Comments on: Archie Watkins to Retire

By: Archie Watkins launches group | SouthernGospelBlog.com

Archie Watkins launches group | SouthernGospelBlog.com — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 11:31:58 +0000

[...] year, Archie Watkins left the Inspirations to launch a solo career. But you can’t be a quartet tenor for 45 years without quartet singing in your blood—and [...]

By: 2009 in Review: Top 10 Stories | SouthernGospelBlog.com

2009 in Review: Top 10 Stories | SouthernGospelBlog.com — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:29:52 +0000

[...] Watkins leaves the Inspirations and launches a solo career; Rogers and Ragan join. Some liked his voice, some didn’t—but 45 [...]

By: Ron Doring

Ron Doring — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:49:49 +0000

As an Inspirations since 1973, I have my own “take”, on Archie’s retirement. A friend of mine, (also a big fan) and myself. were riding in his car listening to the Inspirations sing. Archie began a solo, and my friend made a statement that has stuck with me, and I believe is solidly true. He said, “without Arche, the Inspitations would sound like just any other quartet”. Archie was, and is, no, “ordinary tenor”. He is not, perhaps, the highest, or smoothest in the world. However, his consistant vocal power was amazing, and his sound unique. He was the sound that set the Inspirations apart from the rest. It worked. Much like Johnney Parrack set the trend for the tenor sound of the Kingsmen, so, Archie Watkins began a legacy, and, set the sound for the future tenors of the Inspirations Quartet. He is missed.

By: Charles Bennett

Charles Bennett — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:03:49 +0000

Recently I have had the priveledge of working with Archie in my recording studio , recording his latest new release “Pouring Out Blessings”, and I must say that Archie is in his best form ever and never have I seen him happier. the old saying is “That for every accomplishment, a sacrifice has to be made” and certainly a lot of sacrifices have been made by all of the Inspirations. For Archie, the sacrifice of being away from his wife and family is certainly the most significant, and now that he has gone solo, he and his wife Cindy can spend more time together on the road doing what he loves to do best, “singing for the Lord”. The iconic, legendary voice of Archie will always stand out with the greatest and I know that the Lord is going to richly bless He and Cindy in the coming months and years !

By: Rev. Ken Williams

Rev. Ken Williams — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 04:11:14 +0000

Archie Watkins is the Best tenor I’ve heard in my life outside of Rosie Rozelle of the Statesmen Quartet. He also is the finest Example of a Christian I’ve ever had the pleasure of being friends with. He will be sorely missed in The Inspirations but I understand the conditions of his retirement due to his voice problems and the need to slow down. I wish Archie all the best in his solo work too. I hope he puts out some great cd’s. We folks in South Geogia love and respect and admire him!!

God Bless Ya Archie We love Ya!!

By: Rev. Ken Williams

Rev. Ken Williams — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 04:07:53 +0000

Archie watins is the Best tenor I’ve heard in my life outside of Rosie Rozelle of the Statesmen Quartet. He also is the finest Example of a Christian I’ve ever had the pleasure of being friends with. He will be sorely missed in The Inspirations but I understand the conditions of his retirement due to his voice problems and the need to slow downwn. I wish Archie all the best in his solo work too. I hope he puts out some great cd’s.

God Bless Ya Archie We love Ya!!

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:42:49 +0000

Does Archie have a brother besides Donald, The Inspirations’ former bus driver?

By: Archie Watkins Resigns « Burke’s Brainwork

Archie Watkins Resigns « Burke’s Brainwork — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:05:50 +0000

[...] 2009 by burkesbrainwork In what has been seemingly the worst kept secret of the year so far (see here), the Singing News just issued a press release announcing the retirement resignation of Archie [...]

By: Archie Watkins Retires « Burke’s Brainwork

Archie Watkins Retires « Burke’s Brainwork — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:55:06 +0000

By: Daniel J. Mount

Daniel J. Mount — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:31:34 +0000

@Paul: I believe he never sang with the group on a permanent basis, but maybe he filled in.