AMAZING FARMER SINGERS
(left to right: Mr. Hayes Farmer, Vincent, Vanita, Joyce, Linda, Kelley, Mrs. Lorice Farmer, Hayes Jr,
and Garry Marrett (godson). Photo is from the private collection of the Farmer family)
Mister Hayes Farmer was born in Memphis in 1934. He grew up in a musical family, first soloing in church at six years old. He went on to sing with gospel quartets, including the Jubilee Hummingbirds and the Stars of Harmony. Mrs. Lorice Farmer also grew up singing in church, and met her husband in Memphis. They moved to Chicago in 1962.
The Farmers formed their own family group about 1974. Mr. and Mrs. Farmer and their daughters Linda, Joyce and Vanita provided the vocals. Hayes Jr. played the bass, with Vincent and Kelly providing percussion. They went on to perform at the same programs with the likes of the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Salem Travelers, Shirley Caesar, The Dixie Hummingbirds, and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama.
In the early-70's they made their record debut at Cuca with two 45's. From the the mid-70's to the mid-80's Mr. Farmer produced gospel records on his own HLF label, the name an acronym for Hayes & Lorice Farmer. Using the Odyssey Sound Studios in Chicago he recorded many fine gospel groups, including the Sensational Golden Stars, the Space Singers, the Famous Bowen Brothers, the Fabulous Chimes of Joy, and the Universal Jubileers. The Amazing Farmer Singers recorded one album and about half a dozen 45's for HLF.
John Glassburner (January 2007, based on telephone conversations with Hayes & Lorice Farmer and Hayes Jr.)
| Brother Hayes and Farmer Singers | Jade 135 | Save and sanctified | ||
| Holy ghost fire | ||||
| Brother Hayes and Farmer Singers | Cuca 1576 | You must be born again | ||
| I got a home | ||||
| Brother Hayes | Cuca 1601 | I got to make it in | ||
| The Lord stopped | ||||
| Amazing Farmer Singers | HLF 1-5-85 | Some body touch me | ||
| Any way you bless me | ||||
| Amazing Farmer Singers | HLF 367382 | Come on and take me by the hand | ||
| I feel the fire | ||||
| Amazing Farmer Singers | HLF 643 | Oh Lord, help me to run this race | ||
| Come over here | ||||
| Amazing Farmer Singers | HLF 881 | I feel the fire burning | ||
| I got a telephone in my bosom | ||||
| Amazing Farmer Singers | HLF 9901 | On fire for Jesus | ||
| Don't hinder me | ||||
| Amazing Farmer Singers | HLF 9901 | Working on Jesus' road | ||
| I want Jesus to walk with me |
| Amazing Farmer Singers | In My Father's House (HLF LP HF-82226) | My Father's house | |
| Over the river | |||
| I don't know why | |||
| If anyone can | |||
| God so loved the world | |||
| You got to live right | |||
| Talk to Jesus | |||
| I shall not be moved | |||
| It's the power of God | |||
| God bless your children |
Additional Source:
The Farmer Family
John Glassburner
Rob Sevier
Scott Harlow: Midwest45s