Steve Warren with The Mystery Men Quartet
Who would have ever thought that two long time friends (30+ years) from two separate and remote worlds would join together to make a mark in the Gospel music world?
That is what has happened! Ed Crawford, re-organizer of the Singing Americans and better known from 10 years with the Kingsmen and most recently as the manager of the Mystery Men Quartet, has hired his long time friend, Steve Warren, as lead singer for the group.
Many of you will be familiar with Steve from his days and years with the Masters V and J.D. Sumner & The Stamps and long time tenure with his lifetime friend, Cecil Blackwood of the original Blackwood Brothers Quartet. He arranged vocal and music for all of the above mentioned groups and most in this business are familiar with their success.
To our knowledge, Steve is the only three time Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductee. Nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and he has shared the stage as music director and featured vocalist for Wayne Newton. Many other well known people have had great things to say about Steve including Larry Gatlin and the Oak Ridge Boys (visit myspace.com/themysterymenquartet for more on Steve’s resume).
But when talking with Steve, it is apparent that his first love has always been Gospel music. As a child, he was a part of singing, around singing, or singing himself. His father worked with W.B. Nowlin, promoting gospel music in the Houston area, so he was well acquainted with all of the icons that he later sang with: Jake Hess, James Blackwood, J.D., and his original inspiration, Hovie Lister. Steve’s father was not only a promoter in the greater Houston area, but he also had two local radio shows that aired on KNUZ and KLVL. And as just a young boy, Steve would fill in as DJ on many occasions.
So how does all this come back to Steve now being with the Mystery Men Quartet?
(Ed) I had asked Steve many, many times to be a part of the group. His answer was always, ‘No.’
(Steve) I had been at the top of both secular and gospel music and sung with the icons of both worlds … that’s a hard act to follow. Quite frankly, there is no group out there that catches my eye. I had no desire until God opened this door. I am following God’s direction. Nothing against all the other wonderful groups out there, but they are all established and I wasn’t ready to get back on a bus and be in full time Gospel music again. Let me be clear, I never really left gospel music. I incorporated much of it into my variety show in Branson and Pigeon Forge. And I always was sensitive to the type of secular music I sang. Never the crude lyrics or vulgar thoughts. Always being mindful of the things I had been taught. I just did not want to offend those friends and fans that came from the Stamps, Blackwoods, and Masters V. They were and are very precious to me. God is specific about not offending his children.
When did all this come about?
(Steve) A couple of weeks ago I learned that my friend, Ed, had lost his lead singer and I offered to fill in until he got a replacement. One thing led to another and I felt led to, this time, accept his offer. Two other friends of mine were already singing with Ed and I realized that I would be involved with a group of guys that I liked (all of them) and that had the potential to be a cut above the norm.
Why now would Steve come back to full time Gospel music?
(Steve) After a few days of prayer and soul searching I realized ‘this is right’. As far as self, I did not want to get back into the routine, but God kept whispering to my heart … ‘This is right.’ I believe this may be the best and most successful opportunity of my career because of God’s leading. If we are blessed and fortunate to be able to hear God’s voice in our hearts, He will lead us where He wants us to be. I now want to please Him. Sometimes He speaks and we do not listen. I am listening now. Most importantly, I have a peace and happiness and excitement, after making this decision, which I have not had in a long, long time … maybe ever.
What was it like working with Wayne Newton?
(Steve) Mr. Newton was a soft spoken person with great respect for Gospel music. What a privilege it was when he allowed me his time, with his orchestra, and his audience to sing a Gospel song and see him wiping a tear as I sang “Amazing Grace”. What a joy.
Any regrets?
(Steve) Only that I may have left prematurely. I was with Wayne much like the Stamps were with Elvis, singing Gospel music to thousands of people every night who otherwise may never had heard it. That truly was awesome to sing Gospel music in Vegas at Desert Inn, MGM Grand, The Sands, and then to sing at Trump’s Taj Mahal and Merv Griffin Theatre and to see the spirit move in those places as the people listen to the Gospel in song. Maybe my ego has regrets, but not my heart. I am eager to see what God has in store now for the Mystery Men Quartet.
What now for Steve?
(Steve) Now I focus all of my efforts and abilities to my new work. Whatever it takes to work with Ed, Jym, and Joe to make this the best we can be for God is what I want. I learned from J.D. Sumner that doing your job and what is asked and required of you is what matters. God also requires our best.
Why the Mystery Men Quartet?
(Steve) Because I know all of the guys and they knew me. Let’s face it, I haven’t always been a saint and am not one now … no one is. But this is a new desire to do it and get it right both musically and spiritually. To see lives changed and people touched not just by good singing, but by a spirit from within. To sing and offer our talents and abilities to the glory of God and the blessing and enjoyment of his people.
What were some of the other contributing factors for your decision?
(Steve) First was my long time professional and personal relationship with my new boss man, Ed Crawford. We have had a mutual respect for each other’s abilities for many years.
Second, I literally have known Jym Howe (the group’s tenor) all of his life. My mother and I were at his home the day his parents brought him home from the hospital. It has been a long and lasting friendship with him and his dad, Tommy Howe, who filled in for the Master’s V in Jake Hess’ and James Blackwood’s absence.
Lastly, I had the opportunity to sing with Joe Armstrong (the bass singer for the group) and immediately recognized his talent and potential. I roomed with him on the road and grew to really like him as a person as well.
So you see these are not new people in my life, just a gathering of true friends. I believe God’s timing is impeccable and has brought this all together for a great work yet to be done.
Is Steve considering moving back to Nashville?
(Steve) Yes, sometime in the near future, but for the present it is only 3 hours or so and that is not a huge commute.
We know Steve is also a songwriter. Will the group be doing any of Steve’s original material?
(Steve) Ed has indicated that the group will certainly be looking at my songs. I have been fortunate to have had some songs recorded by several of the top groups in the business including the Kingsmen and the Masters V. The group will be doing some collaborative work as well and constantly searching for songs that will make a difference.
What do you see for the future of the Mystery Men?
(Steve) Honestly, Onward and Upward! You see, we have a genuine appreciation for the glory days of Gospel music along with the knowledge and technology of today. I believe that God is assembling a complete team … promotion people, booking people, and negotiations for a recording deal. It seems that the group is in a position, in God’s will, to put more Gospel music into the ears, into the hearts, and into the hands of more music fans. Seriously, we are truly looking for the time of our lives … collectively, musically, and spiritually.
http://www.myspace.com/themysterymenquartet
Written: 05/06/2009 |
Author: SGN |
Category:
Feature Articles
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Comments: 8
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I'm looking forward to seeing the group. I remember Steve singing with The Stamps, and I saw him recently in Pigeon Forge. I believe this will be one of the greatest combinations in SG.
I can't wait to see what God has in store for this group! When these guys sing, you can tell that they are enjoying telling others about God. May God keep on blessing you all!
It's no mystery to me that the Mystery Men have landed one of the giants in Gospel music with Steve coming on board to sing lead. I sang with Jym, the Mystery Men's fine tenor, and will never forget the incredible job Steve did producing an album for our Freedom Quartet. Ask Steve about the 500 voice wailing angel choir he created with his own amazing voice for our arrangement of "Moments to Remember". What an incredible talent he is...and a great guy, too!
I always enjoyed hearing Steve Warren sing tenor with the Masters V and later with the Stamps and the Blackwood Brothers. His verse on "Where The Roses Never Fade" with the Stamps was definitive.
I hope I have a chance to hear him with the Mystery Men somewhere down the road. I had an opportunity to work with Ed Crawford several years ago at a New Year's Eve event, and I found Ed to be a class act.
“Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.”—-Mark Twain
I'd like to get a Cd of the NEW group.I know Steve will make the grade.
These guys are fantastic!!!
If you are looking for really good gospel music, this is the group to watch.Call your radio stations and get them to play "The Mystery Men".
welcome home Steve...
I had a cassette tape of your 1st solo record no Skylite, it long time ago bit the dust.. Did this ever get released on cd.. the one with your reflection in the mirror, where you played all the instruments.
if so anyway to order it, or other releases for radio .
Ed thank you for the new radio promotion tags.
I'm READY TO LEAVE
ALBUQUERQUE AL
host: GOSPEL CHAPEL - GOSPEL FLASHBACK - HYMNSING - EVENING CHAPEL
I have to say that Steve Warren is the most talentewd man I have ever meet!!! I am so thankful that I had the chance to work with such a musical icon . I am honored to know him and I am a better singer for knowing him . I love you Steve and I know God will bless your life ...
Love always
Shelley
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