"The most unique sound in Gospel Music" was the trademark of the Prophets Quartet. With the soaring first tenor voice of "Big Lew" Garrison and the solid baritone voice of Ed Hill as the anchors of the group, the unique sound of the Prophets thrilled audiences for nearly fifteen years.
"Big Lew" had a great falsetto tenor voice that was complimented by some of the finest lead singers in gospel music history. All of the Prophets? lead singers possessed an upper range as high as many first tenors. Add to this sound several excellent bass singers and pianists, the unique sound of the Prophets continued throughout the many personnel changes that beset the group through the years.
The Prophets can trace their lineage to the Kings Men Quartet from St. Louis, Mo. Ed Hill and Jerry (Jay) Berry were founding members of the Kings Men Quartet. This group was a big hit at the 1958 National Quartet Convention. Shortly after the convention, Hill and Berry realized their desire to sing on a full time basis. They moved to Knoxville, Tennessee and the Prophets were formed in March of 1959. They joined forces with James Lewis Garrison, Rancell D. Taylor, and Gary Trusler and recorded their first album on the predominately pop label, Coral. That first Prophets album is quite sought after by collectors of gospel music.
Soon thereafter, personnel changes began to occur. First, Fred Rose replaced Randy Taylor. Shortly thereafter, Jim Boatman became the bass singer and legendary gospel music teacher, pianist, and songwriter "Smilin'" Joe Roper became their pianist and arranger. Under Mr.Roper's teaching, the group became familiar with unusual arrangements and expanded their abilities.
The world of gospel music saw the potential in this fine group, and soon they became members of the Gospel Singing Caravan. Joe Moscheo replaced Joe Roper as pianist for the group. The group of Garrison, Berry, Hill, Boatman and Moscheo began to take the gospel singing world by storm. Innovative arrangements, likable personalities, and great stage presence made the group quite popular with the fans. "Big Lew" and Ed Hill had a wonderful stage rapport and always made their programs quite entertaining.
Soon, Jay Berry sought greener pastures with the Rebels Quartet and Jim Boatman left to join the Sunshine Boys who were beginning to play the Las Vegas circuit. Jack Toney joined the group for a short time followed by Roy McNeil. Jay Simmons soon joined the group as bass singer. This group was very exciting and began to sing songs written by Joe Moscheo, "the only Italian in Gospel Music". His arrangements and compositions became standards in the Prophets' repritore.
Simmons didn't stay with the group long and was replaced by Texan Dave Rogers. The popularity of the group continued to grow. Many call this version of the quartet their finest. Personnel continued to change as McNeil, Boatman, and Berry were members of the group multiple times. Other members of the group around this time included Charles Yates, Duane Allen, Jim Wesson, Everette Reece, Ralph Jarman, David Young, among others. This innovative quartet released an album at this time featuring six piano solos. The quartet took a back seat to its pianist. This was unheard of at this time in gospel music history.
In the late 1960's, Jim Boatman returned to the Prophets and Dean Brown became the lead singer. Don Seabolt later replaced Dean Brown as lead singer and the Prophets added Tommy Hensley as bass player. The group had several pianists during this time frame. With the exception of a short sabbatical by Ed Hill in 1965, the group maintained their sound and personnel with "Big Lew" and Ed Hill as tenor and baritone for more than ten years. This was soon to change, as Grady (Chico) Nix became the tenor when "Big Lew" retired from the group. Roy McNeil had again returned to the group, but the Prophets sound was much different without "Big Lew".
The Prophets continued as an entity until Ed Hill retired the group in 1973. Ed had planned to work for Sumar talent agency, but soon became the "permanent temporary baritone" for JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. Ed continues to sing today with Ed Enoch and Golden Covenant. He is one of the most underrated baritones in gospel music history.
Although the Prophets had numerous personnel changes, they maintained their sound largely due to the fact that their lead singers always had an extremely high upper range to compliment Lew Garrison's tenor voice. In fact, at least two of their lead singers went on to sing first tenor in other professional groups. Many of their lead singers were more than just lead singers. They were indeed "song stylists". The Prophets were a training ground for many professional lead singers.
Singers such as Duane Allen, Jack Toney, Gary Timbs, Don Seabolt, Butch Sanders, Carl Sanders, and Dean Brown either began or furthered their professional careers with the Prophets Quartet. These and many others did their part to establish the "most unique sound in Gospel Music".
Selected Discography
It has been my pleasure to listen to this grand group as I write this article. In response to several requests, here is a selected group of recordings by this group that represent some of their finest endeavors:
"The Gospel Songs" Coral 57330
This is the first album by the Prophets. It is quite rare, but also unusual in the fact that this was normally a popular label and not noted for it's gospel artists.
"Glory Glory Amen" Skylite 5985
This album was the only one with Joe Roper. His arrangements and training are evident throughout the recording.
"No Disappointments in Heaven" Sing 3002
This recording is arguably the Prophets finest hour. Jay Berry is at his best in the 1963 release.
There is also a wonderful drawing of the group on the cover.
"Relax" Sing 3003
This is the only complete quartet album with Roy McNeil and Jay Simmons. Although the title suggests a laid-back recording, it is far from that. There are several gospel classics on this album.
"Vital and Vibrant" Heartwarming 1872
"Beauty Power and Peace" Canaan 9642
I list these together because they are among the first professional gospel recordings by Duane Allen, who was soon to join the Oak Ridge Boys.
"Again" Sumar 4352
This album features Roy McNeil's return to the Prophets after a successful stint as first tenor with the Stamps Quartet. They have a different sound here, but it is still quite good.
The Prophets recording output extends much further than this, but I consider these to be some of the group's finest recordings.
Pictured at the top: circa 1959; Lew Garrison, Randy Taylor, Gary Trusler, Ed Hill, Jay Berry circa 1960 Lew Garrison, Jay Berry, Ed Hill, Jim Boatman, Smilin' Joe Roper |
 circa 1962 Jack Toney, Lew Garrison Ed Hill, Jay Simmons, Joe Moscheo |
 circa 1967 Ed Hill, Lew Garrison, Roy McNeal, Everette Reece, Dave Rogers |
 circa 1971 Bob McCollum, Butch Sanders Roy McNeal, Tommy Hensley, Grady (Chico) Nix, Ed Hill |
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 02/28/2003
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Category: SG History 101
Comments: 41
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Excellent reading, well-written and very definitive. What more could a SG fan ask for?
Excellent as always, John!
John, you are right on about the Prophets. I was blessed to see them with Big Lew, Roy, Ed, Dave, and Joe. When I heard Roy McNiel sing "What A Wonderful Day", I was hooked.
Ooops, that should have been Roy McNeil. I knew that...... LOL
Not only does Ed Hill belong in the Hall of Fame, but the group as a whole for introducing into Gospel Music chords that groups haven't found yet.
Great job as usual John. You always teach me something I don't know in these columns.
John,
I heard the Prophets in '73 with Lew, Roy & Ed ++. I'll always remember Lew singing "Just A Rose Will Do." Unmatched to this day!!
John,
I have a video of the Prophets that I bought at Ron Halbert's Great Northern States Sing last October. Really enjoy watching it since Ed Hill is one of my favorite singers and sooooo underrated.
The Prophets were ahead of their time. What an awsome group. Ed Hill deserves the title of Hall of Famer.
Really enjoyed this article. I only saw the Prophets in person once in 1972 near their end but have managed to find four old albums. A video I have of the Singing Caravan show was made when Duane Allen replaced Ed Hill as baritone. I believe they are one of the few groups to have recorded for both Heartwarming and Canaan labels (Kingsmen and Catherals were others). Now watch. John will probably list six or so other groups who did this.
I was lucky to sing with Roy McNEIL WITH THE vICOUNTS qT OF oCALA,fL IN 1973.
George: A Tennessee newpaper had a story on what Roy McNeil is doing this days. You can find it at http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/870/public/news430358.html
Great article by a group that set a new standard in Gospel Music...have all their albums including the Coral album...Packin Up still my favorite...
Well John, you've done it again! I always enjoyed the Prophets and i have several of their albums. We need a reunion of these guys at GOGR. I realize they could never be totally complete without "Big Lew"
There was a reunion of this group at the first (1988) GOGR with Ed Hill, Roy McNeil, Jay Simmons and Joe Moscheo. Lew was not there (an interview was shown with him on video). Shaun Neilsen filled in on tenor for Big Lew wearing a sports coat that was way too big for him.
I did not remember that Everett Reese, the piano player with the original London Parris & The Apostles when I travelled with them in the 70's, ever played with The Prophets. The picture of the group with Everett above shows a much younger Mr. Reese (and a remarkable head of hair, I might add). I suppose that is why we sang so many times in Texas at Dave Rogers church! For anyone interested, Everett now plays the piano at the Cannery Restaurant in Branson, on the Ramada Inn complex just across from the Dixie Stampede. You can catch his performances in the breakfast room.
As a teenager in the 60's, I truly enjoyed the sound of the Prophets. I would like to know if they are living today and if so, what are they doing?
Jerry,
Jay Simmons is no longer singing having developed numerous health problems. He cannot travel anymore but loves to hear from old fans of the Harvesters, Prophets and Plainsmen. I have his address if anyone wants it.
One of these days we will all get to hear the Prophets again. Won't it be great in heaven.
Enjoyed your story about the PROPHETS-SG History 101, March. My first gospel singing, in 1961-62 was to see the Prophets and Harvesters. Charles Yates was the lead singer. Jay Berry(none other than legendary promoter J. Bazzel Mull proclaimed Jay as the equal to Jake Hess during the early 60's) is my favorite singer of all time and the Packin Up album is my favorite. The Rebels were at their peak while Jay sang with them.
I Knew ed with the stamps quartet with steve waren tenor ed enoch lead tenor and jd sumner basso profondo
I spent some time visiting with Everett Reece last week in Branson, MO. He's still a great piano player!! I'd forgotten his work with the Prophets. I didn't know him until he worked with the Blackwood Singers, and London Parris and the Apostles.
Does anyone know what Jay Berry has done since Prophets/Rebel days?
Jay Berry, in my Opinion would be in the top 5 catagory of Lead Singers of all time, is alive and well and lives in St. Louis, Missouri. He has a very successful Automobile Dealership in St. Louis also. He sings, solo on a limited basis.
I had the privilege of seeing Jay Berry sing with the Prophets and the Rebels in the 60's. I agree with Tommy, except he's always been #1 in my book. I would love to be able to tell him that. I still play the albums from the 60's.
I was a teeager in the late 50s and early 60s and fell in love with gospel music and in particular the Prophets Quartet. I still have 6 or 7 of their old albums.
Many years prior to the Big Lew Garrison group in your article there was a Prophets Quartet based in Metropolis, IL who sang regularly in the St. Louis area and were immensely popular when I was young. They appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts TV show in the '50s.
I went to school with Joe Moscheo several years ago and always loved his piano playing. Where is he now? I saw him recently on a TV program advertising the Gaither Classic albums.
I was a huge fan of the Prophets in the 60's& 70's, I've often wondered whatever happened to Roy McNeil and Dave Rogers. The combo of Lew, Roy,Ed, , Dave& Joe were unmatched.
Thanks. Lew was my dad, and now I have a whole new perspective on him. I'm glad to know that so many people have enjoyed their music as I have.
I was born & reared in Elizabethton, Tennessee which is is hometown of "BIG LEW" Garrison! I can remember very well the days that Big Lew Spent "in town" often with a visitor who also loved our hometown, Ed Hill always loved to come home with Lew when they were off the road for a few days! My wife & I had our own group at one time, "The Miracles".I will never forget the Sunday,just prior to Lew's passing away,that we were booked at Lew's home church.
I am looking for the name of the album Roy NcNeal sang with the Stamps Quartet singing the song "Life is worth the living since Jesus I've found" I want to buy that album and or song single. Can someone help me. please email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Does anyone know what year The Prophets
As a young girl in the early sixties I'll never forget watching the Prophets on television. They were my favorite gospel group. Lew, Roy, Ed, Dave& Joe were the best. I was raised on gospel music and my parents and my uncle were a gospel trio. I have a majority of their records from the 60's and would like to have them on CD's. Anywhere to get them now? I loved Lew and Roy was the best lead singer even unto this day. I miss them.
Roy McNeil could not be beat as their lead singer. They were my favorite group when I was a child. How I miss them. Brings back so many memories. It would be nice to see some of their videos on youtube.
im not only a gospel music fan.. i have been singing baritone for many years now. my dad was a 1st tenor for the old electrical qt. in atlant ga. my uncle taught musiic in toccoa ga.i think what i saw and read was absoleutly great. keep it up. thanks.dave
great work. dave
I am looking for the words and music to a beautiful song that "The Prophets sang on an LP titled Love Like the Sun. The song that I am looking for is "Each Day I thank the Lord for Living. I would appreciate any help. I have searched for years. Thanks Ron
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