John Miles Gospel Music Radio Program

The Prichard Quartet and the Melody Five gospel singing groups from Whitley County were jointly organized by Chester Prichard and John Miles who both worked as barbers in Barbourville, Knox County, Kentucky. The Prichard Quartet at various times was comprised of Chester Prichard, John Miles, Clifford Miller, Anna Prichard, and Ruby Parton. The Melody Five included Chester, Anna, and Jaola Prichard, and Chester and Roberta Bryant. Both were accompanied on piano by Janice Lundy. The groups were among the many amateur gospel efforts that were an integral part of Kentucky's local music culture and thriving gospel scene during the twentieth century. They did not make commercial recordings but were heard weekly on Barbourville, Kentucky radio station WBVL during the late 1950s and early 1960s. They also sang frequently at local church and community singing events in Knox and Whitley Counties, Kentucky.