For an added history lesson this month, I would like to encourage you all to visit the message boards and check the "Top 40 Bass Singers of All Time" countdown. Alan Kendall has done a fabulous job with his biographies of the "Top 40 Bass Singers of All Time" as voted by the fans of the SoGospelNews web site. Thanks, Alan, for a job well done!
When I consider the focus for these monthly "history lessons", I attempt to make it relevant to the current news in the gospel singing world. The subject is the Rangers Quartet. Recently, a very deserving member of the Rangers Quartet,
Marion Snyder, was elected to the SGMA Hall of Fame. Also, Jimmy Jones, another former Ranger, is in the hospital following major surgery. Please keep them both in your prayers as you remember their accomplishments in gospel music.
During the Depression Era of the 1930's, Vernon Hyles, Arnold Hyles, George Hughes and Walter Leverette formed a quartet that soon became known as the Texas Rangers. Vernon sang lead and played the guitar. George Hughes was a fine tenor, and Walter Leverette was a very smooth baritone singer. The showcase of the group was "The World’s Lowest Basso Profundo" Arnold Hyles. Arnold’s voice was loud and rough. It made for a unique sounding quartet with a very heavy sound. The group drew large crowds and was soon commissioned as honorary Texas Rangers. They were also denoted as "Ambassadors of Good Will" for the state of Texas. After a few years of touring, the name was shortened to "The Rangers".
The Rangers were master showmen. As their reputation began to grow, they began traveling outside of Texas. In keeping with their master showmanship, they decided to ride bicycles from Texas to New York City to perform on "The Major Bowles Amateur Hour". The bicycle riding didn’t last long, as they began to perform in towns throughout the country. The trip to New York was soon forgotten, and the Rangers were drawing large crowds and making an excellent living doing what they loved . . . SINGING!
George Hughes left the group in 1938 and subsequently joined the Swanee River Boys. Denver Crumpler was hired to sing the tenor part, and the popularity of the group continued to grow. Denver took over the guitar playing and brought a clear Irish tenor voice to the group that became part of their trademark sound. Denver’s lyric tenor and Arnold Hyles’ bottomless bass were the anchors for one of the finest quartets in that era. Walter Leverette and Vernon Hyles were both excellent musicians with extraordinary ranges, and they complimented the outside parts quite nicely. The Rangers began to incorporate intricate harmonies and key changes in their music that many groups of that era could only dream about.
In the late 1930's, the Rangers moved from WHAS radio in Louisville, Kentucky to WBT radio in Charlotte, North Carolina. Shortly after moving to North Carolina, the Rangers decided to hire their first pianist: new SGMA Hall of Fame member Marion Snyder. He brought excellent piano skills to the group and was a master showman himself.
Around this time, the Rangers were responsible for many innovations in the gospel singing field. They signed a recording contract with Decca records in 1939 and recorded a number of songs for both Decca and Okeh with only Denver’s guitar as accompaniment.
They were the first quartet to have a commercially sponsored gospel radio network program. The Rangers were also the first gospel quartet to become a full time group completely on their own. They did not supplement their income with side jobs or songbook sales. They were professional gospel music entertainers! Other groups soon followed the Rangers lead for the Rangers quickly found out that they could be more prosperous by associating themselves with radio stations that would allow them to book their own concerts and advertise their programs on the air. As was typical in that era, their programs featured a mixture of hymns, gospel, pop, and Western tunes.
The Rangers left Charlotte in 1945 and moved to radio station WWVA in Wheeling, West Virginia. Marion Snyder had left the group earlier and was replaced by Charles Friar. Soon thereafter, WBT hired Larry Walker as staff pianist and he began playing for the Rangers. When they moved to Wheeling, Denver again pulled out the guitar and the Rangers added even more western and cowboy songs to their repritore. The Rangers made a short move to Richmond, Virginia where they procured the services of Lee Roy Abernathy as pianist. Lee Roy soon convinced them to move to Atlanta, Georgia. Professor Abernathy’s comments about the Rangers were this: "I decided to hunt the world’s finest quartet, and play the piano for them just to advertise my piano course by mail. I decided upon the Rangers who were singing on WRVA in Richmond, Virginia. I played with them for fifteen months before they fired me . . . "
While working in Atlanta, they recorded four songs for RCA Victor. WBT in Charlotte again asked the Rangers to rejoin their station, and in 1947, the Rangers again moved to Charlotte. Although Lee Roy says they "fired him" other accounts say that he didn’t want to leave the Atlanta area, so Hovie Lister left the Homeland Harmony Qt. to join the Rangers in Charlotte. During Hovie’s short tenure with the Rangers, they recorded four songs for Bullet Records, one being a solo by Hovie Lister. Hovie became the first member of the group to record a solo.
Hovie didn’t care for the Charlotte area either, so he soon moved back to Atlanta opening the seat on the piano bench to another future Statesman, Doy Ott. When Doy joined the Rangers, he was known as a pianist and not a vocalist. The Rangers
then did a tour of duty at WIBW in Topeka, Kansas.
When Doy Ott left the quartet in May of 1949, David Reece, formerly with the Blue Ridge Quartet, became their pianist. On June 1, 1949, baritone Walter Leverette succumbed to a heart attack, and the Rangers were forced to make their first personnel change in vocalists in more than ten years. Ermon Slater from Sand Mountain, Alabama became the new baritone. Slater has previously sung with the Harmoneers. The Rangers soon moved to WPTF in Raleigh, NC. That particular group began their own "Record of the Month" club which they distributed under their own "Rangers" label.
Tragedy again struck the Rangers in early 1951 when Arnold Hyles and Ermon Slater were involved in an automobile accident and were hit by a drunk driver. Slater was killed instantly, and Hyles was severely injured. Arnold was out of action for many months, as the doctors gave him little hope for survival.
Although Vernon then considered disbanding the group, the hospital bills were mounting up. Jimmy Jones joined the group six days after the accident, and the Rangers continued as a four-man group with David Reece playing the piano and singing baritone. Jimmy did a very admirable job in filling the spot of one of the greatest bass singers in gospel music history. That particular group soon moved to Dallas, Texas to work for the Liberty Broadcasting System. The Rangers continued to thrive. At one time the Rangers were heard on more than 450 radio stations from coast to coast.
After a long period of recuperation, Arnold Hyles began making selected appearances with the quartet singing a few songs, but he wasn’t up to full time singing. For these performances, he would be in a wheelchair, for his injuries hadn’t fully healed. Arnold lived in constant pain for the remainder of his life.
Personnel changes were few and far between with the Rangers until 1953. Then, David Reece left the group and was replaced by Cecil Pollock. Glenn Sessions joined the group as a sixth member, filling in both at lead and baritone. Jimmy Jones moved to
baritone when Arnold would return to the group, and switch back to bass when Arnold couldn’t make the dates. The last change in 1953 occurred at the same time when Jimmy Jones left to form the Deep South Quartet and Denver Crumpler left to join the Statesmen. Denver was replaced by Gene Moss, a great tenor from the Stamps-Baxter Quartet.
The Rangers decided to pursue a move to Hollywood. Cecil Pollock remained in Texas and was replaced by pianist Elmer Childress. Glenn Sessions soon moved back to Texas, and was replaced by Ralph Dailey. After a short time in California, the Rangers moved to Wichita, Kansas. Dailey remained in California, and Childress did double duty as pianist and baritone vocalist. The Rangers disbanded shortly thereafter, closing the career of one of the most successful and innovative quartets in gospel music history.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 04/30/2003
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Category: SG History 101
Comments: 33
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John you're too good to me and don't act like you weren't a part of the countdown too. John was a major help to me and I don't think I would've considered anybody else to help me. John's tha'man. These articles of his are remarkable and I learn something all the time. Thanks John.
Another great history lesson. I think it shows the impact the singing cowboys (Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, etc.) were having on music in that period. Country music was Country and Western with folks from the Southeast dressing as cowboys. Even pop stars like Bing Crosby were doing western songs ("Wide Open Spaces") and here John reminds us that gospel groups regularly did Western songs. Sunshine Boys also sang that type of material.
Once again you have proven yourself to be the "guru of SGM". I really appreciate your quest to provide history so that the legacy of SGM can be appreciated. The Rangers were certainly a major reason for teh emergence of what is now termed southern gospel music. I think you deserve a silver dollar for your efforts.
John, that is a very insightful article. You're articles make me realize that some of us (especially me) only "think" we know about SGM.
I DIDNT KNOW THE RANGERS QUARTET BUT HOVIE HAD THE BEST IRISH TENOR IN GOSPEL
John, i knew most of those guys and worked many dates with them in those early years and again you are right on line because they were one class act! Keep up the good work!!
John,
Great article,as per usual,J.C.
You are a regular encyclopedia of information. I can't wait until your next article. Is the subject top secret or can you let us know in advance???
John...you da man! Thanks again for an excellent history lesson. Thanks for keeping us young'uns up to speed on our history!
John: thanks for being the guardian of this type of history. I was a tad young to remember this group, but I've been lucky enough to have known some folks who saw them. Their rememberance was primarily of Arnold Hyles singing bass - a true highlight as you pointed out. (Of course, Arnold is the guy that J.D. Sumner idolized!)
You folks are all too kind with your comments. Thank you for reading each month, and thank you for the kind words you write. I am very appreciative.
Another superb job, John. Just when I think I know a lot about SG history I read one of your articles, and realize I don't know as much as I thought! I always enjoy reading about Denver Crumpler - I heard many say he was perhaps the finest tenor ever. Certainly one of the finest persons ever. Keep up the terrific work.
John---I can only agree with your peers to say you've just flat out got it when it comes to Southern Gospel History lessons. Thanks for a renewal of many great memories of the Rangers Quartet. Please keep up the good work.
Well, I know what we've e-mailed about in the past, and what we'll e-mail about in the future.
I first saw the Rangers Quartet in the 1940's in my home town of Union, SC. WHAT A JOY !!!
Keep history alive for the younger generation!!!!!!!!
I really enjoyed the article of the Rangers quartet..I miss that kind of real Southern Gospel music,before it became Southern rock.I wish we could bring it back. My husband(Clark Thompson) enjoyed the article also...
Well as you can see, I've not been reading the archives. I first saw and heard the Ranger after the car crash and after David Reece and Jimmy Jones had joined the group. They appeared at the Dodson Auditorium in Kilgore, Texas, where they appeared numerous times thereafter in the following years. Vernon and Arnold Hyles brother-in-law was one of the local Lions Club leaders here and that the Club was their sponsor. The Rangers were Vernon Hyles, Jimmy Jones, Denver Crumpler, and David Reece at that time. Arnold started eventually singing a few songs sitting in his wheelchair, but not until a year or so later. They had a great sound like I had never heard until that time.
I am an avid Southern Gospel fan and personally acquainted with Arnold and Raymond Hyles. Before the Rangers began traveling all over the country, they were very well known locally. At that time their tenor was my father, David Porterfield. They attended the Stamps Baxter School of Music as a group. When the group decided to travel, my dad dropped out as he didn't want to leave the family and he didn't think he could make a living doing that. When the Rangers were back in our area, my dad and my older sister rode a bus to Waxahachie, Texas, to see them perform. Arnold and Raymond knew my dad was there and called my dad and my sister up on stage. They asked my sister if she sang and she said she did. And her claim to fame is that she sang "Looking For A City" on stage with the Rangers Quartet.
I don't know about the Rangers Quartet music but if you are interested in a 4packCD recording of Rangers Trio, with David Reese, Clark Thompson and Roy Mc Neil. Clark has those, let me know.
It's so good to read words from others who knew or had heard the Rangers. (I would like to get a copy of the Rangers Trio's CD's.) Also, I have a cassette given to me by a Southern Gospel friend in the Dallas Texas area. I think it's from the 1940's. I must have played that cassette two hundred times. One of my favorites is: I HAVE A DESIRE featuring Denver. If legal, I'll be happy to make a copy of it and mail it (not for sale).
Hi Tom Cabaniss, I tried to e-mail you but your .org address they said was too long. I guess that is just your web page...How may I contact you. This is legal. I am Mrs Clark Thompson and Clark owns the rights to theses albums(CD'S)
I am David Leverett, a nephew of Walter Leverett. You have spelled it with an e on the end in error. I was elated to find this web-page and to read up on the Rangers. With Walter being in the quartet, my dad helping them start off, I kept good track of them from the time I can remember. I was born in 1939 so the quartet was going before I got here.
David. . . I'd love to email you, but I don't have your address. Thank you for your comments. Feel free to email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
My Dad is Elmer Childress, who was a part of the Rangers. It was SUCH fun to read this tonight. He of course went on to form our group, which was The Elmer Childress Family. We sang for many years, had a television show on for 20 years, made 14 record albums and, as I'm the youngest, I basically grew up on the bus, going to and from programs. ha We sang with many of the groups you mention in the southern gospel arena, and it's fun to read about them and think of them again. Any plans to do a history lesson on our family? haha Thanks for the fun read tonight! Sharon/Shari
could you tell me if arnolds son is still living and if he is still in louisville ky because my grandmother some years ago used to write back an forth to arnold and i knew that at one time his son was running or operating a hotel here in town? please let me know?
Steve, I asked my Dad for you, and he said that Arnold's son had an automobile accident after Arnold's funeral. I think that may be all he knows about it. Sorry. Sharon
In this article the correct spelling of Marion (Snyder) should be corrected to (Snider).
For those intersted in Rangers QT recordings, Bobby Crumpler, Denver Crumpler's son is compiling 10 hours of transcriptions for sale to the public from his mother's collection. He asks that anyone intersted e-mail him.
I remember the Rangers on WIBW when I was little. They weren't at WIBW long, to my disappointment.
Bobby Crumpler, son of Denver Crumpler has just release a CD of the Rangers Quartet entitled RIDE RANGER RIDE. This CD has 25 songs from 1945 Radio Transcriptions digitally restored to perfection. Listen to sample tracks and more.
The Rangers Quartet was my all-time favorite gospel quartet. They came to my hometown of Scottsville, Kentucky many times in the early 1950s. Arnold, the greatest bass, and Denver Crumpler who was the finest first tenor and gentleman I have ever known. Erman Slater was such a kind man. I have many of their old 78s which I still cherish today. My father was a promoter and president of the Allen County Singing Convention. On one occasion the Rangers were at the singing convention and there was an estimate of 10,000 people in attendance at the convention. What precious memories! Thank you for sharing photos and history of these legendary men of gospel music.
The Rangers Quartet had a radio program on KWKH in Shreveport, LA in the late 40s and early 50s.
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