In the very early days, the group line up was just three men, Stan Sheward on Hammond organ, Stuart Millar on guitar and Ernest McQuoid on guitar and vocals. It was realised that to appeal to young people the music had to be "upbeat" and "with it" and soon 'The Sowers' added electric guitars, public address amplifiers and drums.
The line up became Stuart Millar,lead guitar, Brian Fawkes, drums, Ernest McQuoid, vocals and Jim Porter, rhythm guitar.
(see photograph right)
During the mid-sixties the Sowers acted as "house band" at Session and a large repertoire of songs were required. The Sowers had about 120 songs they could use, from hymns set to a beat, reworked popular songs, four part harmonies and songs written by themselves (some examples here from live performances).
Towards the end of the '60's, the group included Jim McIlhinney (bass guitar) and John Humphries (12string guitar). Throughout all these years, the Sowers, were technically supported by Tony Sproston. Also, during this time, the Sowers travelled all over the North West of England, North Wales, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland and a couple visits south, to Balham and Hereford, taking the gospel to the young people of those areas.
Some highlights of those years were :-