Lester George Beasley was born in Crockett Texas in August 1928. As the son of a preacher he began singing in church at an early age – and especially loved the style of four part harmony music. His family lived in Texas most of his childhood until moving to Arkansas shortly before Les joined the Marines in the early 50ís. Following military duty that included involvement in the Korean War, Les joined the Gospel Melody Quartet in 1955 and soon renamed the group The Florida Boys. He has managed this very popular gospel quartet for over forty years – they still have many, many fans in Texas!

Les is a lifetime member of the Gospel Music Association and served as president for two years. He is also president of the National Quartet Convention, which promotes the annual NQC in Louisville, Kentucky, attended by thousands of Gospel Music fans.

From those early days in Texas, Les has been a pioneer for Southern Gospel Music both as the producer of the syndicated television program, the Gospel Singing Jubilee, and as a board member of the GMA was responsible for the development of the Dove Awards.