The Heralds did a handful of great a cappella albums in the last 15-20 years too. The “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “The Way We Were,” “Christmas,” and “Git on Board!” albums had a lot of a cappella. Their a cappella stuff is tight, smooth, and often sophisticated. And it’s in tune.
Jim Ayers is a wonderful bass, huge range and great ability. And unlike so many SG basses of today, he can actually sing in tune! His skill aren’t limited to just hammering out subterranean low notes, he can really “sing” all through his range.
Herein lies the rub. I just can’t imagine Jeff Pearles stepping in to Jim Ayers’ shoes and singing for the Heralds. I don’t think he has what it takes. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been a big Jeff Pearles fan, I like the guy. But he’s a southern gospel bass. I’m just trying to figure out how that’s going to work in a group like the Heralds.
PSQ did an album a few years ago called “When He Blessed My Soul,” it consisted of a bunch of old SG quartet songs. That’s right down my alley, so I bought it. Pretty good album, but man, out of tune like I couldn’t believe! And Jeff was one of the worst offenders. I’m left thinking, how does a major SG group put out a studio project (“budget” recording or not, I don’t care) this badly lacking in a such a basic musical concept as intonation?!! It frightens me.
So, I don’t want to be a big pessimist over this whole personnel change, but I am a bit worried. I’m hoping for the best though. I’ll cut them some slack.
8 Responses
March 23rd, 2006 at 12:43 pm
As you know, I am also a big Heralds fan. I grew up listening to them. However, this new developement has me rather concerned. I have it on good authority that Jim quit due to some disagreement over the spoken word within the concert. I also know that they are moving from California to Kentucky. They also redid the bass on their last album, pulling Jim out and putting Jeff in. I am not overly impressed with his sound. Sounds to fried for me. I also read a review on a web site I think it was southern sounds or something like that in which they give the group a very good rating. I hope they don’t head to far down the SG road…… I, along with you, am hoping for the best but am expecting the worst.
March 23rd, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Well, I am relatively unimpressed with most bass singers right now. Boring, boring, boring and beyond. EXCEPT, of course, bass for Valor. Oh drool!
March 25th, 2006 at 7:02 am
Actually it was the “Singing News”
March 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Rest assured Jim Ayars did not Quit over any disagreement with the Spoken Word. They moved from CA fo TN.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I’d love to get in touch with Jim Ayers again. We were college buddies and I was fortunate to sing with him in a quartet before he made the Kings Heralds the summer he and I were counselors at the junior camp at Au Sable, Michigan. He and I were also English “readers” for Miss Ramona Downs when we were at Andrews together. If anyone has an e-mail address for Jim and could pass it on to me, or could give my email address to Jim (stevory@aol.com), I’d appreciate it very much.
Thanks,
Steven Spruill
April 14th, 2009 at 10:59 am
You might try contacting the Heralds, they might be able to give it to you.
http://www.theheralds.org/contact.html
Got any mp3’s of your quartet?!
May 28th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Hey Steve Spruill!!!!!
What a surprise to see you asking about me on this site!!!
Would love to talk with you.
Here’s my address: jimayars@aol.com
Jim Ayars
June 20th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Hey Jim, I saw this site, thought I wuld drop a line, it’s Rob from Denver and I am googling Jim Ayars trying to find a picture of you with a fro for facebook (teasing).