The Florida Boys have been one of the most important and influential groups in the history of Southern gospel music. Their roots go back to the Happy Hitters , a group that J. G. Whitfield sang with in Pensacola, Florida, before World War II.
After serving in the armed forces during World War II, Whitfield returned to Pensacola and formed the Gospel Melody Quartet in 1947 with himself singing bass, Guy Dodd on tenor, Edward Singletary on baritone, on baritone, ...