Pine Ridge Boys Announce New Tenor 

Effective Saturday, January 27, 2024, Justin Owens, of Piedmont, SC, will be the new Tenor Singer for the Pine Ridge Boys.

Justin is 37 years of age and has a great love for the Lord. He has been singing as long as he can remember. Justin is a member of Deliverance Tabernacle Church of God and began singing with regional groups in 2009. His favorite pastime is singing and listening to music, he also enjoys fishing.

Larry Stewart, owner and bass singer of the Pine Ridge Boys stated, “I am thrilled to bring the ‘Boys’ back to the Pine Ridge Boys with these three young men. At my age, it is encouraging to see younger folks coming along and picking up the torch my dad passed to me. I have faith that when the time comes, my generation will be able to rest securely as we pass the torch of Gospel Music for the next generation to hold and continue the legacy.” 

Justin has filled in with us since earlier in January and we are thrilled to have him as a part of our team.

Please make him welcome to our family.

Pine Ridge Boys Announce New Members 

Jeremiah 29:11 says God has many plans for each Christian. That promise applies to gospel quartets too according to Pine Ridge Boys owner, Larry Stewart. 

Stewart says, “With the departure of lead singer Steven Craps and baritone Tim Webster, we were praying that God would provide the right people to our quartet. We are blessed on how God provided two young men that love God, gospel music and have that extra desire to do what we do.” 

Jackson Smith is 17 years old, and he found a love for Southern Gospel Music at the early age of three years old. His first public singing came at the age of thirteen. Since that time, he has travelled the region singing and sharing the Good News. Although singing as soloist, his desire was to sing in a quartet. This July he filled in for the quartet on a few dates and as the saying goes the rest is history. Singing the baritone is an opportunity he does not take lightly and says he is looking forward to meeting many new friends and spreading the good news. 

Matthew Benton comes to the Pine Ridge Boys to sing the lead with a history of working in the church. Benton grew up singing with his family as a trio and then pursued a solo ministry until the Lord gave him peace to travel and minister with a regional quartet. Benton says “the Lord had really been dealing with me to pursue other opportunities. This was not an easy decision but through constant prayer that opportunity came to sing lead with the Pine Ridge Boys.” 

The twenty-year-old says Ephesians 5:19 best describes his passion of gospel music. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” 

Larry Stewart exclaims, “Stephen Williams (tenor) and I are glad to see young people come into our music. It is exciting to see how they refine their talents, focus their life commitments, and want to sing southern gospel quartet music. We believe the best is ahead for the Pine Ridge Boys and these two young men will truly make a positive impact on those who hear and meet them.” 

Both men will make their official debut on stage Saturday August 13, 2022, as the Pine Ridge Boys and Lore Family are featured at Lowesville Gospel Concerts. The 6pm concert is open to the public with free admission. A generous love offering will be received.

Bus Replacement Fund 

Dear Pastor’s and Friends, 

As many of you may already know we wrecked our bus several weeks ago. Over the years many have said, “If there is anything we can do to help you, please let us know.” Well, we are letting you know. We are going to have to replace our bus. The damage was enough for the insurance company to total it. We did have insurance on the bus, but with it being a 1979 model, the insurance money that we are going to receive is not enough to buy another bus. We are asking for help. The Bible tells us in Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” 

We are asking you to help us pray about our needs. To help us get another bus would you also be willing to take a special Love Offering on our behalf or make a donation to Paypal on our website, www.pineridgeboys.com/donations

We have looked at several buses. They are not cheap. They range anywhere from $60,000 to over a million dollars. Well, we are not asking for a million dollars. We just want you to pray about it and do what God would have you do. 

Thank you from all of us for everything that you have done for our ministry in the past to help keep us spreading the Gospel through song. 

God Bless You All, 

Larry, Rob, Steven, Mike and Mark

March 2019 

Hello Friends. Yes, I know, it has been forever since you have heard from us. A lot has happened over the past year and so now I will try and catch you up on things. 

Last January Larry had another back surgery and is doing fine. Ivory Luke, our tenor for almost five years left us and in June our baritone Wayne Shuford retired as well. So to say the least we have been very busy trying to put everything back together and keep it together. We want to thank Junior Shelton, Steve Williams and Mark King for helping us out on the tenor part. These guys were there for us until we finally found someone to come with us full time. 

Our new tenor is Mike Maggard from Hansford, WV. Mike and his wife Ellen are some wonderful and great Christian people. We feel very blessed to have them with us. 

Our baritone position was back and forth with Wayne retiring and coming back and forth filling in till we found the right man. Chip McCaa was here for a few months and we sure did like him but God had another purpose for Chip and we understand that. So now we have Rob Shelton singing the baritone part. He and his wife Leslie make their home in Liberty, SC. Rob is doing a fantastic job and we are very proud to have him on board. 

By the time you receive this we hope to be in the recording studio finishing up our brand new CD entitled, “Something Old Something New.” We have picked out some of your old favorites as well as a few new songs that we feel will be a blessing to all that hear them. Songs like, “Love Lifted Me”, “When He Was On The Cross”, and “Far Above the Starry Sky” just to name a few. We hope to release it by Mother’s Day weekend. You can pre-order your CD now if you would like and we will mail it out as soon as they are ready. You can call our office or go to our website and pre-order there. Be sure and call your local gospel music station and request our new radio single, “Won’t That Be Glory.” Thanks to Wise Choice Promotions for taking care of our radio needs. Lori Wise and her staff do an excellent job. 

Speaking of Mother’s Day. We want you to come join us for our annual Homecoming Sing. This year’s date is May 11, 2019 starting at 5:35 pm at Inman First Baptist Church. The Saturday night before Mother’s Day. This year’s lineup consist of, Hearts Afire, The Shelton’s, Mylon Hayes Family and your host the Pine Ridge Boys. Charlie Griffin will be with us as well keeping things rolling along thru the night. You never know with Charlie what he’s going to do next but he keep’s things moving. As you can see, it’s all about Family this year so bring your Mom out and be with us for this very special night. 

Another night we are excited about is Easter Sunday night. We will be singing at Airport Baptist Church in Greer, SC with our good friends The Chordsmen. Oh yea, Charlie Griffin is going to be there too. Singing starts at 6:00 pm. Come be with us for this great night of music. As always, check out our website and see when we will be close to you and come out and join us for a great night of music, fun and laughter but most of all worshipping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Coming up later in the year we will be going to Pigeon Forge, TN for the Creekside Gospel Music Convention. The dates this year are October 27-31, 2019. The Pine Ridge Boys will once again be hosting the annual Creekside Kickoff Sing held at The Mill, 2674 Florence Dr. Pigeon Forge, TN. Larry’s wife Anne is doing another bus trip this year to the event. We will have more info about that as well as another surprise coming up in the weeks ahead. 

Well, as you can see, there is a lot going on and a lot coming up. Please keep us and our families in your prayers as we continue to grow in our ministry. 

May God bless each and every one of you. 

Larry, Rob, Steven, Mike and Mark 

John 3:17 (NET) 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.

Quartet Changes - August 2018 

Meet the Pine Ridge Boys Again For the First Time 

Change is inevitable. Some say, if you are not changing or evolving you are dying. Others say change is good for the energy. One thing for sure is change does not quench the mission or desire to sing gospel music.   

Since 1963, the Pine Ridge Boys have been sharing heritage quartet music in gospel music circles. The group is one of the few to have an original member singing in each configuration over the last fifty-five years. When Big Jim Stewart retired, he turned the quartet reigns over to his son, Larry Stewart. 

Larry was in the quartet as a child, even when he knew nothing about gospel music. But the old saying is true, “Like father, like son!” He has developed into one of gospel music’s most acclaimed bass singers. 

In June of 2018, original member Wayne Shuford decided that it was time to stay home with his Rosielee. Shuford says, “After 55 years of singing gospel music, it was the right time for me to retire from the group. With Ivory Luke’s departure, the group had the chance to add two new members who would energize performances and allow the group to continue the legacy started by me, Big Jim, Charles Burke, Miles Cooper and Charles Abee.  It has been a wonderful fifty-five years in gospel music and I think Larry will carry on the heritage for years to come. The Pine Ridge Boys will always be special to me! We are family.” 

Larry began the task of auditioning tenor and baritone singers. After countless applications, demo tapes, impromptu auditions, phone calls and video tapes later, the Pine Ridge Boys have found two exciting new members to sing tenor and baritone. 

Michael Maggard who is known for his time with the Lordsmen and most recently the Faith Harmony Boys, is now singing tenor for the Pine Ridge Boys. He and his wife Ellen have been married since 1981 and have two children (Michelle and Emily) and two grandchildren, Jayden and Ava.  Mike and his wife make their home in Hansford, WV. 

“The power and finesse Michael brings to the group is exciting. He is able to communicate any song in such a way that just blesses people on concert stages or in any church service. I know he is going to fit right in with the Pine Ridge Boys. His testimony and talent are top notch.” Says Stewart. 

Chip McCaa comes to the Pine Ridge Boys singing baritone and is truly making his mark with Pine Ridge Boys friends and family. His musical history includes singing for New Life Trio, Holy City and The Glorymen. Living in Lugoff, SC, he is married to April McCaa since December, 2003. His warm bubbly personality and that smile has made him a fan favorite. 

Larry states, “Chip is truly one of a kind. He is a man of conviction and principle and it shows when you meet him. Singing, well he is able to blend on those pretty songs while giving energy on those traditional up-tempo quartet numbers. He is fun to travel with and on the bus well there’s never a dull moment.” 

Stewart continues, “Each member of the Pine Ridge Boys (Michael, Chip, Steven, Ray and me) is renewed and committed in our mission and desire to sing gospel quartet music with a message. We love the response the group receives when people hear the new members. But it is more exciting to see how good God has been in our church services. We have been having some great times of renewal in so many places. It seems in today’s world, there are so many people who are in need and are going through a rough patch in life. All the Pine Ridge Boys are thankful for being able to sing songs that encourage, uplift and provide comfort, joy and peace to those who come to our singings.” 

The Pine Ridge Boys are excited to announce their Homecoming Sing for 2019 will be May 11. The 56th Year Anniversary features the Mylon Hayes Family, The Sheltons, Hearts Afire, Pine Ridge Boys and emcee Charlie Griffin on Saturday evening. The concert will be at First Baptist Church Inman, SC with host pastor Dr. Paul Moore. Starting at 5:30pm the concert is free admission with free parking. A love offering will be received. 

The Pine Ridge Boys are working on a new CD with a 2019 first quartet release date. The group is now listening to new material. Currently the CD release is slated to be on SonSound Records of Gastonia, NC. 

 

Quartet Changes - February 2018 

The Pine Ridge Boys would like to announce that tenor singer Ivory Luke is no longer with the group. Ivory has decided to come off the road for a while and work on things that have been piling up. Take time to refresh and reconnect with family, especially his Dad and Grandchildren. We want to wish Ivory well in his future endeavors. Please keep the Pine Ridge Boys in your prayers as we seek God's will to fill the tenor position. In the meantime, Junior Shelton has agreed to fill in until we can find someone permanently. If you are interested in singing tenor for the Pine Ridge Boys, please send a resume and video to larry@pineridgeboys.com

December 2017 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 

December 2017 Newsletter

Wow, what a year the Pine Ridge Boys have had! 2017 has been full of God opening new doors, allowing us to minister in some new places that and have quickly fallen in love with the people we have met. It is our trust and faith in Him that we walk through them. 

One door that has opened that we are very excited about is signing as a new recording artist with Son Sound Studios with Holly Robinson Branch and Scott Whitener. This studio has been around for many years and has worked with many great artist that are still in Gospel Music today. We can't wait to see what God has in store for us. “It’s A New Day” with the Pine Ridge Boys! 

One great event that I was able to experience was Creekside Gospel Music Convention held in Pigeon Forge TN. This convention has something for everyone, especially Gospel Music fans. A highlight of the week for me was midnight prayer. Midnight prayer is an event that is held Monday-Wednesday, held for anyone in attendance of the convention. This Spirit filled prayer service was nothing like I had ever experienced before. Lives were touched, hearts were blessed and the empty were filled. What an amazing way to end and begin each “new day.” 

As we have expressed our thankfulness on Thanksgiving this year, I can’t help but be thankful every day. I am thankful for the opportunity to sing with 3 of the finest men in Gospel music and share the stage with them night after night with all of us having one purpose, to bless a soul or plant a seed, for those who come to hear the message we sing. Most of all I am thankful for Christ who saved me as a young boy and also granted me the ability to sing and live a dream that I have had for many years, to travel and sing His songs. We all have something to be thankful for, especially as a Christians, I am thankful for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As I think about this time of year I am constantly reminded of these song lyrics… 

“Without Christ there is no Christmas. 
Without hope, no holiday. 
He’s the center of the season. 
Give the Savoir room to stay. 
Without Christ there’s no Christmas day. 
Don’t X Him out, remember His name. 
We are the reason He came!” 

          No truer words than these. Without Christ there is no Christmas and it’s all because of Christ, we do what we do. So from all of the Pine Ridge Boys, we wish you a Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

In ”HIS” Love, 
Steven

Son Sound Record Contract Signing 

 

Bessemer City, NC (October 9th, 2017) – Great Gospel Music... That's what you think of when you hear the name, Pine Ridge Boys in the Carolinas. Since the 1960s, the name has carried a tradition of 4-part quartet music throughout the years, earning the Boys' numerous nominations, awards and distinctions along their way. Today, Larry Stewart carries on the tradition with the quartet and we are excited to announce them the newest addition to the Son Sound Records' artist roster. 

Son Sound Music Group is proud to partner with the Pine Ridge Boys for their newest project. Currently in development, the 10 song CD, produced by our very own Scott Whitener, will feature new music from the quartet and will be distributed through iTunes, amazon, google play as well as many other of your favorite digital download sites and will be streaming on Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify and more.

August 2017 

August 2017 Newsletter

Hello everyone!  After a few weeks of vacation, we are back on the road.  It was great being able to spend time with our family and friends, but it is always good to be back on the road doing what God has called us to do, spreading His word thru song! 

If you missed our 54th Homecoming sing, you missed a great concert!  Thank You to all of our friends and family for coming out and supporting us.  Also a big thank you to Heart’s Afire, Crowns of Light, Jordan’s Bridge, Carolina Quartet, Troy Burns Family, along with a special thank you to our emcee for the evening, Charlie Griffin. Also a HUGE thank you to Dr. Paul Moore and Inman First Baptist Church for making the night a special evening.  Make plans to join us for our 55th Homecoming next year with our special guest, Heart’s Afire and national recording artist, Triumphant Quartet from Sevierville, TN.  The date will be April 21, 2018 and will once again be held at Inman First Baptist Church, make your plans now! 

August 12th, tune into Paul Heil’s Gospel Greats program.  Each edition of these programs features an artist spotlight and this time it will be the Pine Ridge Boys!  Check out the website www.thegospelgreats.com and check the station finder to see where you can hear the program.  If you have Sirius/XM radio, it will be on channel 65 “Enlighten.” 

We would like to remind you about the Creekside Gospel Music Convention being held in Pigeon Forge, TN on October 29th - November 2nd.  October 29th will be the kickoff concert for the week featuring:  Hope’s Journey, The Bates Family and the Pine Ridge Boys.  Visit www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com for more information.  We will be at the convention all week, so make your plans to come join us along with other great groups such as The Nelons, The Sneed Family, Troy Burns Family and a whole lot more. 

Along with the Creekside Gospel Music Convention comes the Diamond Awards.  Thank you to everyone who voted for us.  It is because of you that we are in the second round of voting and we need your support again. Visit www.sgnscoops.com and vote for the Pine Ridge Boys in the category of Top 10 Male Quartet of the year. 

Our new single “There’s A Fountain” is doing really well and we hope that you will call any radio station you listen to that plays Southern Gospel music and request to hear “There’s A Fountain” by the Pine Ridge Boys Quartet. 

Remember to check our schedule and see when we will be in your area, come out, and join us for a great evening of fellowship, a few laughs and some great Southern Gospel Music.  Thanks to all of you who support us financially and prayerfully. 

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” 

Romans 8:28-29 (KJV) 

In "HIS" Love 

Steven, Ivory, Wayne, Larry and Mark

May 2017 

May 2017 Newsletter

Hello Pine Ridge Boys family! We hope and pray that God has and will continue to bless your 2017! One of the many ways He is blessing us is that He and He alone has allowed us to travel 54 years.  On Saturday, June 24th we will be having our 54th Anniversary Singing at Inman First Baptist Church.  The church is located at 14 N Howard St, Inman, SC 29349.  The singing will begin at 5:30 pm and feature our friends: Hearts Afire, Crowns of Light, Jordan's Bridge, Carolina Quartet, the Troy Burns Family and the Pine Ridge Boys.  This will be a love offering concert and everyone is welcome! 

Limited reserved seating is available, so make your reservations by contacting the Pine Ridge Boys at (864)473-8849 or larry@pineridgeboys.com. If you need lodging for the evening, we have worked with a great motel and want to offer a special package for you! Contact our host hotel: Red Roof Inn, (864)587-0129, located at 6765 Pottery Road Spartanburg SC, 29303. Ask about the Pine Ridge Boys Homecoming Special rate. 

We also want to tell you about a great event held in beautiful Pigeon Forge Tennessee, Creekside Gospel Music Convention. This year the convention will be held once again at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center, October 30 - November 3. This great week of Gospel music features some of your favorites including the Pine Ridge Boys! You can find a special deal on lodging for this great event. The "host" hotel for the event is the Ramada Inn, which is part of the Smoky Mountain Convention Center. For those who plan on attending the entire week and leaving Friday November 3rd, the cost can be as low as $200 per person, based on double occupancy. We would love for you to sign up and go with us! You can do that by contacting the group office or also by calling the hotel at: (360)933-0741. 

Please join us as we welcome Mrs. Bonnie Parnell as the newest member of the Pine Ridge Boys, where she will be serving as our Administrative and Booking Assistant. She was born and raised in the Foothills of North Carolina by her Grandparents, and has a life-long love for Southern Gospel Music.  If asked, the greatest decision of her life was when she went to an old fashioned altar and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 11. Her relationship with Jesus is first and foremost in her life.  In 2003, Bonnie married Michael Parnell and moved to South Carolina where he is Pastor and she serves as First Lady to Call to Life Family Worship in Lamar, SC. 

Don't be surprised if you receive a call or email from Bonnie and for future bookings, please contact her at: (843)250-6173 or bonnie@pineridgeboys.com. We look forward to seeing you at our Anniversary Sing, Creekside Gospel Music Convention, and any future concerts or services that we are part of. 

In "HIS" Love 
Steven, Larry, Wayne, Ivory, Mark, and Bonnie