A friend at church last night brought some records that he got from his parents recently. Included in the stack of 6 or 7 albums was a couple of albums by the Songmasters from Memphis. I’ve heard of this group for a long time, always heard good things about Ms. Marcy, and I know Dale Shipley and Debra Talley both sang with the group at one time. The two albums are their apparent first album called “Heaven Came Down” and the second one was titled “For Sure” or something like that. Anyone out there know much about the group/albums? I borrowed the albums from him (thanks, JR!) but wasn’t able to listen to them last night as my daughter was quite sleepy when I got home, and the record player is hooked to my computer in her room. Since I’m not originally from Memphis and the Mid-South, I’m not up on a lot of the regional groups from the history. Please share anything you know about them here, I’m looking forward to listening to the LPs tonight.
did you ever listen to these LP’s?
PJ
I did, and the debut LP was ok, pretty good for a regional debut recording, and a highlight is Dale Shipley singing “Gloryland”. The later LP is very good, on par with the national groups of the time. I may do Classics Corner reviews of both in the near future.
I have wonderful memories of the Songmasters coming to my church in Chicago when I was a little girl in the mid 70’s. We would have an “Old-Fashioned Day” with dinner on the grounds and two concerts.
I would love to find redone tapes/CDs of their music from back then to give to my Dad. If anybody out there knows where I can find them, please let me know!
They were actually from milan, tn. Must have heard them 100 times in the 70’s, we traveled where-ever they were singing.many revivals and dinner on the grounds.
I loved it when they sang “The King is Coming”..She could really belt that one out and Dale was great too. Remember Trudy? whatever happened to her?
Wow! I had been listening to the Gaither’s tonight and began stepping back in time. Eventually I sumbled across your website as I gooled Bro. Joel Kelsey and The Songmasters. My daddy pastored a church in Ypsilanti, MI while I was growing up. We used to have them at our church frequently. I loved them all. Bro. Joel and Sis. Marcy walked close to the Lord and it was proven thru their ministry with the group.
I live in Evansville, Indiana. Bro. Joel and The Songmasters would sing at our church, hold revivals and sing in the area all the time back in the day. Marcy has had all their records transfered to CD’s.
we followed them all around TN- diner on the ground and revivals……had all the old albums at one time.
i LOVED THE KING IS COMING- gave me shivers as a young teen
The Songmasters were THE only group that could do cover material better than the group who charted the song. When a song became popular I could hardly wait to hear how The Songmasters woud do it. They also had great origional songs too, and charted a few also.
Tim you mentioned that Marcy has had all their records converted to CD. Do you know how or where they may be purchased?
The Songmasters came to our little Baptist church in Radcliff, KY in the early 70s when I was very young and how remember their wonderful sound and harmony. I would like very much to obtain their CDs as the LP records I own are now well worn and some tracks are scratched from much play over the years. I have tried to transfer them to an MP3 format but the quality is very poor. Any details on how to acquire CDs would be much appreciated!
The Song Masters Quartet
P.O. Box 647
Milan, TN 38358
731-686-0573
( Marcy Kelsey Beckett )
i visited mom in TN last month and saw a whole stack of these old Songmasters albums in the basement- will remember to grab them when i go back for thanksgiving
Sure would love to find if any are available and purchase any Songmasters Albums that have been put on CD as my records are well worn and now have scratches that affect the sound quality. If any one knows where these may be purchased please reply to this post. Thank you.
Songmasters fans here is the information on how to order your complete Songmasters collection on CD’s.
The Song Masters Quartet
P.O. Box 647
Milan, Tn 38358
731-686-0573
( Marcy Kelsey Beckett )