links

Official Florida Boys website

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Lester George “Les” Beasley (1928-2018) - Find A...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beasley, Les 1928 births 2018 deaths Southern gospel performers American male singers American gospel singers People from Crockett, Texas