Comments on: The Best Lineup that Never Was: Kingsmen

By: The Best Lineup that Never Was: Inspirations | www.southerngospelblog.com

The Best Lineup that Never Was: Inspirations | www.southerngospelblog.com — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:17:59 +0000

[...] singers who never sang with a group who nonetheless could carry on that group’s sound. Last week’s feature was on the Kingsmen; this week, we turn to the [...]

By: Paul Martin

Paul Martin — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:58:41 +0000

I don’t know if anyone can improve upon the sound of Ernie, Jim, Ed, and Ray…for those not familiar with those first names…Ernie Phillips, Jim Hamill, Ed Crawford, and Ray Reese…now that is power.

By: QN

QN — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:28:48 +0000

Good groups, Chris

By: Chris Becker

Chris Becker — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:50:51 +0000

That was supposed to say “Eric Dove” not “Eic Dove”

Oh, well.

“I like Eic.”

By: Chris Becker

Chris Becker — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:49:12 +0000

Now MY picks for The Best Kingsmen Lineup that Never Was:

Tenor: Jay Parrack
Lead: Jonathan Wilburn
Baritone: Eric Dove
Bass: Tim Duncan

Jay is obvious. He sounds, and even looks, like his dad.
Wilburn can “bring it” in true Hammill style.
Eic Dove is a great “room filling” baritone in the Doy Ott/Ed Hill/Eldridge Fox tradition.
Tim Duncan has the vocal “cut” of a Ray Reese or a London Parris, (I can see Inquirer John cringing at that comparison) which can kick an entire song into high gear.

By: Chris Becker

Chris Becker — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:34:27 +0000

Always a fun topic idea. A couple years ago, I suggested what we might now call “The Statesmen that Never Were” on the SGN boards. I don’t remember who I picked then, but here are my picks now:

The “New” Statesmen:

John Rulapaugh – Tenor
Josh Garner – Lead
Brad White – Baritone
Burman Porter – Bass
Jonathan Sawrie – Piano/Occasional Baritone

John and Burman are obvious choices from their Doves days. John IS Rosie, and Burman does Chief better than anybody.
Josh Garner has all of Jake’s vocal flair, and eye-bugging routines, while still being his own man, not a Hess imitator. Brad White is an amazing baritone and arranger who can switch to piano whenever Sawrie takes a lead, just like Doy and Hovie did back in the day. Plus, Burman and Sawrie have the proper pencil-thin mustaches… Sawrie even looks a bit like Denver Crumpler.

By: QN

QN — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:09:27 +0000

Great idea and lineup. But, I’d put Calvin Runion or Big Cheif with the Kingsmen (because I’ve not heard Randy yet.)Yes, Calvin dosen’t really fit the quallifications of this idea since he was with the Kingsmen.
I’m not a fan of Ray because he slurrs alot, so I can’t understand his words BUT, he deserves special recognition for how long he’s kept the group together. It just wouldn’t be the Kingsmen without Ray. That’d be like the Cathedrals without George or Glen, or The Forida Boys without Les, Glen, and Derrel.

This idea reminds me of ‘The Un-origional Masters V’.

Just wondering, did you put McRay Dove with the lineup that never was of The Statesmen?

By: Paul Martin

Paul Martin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:23:40 +0000

For a man that has been singing for over 40yrs with the Kingsmen, and having kept the qroup together through thick and thin, Ray Reeses deserves much recognition. At his age to be singing as good as he does, and the ability to keep up with the young guys, he is amazing.

By: Paul Martin

Paul Martin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:23:15 +0000

By: Daniel J. Mount

Daniel J. Mount — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:31:24 +0000

Byrd’s voice quality akin to Reese’s at his peak, when Reese wasn’t pushing the edges.