The original Kings IV quartet pictured here was organized sometime in the late 1950's. Due to the lack of information, it is unclear of the group member names, Gary Lee is the gentleman in the back right of this picture. The Kings IV later changed members and became a male quartet.
In 1968, Gary Lee along with brothers Robert Lee and John Lee organized the "Churchmen Qt." based out of Oakland, IL, The Group began singing at their local church, (Robert Lee was also pastor of this church), so the name "Churchmen" seemed appropriate. Group members included: Gary, Robert and John Lee-Roberts wife Melba played the piano, Doyle Conley and Ronnie Taylor. This group recorded it's very first record album in 1971.
The Churchmen Qt. would see many changes through the years, with the addition of Robert Lee Jr. and Brad Lee as musicians. Rob began playing the bass guitar and Brad became the group's drummer. Brad began playing the drums for the Churchmen somewhere around 1973 and Rob began playing the bass guitar shortly after. John Lee began with the original Churchman playing the bass guitar, but later switched over to the piano player, thus creating a family band.
The "Churchmen Qt." continued traveling and singing through 2006. Original group member, Gary Lee sang in the group thru 2002 until a battle with cancer took his life and Gary went home to be with the Lord in May of 2003. This photo is the last picture of the Churchmen Qt. taken in 2002, before Gary's passing in 2003. A huge void was left in the Churchmen Qt. with Gary's passing and while the group made no decision to quit singing, it seemed over the next 3 years more group changes and lack of time caused the group to come to pretty much a stand still.
The current group-The Kings IV has now came full circle. Some 50 years later, Brad and Rob along with Traci (Lee) Montgomery-(Rob's sister) and Brad's wife Kim are beginning a new generation of Southern Gospel Music. It should also be noted that Traci (Lee) Montgomery also traveled and sang occasionally with the Churchmen Qt. and other regional groups, and Kim Lee traveled and sang with her family group based out of Pana, IL for several years prior to marrying Brad. We hope you have enjoyed the "Journey" you have taken through the history of the Kings IV and The Churchmen Qt. and Thank You for stopping by. Please go to the photo gallery and enjoy more pictures and history of our family.
