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The Five Broke Single Boys

I have a riddle for you? What do you get when you take 3 single boys from one quartet and two single boys from another, put them together and tell them to sing? Answer: The Five Broke Single Boys.

I wanted to take this time to introduce this new quartet. Trying to find words to describe these boys is tough. They are wonderful men who have chosen to take the path of Gospel Music, spreading the Word through song. Ok, so their name is fun, but that's how this all got started. I don't believe they ever intended it to be anything more than fun.

Billy Hodges, Gene McDonald, Randy (Scoot) Shelnut, Jr., Stewart Varnado, and Josh Garner are all members of two well known southern gospel groups, The Florida Boys and The Dixie Echoes. Each of these individuals present their own distinct musical styling, however, collectively they share the common goal of being the best they can be for the glory and honor of the Lord, as they present the Gospel in song.

Billy Hodges, tenor for The Dixie Echoes, is a native of Martin, Tennessee and is the newest member of the Dixie Echoes. Some of his biggest influences are Garry Sheppard, Ernie Phillips, and Brian Free. In his first year with the Dixie Echoes, Billy was nominated as Horizon Individual in the Singing News Fan Awards.

Gene McDonald, bass for The Florida Boys, is one of the best and lowest bass singers to come along in Southern Gospel Music in a long time. Some of his biggest influences include the late J.D. Sumner, Brock Speer, and Rex Nelon. Since Gene has been with the Florida Boys, he has been honored with many nominations by the fans. The Southern Gospel Music Association has nominated him twice as Favorite Male Vocalist. He has been nominated three times for Favorite Bass Singer in the Singing News Fan Awards.

Randy (Scoot) Shelnut, Jr., baritone and bass guitarist for The Dixie Echoes, began his gospel
music career with the Dixie Echoes at the young age of eleven. Some of his biggest influences include grandfather, Dale Shelnut, and Glen Allred. Most recently, he was nominated as Favorite Young Artist and Favorite Baritone in the Singing News Fan Awards.

Stewart Varnado, pianist for The Dixie Echoes, is from Franklinton, Louisiana, and joined the Dixie Echoes directly out of high school in 1998. His biggest influences are Roger Bennett and Derrell Stewart. Most recently, he was nominated as Favorite Pianist in the Singing News Fan Awards as well as the Dixie Echoes Band for Favorite Band.

Josh Garner, lead for The Florida Boys, Originally from Fairfield, Illinois, Josh is regarded as one of the highest and most talented lead singers in the Southern Gospel Music industry. His biggest influences are Jack Toney and Jim Hamill. In his first year with the Florida Boys, Josh won the Horizon Individual Award in the Singing News Fan Awards.

The Florida Boys and The Dixie Echoes host the Suwannee River Jubilee in Live Oak, Florida every year. It would only make sense then The Five Broke Single Boys first concert would be at the October 2001 Suwannee River Jubilee.

Since then, the FBSB have performed a free hour-long concert every year. One would only assume that you would have a once in a lifetime chance to hear this outstanding blend of voices (and piano). However, on February 4, 2003, you will have another opportunity to see this brand new quartet. Bill Bailey's Convention in Auburndale, Florida will consist of a matinee concert with the Five Broke Single Boys.

Not only are these five young quartet men outstanding in their talents, they are also avid supporters of this music called Southern Gospel. Each one is a member of the Southern Gospel Music Association. Because of the request by fans to make a recording, these boys put their heads together and decided they would record a project, but only as a fundraiser for the SGMA. Their hope is that southern gospel fans will join them in supporting this great cause.

In October of 2002 the FBSB recorded some of their favorite Southern Gospel songs in a way that will make traditional quartet fans rejoice. You will hear the four singer's voices with no stacked vocals and accompaniment is simply Stewart Varnado on piano and Randy Jr. on bass guitar.

As of this time, this recording is only made available on Compact Disc and can only be purchased through the SGMA, (Southern Gospel Music Association, PO Box 6729, Sevierville, TN 37864, 865-908-4040), or online at [url=http://www.stewartvarnado.com]http://www.stewartvarnado.com[/url]

The Dixie Echoes and Florida Boys will NOT be carrying it on their product table. The Five Broke Single Boys goal is to do their part in keeping the heritage of Southern Gospel Music alive.