Georgians Quartet celebrates reunion of dozens

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, August 5, 2015

VALDOSTA — Calvin McGuyrt estimates there have been more than two dozen members of The Georgians through the years.

That’s a whole lot of singers for a group that bills itself as a gospel quartet.

McGuyrt sponsors a reunion concert this weekend of current and past members of the Valdosta-based singing group he’s led since the mid-1950s.

The concert marks the group’s 60th anniversary.

“There have been around 25 different members since the beginning,” McGuyrt said. “We have been able to continue our friendship with most even though several have moved and gone into different types of careers but most are still in some type of ministry. A few are on church staffs full-time, and one member, Chad Riley, left to join Elvis Presley’s back-up group, the Stamps Quartet, while another left to join the famous Blackwood Quartet.”

McGuyrt does not perform as often

 with the group any more, but he has remained the consistent force for the past 60 years. He still pens the majority of The Georgians’ original songs.

McGuyrt’s father led the Stamps Melody Quartet, a shape-note singing group, in the mid-20th century.

In 1955, Calvin McGuyrt became the group’s leader and he changed the name to The Georgians. The group’s emphasis became gospel music sung in the harmonies of a barber-shop quartet. For several years, into the 1960s, The Georgians recorded albums and toured.  

As he raised a family, McGuyrt of Valdosta traded life on the road to become a church minister of music, but he never forgot the joy of The Georgians.

In 2002, McGuyrt revived The Georgians. The group has been recording and touring ever since.

Recently, The Georgians’ song, “Back in the Day,” reached No. 80 in the gospel charts. Through the years, the group has recorded 26 CDs, made four videos, placed two songs in gospel music’s Top 80 chart for six consecutive months. In the past, the group has been named the Southeastern Southern Gospel Music Conference’s Male Quartet of the Year.

Since 2002, the group has also experienced several membership changes, but he said several of the past members are expected for the concert this weekend.

“It’s a joy to have the opportunity to see many of the former members through the years,” McGuyrt said. “I am thankful that God sent them our way for a season in our music ministry. Each one was unique and brought something different. It was always sad when one left, but also exciting with the diversity that a new member would bring.”

Through each change, McGuyrt said he keeps the faith that it will work out, and The Georgians will continue.

“When a member departs, I just know that God is in control, and it is His will,” McGuyrt said, “and that He will send us another one of His servants.”

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What: The Georgians presents a “Sixty Year Reunion Celebration,” with special guests Higher Hope and The Diamonds.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Southland Church, 2206 E. Hill Ave.

Admission: “Love offering will be received.”