THE GLORYLANDERS QUARTET-A HISTORY IN BRIEF

More than 40 years ago, four young men graduating from high school formed a quartet to sing gospel music. The term "Southern Gospel" may not have existed at that time, but when the category was named, this group fit in. These boys grew up together in the local Baptist and Methodist churches of the Crab Orchard, IL, area. They started singing the music they were raised on and decided on a name: The Glorylanders Quartet. A piano player was added and they became one of the area's first Southern Gospel Quartets

Life is full of change and over the next 40 years, the Glorylanders saw their share. Job changes, marriage and family, calls into full-time ministry, calls back into the local church-all resulted in personnel changes so that today, one original member remains as manager, lead singer, bus driver, spiritual advisor-and DAD!

At times, the quartet consisted of 4 singers and a pianist; at times, 4 singers, a pianist, and 3 guitar players; and for a number of years, they sang as a trio, combining tracks with live piano and bass guitar. It's been quite a ride! This is what's called a part-time ministry since all members work full-time jobs. There were many years when the group sang as many as 150-200 times each year, so the children grew up knowing this was a priority commitment.. They were always welcome to go along, and often did - and did some singing on occasion. Those trips provided them with many vivid memories-probably not all good-but with enough to go a long way toward shaping their priorities as adults. Having been around for such a long time, The Glorylanders started recording when long-play albums still existed. (Now they show up in antique shops!) We survived the 8-track era, the cassette age, and are now into cds and websites like most other groups We marvel at what God has allowed man to experience in the past four decades.

The Glorylanders Quartet has participated in three overseas missions trips. The first was a 30-day tour of the Southern third of Africa. We visited 4 nations and 1 homeland, traveling with Campus Crusade for Christ. We were privileged to sing for the missionaries in retreat as well as at many churches in Swaziland, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the homeland of Boputoswana. Our lives were changed and we returned with a zeal for encouraging mission support around the world.

The second and third trips were to Jamaica and Honduras, tours arranged by the missions board of General Baptist Churches. In Jamaica, we sang in 7 churches in the interior of the island. When you leave the coastal areas where Americans vacation and go "into" the island, you find where Jamaicans really live. This was primarily a "singing" tour and we had a fabulous time sharing music with an incredibly talented people.

The trip to Honduras was somewhat different: Only two or three times did we worship with actual Honduran congregations-but what times they were! What we did on a daily basis was participate in a building program - actual construction - on a site where the GB Church was planting a new work which would eventually consist of a children's home, a school, homes for missionaries, and other facilities needed to minister to that area. We were part of the first team of workers, so ground was just being cleared. The men helped dig footings for buildings, pour concrete, and in general lay the groundwork for the next crew. The women cooked, cleaned, and did the laundry. Our children taught Honduran boys to play baseball! Ministry of a different kind, but just as important!

Every evening, back at the home of our host missionaries, we sang "southern gospel" and worshipped with our hosts. They were originally from Kentucky, had grown up on southern gospe,l and REALLY missed it. We were able to take a little part of "home" to them. How exciting that was!

Back at home, change occurred again. The children all grew up. Our tenor singer of many years, prolific songwriter Bill Schell was involved in pastoring a church in Marion, IL, and chose to leave the road. As had always been the case, God supplied our needs "above and beyond" all that we could ever expect or desire.

Deb Knight, longtime friend who had filled in whenever needed for a number of years, stepped in and made us feel that there had never been a gap. Our baby, Richard, (by then 23 years old) came on board as bass singer, and made The Glorylanders a quartet once again.

The years are flying by again, and again we are enjoying the ride. The group as it stands has two cds, "Happy Sounds" and "I Believe." Each spring-the weekend AFTER Easter to be exact-The Glorylanders host the Southern Illinois State Quartet Convention in Marion, Illinois. This is a two-day extravaganza of southern gospel music which has now spanned more than a quarter of a century.

We've never considered retirement from singing as an option. As long as there are places to sing, we know God will supply the fuel to get there and back. We look forward to the future with anticipation and excitement.