Biography

Return To Crossroads Label Group

The ministry of Christ, the risen Savior, has been spread for over 2000 years and is still being spread today through the message of song. It should be the goal of every Christian to spread the name of Jesus to a lost and dying world. This job is costly and takes a lot of dedication. Only when we reach heaven will we know the full impact of our efforts. Occasionally, in our travels down here, we get to reap the benefits of our labors as we see souls come forward to accept Christ as their own personal Savior. The mission statement of the Skyline Boys Quartet, a sincere, dedicated, ministry-based group from Northern, VA is as follows:

1. Deliver the message of the gospel according to our calling.

2. Give the audience the opportunity to respond to the message of the gospel.

3. Do the best we can in our presentation of the gospel and our singing.

If we can say yes to this mission statement then the program was a success.

An overnight success? That has been the statement most heard when describing these men. Although they have seen tremendous achievements over the last few years, their ministry is steeped in years of hard work and dedication to the calling of God. The Skyline Boys were unleashed in 1995 at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the beginning of the famous Skyline Drive. Dennis Powers, felt a calling to organize a group that would present the message of God's love through Southern Gospel Music.

Over the years, the Skyline Boys have appeared all over the country and have made a name on television and radio. Though the members have changed the message has stayed the same. The priority has always been to bring the plan of salvation to the lost and to uplift fellow Christians. They count the many who have given their lives to Christ through their ministry as the greatest blessing of all.

Dennis Powers of Purcellville, VA, the owner and manager of the group, soundman and bus driver is the bass singer for the group. As the son of a pastor he was introduced to Gospel Music at a young age by a Blackwood Brothers album his dad brought home in the mid 50's. Inspired by the Couriers, the great Cathedrals and other groups of the 60's he started his first group in Oct. 1964 in his dad's church in Hagerstown, MD. He has sung with many groups over the last 43 years.

Chris Little of Griffithsville WV. , the baritone vocalist / piano player for the group is no stranger to this music. Chris is and man with many talents and abilities and they really show in concerts. Chris's quality vocals and exceptional piano playing make him a crowd pleaser everywhere the group performs.
Chris spent six years in the US Army and has a wonderful testimony. Chris sang with the Forgiven Trio for many years.

Lead singer Toby Siler , a Dayton Ohio native, helps give the group a unique sound. Toby is no stranger to the crowds and is often recognized for his humor as well as his love for people.

Rounding out the group with an extraordinary high range and smooth sound is tenor vocalist Jerry Skaggs. Jerry and his family make their home in Ansted, WV., Jerry is no stranger to Gospel Music having worked partime with Phil Cross and Poet Voices, The Faith Harmoney Boys and most recent his family group the Faithmen.

The past few years have been very exciting as the group was nominated by the Singing News fans for Horizon Group of the Year in 2005 and again in 2006. In the spring of 2005 Dennis made the decision to sign with Journey Records. Both Journey Records and the Skyline Boys are excited about their partnership. Their newest project "How I Picture Me," a follow up project to their very successful "Worth The Trip" project, is receiving great response across the nation. Their "Worth The Trip" project, which produced a great song from the pen of Ray Holiday "When I Walk Into Heaven," stayed in the Singing News Top 80 charts for many months and finally garnered the #18 spot for 2 months in a row. Zane King, the producer of both projects, which we believe is one of the best producers in Southern Gospel, is very excited about the success of this group. The National Quartet Convention gave this group the highest honor they could receive by voting to place them on main stage for the 2007, 50th anniversary convention in Louisville Ky. The group was very honored to be signed to the Crossroads Music Label in the fall of 2008 as label artists. The first project on that label was "Free And Forgiven" produced another top 20 song for the group"Moving Out Of Here"whick stayed in the Singing News charts at #18 two months in a row. The group's latest project on that label "Favorite Hymns And Classic's " is doing great. A brand new project will be released in Feb. of 2011 called "Till The Storm Passes By."

The hardest part of any group is finding four guys who fit together and can work as a team. As anyone who has seen them in concert will tell you, these men all have completely different personalities but come together like the great quartets of old. Many are surprised to see that those coming out to their concerts are of every age. Like the Statesmen Quartet in the fifties, the Skyline Boys are forming their own identity with their energetic stage presence and unique sound. If you spend any time with these men off stage or on the bus you will find that laugher is as much a part of them as their music. Their concerts are filled with laughter as the guys prepare the crowd for the message of Christ's love. The Skyline Boys are blessed to have four guys who fit together in their own way and are all focused on the calling God has placed on their lives. Hope to see you at one of our concerts in the future.