Photo Memories

This time I am going to combine Memories with my Secret Photos and bring you Photo Memories. My first Photo Memories blog is the LeFevres. Many of todays Southern Gospel Singing fans were not fans when the LeFevres were a major group. The LeFevres and the Speer Family are two of our oldest groups, both had their beginning in 1921.

The LeFevres were not only a major group, they were major players in TV and concert promotion. They also owned and operated a recording studio,a record label, a record distribution company, Sing Magazine, and published song books and sheet music.



The Photo on this Sing magazine cover is of the LeFevre offices and recording Studios. The LeFevres headquarters was located in Atlanta GA.

The LeFevre Family consist of Urias LeFevre, his wife Eva Mae and his brother Alphus. Urias and Eva Mae had three sons. Sons Pierce and Mylon joined the group on stage while son Maurice ran the business.



I have known Urias and Eva Mae LeFevre since the late 50's. I have spent many hours at the LeFevre offices and recording studios in Atlanta. Urias and Eva Mae were both very talented, strong willed and hard working people. Together they built a Southern Gospel Music empire.



The 1921 version of the LeFevre Trio. Pictured L/R Alphus, Maude and Urias. Maude is Alphus and Urias sister.



For over fifty years the LeFevres were a Trio and was the most successful Trio in a Quartet industry in the early days. Pictured L/R Urias, Eva Mae, Hove Lister and Alphus. Hovie played piano for the LeFevres before starting the Statesmen Quartet.



The LeFevre Trio with "Big" Jim Waits. Jims Waits was the first bass singer to sing with the LeFevres. Jim's bass singing career began with the Vaughn Radio Quartet in1937. After that he sang with the John Daniels Quartet and the Homeland Harmony Quartet when Hovie Lister was their young pianist. Jim sang several years with the Rebels Quartet from Tampa Florida Big Jim Waits retired. I remember "Pappy" that was another name many fans called Jim, came to Pensacola to visit JG Whitfield, who at that time was owner of the Florida Boys and was also their bass singer. Jim would always have at least one meal at our house. He loved mothers cooking especially her fresh green blackeyed peas and fat back with orka, and corn boiled on top of the peas. For desert Jim would crumble corn bread in a bowl of pea soup. Pictured L/R Eva Mae, Alphus, Jim Waits, Urias



I think this was a 30's photo of the LeFevre Trio. Uncle Alf looks like he is from the roaring 20's.



The LeFevre Trio with "Little Troy Lumpkin." Pictured L/R Bottom Eva Mae and Urias Top Little Troy and uncle Alf. "Little Troy Lumkin was an outstanding tenor singer of the day.



Take a look at this photo of the LeFevres. See the person on the extreme right is none other than Ronnie Hutchins who spent a few years with this group.



Many of us call her "Mama" Would you look at "Mama" what a doll !! This is a Post Card sold at the LeFevre table.



After many, many years as the LeFevre Trio, the word Trio was dropped and the group became the LeFevres. This photo of the group was taken when the two sons were with the group. Picture L/R bottom Mylon and Pierce, middle row Uncle Alf, Eva Mae, and Rex Nelon, top Urias. Mylon left the group and went into secular music for several years and was very successful. When he returned to Christian music he went into contemporary Christian music. Pierce was killed in a plane crash several years ago.
Rex Nelon and Jimmie Jones (not pictured) led the LeFevres into the music publishing business. Jimmie and Rex were both bass singers and Jimmie was also a guitarist.



The whole gang.L/R Rex Nelon, Urias, Alphus, Mylon, Pierce, Maurice. Standing in front of Pierce is Jimmie Jones and Eva Mae is seated at the piano.



My fellow Americans I want you to enjoy this photo. Note the two young ladies in the center bottom row. L/R Janet Pascal and Kelly Nelon. This photo was taken just after Rex bought the group from Eva Mae, and before he changed the name from LeFevres to the Rex Nelon Singers. I must say Janet and Kelly you never look sweeter.



Eva Mae and I have been friends for more years than either one of us will say. I have watched her life and learned from it. She had no equal in her hay days, she ran hard, fast and far. She was a driver and she was successful beyond even her dreams.
She layed as much foundation for the Southern Gospel Music industry as any man in the business. We, the industry owe this lady much.

Eva Mae was our cover girl in April 2000. She has matured with class and grace, and is still a beautiful lady today.

Copyright 2005 Jerry Kirksey

Posted by Jerry Kirksey at 12:02 PM - Send Comments - Email This Post