The Sunshine Boys Quartet were an American band formed in the late 1930s in Macon, Georgia. Their repertoire began as country and western, but over the years this transformed into swing, pop and eventually gospel songs. They also performed under several names, including: , and the Travelers Quartet. Original personnel of the group included John "Tennessee" Smith (tenor), his brother A. L. "Smitty" Smith (lead), Milton "Ace" Richman (bass), and (baritone). Each of the members played a variety of instruments. In 1942, Pat Patterson was replaced by . It was at this time that the group expanded their repertoire to include gospel music in addition to Western, swing, and pop numbers. In 1949, the two Smith brothers left the group and continued to perform country music as The Smith Brothers in their home state of Georgia. For a short time The Sunshine Boys Quartet performed as the Travelers Quartet until they were joined by Floridians, (tenor) and (bass). Horace didn't stay with the group long, and they then hired from Covington, Georgia to sing tenor. In 1954, J. D. Sumner left to join and was replaced by Johnny Atkinson. In 1956, replaced Atkinson. In 1964, Strevel was replaced by , and about a year later Fred Daniel left the group. The Sunshine Boys Quartet continued to perform on the Nevada club circuit until they retired as a full time group in 1968, although they did perform on a limited basis over the next two decades.

Members

• J. D. Sumner
• Jim Boatman
• Burl Strevel
• Horace Floyd
• Fred Daniel
• Ace Richman
• Ed Wallace
• Pat Patterson
• Leon Ellis

• sghistory.com