SG History 101 - The Plainsmen Quartet, SG History 10

Jan

2003

SG History 101 - The Plainsmen Quartet

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If the world of gospel music had a dictionary and you looked up the words "modern quartet harmony", no doubt a picture of the Plainsmen Quartet would accompany the definition. The Plainsmen Quartet may not have invented "modern quartet harmony", but they certainly perfected the technique. Imaginative arrangements, creative dynamics, and precision singing became trademarks of this outstanding gospel quartet.

The voices of the original Plainsmen were associated with the Stamps Music Company located in Dallas, Texas. Many of the original members of the Plainsmen recorded for Columbia Records as the Stamps Quartet.

In August of 1956, the quartet left the Stamps organization to work independently. The group at the time consisted of Howard Welborn (tenor), Jack Mainord (lead), Bill Randall (baritone), Joe B. Davis (bass), and Easmon Napier (pianist and emcee). The group maintained the "heavy" sound associated with the Stamps organization until their first personnel change when Rusty Goodman joined the group as the baritone singer in December of 1957 replacing Bill Randall.

Although his vocal range was more in the baritone range, Rusty soon replaced Joe B. Davis in the bass slot, and identical twins Ermon and Thurman Bunch joined the Plainsmen. The Bunch twins came from the Jubilaires Quartet. Although many people aren't aware of them, The Jubliaires were pace setters in the modern harmony department. You may remember their pianist, Wally Varner. When Wally left the Jubilaires, he joined the Blackwood Brothers.

The Bunch twins brought many of their unique arrangements to the Plainsmen. With Rusty Goodman singing bass and the extraordinary range of the Bunch twins, the harmonies were superb. That particular group only released one album: "Songs and Hymns by the Plainsmen Quartet". It is one of the most collectable records in gospel music. It's often referred to as "The Red Album" for most of the copies were pressed on red vinyl.

Ermon Bunch didn't stay with the group for long, and Howard Welborn returned to the baritone slot instead of the tenor slot that he'd earlier vacated. That particular version of the Plainsmen featured some dramatic ranges among the singers. The bass singer (Rusty Goodman) could sing well into the second tenor range, and the baritone singer (Howard Welborn) was the former first tenor for the group. High, unusual harmonies prevailed as pianist Easmon Napier stretched the limits of the vocalists with his magnificent style.

Governor Jimmie Davis saw the potential in this quartet, and took them on the campaign trail with him as he sought reelection in 1958. Larry Denim soon replaced Easmon Napier, and the Plainsmen moved their home base to Baton Rouge, La. During this time, the Plainsmen also sang secular music. Listen closely and you can hear them on your oldies radio station as they back up Johnny Horton on his hit song "North to Alaska". They became one of the only gospel music artists to record secular music on an ongoing basis.

Rusty Goodman left the group in 1963 to join his family group, the Happy Goodmans. Long time Harmoneers Quartet bass singer Seals "Low Note" Hilton joined the group for a short time upon the retirement of the Hamoneers. At his departure, two North Carolinians joined the group: Jay Simmons and David Reece. Jay remained bass singer for the Plainsmen for many years, but Reece was quickly replaced by Eddie Crook as pianist. The personnel of Thurman Bunch, Jack Mainord, Howard Welborn, Jay Simmons, and Eddie Crook remained intact for a couple of years, and this group recorded many gospel music classics showcasing their varied talents.

Personnel changes in the Plainsmen continued as Jerry Redd replaced Thurman Bunch. In the changing world of gospel music, several members of the current Plainsmen moved to Wichita, Kansas and reunited with former pianist Easmon Napier to form the Marksmen Quartet. The Marksmen continued the Plainsmen sound singing both gospel and country music. Thurman Bunch, Ermon Bunch, Easmon Napier, Jay Simmons, and Jerry Menshall traveled as the Marksmen performing on country music shows and on several radio stations owned by Mack Sanders in the Midwest.

Howard Welborn, Jack Mainord, and Eddie Crook remained in Baton Rouge, and enlisted the services of Gerald Williams as bass singer. Gerald had sung for many years with the Melody Boys Quartet, and was an excellent vocalist and quartet man. Gerald brought dignity and class to the Plainsmen performances. Bobby Edwards was selected as the tenor singer for the group.

In the ensuing years, the personnel of the Marksmen and Plainsmen reunited. For several years, the Plainsmen consisted of Thurman Bunch, Jack Mainord, Dwight Hicks, Jay Simmons, and Easmon Napier. This group headlined many country music shows and continued to promote radio stations owned by Mack Sanders much like the Marksmen.

After a few years, Gerald Williams once again joined the Plainsmen replacing Jay Simmons. The group continued the flourish, as they sang across the country. They were headliners at the Landmark Hotel in Las Vegas showcasing a program that consisted of country, pop, standards, as well as gospel music.

The Plainsmen went though a time of singing as a trio, and had numerous changes in personnel. Some former Plainsmen members not previously mentioned that you may recognize include Sherrill Nielsen, Gene McDonald, Jerry Venable, Laddie Cain, Jerry Trammell, Steve Warren, Brad Harris, Tommy Randall, Newman Miller, Roy McNeill, Jonathan Sawrie, Tank Tackett, Jim Garstang, Butch Sanders, and Mike Loprinzi. This is by no means a complete list of former Plainsmen, but some of the more recognizable names in gospel music history.

The music of the Plainsmen was not only ahead of its time, but it is timeless.

John Crenshaw

Original Plainsmen, 1957 Clockwise from top right: Joe B. Davis, Howard Welborn, Easmon Napier, Jack Mainord, Bill Randall	Casual picture: Larry Denim, Rusty Goodman, Howard Welborn, Thurman Bunch, Jack Mainord
Plainsmen 1959: Erman Bunch, Thurman Bunch, Easmon Napier, Jack Mainord, Rusty Goodman Picture taken from the program of the 1959 National Qt. Convention	Plainsmen Quartet circa 1965: Clockwise from top right: Jerry Redd, Howard Welborn, Jay Simmons, Eddie Crook, Jack Mainord
Plainsmen 1974: Gerald Williams, Thurman Bunch, Easmon Napier, Dwight Hicks, Jack Mainord	Marksmen Quartet: Thurman Bunch, Jerry Menshall, Ermon Bunch, Easmon Napier, Jay Simmons

Reader Comments

Have you heard of the Eastman Quartet? If so has any of their albums be re recorded to CD's ?

Commented by On 11/15/2004

Thanks to the tribute of my father, Joe B. Davis and the original Plainsman Quartet. Their music is still the most uplifting spiritual music of all time and I enjoy hearing it to this day. My Dad past away in 1973. I am looking for any contacts of any other sources that may lead me to my Dad's records. I have a few 78's that are in original condition but am interested in any 33 albums or any records of this great gospel group.
Thanks for your website.
Joe M. Davis

Commented by On 12/20/2004

Thank you for the tribute and the history on the Plainsmen. Jack Mainord was my father and I really had no idea of the music milestone that made in the gospel music industry!!
This is awesome!!
Karen Wyolene Mainord

Commented by On 01/16/2005

I found this very interesting and informative Mr. Crenshaw. You see, Joe Bob Davis was my uncle. I am soon to be 46 years old and I have very fond memories of my uncle and his singing. The singing I remember of course was in the sixties and it eminated from the front living room of my uncles house, mostly on Saturday nights in the summer time. My uncle and his wife Sara, my mother and father Bill and Margie, would sing while Aunt Sara played piano. Us kids were generally running the neighboorhood playing tag or hide and seek, but you good hear them sing and the piano ring up and down the block through the open screen door. Gospel of course was the music and many of them were Plainsmen staples. Thanks for posting this site, I really enjoyed it.
Sincerely,
Andy Davis, first son of Bill and Margie.

Commented by On 01/24/2005

Mr. Crenshaw I am also a Nephew of Joe Bob Davis,son of Billy Edge Davis which was Joe Bob's baby brother, I have always loved the music of the Plainsmen and remember admiring the talent which seemed to flow effortlessy from my uncle as he sang with the family on weekends when we would visit.... I was very young at the time as I am only 40 years old now, but remember those days well....In fact you could say that the experience is one of my first introduction to "LIVE" music....I was so caught up in my Aunt playing the piano while singing with her husband Joe and my mom and dad ,Margie and Bill, that i think it is what started me down the road of music....We still occasionally get melancholy and listen to the old records now and again and it always makes me smile....I wish we could find more of the older recordings from the 50's...If anyone has any info please direct them my way....Sincerely....Cary Glenn Davis

Commented by On 01/24/2005

To Joe Davis looking for someone with old recordings of The Plainsmen.

Joe I am the oldest daughter of Jack Mainord and I know between me and the other siblings we have many old not so old and more of the old work he did with your father in the 'Good ole days' when they toured together. Please contact me so we can talk and reminisce about those times. His widow is living in Louisanna now and the two sons are in Tennessee. All of his daughters reside in the DFW area now and would love to hear from you. I am your age at 47 years so maybe we played together once apon a time. Please respond to the message board or my email address directly:

Commented by On 01/25/2005

I absolutely enjoyed this write up about the Plainsmen. It would have been nice had more information been given about the bass singer. I was married to Joe B. Davis' brother, Bill, for 43 years until his death in 2001. Joe passed away in 1971, leaving a son, Joseph Michael, and daughter, Rebecca Ann. They have children and grand children that will only ever know their grandparent through the legacy of his music. Joe had to leave the Plainsmen because of illness. To me, he had one of the outstanding bass voices of the time, right up there with Arnold Hyles and J. D. Sumner. Bill and I attended many of their live concerts, beginning with the one in Dallas when they were singing back up for Governor Jimmie Davis. Thank you for this wonderful look back into the history of gospel music.

Margie Davis

Commented by On 02/08/2005

This was a pleasure reading about the history of the great Plainsmen Quartet. For about 15 years, Mack Sanders, who is mentioned in the article, owned KBHS 590 radio in Hot Springs, AR where he retired to from Kansas. I had the pleasure of working for Mack, as well as co-hosting a gospel music program with Jerry Venable a former member of the Plainsmen as well as the Venable Qt and the Melody Boys Qt. Mack said that in 1966 he actually had bought the name of the Plainsmen Qt and owned the name I suppose until he died a couple of years ago. I have since heard however that has been disputed. In any case, it was a pleasure to get to work with these men in radio. Jerry was an absolute funny guy, on stage and off, and was a very nice gentleman. During those years I had the pleasure of also meeting Gerald Williams and his son Steve, two of the finest guys you'll ever meet. Steve is now with the Apostles QT of Little Rock, AR. We had several Plainsmen albums at the station but it has been bought out and the albums i'm sure have since been lost. We used to play songs like "Dry Bones," "Standing by the River," and they had a cut of "Scars in the Hands of Jesus" that I beleive was recorded by Tank Tackett if i'm not mistaken that was absolutely great. Mack had them do a "reunion" concert in the early 90's in Hot Springs where Jack Maniord, Tank, and some of the others that were still around performed.
A great chapter in the history of SGM

Commented by Dennis Gamble On 06/23/2005

What a wonderful tribute to a fine group of gentlemen,the Plainsmen. I am Mack Sanders' son and I have spent much time with most of the gentlemen mentioned above. Butch Sanders,Jay Simmons,Jonathan Sawrie and
Gerald Williams all hold a special place in my heart for their great talent and their friendship over the years. I often opened for these different incarnations of the Plainsmen and we had a blast. One member not mentioned that I feel must be included is a young man named Jeff Lewis. He's a fabulous entertainer as well as an author,songwriter and actor. Thanks to the Plainsmen for all the fond memories and thanks to my dad,Mack Sanders,for introducing me to southern gospel music and it's many talented people. Thanks to Dennis who worked with my dad at KBHS
until his death in 2003. May Dad,Easmon,Thurman,Jack
and the others who have passed on rest in peace.

Commented by John Bozeman On 08/02/2005

This is to clarify a statement I made in the comments regarding the Plainsmen Qt. dated 6/23/2005. I stated "Mack (Sanders) said that in 1966 he actually had bought the name of the Plainsmen Qt. and owned the name I suppose until he died a couple of years ago. I have since heard however that has been disputed." I would like to stand corrected on that statement. I have it on very good authority from a friend of mine that also worked for Mr. Sanders along side of me that in fact, Mack DID own the name of the Plainsmen Quartet from the 60's until he passed away. To help support this, the other day I was in an old record shop and found a nearly pristine Plainsmen album recorded in 1974 entitled "Both Sides of the Plainsmen." In the left bottom corner of the album it had the name of the producer, none other than Mack Sanders.

I saw the comments that Mack's son just left today. John, I owe a lot to your dad. For 10 years, he allowed me to be a small part of a great radio station and gave me memories that I will take with me all my life. He was a fine fellow and I miss him and KBHS radio very much. A salute to Mack Sanders and the great Plainsmen Quartet.

Commented by Dennis Gamble On 08/02/2005

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