The Melody Boys Quartet, Clovis, CA 3/7/09
There could have no better time than last night for me to watch the Melody Boys Quartet and the Jim Davis Family at the Calvary Church of the Nazarene in Clovis.
For my day prior to that was an exercise in accumulating stress and bothers of myriad sorts. But I have long maintained that going somewhere to hear talented people sing music written to glorify God is the ultimate cure for a troubled and worried mind. Once this music is performed, it's simply amazing how suddenly insignificant all those things that troubled us so were.
And talented these artists were indeed. The Jim Davis Family from nearby Riverdale is led by the talented singer/songwriter/pianist who wrote the Gold City hit "Preach The Word", and features his wife and daughters as well. Jim is a versatile musician who writes, sings, and plays in any style he cares to, and his songs are wonderful expressions of faith and devotion. Not a lot of people are aware of Jim's talent on a national basis, but it's going to be hard to keep him and his family a secret for much longer. Their two sets were brief but stirring, and they helped to get me in a good mood, not just for my own sake but for the feature group that followed them as well.
And that feature group was the Melody Boys of Little Rock, AR, known primarily for their adherence to the traditional sound of gospel quartet music. They come this way often, and being a devoted fan of traditional quartet singing, I am never not satisfied to see the Melody Boys sing. That and the fact that I enjoy seeing aand talking to bass singer and manager Gerald Williams, a living, breathing example of the "glory days" of quartet singing...but more than that, he is a most gracious and humble Christian gentleman.
And Gerald didn't disappoint. He gave the three-quarters filled church(the crowd may have been hindered by the changeover to Daylight Savings Time[the reason why I didn't stay for the entire concert...I must be up by 4A for work on Sunday mornings, after all])plenty of fine bass SINGING...not just hitting low notes because they were available, but singing a great bass part, as he's been doing for 60 years now.
Tenor Tim Williams was the "ringer" for the group last night...he's from nearby Bakersfield, where he was featured with the Golden State Quartet for several years. Most everyone in attendance knew him, and knew the songs he did best...and he was featured on them last night, much to the delight of all his friends and fans there.
Of course, baritone/pianist Caleb Metheny was spotlighted often as well...he is probably one of the finest pianists out there, and I'm particuarly pleased that he is so cognizant of the quartet style and technique. Caleb is also a capable singer who can blend with the quartet or take a solo line when needed. He is also a fine young man whose humility is reminiscent of his boss, and he is also quite solicitous of the many fans who flock around him at personal appearances.
By far, though, the most pleasant surprise this time around was the young man who's begun singing the lead part for the quartet. The Fresno audience had no idea who he was, but I've known Alan Kendall for several years now...having communicated online with him through message boards, blogs, and the like. I was not aware Alan could sing so well, but from what little I know of him, I shouldn't have been. Though only in his mid-twenties, Alan is very much steeped in quartet lore and tradition, and if there was a quartet custom made for Alan Kendall to sing in, it's the Melody Boys Quartet. And happily, he fits them to a "T" as well with his familiar-sounding yet distinctive lead voice. I was really proud to finally meet Alan after all these years, and discover that he was more than just a nice kid who knew a lot about classic gospel music...he can sing it pretty good, too! Alan, ya made me proud!:-)
As I said, I wasn't able to stay for the entire program, but I hung out a half hour later than I'd planned, because being there was such a balm for my spirits. I'd hoped to hear the Melody Boys' version of Neil Enloe's great mid-60s song "Give Me Jesus"(from the group's latest album), but, alas, I did not when I finally noticed it was time to go.
But I had a great time hearing the Melody Boys and the Jim Davis Family, two groups of talented people that reflect the joy of the Lord in their singing. Again, I depended on a gospel concert to snap me out of a bad mood, and these folks did it, in grand style. If any of you should get the chance to hear either of the groups in person, go...they'll be good for what ails you, too!
Posted on Mar 09, 2009 - 02:13 AM | [9]
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John,
I love The Melody Boys, they are a class act in every respect. Congrats Alan, you surprised a bunch of us. Seems like I remember hearing somewhere "don't hide your light under a bushel". Now where could I have heard that? 
Congrats to Gerald as well. A great bass singer, and even more so, a great Christian man who I am honored to call a friend.