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The Prophets Quartet's trademark was "The most unique sound in Gospel Music". This sound was made by lead singers possessing an upper range as high as many first tenors, added by several excellent bass singers and pianists. They thrilled audiences for nearly fifteen years. The Prophets can trace their lineage to the Kings Men Quartet from St. Louis, Mo. Shortly after the 1958 National Quartet Convention, where the group was a big hit, founding members Ed Hill and Jerry (Jay) Berry moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where they formed The Prophets in March of 1959. They joined forces with James Lewis Garrison, Rancell D. Taylor and Gary Trusler. Their first album, "The Gospel Songs", which became a real collector's item, is recorded on the pop label Coral (Coral 57330). ![]()
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Soon personnel changes began to occur. With Fred Rose, Jim Boatman and 'Smilin' Joe Roper the group became familiar with unusual arrangements and expanded their abilities. They soon 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. After a while Jay Berry and Jim Boatman were replaced by Jack Toney and Roy McNeil. Jay Simmons joined the group as bass singer. ![]()
The songs written by Joe Moscheo made The Prophets very exciting. At that time, Joe was 'the only Italian in Gospel Music'. His arrangements and compositions became standards in their repritore.
The popularity of the group continued to grow. When Dave Rogers replaced Jay Simmons, many call this version of the quartet their finest. But personnel continued to change with Charles Yates, Duane Allen, Jim Wesson, Everette Reece, Ralph Jarman, David Young, Gary Timbs, Don Seabolt, Butch Sanders, Carl Sanders, Tommy Hensley, Grady (Chico) Nix and Dean Brown. The Prophets continued as an entity until Ed Hill retired the group in 1973 and became the baritone for JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet.
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