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We want to thank everyone who sent us feedback about my father Denver Crumpler.
We appreciate that you took the time. Thank you! |
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FROM: |
BILLY D POWELL |
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FEEDBACK: |
The first time I heard Denver, was in 1946 at the Stamps Quartet School of Music, in Bethel Temple, Dallas, Texas. I was only 12 but my dad was a tenor and immediately I knew Denver was special. Through the years that followed, he proved it over and over to me. My dad was also a barber and cut Arnolds hair, before and after the accident. We were close to the Rangers, every time I see Jimmy Jones on the Gaithers, it reminds me of the Rangers. Keep up the good work Bobby, glad to get to "know" you. When I was younger, we had every record the rangers made, and worked with the Wills Family in restoring the old 78's to make a Rangers album for the touring quartets to sell to raise funds for Arnolds medical expences. bp |
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Brother Powell, thanks for the email and sharing your comments. God bless Bobby Crumpler |
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FROM: |
JAN BRYANT |
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Hi Bobby & Dale,
I lived in Caddo heights, in Shreveport, when you were little. My sister and I went to alot of Ranger concerts during the time, before the terrible automobile accident. We had a collection of Ranger records, which we treasured, but unfortunately, they were lost in a house fire.
I remember Dale going to Caddo Heights Methodist Church to sunday school on some sundays. I am not sure of the dates, but it may have been in the late forties, or early fifties?
I got in touch with Bill Gaither to learn about where you and Dale lived, and they told me about Denver's death, and it saddened me.
Keep up the good work, restoring Denver's records. I will be anxious to hear about how your project is going, and will be ordering them. I signed up for the newsletter.
I have searched at garage sales for years, hoping to get some of the records we had, but have not been able to find any. It thrills my heart that you are doing this.
Sincerely,
Jan |
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Dear Jan, thank you so much for the email. Sorry I didn't respond right away but I just returned from being out of town. I know Dale will be happy when I tell her about your note. With your permission I would like to post some of your comments. I really try hard to share memories not only for myself and family (especially grand kids..!) but for the countless number of people I hear from about how my father influenced their lives. So thanks much and stay in touch. God Bless Bobby Crumpler |
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FROM: |
PHILLIP NEFF |
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Bobby, I havn't thanked you properly for the CD's you gave me. I am most grateful for them.
I was mesmerized by your rendition of Amazing Grace and was truely moved. I havn't heard a voice like yours before and I know you have been truely blessed by the gift you have been given.
If you are going to be singing in the metro area in the near future I would love to attend and hear you in person.
Thank you so very much for the hours of pleasure your singing has given me.
Phil Neff |
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Phil, thanks for the email and the very kind words. I hope you enjoyed reviewing my web site. I have worked real hard to preserve my fathers legacy as probably one of the greatest gospel singers of the 20th Century. I want my grand kids to know their heritage. God Bless Bobby Crumpler |
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FROM: |
JAMES FRANKLIN |
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Mr. Crumpler, I would be interested in purchasing some of the transcription music that you are working on from your father's singing with the Rangers Quartet. Please, let me know when this wonderful work is completed.
By the way, John Crenshaw on his Gospel Music Lovers web page featured your father today. I thought that you would like to know this.
May God Bless You. |
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Brother Franklin, thanks for the email and the kind comments. I will send you a newsletter when the first cd of the Rangers 1945 radio broadcasts is completed. For your information I am using a new technique on the restoration process and I am so far very pleased with the results. Folks who really appreciate this group will enjoy the best possible recordings out there. I also visited the web page you mentioned and found the comments section just great. In fact my next project after the first Rangers CD is a complete CD of my dad's solo's with The Rangers & Statemen. (one of the comments about where can I get a solo album) I think it will be a classic!!! God Bless & Keep always....Bobby Crumpler |
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FROM: |
CAROLYN CLEMENT |
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I am writing for a friend who does not use a computor who is interested in music by the original Ranger Quartet. When will your recordings be available and could you send me the cost? Will they be available on individual CD's or will it come only as a set? Many thanks, Carolyn Clement |
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Ms Clement, thanks for the email and interest in the Rangers Qt. I will have the first Volume of 1945 Radio Broadcast Transcriptions available very soon in MP3 download form and a CD. There will be a total of 8 vol's of the Radio Broadcast produced. I have 10 hours of transcriptions and will be released as I complete the restoration on them. Each Vol will have five (5) fifteen min programs as they were heard in 1945. Cost will be $15.00 per CD or $2.00 per program on MP3 downloads as they come available. I will send you the newsletter when they are available. Also in the works will be a solo CD of my father with all the songs he was the featured singer. God Bless. Bobby Crumpler |
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FROM: |
MICKEY ROBERSON |
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Dear Mr. Crumpler,
I am the third Roberson boy to contact you, Mickey the middle son. There are two places my father would ever take us for our entertainment and edification and those were automobile races and gospel singings. He always said you can't get in trouble at a race or a gospel singing and he was right. My brothers have probably related various stories to you about the Rangers and your Dad so I won't be repetitive now, but suffice to say the Rangers to me were not just a gospel quartet, but in my child's eye were also like a group of uncles who regularly dropped by from time to time. I think I can truthfully say my father was never happier than when he was with the Rangers whether at Community Drug Store, our house or at one of their performances. My father was a working man, 60-70-80 hours a week, but with the Rangers he was truly relaxed.
I have a screen memory of Denver, I called them all by their first names, sitting in the first booth at Community absolutely destroying a plate of ham and eggs, I was probably about 4 at the time. The main memory that has stuck with me for 55 years or so is his voice. In my humble opinion there was no other tenor that was even in his league and I heard a lot of different quartets sing. I can truthfully say that he ruined me for any other tenor to this day. I can see a quartet on TV or hear one on the radio and my ears go to the tenor and I'll say to myself, sorry that isn't it. Maybe the problem is that the tenor is straining to get the notes, but Denver never strained, he could hit all the notes and hold them. As it really turned out the Rangers ruined me for any other quartet as Arnold was the best bass, David Reece was the best piano man and their show was better than anyone elses. I liked the Blackwoods, Statesmen (especially with Denver), Happy Goodman Family, but the Rangers were the best there ever was.
Tom asked me to check in the Rangers records, I am the custodian, to see if I had a copy of It Is No Secret and I do. He remembers this as being a Denver solo and it could be, but since my 78 player went kaput I cannnot really check it, There Is A God Somewhere is on the flip side. Tom mentioned you might need this for your transcribing as you might not have it and if you do I will send it. Understand this record has been played umpteen times on a phonograph of the day with what now looks like a nail for a needle so has scratches plus the normal degradation of 50 years. All seriousness aside, I know you think you have a life, but If I was in control of your life I would stop everything and get all Rangers recordings and Statemen with Denver onto CDs so Mickey will have a really good reason to get a CD sound system installed in his 1987 Astro van. In all seriousness I will purchase every CD you transcribe as I have looked for years for any Rangers on any modern media and of course as you know there are none available. I understand your mother has many recordings in pristine condition, but if any recordings I have will be of help to you, please let me know via email at any time.
Sincerely,
Mickey Roberson
Atlanta, GA
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Brother Mickey, I truly enjoyed speaking with your brother. God has so blessed me with this web site being able to have folks who either knew my dad or their parents share wonderful memories about my dad. When I first started this site I must admit is was for the purpose of sharing my music but the response on doing the history section on my father has drawn a hugh response and quite frankly it has been a tremendous blessing for me. The 78 you speak of It Is No Secret I have a copy of the group singing it not just a solo with my dad. If that is a copy of a different version I'd really love to hear it and transfer the cut into my restoration software. If you send me the copy I'll take extremely good care of it and make you a restored cut to send back with the 78. God bless & keep. Bobby Crumpler
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FROM: |
JERRY BUTLER |
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FEEDBACK: |
Dear Mr. Crumpler,
Greetings, My name is Jerry Butler and I am from Adrian Michigan (Not far off from where you are).
You and I have never crossed paths before, but, I have to say that your father was one of the best tenors in his time. I never had the opportunity to meet Denver, but, I know of him through his career with the Statesmen Qt. Thank you for carrying on your father's legacy as a gospel singer.
- Jerry Butler |
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Brother Butler, thanks for the kind comments about my father. Many people have echoed that same statement to me over the years. I am currently working on restoring some of the Rangers Qt radio transcriptions from 1945. My dad is playing guitar on these recordings and when I'm done I know everyone will enjoy listening to them. I plan on returning to singing in 2006 around the southeast Michigan area only so maybe we will cross paths. Thanks again for your interest and may God bless and keep. Bobby Crumpler
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FROM: |
TOM ROBERSON |
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Dear Bobby,
Denver (and all of the Rangers) were good friends of our family. When they were in Shreveport, they all came to the Roberson home on numerous occasions, and ate EVERYTHING my stepmother cooked. My dad may have been their biggest fan. He was a pharmacist, and Arnold always referred to him as the Ranger's "doctor". I had the pleasure of knowing the members of the quartet, and seeing them in concert on a number of accasions. Denver did me only one disservice-- he ruined every other gospel tenor for me! I will not go on at great length, but will ask if you are familiar with 1) the story of how V. O. Stamps went about really hearing Denver "up close and personal" when V. O. first heard him at that singing convention in Arkansas, 2) how the stamps bunch had to hire and travel with TWO tenors when they first hired Denver, 3) how Denver decided to stop taking his insulin and start taking NeutraLite just before he quit the Rangers.
They were the best I ever heard, and Denver was by far the best I ever heard. Do you know of any possibility of ever re-releasing the old recordings? I do know of a man in Louisiana who has a large collection of the old records (he claims to have 150 songs, dating back to the early days). Sorry if I have been rambling, but this is one of my favorite subjects, and both my brothers and I can spend hours bemoaning the fact that we no longer have access to many of the old recordings.
Thanks for your time.
Tom Roberson, M.D. |
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Brother Tom. To answer your questions I have never heard these stories that you elude to. I'd really enjoy speaking to you about my dad. As far as recording and putting some of those out; I do plan on doing some of that but I would be real interested in talking to the gentlemen you referenced having a large collection. As far as who was my dad's biggest fan everybody will have to wait in line behind ME (Bobby Crumpler). My dad influence me more than any other human being on this old earth & I loved him dearly. May God bless always. Bobby Crumpler
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FROM: |
ERNIE ROBERSON |
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FEEDBACK: |
Bobby- My father, M. R. Roberson, Sr. was a pharmacist at the Community Drug Store in Shreveport, La. He was the "resident" druggist for the Rangers and I grew up with Rangers stories. My dad was supposed to travel with them to East Texas the night of the tragic accident that killed one member of the quartet and rendered Arnold a physical wreck. The reason ge didn't go was because I was sick. He often traveled with them in East Texas riding "shotgun". The member who was killed was riding shotgun.
I remember that your father was a diabetic. Daddy was always concerned about Denver and chided Vernon at times for not taking better care of your father. I always remembered that they were on KWKH radio in Shreveport, home of the Louisiana Hayride where Elvis, Hank Williams, Faron Young,Slim Whitman, Johnny Horton and Red Sovine got their start in country music. I have contacted Joey Kent who has a LOT of KWKH memorabilia and photos but he does not have any Rangers items. I think I have one photo and the Ramger's history. I have not seen either of those items in awhile.
I grew up listening to your Dad sing on 78 rpm records- and I still have most of them. Occasionally I find a Rangers 78 in my estate sale jaunts. I would love to feature a photo of the Rangers with your dad on my website www.oldshreveport.com. Email whatever you want and some info. I am SO happy to find your site. My brother, Mickey will probably also contact you. My oldest brother Tom said Denver had to stand about 10 feet from the microphone at times or he would bust the crystal in it. His voice was a gift and I shall never forget it. I am passing your website on to a good friend of mine, Ponder McInnis of Shreveport. He may be the greatest Rangers' fan in the world. He has a number of old recordings by them and has made me a tape of their recordings.
God Bless you and my Dad and all the members of my family loved your father and all the Rangers.
Ernie Roberson
Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters
Shreveport, La. |
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Brother Roberson, thank you very much for the kind comments about my dad. I was born in 1948 but believe it or not I have a couple of great memories from my early childhood living in Shreveport. My mom cofirmed my timeline so it is probably close to the time you make reference too. I clearly remember being with my dad while he was fishing and I pulled up a fishing line with a big crab on it! I also remember a man falling in the water. My mom says it
was Arnold Hyles! I must of been only around three at the time. I will send out a newsletter when my restoration project is completed and available for purchase on the site. Please stay in touch. I will send you some photos you can use on your site. Tell folks I sent them to you and visit my site. I'd appreciate that. Brother Ernie thanks again & God Bless. Bobby Crumpler
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FROM: |
JONATHAN HUNT |
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Hi, Bobby,
How's the Rangers stuff along with your father's guitarwork coming? I think that would be fascinating to hear. You know, guitars accompained quartets before pianos did! That's really true. When you release the Rangers QT with a guitar background, you will actually have America's first type of gospel quartet sound with musical accompaniment. You'll be making history for those of us who actually do understand history. I understand somehow my 80 year old uncle contacted you. He was tutored a little by Marion Snyder (did I spell that right?) back in the 1940s at a Stamps School of Music. I just sent my uncle a 1951 Live Blackwood Brothers Qt vhs black and white video from 1951 when they had Dan Huskey as 1st tenor who earlier sang in a qt that my uncle played for. I think what happened was my uncle and his quartet were at the Grand Ole Opry and James Blackwood heard Dan Huskey, so you know that's how the pros get their guys from local groups sometimes.
Good Luck and God Bless
Jonathan |
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Brother Jonathan, thanks for staying in touch. My transcription project is moving along. I've been slowed down due to my engineer having availablility and the great fact I had a third grandchild born! It's my youngest daughter's first child and her name is Cecelia Grace. Cece for short and she's a pretty thing. Adding to that, my oldest daughter is getting married in two weeks so you can image how busy it around here. I should be back on track very quickly. To answer your question about the bass singer out of Canada I'm still working on finding this guy. I met him at a reunion concert for Crimson Quartet and have just lost track of him. Being a former police officer I'm sure I'll find him though. All the people that knew how to locate him are no longer in the Detroit area so I do have a little task in front of me. Thanks again for the email and the encouragement. God Bless. Bobby Crumpler
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FROM: |
KEVIN RAGLE |
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Greetings
I was so glad and relieved to see that:
1. Your father had not been forgotten about on the internet. I am only 40 years old so I never had a chance to see him sing live. I have however been a HUGE fan of the Statesmen and the first time I watched a video that contained some old footage of them in concert I was taken back by his voice and (for lack of a better word) "eyes". Your father's eyes and face glowed bright with the love and peace of God. His voice - God had definitely given an awesome instrument.
2. I had wandered about his family since he died at such a young age. How were they? I did not want to "hunt" them down - so to speak - because I did not even know his children or wife's name. Thanks to your sight, now I do. I hope your sisters are doing well and have grown up to be a good testimony for not only Christ but your father and mother.
With tomorrow being Father's Day I (and my wife) thought you would appreciate knowing that your father's ministry of music touched someone (me) deeply in the 90's and now - and I love listening to him sing everyday.
I have been trying to locate old Statesmen and Rangers audio that contained your father singing and came across Irl Grundy's website and I am going to purchase a couple old Statesmen records from him. He mentioned something that you are considering releasing a CD of your father's singing with the Rangers -------- count me in! I want the first copy :-). Please let me know when this would be available.
Take care and I am sure your father is proud.
In Christ,
Kevin Ragle |
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Brother Ragle, thank you so much for the kind comments. My family is doing great. I have three children and two grandchildren. My oldest daughter is getting married in Aug and we are greatly anticipating two more grandchildren this year. One in July and one in Nov. My mom and sisters are doing well and we live in the Plymouth & Livonia area. I sincerely appreciate your comments about my father's influence on your life in relationship to Christ. My father was the greatest role model a son could have. He truly was a man who loved the Lord. My goal is to restore all of his music as time moves on and I do plan on making it available in MP3 format and espcially on CD with the highest quality sound we can produce. I will send you an email when its available. Brother Kevin thanks again for you email and your interest. God bless and keep. Bobby Crumpler
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FROM: |
JONATHAN HUNT |
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FEEDBACK: |
Bobby,
This is great news about the Rangers QT transcriptions. Are you going to have them available on CD? I'd be interested in purchasing them. It would be superb. Your father was the greatest tenor in the entire history of gospel quartet singing. If the Rangers QT had had today's modern sound system, and just with your father on the guitar, they would outsing everyone else at the National Quartet Convention. I think hearing that guitar would be a refreshing change from the piano. Let me know about purchasing this. Thanks and God Bless,
Jonathan |
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Brother Hunt, thank you for visiting my web site and to answer you questions: I plan on having MP3 & CD's available of as much of my father's music as I can; currently I am restoring 1945 transcriptions with a process that is really quite good. I think everyone is really going to enjoy these classics. I also have almost all the old 78's of Rangers & Statemen; some that have never been played. (my mom has had them in a cedar lined closet for 60yrs!) Some of my dad's solo's will be released with just him playing guitar & singing, some will be embelished; I might add your comment about him I totally agree. He was the greatest. Needless to say God has given me a very special blessing & great honor to have a father that still today is admired & loved. If he never sang a note my love for him would be just as great... he was a man of God. Thanks again and God bless & keep. Bobby Crumpler
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FROM: |
JONATHAN |
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FEEDBACK: |
Bobby,
What a joy it was to come across your site when surfing the net for Statesmen sites. I grew up listening to statesmen 33 1/3s in the 60s. My pastor and dad were both very appreciative of the Statesmen renditions and so as a kid I absorbed their enthusiasm and "stylisms" for the Lord. I am 46 years old and throughout all my life I have listened and collectedtatesmen recordings...even 78s. I have recently also started collecting old Rangers Quartet 78s (Telephone Upstairs, My Lord And I, etc.). Your dad has greatly influenced my life - through recordings - for years. My favorite song he ever did was "I'll Tell Of A Savior." But he was great on all of them. I met Chief, Hovie, Doy when real young and Jake in the late 70s and visited with him many times through the years thereafter. I have been a Baptist minister since the early 80s and feel there is no replacement for the classic Southern Gospel style that characterized your dad's era of the late 40s through mid 60s. Thanks for sharing him with us years ago and know my family (parents, sisters, brother and later my wife and three children) have been greatly blessed through your dad's singing. You sound great on "My Heart Is A Chapel...like your dad some but you also have a signature of your own. What a great time we are all going to have in Heaven! My dad went to be with the Lord in 1998. He's on high rejoicing and fellowshipping with the "likes of men" like your father.
Keep telling it where ever you go!
JJS |
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Brother Jonathan, thanks a million for the kind words about my dad. I can't tell you how many people I've come across in my life that my dad have a profound influence upon their lives. I can for sure tell you his biggest influence was on me. My dad was my idol and has always been. God blessed more than I can express! I am currently working on a number of projects including restoring Rangers Qt radio transcripts from the 40's I must admit I'm having a great time doing it too. In that process I'm trying to get a new solo project completed and a new collection of my old group The Chapels. Busy year, but a great one. I'm glad you enjoyed my remake of "My Heart Is A Chapel"; I'm always standoffish doing one on my dad's song and I can safely say I'm not in the same league but I do have the Crumpler sound. God Bless your ministy. Yours in Christ. Bobby Crumpler
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FROM: |
JERRY MINSHALL |
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FEEDBACK: |
HI, BOBBY! I JUST DISCOVERED YOUR WEBSITE. I'M AN OLD GOSPEL SINGER...
MANY YEARS AGO I SANG WITH THE MARKSMEN AND THE PLAINSMEN.
I CURRENTLY WORK FOR WSM AND WWTN RADIO HERE IN NASHVILLE.
MY QUESTION: I KNOW YOUR FATHER (OF WHOM I WAS A BIG FAN) DIED IN 1957. I REMEMBER IT WELL AND JUST TODAY I HEARD AN MP3 OF THE STATESMEN SINGING "LIVING WITH JESUS". THAT'S THE ONLY RECORD LES ROBERSON SANG ON WITH THE GROUP.
AND BEFORE I HEARD IT, I FIGURED CAT FREEMAN WOULD BE SINGING TENOR.
BUT IT IS OBVIOUSLY YOUR FATHER, ON THE RECORD. SO I ASSUME DENVER DIED SHORTLY AFTER LES JOINED THE GROUP. DO YOU KNOW THE TIME LINE THERE? THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND WISH THE VERY BEST TO YOU. |
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Brother Minshall, thanks for the kind comments about my dad. To answer your question Les Roberson replaced Jake Hess in the later part of 1956. At the begining of 1957 two singles were released that had Les Roberson on them: "Living With Jesus" & "These Are The Things That Matter" The other single Featured Big Chief on "I Wanna Know" & on the backside my dad doing "My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me". Probably my favorite song that my dad sang. These were the only commercial recordings with Les Roberson on them. I currently am transferring 1947 Rangers transcriptons and I gotta say dad sounds great on these recordings. Thanks again brother Jerry and God bless. Bobby Crumpler
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FROM: |
BILL DAVIS |
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FEEDBACK: |
Bobby: I was born in Lawrenceburg, Tn in 1930 and as you know Lawrenceburg is known as the birthplace of Southern Gospel. I grew up in a little village called Bonnertown where Gospel Music was a way of life. Each year before School started we had a two week Singing School taught by different teachers like Rupert Cravens. These schools usually ended with what was called "The United States Singing Convention". This singing consisted of Class and special groups. The Speers, Goodmans, Vaughan Quartet, and other groups with singers like Jake Hess singing. During my teen age years I couldn't decide whether I wanted to be a Pro Baseball singer or the first tenor in a quartet. The Korean war took care of that. Before I became an airman I attended one of Wally Fowlers all night singing in Nashville and heard a group I had never heard before. This group had an Irish tenor that would as they say raise the hairs on the back of your neck and a bass that would put J.d. Sumner to shame-Denver Crumpler and Arnold Hyles. Your dad sang I've got that old fashioned love in my heart and I was hooked on the rangers. After serving an overseas tour in Saudi Arabia I was stationed in Big Spring, Texas where I met a pretty good Bass named John Wylie and we formed the Melodyaires Quartet with Jake Shirley Lead, R.B. Hall Baritone with Pat Hayworth Pianist and could have made it except God had other ideas. R.B. Hall was called to preach and Jake Shirley went into music ministry. The greatest thrill of my life I think was singing with the quartet in a Lester Roloff revival in Big Spring. We sang one that the Rangers sang "In My Fathers House are Many Mansions" and you could have heard a pin drop. |
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Brother Davis, thank you for the e-mail and the kind comments about my father. I hope you enjoyed the history section dedicated to him. I will tell you that this year I have a project planned to release some never heard before radio transcripts of the Rangers Quartet. Live recordings about 1948-49 vintage. About the time I was born in Charlotte, NC. I've received numerous e-mails echoing your sentiments about the Rangers. My mom says they were the best all time. Thanks again for visiting my site and sharing memories. Please visit again.
May God bless and keep. Bobby Crumpler
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FROM: |
RAY LOVE |
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FEEDBACK: |
I never heard your dad sing in person, but I loved hearing him sing on recordings and on the radio. About five years ago I had the pleasure of viewing a videotape that someone had produced of The Statesman Quartet when your dad was singing with them. It was the first time I had heard him sing in about 40 years. It was wonderful to hear him again. Thanks for creating this website that has brought back many wonderful memories. May God continue to bless you as you sing for Him. |
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Brother Ray, Thanks for your posting. I have heard countless numbers of people who not only enjoyed his singing but had their life changed by his message of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. I can say without a doubt my father was my hero and I am blessed to be his son.
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FROM: |
JAMES D. FRANKLIN |
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Dear Mr. Crumpler,
Thank you for your wonderful and beautiful web page on you and your father, Denver.
I saw your father with the Statesmen Quartet for the first and last time at a concert in Beaumont, Texas in the Summer of 1953. The concert, also, included the Blackwood Brothers and the LeFevres. It is one concert that I will never forget. At that time, I was in high school, and it made a definite impression on me and made a lasting love for southern gospel music. Since I was born and reared in Texas, I cut my teeth the Stamps Quartet and the Chuck Wagon Gang, mostly by radio.
I have been to many concerns by the Statesmen and Blackwood Brothers and others since 1953. I believe that I have all of the Statesmen albums. I remember when I heard of the death of your father--What a loss to quartet gospel singing. Most definitely he was the best tenor singer.
Now, so many of the great gospel singers have gone on to heaven, I wonder about their grouping as quartets and singing. I am sure that their singing is perfect and they are perfectly happy singing around the throne eternal. It sure would be nice to have a CD of their singing.
Thanks again for sharing with me. And, may God continue to bless you and your family.
I love gospel music |
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Brother Franklin. Thank you for the kind comments about my father. I wanted to create a web site that people could come and find out about my dad and how he dedicated his life to Jesus Christ. God Bless Bobby Crumpler |
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FROM: |
DELTON FROST |
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FEEDBACK: |
Bobby:
Thank you so much for the pictures of your father, Denver. I was born in 1942 and was a youngster when seeing Denver with the Rangers and the Statesmen. Denver was and will always be the greatest first tenor in gospel music. The Rangers with Denver, Erman Slater, Arnold and Vernon Hyles and David Reece came to Scottsville, Kentucky on many occasions. My father Burton Frost was President of the Allen County, Kentucky Singing Convention and he would have the Rangers to provide a concert on Saturday night and then they would be the guest quartet on Sunday at the convention. The Rangers were my heroes and I had all of their 78's back then. They were so impressive with those moustaches. Ha! But could they ever sing! Denver was quiet, as I recall, but such a kind-hearted and personable individual. I would ask my Dad to buy their latest record. Vernon would say, "Mr. Frost, I will send you the bill in the mail." We, of course, never received a bill.
I can remember my mother relating about how Denver would talk about his wife, Frankie. I can remember seeing some of the Crumpler family pictures in an old Statesmen picture album which I used to have. I could go on and on relating about those great old days. They were, to me, when gospel music was at its best with the finest quartet harmony and our singing from the Stamps-Baxter convention song books. Thanks again for the memories you have sent my way.
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FROM: |
BETTY WHEATLEY |
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Dear Bobby, I personally never met your dad but my older sister and my father did. It is kind of a long story but I will keep it as short as possible. I will begin by telling that when the Rangers Quartet first began singing, my father sang tenor with them. He attended the Stamps Baxter School of Music in Dallas with the group. I am not sure why, but I suspect my dad quit singing with them when the group decided to travel and make a living singing. I am sure my dad just did not think he could make a living doing that and he had a family to support. I also don't think he would have wanted to leave the family and I know my mother would not have liked it at all. Anyway, when they began to travel, Dad quit. Years later, the Rangers Quartet came to a town near where we lived. My older sister was a fan of southern gospel music and the Rangers Quartet, so my dad and my sister rode a bus to the nearby town of Waxahachie, Texas, to see the Rangers perform. My sister was 16 years old at the time. Arnold knew my dad was in the audience and he called my dad up on stage. Arnold asked my dad to sing a song with them but my dad told them no but that my sister sang, knew their songs and she would sing with them. Well, Denver sat out and my sis, Helen, sang "Looking For A City". It was probably one of the most memorable times of her life. My family lived in Italy, Texas, about 20 miles from Waxahachie. The Hyles brothers were also from Italy, Texas. I hope you enjoyed a memory and my family's claim to fame. My daddy sang with the original Rangers Quartet and my big sister replaced Denver Crumpler. Thanks for letting me share my story. |
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MIKE DENTON |
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Hello Bobby,
It is a real pleasure to hear that you are Denver's son. His singing had a lot to do with making a life long influence on my life. When I was a teen I was entroduced to southern gospel and the Statesmen were the first group that I had a album by. Denver's style was like heaven to lisen to. Today I have realized my dream of singing with a quartet. New Dawn Quartet located near Atlanta.
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GARY HOOKER |
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Bobby, I just now discovered your web site when I was reviewing information about your Dad on the web. My Dad, Loy Hooker, who is 89 years old now, sang tenor with the Stamps Quartet for 20 + years back in the 40's, 50's and 60's. He also worked in their headquarters office in Dallas during those years. I grew up listening to the Rangers, Statesmen, Blackwood Brothers and, of course, the Stamps Quartet. I loved listening to Denver Crumpler back then. I did not know of you until I found your web site yesterday. I listened to some of your sample songs and have to say that you reminded me of your Dad which is a high praise. You and your group sound wonderful. |
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GORDON MEADOR |
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I remember my father talking about your Dad, and I have a couple of Rangers records and a Statesmen album that he is on, he was my Dad's favorite tenor and mine as well. My Dad had a picure of the Rangers with Denver's autograph on it, but it got lost, I wish I still had it. He either got it at a concert in Scottsville, Kentucky or Lafayette, Tennessee, not sure which.
Glad to hear that you're singing and would like to hear you sometime, Do you sing like your DAD? Are you going to be in Nashville, TN area anytime?
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Greetings Mr. Meador. Regarding your question "DO YOU SING LIKE YOUR DAD?" Not really, my dad's voice was one of a kind. However, throught the wondeful technology of digital recording..."I will be singing WITH MY FATHER in a few songs." That is one of my projects for the near future. God Bless. Bobby Crumpler |
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PASTOR VIRGIL COX |
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dear bro. bobby
i just found your web site,i have been looking for any thing on your dad.
i know you hear this all the time,i'm the biggest denver crompler fan ever!
i know he died in 1957,i was born in 1956,and never meet your dad.
i have talked to many other fans over the years,even for an hour or so to
jake and hovie back in 88.well i'll go now,your daddy still is the best irish
tenor of all time,i collect old records all i can find.i understand you also
sing asnd tenor i want to hear you sing ,any tapes or records?
yours in christ
pastor virgil e cox |
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IRL GRUNDY |
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Thanks so much for putting pics of your father on the web site. Denver and Willie Wynn have always been my favorite tenors. Willie is a fan of his too, and is a friend of mine. Glad to see you are in ministry. I am a pastor of a Southern Baptist Church on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. I was not even born yet when your dad sang. My dad was young then, but I just love anything he sang. I guess one of my favorites was St. Louis Blues, from a Rangers concert recording from 1952. Another would be "I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone" from a radio show with the Rangers. Thanks again for the site, and I'd love to hear from you.
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