Jesse Gillis Whitfield (1915–2006), also known as J.G. or Whit, was a

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music vary according to culture and social context. Gospel music is compo ...

ian, music promoter, and a member of the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.

Biography

After serving in the

Air Force An air force in the broadest sense is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army aviati ...

, Whitfield worked in the grocery business in

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

. In 1947, as a bass singer, he founded and managed the Southern gospel group, Gospel Melody Quartet, composed of his friends. Several personnel changes followed including the additions Glen Allred in 1952 and Les Beasley in 1953. Whitfield was eventually persuaded to change the group's name to the Florida Boys in 1954. He continued to manage and sing bass until he left the group in 1958 in order to avoid traveling away from his family. Whitfield formed the Dixie Echoes, another Florida-based group. Whitfield worked as a concert promoter across the South, helping to launch '' The Gospel Singing Jubilee'' television program. In 1969, he began publishing the '' Singing News'' to promote his concerts. Mr. Whitfield also sang bass in a little-known northwest Florida Southern Gospel Group called "The Workmen Quartet." This was the last group he sang with. Note: He did not start this quartet. He was inducted into the

Gospel Music Hall of Fame The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, created in 1972 by the Gospel Music Association, is a hall of fame dedicated exclusively to recognizing meaningful contributions by individuals and groups in all forms of gospel music. Inductees This is an incompl ...

in 1990. The Southern Gospel Music Association inducted Whitfield into the Hall of Fame in 1997."Jesse Gillis "J. G." Whitfield"
, 1997 Inductee Biography, Southern Gospel Music Association, 9 May 2005

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitfield, J G 1915 births 2006 deaths 20th-century American musicians Southern gospel performers