The Gospel Harmony Boys

Gospel Music Legend Roy McNeal Honored in Charleston, WV

May, 2005

Recently, members of the Gospel Harmony Boys had the rare opportunity to join other distinguished West Virginia artists in a wonderful evening with Gospel Music superstar, Roy McNeal

Roy returned to the city where he became a legend in his own right while singing lead for the legendary Prophets Quartet in the 1960s and early 70s. It was there that he created fame for songs like "Worry, Who I", "You Must Make Up Your Mind Today", and "Someday". All songs that have been recorded many times by many artists since, but none ever approaching those original Roy McNeal renditions. His anointed talent, his unique musical style, and his uncanny ability to interpret the message in a gospel song led Roy through the elite of gospel music history like the Prophets, The Stamps Quartet and the incomparable Statesmen. Few have ever attained Roy's level of success and even fewer ever attain his level of performance. You'll never fail to hear him mentioned with names like Jack Tony, James Blackwood and Jake Hess, the cream of gospel music's crop.

Few have ever attained Roy's level of success and even fewer ever attain his level of performance.

Remembering back to the early 1970s, when Calvin and Clacy first joined the GHBs, teaming-up with the Prophets for a w eekend of gospel concerts was a common thing, and a great camaraderie developed between the individuals in the organizations.

Calvin remarked, "I remember what great fun it was to watch Sonny Sites and Roy McNeal singing on the same stage,two of the greatest second tenors to ever pick up a microphone. Having the opportunity to share that stage was truly a remarkable dream come true for a kid from Wyoming County."

Members of the GHBs were joined at this event by one of their own legends, Homer Fry, who became their baritone and Master of Ceremonies in 1955 and spent 33 years in that spot rarely ever missing a concert. Homer joined Roy, JT Koontz and Henry Rice on stage for a wonderful trip down memory lane when they sang "You Must Make Up Your Mind Today". These guys might be getting a little older, but believe me you'd never knowby listening to them sing. Wow, what a blessing. They just blew us all away!

"I remember what great fun it was to watch Sonny Sites and Roy McNeal singing on the same stage..." Calvin Thompson

Other distinguished West Virginia artists like Scott Mullins, Jim Humphries, and members of the Kings Harmony Quartet were there to chime in on the old stories and participate in the fun filled jam session that followed a great evening meal.

Regrettably, you weren't there to enjoy the evening with us, but then, not many were, It was an unadvertised event. Just some old friends, singing some old songs, listening to some old records, looking at some old pictures and telling some old stories. A ticket to this event? Priceless!

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Our sincere thanks is extended to Kings Harmony tenor, Keith Skiles ,for all the time and effort he put into arranging the events of this marvelous evening and for allowing all the rest of us the opportunity to participate. Thanks, Keith, for a job well done, and for an evening that renewed some great old friendships and created many wonderful new memories.

Roy now resides in Dyresburg, Tennessee, with his wife Beverly. He continues to sing, doing solo work, and is joined by some friends to do an occasional quartet performance. All of us wish Roy the very best and express our gratitude to him and Beverly for making the trip to Charleston, West Virginia and for making our evening one to remember.

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