A Tough Year for Quartets
The last year has been pretty tough on quartets. The news that all the members of Palmetto State Quartet left (except manager/lead singer Kerry Beatty) came yesterday. This is the fourth group within the last year to have this happen:
- All the four traveling members of the Anchormen left to start Driven. The manager and former drums player, Tim Bullins, was not a traveling member of the group. Bullens hired a regional group, Chapter IV, to become the new Anchormen.
- All the members of Monument Quartet except tenor / bus owner Marshall Pugh left to form Tribute Quartet. At that point, Pugh led Monument into Country music, which has led some to believe that the earlier Monument lineup heard of the plans and wanted to stick to Gospel music.
- All the members of Mercy’s Mark except pianist / manager Garry Jones left a few months ago. Their plans are not yet announced, but their fans are definitely hoping they’ll stay in Southern Gospel music.
Add to that that the Florida Boys and the Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet have disbanded within the past year, and it’s simply been tough for quartets this year.
Comment by Quaid (December 15, 2007, 11:56 am)
Someone said on another blog that this seems to be a “weeding out” of groups. I’ve thought for a long time that there are too many groups around for any of them to really suceed, or even survive.
Comment by Paul (December 15, 2007, 1:44 pm)
I agree Quaid. Some are f=very good groups…but it does seem to be an overload.
Comment by Paul (December 15, 2007, 1:44 pm)
What ever “f=very” means.
Comment by Aaron Swain (December 15, 2007, 10:24 pm)
Isn’t Marshall Pugh the baritone for Monument?
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (December 15, 2007, 10:32 pm)
He is now; he used to be their tenor.
Comment by Aaron Swain (December 17, 2007, 10:57 am)
Ah, gotcha.
Comment by Ron Fleshman (December 18, 2007, 1:56 am)
It’s pretty shocking that Palmetto State is going through this. only five years ago, their lineup with John Rulapaugh, Tony Peace, Aaron McCune and Kerry was the up and coming quartet. Peace was replaced by the very capable Rick Fair and McCune by Burman Potter. When Rulapaugh left, the new kid came in and I thought they sounded great, but something must have happened and the dream died. I feel sorry for talented guys like Fair and Potter-especially Potter who can’t get a break. Wesley just made the big stage only to be back with a local group (I imagine). that’s also sad.
But look at the Kingsmen–so many changes and even Mercy’s Mark, which I thought could not fail. If we’re seeing the end of quartets, we’re going to see the end of sg as we know it. And for this guy, it’s mighty sad.