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Harmoneers Quartet to be Inducted in Georgia Music Hall of Fame

One of the pioneers for gospel music, the Harmoneers Quartet, has finally received their due respect by being inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The gala event, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia on September 28, 2002, was a tribute to one of the great all time performers of Southern Gospel Music.

The late Fred C. Maples and Charles Key, pianist, first organized the Group in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1943. In 1949 they moved to their operation to Decatur, Georgia. Charles Key is the only original member still living. Bob Crews and Seales "Low Note" Hilton joined the group in 1947. Wallace "Happy" Edwards joined the group in 1948. The Harmoneers, for the most part, remained unchanged until the death of Fred C. Maples, whereupon Jimi Hall joined them.

For over 4 decades, the Harmoneers thrilled audiences and their peers with their four- part harmony. With the humorous antics of Happy Ed on one end of the group, the stoic personality of Low Note Hilton on the other end, and the rock solid foundation of Bob Crews and Fred C. in the middle, their professional style thrilled packed houses all across this nation.

The induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, is just another of the ongoing tributes coming to this group of talented men.

For more information and congratulatory messages email: [email protected]

Viewer/Readers Comments

I, remember Happy Edwards very much, went to school with his two beautiful daughters Claudia and Cathy Edwards, and proud to claim them as kin to the Hodges family, he was my father, Robert Hodges, cousin, so please post and let me claim fame to a remarkable and wonderful man, and his loving family. Ralph Hodges

This is recorded elsewhere in my memories, but I thought I should share them her as well. While living on upper Elm Street was there was a young man, I guess he was twenty years old at the time. His name was Edwards and he sang in a Gospel Quartet, and was on the local radio. Many nights we would already be in bed, but not a sleep when Mr. Edwards would come home. On his walks home you could hear him approaching and fading out as he passed the house, he would be whistling some of his songs, I have never heard anyone that could whistle like him. Prentis Ollis

From: Adams, Brian <[email protected]>
Date: 4/21/2004 5:35:20 AM

Subject: Hall of Fame

How can Wallace "Happy" Edwards or Fred Daniels not be on this hall of fame list? w

Webmaster Reply:
Dear Brian,

Happy Wallace is now lasted on our Hall of Fame for the Porterdale Folks. He certainly should be there, I remember him well. As the Web Master I have been reluctant to arbitrarily select the folks for the various categories for our pages. I like for the nomination/selections etc., to come from someone other than myself. You have fulfilled that requirement and Happy Wallace has now been transferred to our "Porterdale Hall of Fame."

Thanks so very much for your interest in our Porterdale History Web pages. We would be happy to post any other contributions that you may want to share.

From: Kay Piper

Sent: 4/21/2004 7:38:47 AM

Subject: RE: Hall of Fame

The Edwards grew up with my mother’s family (the Haggards) on Poplar Street. My grandmother, Moselle Haggard, had one of the few pianos in Porterdale and she could play anything! The Edwards grew up singing around her piano. I grew up with the children of Wallace “Happy” and his wife Betty (Cathy, Claudia, and Wallace, Jr.) When I was the young pianist of the Porterdale Baptist Church, I had the honor of playing for Happy many times.

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