Positive Daily Commentary on Southern Gospel
In his post introducing Gus Gaches as Legacy Five’s new tenor singer, Tim Parton promised an interview with him. That interview has now been posted, and it has some fascinating insights into Gaches’ background.
http://legacyfive.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/discussing-gus/
Legacy Five put the word out yesterday that they have hired Gus Gaches to be their new tenor singer. Gaches has sung with the Calvary Construction Company, the Moscheo/Andrus/Blackwood Imperials, and, most recently, put in several years with Mike LeFevre’s Priority Quartet. He is married to Tamra and has two children, son Gus and daughter Kylie.
Like his new boss, he hides his age well; despite his youthful appearance, he is actually 42 years old. But his voice doesn’t show the signs of aging; in fact, if you only heard his voice, he could pass for a tenor in his twenties.
He comes to Legacy Five with Frank Seamans’ blessing; in fact, he was Seamans’ own choice for a replacement. Their blog states:
He’s the man that Frank recommended fill in for him if he should have to be out during Frank, Jr.s illness. Fortunately, Frank never had to be absent; however, when Frank decided to go back home to be with his family, Frank reminded us to call Gus. We did and the rest is soon to be history.
The two personnel decisions Scott Fowler has had to make since Roger Bennett’s passing have both been concluded in favor of people who bring a strong background in producing and studio work. Tim Parton has produced a number of projects, and regularly works with Terry Franklin to produce Daywind’s songwriter demos. Gus Gaches owns the Vox Box recording studio and is involved in the production of numerous CDs, videos, and live events. In fact, he was even part of the NQC sound crew last year, but don’t hold that against him; as I understand, his responsibilities were more covering the mix that went out on the Internet feed, and there were far fewer complaints about that than about the house sound.
One interesting Legacy Five / Gus Gaches connection: On the LeFevre’s Live DVD, produced by Gaches (and reviewed here), Scott Fowler provided the group introduction.
And since a picture is worth a thousand words, and a video is worth a thousand pictures, here are some highlights from that project:
Also:
Legacy Five has named LeFevre Quartet / Priority’s tenor singer, Gus Gaches, as their new tenor. Great move – and more thoughts tomorrow!
On his always-fascinating blog, Jeff Foster mentions a news tidbit in a Legacy Five e-letter that (for whatever reason) I never received. Frank Seamans will stay most of the rest of the year with the group; his final concert will be on December 8, the last concert before their Christmas break. Their new tenor will officially start on their annual concert on December 31 in Morristown, Tennessee (at Gerald Wolfe’s home church).
Kerry Beatty has been the one mainstay of the Palmetto State Quartet through the numerous personnel changes they’ve had over the last few years. But it appears he’s left. Burke’s Brainwork notes an update to the group’s mySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/palmettostatequartet) that indicates that Paul Lancaster is their new lead singer.
Paul Lancaster has been criticized—unfairly—for never staying anywhere long. I have heard that even if he does a recording with a group, he has viewed some (and perhaps most) of his stints with groups as being an extended fill-in while the group determines its long-term direction.
Mike LeFevre’s Priority Quartet just announced their new bass singer, Keith Inman, yesterday.
Inman is brother to Triumphant Quartet’s Clayton (uncle to Scotty) and had sung with the same family group that launched Clayton Inman’s career, The Inmans. Inman filled in with the group for several months, but yesterday officially welcomed him as a full-time member.
Inman replaces Priority’s original bass singer, Stacy Bragg. Priority lead singer David Staton stated that Bragg’s work schedule “became increasingly difficult in allowing him to do dates. We certainly hated to see him give his resignation. His personality and vocal ability helped to build this group from the ground floor.”
Mike LeFevre said that Keith is already being received well: “Folks who have seen Keith with us have really responded well to his singing and interaction with them. Keith has the amazing ability to connect with people instantly.” (And that’s from someone who knows whereof he speaks.)
After three years off the road, the Men of Music announced yesterday that they are coming back. They left the road when group owner Mike Bullock’s wife Carolyn was diagnosed with cancer. Though she is in full remission, Mike is enjoying spending time at home enough that he himself is not returning.
The group is now led by the previous iteration of the group’s final baritone, Greg Colburn. Former Men of Music lead singer Rodney Tyson is returning, and new tenor Chris Walton rounds out the trio.
They are working on a new release and on a website. In the interim, they can be contacted via phone at (615) 562-5394 or (601) 573-4602.
The Chuck Wagon Gang has annouced that their new alto singer will be Kelly Jennings, from Kingsport, TN. According to the group’s press release, she has been singing for 27 of her 29 years. She co-founded a group in her area, The Living Waters Trio.
She stated: “My love for gospel music has no boundaries, and I have had many musical influences in my life. I grew up listening to so many wonderful groups, including The Chuck Wagon Gang. I can remember driving to church many mornings as a child and my mom and dad turning on the radio. I’ll never forget that the station started out each morning with The Chuck Wagon Gang singing ‘I’ll Fly Away’. What an honor it was to receive a phone call from them for an audition. What an honor it is to now be a part of this legendary group that God has blessed for so many years! I’m looking forward to my new journey and I know that God has put me with some of the greatest people on earth.”
Her first concert with the group will be on September 22nd at Tony Gore’s Smoky Mountain Barbeque and Grill in Sevierville, TN. She is at the National Quartet Convention this year, and fans there can meet her at the group’s booth.
As a number of other media outlets are reporting, Legacy Five tenor Frank Seamans will be departing the group once a replacement is found.
Today has been a hectic day, and I haven’t had time to formulate any extensive thoughts on the issue. But since several people in the vendors’ hall asked me why the news wasn’t up on my site yet, I thought I should slip over and put it up in a quick post.
Wes Burke’s post today reminded me that I forgot to mention a significant lineup change for the Songfellows. Bob Jones Jr., the group’s lead singer, is bringing bass Harold Gilley (Palmetto State Quartet) and baritone Wayne Maynard (Kingsmen) on board. Garry Sheppard sings the tenor part.
If all involved can hold down their parts as well as they could in their prime (though, truth be told, Jones and Gilley are still in their prime), this could be a quartet to watch very soon.
EDIT (9/12/09): Turns out there’s already a change. Wayne Maynard will not be the baritone, and I’ve heard through multiple sources that former Palmetto State / Kingsmen baritone Tony Peace will be taking the job.
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