The Woodward News

Local News

August 7, 2009

Kingsmen Quartet to perform for FOP concert

Spreading the ministry of Jesus Christ through song is the goal of the Kingsmen Southern Gospel Quartet.

“Our music has a message, the message of Jesus Christ,” bass singer Ray Reese said recently. “Every night, we work to bring his message to our audience. Our goal is to see people saved through Jesus Christ, whether it is indoors, in an auditorium or a church or by recorded music.”

The Kingsmen will perform in Woodward at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 13, at Woodward High School as part of a fundraiser for the Woodward Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

A few of the songs they will sing include “Wish You Were Here,” “Stand Up,” “Oh, Ship of Zion,” and “Look for me at Jesus’ Feet.”

The Kingsmen were organized in 1956 in Asheville, N.C., Reese said.

“I have been a part of the Kingsmen for 45 years,” he said. “We have 1,500 to 2,000 recordings, all made over the years. We have DVDs and videos.”

Reese, who has owned the Kingsmen since 2001, said the quartet has 230 dates a year.

“We have our own (traveling) coach,” he said, adding, “There are eight of us, including our product man and bus driver.”

The quartet went into full time ministry in 1971 when Eldridge Fox became owner of the group, according to a news release about the group.

With countless records sold, Grammy nominations, four Dove Awards and induction into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000, the Kingsmen have become one of gospel music’s premier quartets.

“We never lose sight of what we’re working toward,” Reese said. “We tour year in and year out to spread our music across the country.”

Reese was born in Asheville, N.C. He was inducted into the SGMA Hall of Fame in October 2008.

Phillip Hughes, lead singer, is from Enterprise, Ala. He spent a long tenure singing lead for the Anchormen and the Harvesters before joining the Kingsmen in 2004.

Tenor Harold Reed is from cincinnati, Ohio. He has traveled with Squire Parsons, the Dixie Melody Boys and the Florida Boys. He joined the group in 2007.

Bryan Hutson, baritone, was born in Batesville, Ind., and is in his second tenure with the Kingsmen. In 1996, he joined the group as lead singer. Then in 2001, he resigned to become minister of music in his church. He rejoined the Kingsmen in 2007.

Brandon Reese, drummer, sound technician and song writer, is a second generation Kingsmen. He is the son of Ray Reese and joined the group in 1997.

Cody McVey at 18 is the pianist. He is from Alderson ,W.Va. and joined the group in 2009.

For tickets, call (580) 252-5676. Tickets may be purchased at Paradise Christian Book Store, 1107 Main St.

Text Only
Local News
  • Winter weather visits Woodward

    Maybe the groundhog was right after all, as Northwest Oklahoma received some winter weather Tuesday and more may be in the forecast.

    February 7, 2012

  • City not footing bill for additions

    The city won't have to foot the bill for an increase in construction costs to renovate the Woodward Industrial Building for use by Siemens Energy.

    February 7, 2012

  • AARP set up in Enid to offer tax help

    TULSA - The American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Tax-Aide Program is only coming as close to the Woodward area as Enid this year, says State Program Coordinator Andy Bednarz, who is out of Tulsa.

    February 7, 2012

  • Area legislators react favorably to State of the State speech

    OKLAHOMA CITY - Area legislators were upbeat after Gov. Mary Fallin's State of the State address Monday.
    The News obtained statements from Sen. Bryce Marlatt, R-Woodward; Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview; and Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, following the address Monday afternoon.

    February 7, 2012

  • Gov. Fallin highlights more cuts to state income tax

    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin outlined a budget plan Monday to deeply reduce Oklahoma's personal income tax rate by eliminating dozens of tax exemptions, including many claimed by poor and working-class Oklahomans.

    February 7, 2012

  • Commissioner wants to raise awareness about Agenda 21

    A Woodward County commissioner wants to spread the word about what he believes is an on the American way of life.

    February 6, 2012

  • Recent rain big boost for wheat

    Those who make their living off a healthy wheat crop are singing the praises of the recent rain.

    February 6, 2012

  • WEBvietnammemorial.jpg Special trip honors veterans

    Oklahoma Honor Flights offer free transportation by air and bus to help veterans visit the memorials in our nation's capitol.  To participate in the honor flights, all veterans have to do is fill out an application which is available on the Oklahoma Honor Flights website at http://oklahomahonorflights.org/. 

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • webwickware.jpg “Fightin’ Firefighter” preps for debut MMA cage fight

    Come Feb. 11, Michael "the Fightin' Firefighter" Wickware will fight for a victory in his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) amateur debut match.
    The match will take place during the Art of War Cage Fights which will be held at the Woodward County Fairgrounds.  Doors will open at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ethnic food fair, raffle to benefit Outreach Center

    High Plains Outreach Center’s annual Ethnic Food Fair will be held Feb. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Clayton Hall at the First Christian Church located at 9th St. and Oklahoma Ave.  At the conclusion of this year's food fair, the Outreach Center will be raffling off a couple of prizes including a pair of Thunder tickets and a photo of Blake Griffin of the LA Clippers.

    February 4, 2012