After having seen yesterday's question about Ray Dean Reece singing with the Inspirations, it made me think of something I've been wanting to ask. Did Herman Harper sing with the Harvesters Quartet? I've never seen anything in print confirming this, but I remember seeing him singing with them on TV for more than just a few weeks. Does anyone know for sure?

Could you be thinking about Noel Fox singing bass with the Harvesters? Noel sang with them, but I don't think Herman ever did. Best I can tell, Herman spent his entire professional career in gospel music with the Oak Ridge Boys.

Although Harper didn't sing full-time with anyone after leaving the Oaks in 1968, he did sing part-time with the Homeland Quartet (with Joe Thrasher and Ben Speer). That group recorded at least four projects but I don;t think they performed live very much. Harper also sang backup at the Grand Ole Opry as part of the Carol Lee Singers. Duane Allen's wife Norah was also in that group but I don't know if she was in it at the same time as Harper.

No, it wasn't Noel Fox. I'm almost positive that Herman sang with them some. It could be that they filmed several of their TV shows at the time, and the actual broadcasts could have been spread out over several months. I believe the Harvesters and the Oak Ridge Boys had a good number of engagements together for a while. Maybe he was a temporary fill-in on bass when the Oak Ridge could spare him. He appeared to be very young at the time. I believe it would have been in the late 1950s or the very early 1960s.

Heman was a member of the Oak Ridge Boys in the late 50s and early 60s. However, didn't the Oaks and Harvesters record an album together. Maybe Herman sang on some songs with the Harvesters on the TV show.

You're right, Mike....they did record an album together.

I always like to check my sources when I respond to a question. I contacted former Harvesters pianist Jack Clark via email. Jack has been a big help with me in my quests to answer questions about both the Harvesters and the Homeland Harmony Quartets. Here was my question and his response:

Jack,
Hope all is well with you and your family. . .

Did Herman Harper ever sing with the Harvesters? Someone on our website seems to remember that he did. I don't remember that he did, but I wanted to verify it with you since you were there for so many years.

Can you help me here?

http://z6.invisionfree.com/sgmr/index.php?...=698&st=0&#last

Thanks,

John

His response:
John: The answer is no. The confusion probably stems from an album shared by the Harvesters and the Oak Ridge Boys that was called TOGETHER. It pictured the personnel of both groups in various stages of leaning on an assortment of ladders (how's that for a visual?). Circa 1964....Noel Fox was singing bass with the Harvesters and Herman was with the ORB (he was their only bass singer until he went into the agency and Fox replaced him).

See you!

Jack

I realize this is a gospel music trivia, but Herman Harper did sing with the Carol Lee Singers after The Oaks.

. . . which Norm mentioned in a previous post.

Norm also reminded us that Herman was with the Homeland Quartet prior to his passing.

John,
My early recollections of the Harvesters had David Reece as the piano player. I remember when Don Norman was the new member of the group. After looking over some of the old photos that you have posted, I have to conclude that I could have confused Herman Harper with Hershell Wooten. I want to thank you for going the extra mile to try to answer the question. :thanks:

KLB, it is my pleasure. Thank you.

Herman Harper was a very, very good bass singer.

On that TOGETHER album, I noticed the lead singer for the Oaks is Jim Hamill. Is he actually singing on the album?

I honestly can't tell.

He's the Oak's baritone singer on that project, Mark.

Thanks John. Its hard to tell sometimes who is singing on what and the Album cover is no help!!


CANAAN 4605 is entitled THE BLUE RIDGE QUARTET and shows Fagg, Gates, Sprouse and Younce on the cover. But I don't think that is Younce singing the bass part on the album.

Sounds like Burl Strevel to me.

They do a nice job on Streets of Gold though!!

Mark, that's George singing on the Blue Ridge Lp. It was originally released on the Bibletone label around 1957 or 1958 and was reissued on Canaan in the mid 1960s.

If I remember correctly, it was recorded in Lee Roy Abernathy's studio and Lee Roy played the piano on much of the recording.

That's the first time "Streets of Gold" had ever been recorded. I think the Plainsmen are the only other group besides the Blue Ridge to record that song. I love that song, too!

Wow. I will have to listen to it again. Maybe it was before he developed his own distinctive style.

It sounds like a cross behind Seals Hilton and Burl Strevel. Doesn't sound anything like George Younce.

Is that the same as "The Streets Of Gold" that was written by Bob Thacker? :blink: :blink: :blink:

No, KLB, this song was written by Lee Roy Abernathy. I'm familiar with Bob's song, but they are totally different in style and content.

The song Mark was referring to requires a group with outstanding range and vocal skills to perform it well.

I once suggested to George that the Cathedrals brush the dust off that song and try it. He just laughed at me and said, "You know we ain't got what it takes now to pull that song off!"

Yeah, it sounds full and not as nasal.

Dean

Harper DID sing at the same time as Norah Lee in the Carol Lee Singers. Duane Allen and Richard Sterban both filled in on bass when he passed away as well. Herman was with the Oaks until late 68 I think.
Hamill was Baritone with the Oaks for around a year or so. He was after McSpadden and before Golden.