Feature Articles
01 Sep 2008
Mike LeFevre Qt
The LeFevre name has quite a legacy in Gospel Music. How does the Mike LeFevre Quartet fit into that legacy?
Well as most people know, Eva Mae LeFevre is my aunt. Her husband Urias and Alphus were my dad's brothers. Their music helped shape southern gospel music. They were always innovators in this industry, always breaking new ground so to speak and in that way, I think we are similar. In all of our concerts, we will get requests for some old LeFevre songs and we'll usually do one or two, but this group really has a sound all it's own and our live performances and recordings are made up of music that is us.
Introduce us to the individual group members. Who are they, where do they come from, and and who are in their families?
The guys in this group, their experience & talent is truly what makes this group unique. These guys are not just group members, we are all great friends & partners in this.
Singing Bass is Stacy Bragg. Stacy studied under the great professor, Leroy Abernathy and traveled briefly with Hovie Lister and Jake Hess when Bill Gaither helped them reform the Statesmen in the 90's. Stacy can rumble the room, but to me what makes him different is that he can jump up to a baritone or lead vocal and actually blend. That is hard to find in a bass singer. Stacy and his wife Claudette have two little girls, Emilee and Maddie and they reside in Gaineville, GA where the group is based.
Singing tenor is Gus Gaches. Gus is one of those tenors who don't have to make his voice sound high with a pointed, squeeky sound, he just opens up and sings. In my opinion, he is one of the best tenors I've ever heard. He works around Nashville as a back up vocalist, and his name is listed on the credits of countless projects that come out of Nashville. Gus is also a great songwriter, as a matter of fact, he wrote one of the tunes on our newest cd. Gus lives in Goodlettsville, TN with his wife Tamra, son Gus and daughter Kylee.
Singing Lead is David Staton. In my opinion, David has one of the most identifiable & commercial sounding voices in gospel music. People mainly recognize David for his vocal ability, but he is a very accomplished songwriter. When I met him, I was with Gold City and we recorded a song he wrote called "Do It By The Book". Since then just about every southern gospel artist has recorded his music. David and his wife, T'Juana live just outside of Nashville in Pleasant View, TN with their kids, Austin, Grace and Katherine.
I sing baritone for the group and I can honestly say I'm having the best time singing I think I've ever had. These guys make it fun and I'm at a place in my life with my family, spiritually and musically that just allows me to have a great time singing. My wife Cathy and I live in Gainesville, GA with our two kids, Jordan and Kelee.
Just like in Church, we have a youth department. Our piano player is Trey Ivey from Gainesville, GA. Trey is one of those rare finds in that he is so young and so talented. Keep your eye on this guy, he has a bright future. He just started college, so he's living in a dorm and adjusting to being on his own.
I'm particularly proud of our drummer. He is only 17 years old and one of the best looking kids I've ever seen. Of course I would think so, he is my son Jordan LeFevre. Jordan has been nominated as one of the top 5 Horizon individuals this year by the fans! I'm proud of him!
The Mike LeFevre Quartet is not the standard Gospel quartet. Tell us a little about what makes you guys different.
First, what I love about this group of guys is that each singer has a distinct sound and style when they sing. But when they come together, it is really something unique. I'm just thankful they let me sing with them. (Mike laughs) Seriously, I'm very proud of all of them.
Secondly, we don't watch what the latest trends are and try to duplicate it in order to catch the next wave of success. We really follow our hearts on song selection and each of the guys sings and delivers the song the way they feel it.
Thirdly, I love the fact that these guys are experienced enough to know what to do and when to do it. There is a need and a time for entertainment and I feel like what we do is very entertaining, however, each of the guys know what to do when God is really moving during a concert.
Your group seems to include a fair bit of Praise Music into your projects. What's behind that? How does your audience respond? Is it easy to incorporate into your Southern Gospel performances?
A couple of years ago, we were going to do a table project and we noticed that while most gospel groups were recording the old standards (which I love by the way), most of the churches we were singing in were singing Praise & Worship music. The decision was really based on connecting to the people that we were singing to. The folks we sing to love it, even the ones who don't normally like Praise & Worship do like it when they hear it with four part harmony. I think you could put a bass vocal on anything and it will pull it right into the southern arena. With the arrangements that we have on much of the praise and worship music, it flows very well with some of the most southern gospel that we do. Also, we don't do the stuff that just has one line in it that you repeat for 6 minutes. We are selective on what we do and the lyrical content and depth are very important to us.
How are the high fuel costs effecting your ministry? Do you have a solution?
I wish Toyota would come up with a 45 foot Hybrid. You know, the fuel costs have affected what we do in that we have to make every dollar count and really be good stewards with what comes in. I don't see a solution that will affect fuel prices. I think the only solution for us and groups like us is to be even more effective in what we do. I think if we make the music better and the message even more relavent to the world, then the cost of ministry will be met by those who see the need.
Who is involved in the selection of your material and how is it chosen?
That is really a group effort. We listen to everything that is sent to us. We listened to literally hundreds of songs for the selection on "Nothin' But Good". We all know what kind of songs will connect with people and when we hear one, we all know it. When songwriters ask us what type of songs we're looking for, we normally tell them to send us the ones that moved them the most when they wrote them. That usually helps with narrowing the process down right at the beginning.
Is there someplace that you haven't performed that you are really wanting to? Why?
We'd like to do a six month tour of Hawaii! Seriously, there are so many places, I don't know if I could name just one. I personally would love to sing out on the west coast because we'd get to meet so many new folks we have never met before. I heard one of the guys say that they'd love to sing at the White House.
What song in all of your repertoire do you think has touched more of your audiences than any other? What song in all of your repertoire do you think has touch you as a group more than any other?
That would probably have to be a song that David wrote called "To Get To Jesus". I have watched at times when he finishes up the second verse, people just get up and begin coming forward. The first few times that happened, it really overwhelmed us as we were singing it. It is such a powerful song! We performed it on Charles Stanley's IN TOUCH television show and every time it airs, we get letters from people who were at the end of their rope and the words to that song ministered to them and was instrumental in a life changing decision for Christ.
There is a song on the new project called "You Thought Of Us" that moved us all to tears the first time we heard it. It is such a powerful song that it was difficult to sing in the studio.
What can Pastors and Promoters expect to see when you perform for them? How can they reach you for a booking?
I think they will hear music that will be loved by all ages. I believe every bit of it falls well within the Southern Gospel genre. They will see two guys in our band that are the same age as the kids in their youth group which helps that age group to be open to what we do and hopefully come to love Southern Gospel Music. They will also see four vocalists whose calling & message go way beyond the music. They will hear music that is comparable in quality to any other type of entertainment that is trying to pull their people in another direction. Our competition isn't the next gospel group that comes to town, and what keeps people out of church isn't another church, it's the mainstream entertainment & music industry that will pull them away. So if you want to keep them there, whether it's a church or promoted event, quality will certainly do it. That is why we try to be the best that we can be. You can't reach anyone if the seats are empty. Lastly, all that I mentioned is done in the shadow of the cross. HE is the focus and why we do what we do. The message will never change, but sometimes our methods have to in order to be effective.
We are booked by The Harper Agency
615-851-4500 ext. 12
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.mikelefevrequartet.com
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Written: 09/01/2008 
Author: SGN
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