Feature Articles

The Florida Boys

I have just spent a delightful evening listening to those boys from Florida. Of course I mean, The Florida Boys. I have seen them in the church setting and in the concert setting. I have even seen them tonight in a restaurant setting. Every time I have seen this great group, they have performed to the expectation of the setting they were in. In my opinion, this is the best that the Florida Boys have ever sounded. Allen, Josh, Glen, Gene, Darrell, and Les will certainly be a blessing if you ever get a chance to see them.

Rather than having the usual "what's your favorite " interview, we thought that we would ask them ten questions and just report their replies. So, here goes.

1. When looking for new material to perform, who does the selecting?

Usually Les and Josh are into the deciding of what new material we sing, however Gene will occasionally give some good suggestions from time to time.

2. What is a typical day off like when you are not singing?

Gene tends to be a real homebody, especially since he has a new bride. They like to go shopping and take long walks together.

Allen usually ends up working around the house before meeting his wife for lunch. When she's home from work, they spend evenings playing games.

Josh likes to spend his spare time golfing and going to the beach. It's really tough, but a single guy has to bear through it. I assume that he is doing a lot of "beach witnessing" while he's there. When he's not at the beach or golfing, he is on the phone to his special someone.

3. What's the last book that you read, or what are you reading now?

Glen isn't much of a reader, but he does make sure that he reads his Bible every night before retiring.

Josh has just finished reading what he describes as one of the best history books on Southern Gospel Music in "Close Harmony" by Dr Goff. He reads his Bible a lot too.

Allen is in the process of reading all of the books in the "Left Behind" series. He also likes reading books about President Reagan. He too reads his Bible a lot.

Gene is currently reading the "Owner's Manual for the bus". Oh, and he reads his Bible too.

4. What's you favorite junk food?

There was no hesitation with these answers. Allen loves Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. Josh can't get enough pizza. Would you ever guess that Gene loves hot dogs and polish sausages on a bun?

5. What do you do to keep spiritually fed?

Practically in unison they all told me that they make it a habit to attend their churches Wednesday night services.

Allen meets with his Sunday School teacher weekly for lunch just to have some sort of accountability.

6. With this being the Easter season, what is your favorite Easter song?

Glen " He Arose"
Allen "Watch The Lamb"
Gene - "In The Garden"
Josh - "Thy Will Be Done"

7. What song that has been a hit for another group do you wish The Florida Boys had recorded first?

Without knowing what the other had said, both Josh and Allen immediately said Greater Vision's song - "My Name Is Lazarus"

Gene said Gold City's song - "Ezekiel Saw The Wheel"

8. What is God teaching you right now?

Josh quickly said patience, but quickly withdrew that comment for fear that God would start teaching him patience, chuckling as he said it.

Allen, Josh and Gene all stated that God was teaching them to trust Him more and working with them in forgiveness and grace. Gene went on a little further to say that God was teaching him gratefulness with his brand new wife.

9. What message would you like to give the troops in Iraq right now?

Josh - Trust in the Lord for He is the ultimate Champion
Gene - Trust in the Lord and do not waver.
Allen - Trust in the Lord and keep your eyes on Him.

10. The Florida Boys are known for their matching suits. What color have you NOT worn?

They all agreed that they have not worn pink suits, but I had to promise not to give Les any ideas about that. Just about every other color in the spectrum has been worn by The Florida Boys.

I did have to ask Gene McDonald one more question. Can you tell me about your new wife?

With a really big smile on his face he gave me the following facts. They were blissfully married about two weeks ago, March 18th. She is Teri Blankenship (now McDonald) from Statesville, NC. They met while she was singing with The Bible Echoes at the Suwannee River Jubilee. They dated for eight months, were engaged to 1 months and decided to go ahead and get married after she landed a job in Florida. All I can say is that he appears to be one happy man.

And The Florida Boys are all a lot of fun!