Just one day before Resurrection Sunday 2004, quartet fans made their way to the Greater Love Church in Southaven, Mississippi ready for a spirited LIVE recording.  The group to record was one of the hottest quartets on the road today; The Memphis Harmonizers.  In recent years this regional group has made a step into the National arena creating a demand everywhere they travel.  Like many groups, The Harmonizers have had many personnel changes though the years.  In years past great lead singers like Robert Ellis, Earl Myles, and George McClain, have anchored the group. These days, the lead vocalists include Rev. Danny Bell, Rev. Melvin Rogers, and Ronnie Wilson.  Each singer brings something unique to the table. From Rev. Rogers limitless flights into falsetto bliss ala R.H. Harris, to Ronnie Wilson’s smooth tenor leads, the Harmonizers are a site to behold. 

Promptly at 6 PM the doors to the church opened and fans and supporters began to make their way into the sanctuary getting ready for the 7 PM hour.  With last minute shifts and assignments being made Rev. Melvin Rogers church choir took their place in the choir loft ready to begin the recording.  Shortly after 8:30 PM Holly Springs, MS radio announcer Pat Boga and myself (Min. Donnie Addison) introduced to the stage the legendary 2 time Stellar award winning radio announcer Bro. James Chambers.  Before the recording began, the audience was treated to an Otis Clay influenced version of “When The Gates Swing Open” by the Rev. Willie Cole. 

With a rousing introduction, a standing ovation and thunderous round of applause welcomed the sharply dressed Memphis Harmonizers to the stage.  For the first half of the program the Harmonizers hit the floor with some nice maroon colored suits.  The fellas wasted no time talking, as the musicians brought them on stage with a revived version of the old Memphis Harmonizer classic “That’s Alright”.  Rev. Danny Bell took the lead on this one and the crowd was behind him every step of the way.  Next, it was time for Rev. Melvin “Battle Axe” Rogers to take the lead.  With a short build up, the choir stood to their feet and the audience knew it was time for the song that put Rev. Rogers on the map, “Battle Axe”.  For those that didn’t know, Rev. Rogers is the lead vocalist on Rev. Clay Evans late 1990s recording with his AARC choir entitled “Battle Axe”. 

With the crowd on their feet praising God, Rev. Rogers moved right into the mid-tempo groove “Count On Me”.  This song with its powerful hook brought the quartet sound back after the “Battle Axe” experience.  Then, Ronnie Wilson sang the fan favorite “Teach Me”.  Though the house sound went out towards the end of the number they were able to close the song smoothly.  In fact, when the sound went out, Rev. Rogers took the dead microphone and continued to minister to the people.  When the sound came back he was in full swing, ready to move into what I am predicting to be the HIT song on this recording, “Since I Met Jesus”.  Fans of Rev. Rogers old group The Dixie Wonders will remember this song as the title cut to their Gospel Express album from the 1970s.  The song was awesome back then, and boy did the Harmonizers put an arrangement on this revived version. All I can really say is, it’s definitely like no other drive number you’ve heard.  You will have to wait to hear this one for yourself. 

As the group moved to the close of the first half, Rev. Danny Bell took the mic for the last two songs.  “The Cross” was a beautiful ballad that was definitely well suited for the day before Resurrection Sunday morning.  Crystal clear lead vocals and a smooth background were the highlights on this slow and soft number.  The group then closed the first half out with “Blessed To Be A Soldier”.  This powerful song found Rev. Bell down on the floor ministering to the people at full throttle. Each chant of “I’m Blessed” seemed to take things to higher heights.  The group left the stage on a high note leaving the crowd wanting more.  During the break the audience was treated to the comic stylings of Brother Kenny “Guess Who” Lackey. Brother Lackey who also plaid keyboards with the Harmonizers on the recording definitely lightened the mood with his impression of Fred G. Sanford, an old country preacher, and Dr. Bobby Jones to name a few. 

The second half of the program found The Harmonizers dressed in some of the smoothest mustard/Gold suits I’ve seen in a while.  This half of the program brought in the group’s special guests for the night Rev. Roney Strong and Clay & Cleve Graham.  The second half opened with Ronnie Wilson’s “Best of My Life”.  The audience enjoyed this mid-tempo opener after the lull in activity.  The Harmonizers then went back and grabbed another old number “Make It Alright”.  The first of the Harmonizers guest Rev. Roney Strong of the Sensational Strong Family came to the stage ready to go to work on this song.  The song was nothing short of two heavy hitting powerhouse lead singers building off of one another making for an explosive experience.  Like the Legendary quartet tag team of Ira Tucker & James Walker of the Dixie Hummingbirds Rev. Ronnie Strong and Rev. Danny Bell complemented one another extremely well.

Other songs of the night included Rev. Melvin Rogers current hit number “He Cares For Me”, and the bluesy number “Lord You’ve Been Good”.  On “He Cares For Me” Rev. Rogers put plenty of his patented vocal maneuvers on.  As the Spirit moved on this song, Rev. Rogers found himself off the stage ministering to the audience.  However, the special highlight of the evening was the quartet drive “Catch on Fire”.  This number sounded as if it was taken straight from the pages of the Pilgrim Jubilees repertoire with its heavy bass groove and jumpin’ beat, much in the style of “Safety of Your Soul” or “Don’t Let Him Down”.  Rev. Danny Bell shouted and praised God along with both Clay & Cleve Graham of the Pilgrim Jubilees.  Both brothers were given ample time to sing, and even came down amongst the audience for some good old fashioned quartet praise. 

The Harmonizers closed the recording with their Christmas hit “Holy”.  This number which will obviously be used during the Christmas season was a beautiful song with narration by the ailing longtime member Mr. George McClain.  Though his voice was tattered and worn he showed a determination that literally brought tears to my eyes.  As the concert came to a close brother McClain expressed his thanks to each and every group member as he metaphorically passed the torch to the newer guys. Throughout the program Mr. McClain was on stage nodding with approval as the fellas sang praises to God.  On a whole, this recording was awesome and it will make a huge impact on the industry when it is released.  For more information about the Memphis Harmonizers visit the Twin Towers Entertainment website or call E&J Records at visit the Twin Towers Entertainment website or call E&J Records at (901) 942-1474.                   

(All Song Titles mentioned are not official)