 George Melton through the years. A tribute to
his 50 years in ministry.
George
Melton & Southern Gospel Music have been synonymous for 50 years.
Since his boyhood days in southern Illinois, George has continued
to use the clear, high range of his gifted first tenor voice in
beautiful proclamation of the Gospel in song.
Among his musical credits come names like the Ambassadors Quartet
at Cincinnati Bible Seminary; The Claiborne Brothers Quartet of
the early 60's, and The Gospelaires Quartet of Southern California.
All are known for their proclamation of the Gospel through music.
In 1967, George and his friends organized "The Gospel Lads" Quartet.
George was with the quartet for nearly six of the twenty five years
they have traveled from coast to coast and around the world.
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 Ambassadors Quartet
George
was the first tenor of this extraordinary acapella quartet during
his college days at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. The group sang
together with various members for five years. This quartet
set the stage for George to know this was what he wanted to do for
the rest of his life. |
 Claiborne Brothers Quartet
In
1961, George came to California, straight from Cincinnati Bible
Seminary, to join his first full-time gospel singing group, the
Claiborne Brothers. This family of four brothers had been
performing around the Southern California area for many years.
With time, they opened the group to non-family members and George
became their tenor. While George was with them, the Claiborne's
traveled nation wide. One of the highlights was getting to
sing at the World's Fair in Seattle, Washington in the summer of
1961. It was also during 1961 that George met Nedra and the
next year they became man and wife. |
 Gospelaires
The
Gospelaires quartet originated in Fresno, California with Don Smith
as their bass and manager. Before moving to Fresno and starting
his own group, Don had sung with the famous Blackwood Brothers.
George and Nedra moved to Fresno in 1963 and George joined the Gospelaires
Quartet. This was a part-time group and sang mostly in Central
and Northern California. While living in Fresno, George worked
for Gospel Music & Supply Co., owned by Don, and managed the store's
piano department. George sang with the Gospelaires until 1965.
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 Gospel Lads
The
Gospel Lads started in Southern California in 1968. George's
dream was to have a group that was totally sold out to Gospel Music
as a way of delivering the Good News message of Christianity.
When he met Murry Hollis, Pete Ingraham, and Mel Taylor, he knew
he had met men who shared the same passion for Gospel Music as he
did. Later they added Dave Scroggins as their bass and became
a quartet. The Lads have had a long and exciting history.
The original group sang together for five years, moving in 1970
to Joplin, Missouri to become a nation-wide full-time traveling
group. George left the group in 1972, but the Lads went on
and continue to minister yet today. |
 The Melton Family Singers
- 1987-2007
The
Melton Family Singers began in 1973 with just, George and Nedra
Melton. This husband and wife duet sang for hundreds of concerts
while raising their family in East Peoria, IL. As the children
grew and developed their talents they began to sing with their parents.
All the children (Rhonda, David, Rachel, Kenny, and Andy) sang with
the group throughout their childhood and still enjoy performing
today. The group began traveling full-time in 1987 when David
committed to stay with George, Nedra and Andy to make it his ministry
too. Two years later, Kenny began singing with the family,
making music his life's ministry as well. He traveled with
the family for several years before starting CROSSWALK. In 1999 David married Krista Kuhns.
She brought a beautiful Southern Gospel voice. In 2008 David and
Krista began a located ministry in Ravenwood, MO at the
Ravenwood Christian Church.
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 The
Melton Family Singers - 2008-2010
In
2008 Kenny started traveling again with his parents to make up the
current Melton Family Singers. The family is traveling to all
parts of the United States ministering to churches.Throughout the years, the Melton Family Singers
have had many voices, but their purpose has remained the same: love
of family and love for the ministry through Gospel Music. |
 The Melton Family Singers
- 2010-Today
In
2010 Rhonda started traveling with Kenny and her Mom to make up the
current Melton Family Singers. The family is traveling to all
parts of the United States ministering to churches.Throughout the years, the Melton Family Singers
have had many voices, but their purpose has remained the same: love
of family and love for the ministry through Gospel Music. |
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George Melton Honored at the North American Christian
Convention in 2003
At the 2003 NACC in Indianapolis, IN, George was honored for
fifty years of faithful service in the ministry.
The NACC sponsored a luncheon On
July 9th in tribute to George. Over, 1200 people were on hand
to honor him for his fifty years in Gospel Music. Wayne Smith
hosted the afternoon and following the meal there was a concert
featuring George. His family sang several songs with him.
Then members of groups George sang in during his career got a chance
to sing with him and be a part of this tribute. Wayne Smith
presented George with a plaque from the NACC. thanking him for
his commitment. The highlight of the afternoon was when George
was given a beautiful ring in honor of his Fifty years in Gospel
Music. The afternoon was very memorable and enjoyable.
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