|
STEWART
VARNADO
Pianist for the Dixie
Echoes Quartet
Born September 11, 1980. Originally from Franklinton, Louisiana.
Website:
www.stewartvarnado.com
Stewart was introduced to Southern Gospel Music
at the age of 15, when a local group from Picayune, Mississippi, called to
see if he would be interested in playing for them. That first local group
was only together for a little over a year, then Stewart joined a group from
Laurel, Mississippi, called Masterpeace. (taking over a position left vacant
by Andrew Ishee). In December of 1997, Masterpeace changed their name to
the Masters Voice Quartet. The group consisted of
Josh Garner on lead,
Tim Duncan on bass, Lenwood Morris
on tenor, Tim Shelby on baritone, and Stewart Varnado on piano. Stewart was
a high school senior throughout most of his stay with these
groups.
Soon after he graduated high school, Stewart accepted
a position as pianist for the legendary Dixie Echoes Quartet from Pensacola,
Florida. He joined the Dixie Echoes in September 1998. In 1999, Stewart was
nominated in the top five Horizon Individuals in the
Singing News Fan Awards, and since
2002, he has been nominated every year as Favorite Pianist. Stewart is a
cast member of Roger Bennett's
Parade of Pianos, held each year at the National
Quartet Convention, and is the pianist for the
Tim Lovelace Instrumental Jam
Session. He was also a pianist on
Anthony Burger's
Pianorama.
From October 2001 to February 2004, Stewart also
performed with a scrap-iron quartet called the Five Broke Single Boys. The
group consisted of the single members of the Dixie Echoes and
Florida Boys at the time. Gene McDonald
sang bass, Randy Scoot Shelnut Jr. sang baritone, Josh Garner sang lead,
Billy Hodges sang tenor, and Stewart Varnado was the pianist. The group recorded
one self-titled recording as a fundraiser project for the
SGMA, with all proceeds donated to the
organization. They performed only at major venues such as the Suwannee River
Jubilee, the Brumley Sing, the
biggest all night sing in the world in Bonifay Florida, and at Bill Baileys
winter convention.
Stewart has released several solo instrumental
recordings, including the 2005 Southern Gospel Album of the Year (in the
U.S. Gospel News Awards) for The Southern Gospel Players. Stewart credits
Roger Bennett and Derrell Stewart as his piano heroes. His first three southern
Gospel concerts featured the Dixie Echoes, Florida Boys, and Cathedrals.
Stewart spends a lot of time in the recording studio, playing on projects
from groups all over the country. His playing can be heard on his solo
recordings, releases by the Dixie Echoes, Florida Boys bass vocalist Gene
McDonalds solo recording, and many more. His first solo recording was produced
by Roger Bennett and included a special appearance by Anthony
Burger.
Stewart is a 1998 graduate of Bowling Green High School in Franklinton, Louisiana.
|
† JESUS IS LORD † 
