Lynda Laurence the departure of Florence Ballard in 1967 and lead singer Diana Ross in 1970, was about to lose another member of the group, Cindy Birdsong, who was expecting a baby. Birdsong originally replaced Tucker in the group The Ordettes, later to be named Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, so it was ironic that Tucker's sister, Laurence took Birdsong's place as a backing vocalist. At this time, Jean Terrell was the lead singer of The Supremes. Laurence joined the group around the time the group issued their "Floy Joy" album, and appeared on the cover with Terrell and Wilson, though Birdsong
Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Group three categories have again been combined into the Favorite Group award. This was only for a season however, as the fans beckoned the return of the Trio, Mixed Group, and Male Quartet awards. They got their wish, in addition to the newly added Favorite Artist award, which is now considered "the biggie". Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Group The Singing News Favorite Group award is awarded in the yearly Singing News Fan Awards ceremony held at the National Quartet Convention every September. It is awarded to the Southern gospel group which readers of the Singing News Magazine judge to