I played for several top quartets in the 1950s. I later moved to the west coast and played for a couple of mixed groups.

"Tiny" Jack Taylor was my teacher and mentor.

In later years, I retired to my hometown of Greensboro, NC where I taught piano lessons to aspiring musicians.

Who am I?

© CMG SGMRadio.com 2008

Earl Brewer of the Harvesters Quartet.

Livvy Freeman?

You're John Crenshaw, but I had no idea you had done all that. ;)

Linda, you're correct!

Q-man . . . you're . . . oh nevermind.

John reading Q-mans answer reminds me of when I put up a "WHO AM I" trivia on AMGS, I got the answer-you`re James Moore-and you know what, he was right-but not on the answer.

John, please tell us more about Livvy Freeman. I knew the name, and I thought there might have been a West Coast connection, but I know nothing about what groups he played for, etc. I think I have heard that he was a master of exceptionally nice chords, and that caught my attention. I am sorry I never heard him play.

Linda, I was hoping that maybe you could tell us something about Livy!

I recently came across a transcription of an interview that Livy did with a Burlington radio station. Livy sent it to me several years ago.

He began his professional career with the Oak Ridge Quartet, replacing Bobby Whitfield when Whitfield joined the Army. Interestingly enough, Livy played the piano for a local quartet that featured Earl Brewer singing tenor!

Livy studied piano with Jack Taylor when Jack lived in North Carolina and later when Jack was teaching at the Stamps School of Music in Dallas.

When he left the Oaks, he moved to Wichita Falls and replaced Henry Slaughter in the Stamps Ozark Quartet. During this time, he learned to read shaped notes from Glen Payne.

Livy moved to Pensacola and played for the Florida Boys for about 17 months. During this time, he also played a few dates with the Golden Gate Quartet.

The Foggy River Boys was his next stop. They would appear on the Ozark Jubilee television program.

Livy later left the Foggies and replaced Jack Clark in the Homeland Harmony Quartet. When the Homeland Harmony Quartet disbanded in 1957, Livy and his new bride moved to California to be near her family. While in California, he played for the Golden State Quartet and Bob Jones' Songfellows. During this time, he missed a call from James Blackwood who was looking to replace pianist Jack Marshall.

While in California, he also played for the Sunshine Singers . . . a group with the Peck sisters and Al Harkins. He also recorded an album with the Weatherfords, although he was never an official member of the group.

In addition to many gospel musicians, Livy credited several secular artists including Art Tatum and Fats Waller with shaping his style.