Scioto Ridge Boys to sing at farmers market

Published 9:46 am Thursday, October 22, 2015

Scioto Ridge Boys

Scioto Ridge Boys

 

The Scioto Ridge Boys will perform a Gospel concert from noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ironton Farmers Market.

Beginning in their home church, Scioto Ridge United Methodist in Hilliard in 1992, the Scioto Ridge Boys have sung at the Ohio State Fair, the Indiana State Fair, Lancaster Campground the Lakeside Association at Hoover Auditorium, West Ohio Annual Conference and General Conference of the United Methodist Church, several West Ohio Methodist events, as well as many churches, retirement centers and community events throughout Ohio.

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Quartet member Bob Houston is an Ironton native. His mother Dorothy sang around the area at various functions and at the time worked at the Ro-Na Restaurant.

As a child, Houston sang at Pine Street Methodist Church and later at Lorain Street Baptist and Central Christian Church. During his high school days he sang with brothers Frank, Paul and a cousin, Kenny Knight, as the Four Quarters around the Tri-State, singing professionally for a short time.

Paul sang with the Malleable Chorus and was well known in the Ironton area, he was also the announcer at the Ironton Tigers sporting events, singing the national anthem at football and basketball games. Paul sang at many other events around the area.

After Bob moved to Columbus, he sang with the Columbus Symphony Chorus for a few years and did solo work at churches. The quartet was voted Ohio Gospel Quartet for the year 2002. Their mission is to spread the Gospel message of God’s grace and love to all.

“We’re very fortunate to have this group here to entertain us,” Sam Heighton, market manager, said. “The Ironton Farmers Market is downtown and the concert starts at noon. Come early and shop our fully stocked autumn market. Bring a lawn chair and help us give Bob a big welcome home.”

To the recorded piano accompaniment of Betsy Paster, the Scioto Ridge Boys blend traditional and contemporary Southern Gospel selections in their concerts.

Although deeply saddened by the death of Ray Miller (tenor) in June 2014, the trio of Mark Snider (tenor), Bob Houston (baritone) and Bob Joseph (bass) continues to celebrate Ray’s life and to worship the Lord in song.