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In a post earlier this morning, I mentioned that there was a rumor that the Monument Quartet was disbanding. When I contacted the Monument Quartet’s office, my email was answered by Marshall Pugh, who informed me that the Monument Quartet was not disbanding.

Sharp reader Jennifer noticed that Singing News’s SG Wire posted a press release this afternoon announcing that while the Monument Quartet may not have disbanded, three of its members (lead Gary Casto, baritone Josh Singletary, and bass Dennis Dugger) have left to form the Tribute Quartet.

The Beckie Simmons Agency, which had booked the Monument Quartet, has signed the Tribute Quartet to a booking and recording agreement. So although the Monument Quartet is still featured on BSA’s website (as of 3:00 this afternoon), it appears as though Gary, Josh, and Dennis got to keep the booking deal, and Marshall got to keep the name and possibly the recording deal.

I wish both Marshall and the members of the Tribute Quartet the best of success as they attempt to rebuild their groups.

Southern Gospel online magazine www.thesoutherngospel.com has their Southern Gospel Music Awards online voting taking place right now. In the “Favorite Male Soloist” category, the top five nominees are Kirk Talley, David Phelps, Ivan Parker, Guy Penrod, and Michael Combs. Guy Penrod?

For whatever it’s worth, I’m casting my vote for Guy Penrod, for no reason in particular other than that I’d be amused to see what happens if he wins.

I also voted for Karlye Hopper for favorite junior artist. I did not know that she sang at all, but perhaps the Hoppers have started training her to sing alto to be ready whenever Claude and Connie retire.

A recent poster in the Singing News forums posted a rumor that the Monument Quartet was disbanding.

The Monument Quartet formed just last year, by two former members of the Wilburns (Gary Casto singing lead and Josh Singletary singing baritone and playing piano), Dennis Dugger at the bass position, and Marshall Pugh singing tenor. The quartet got off to a strong start and were one of the Top 5 Nominees for Horizon Group of the Year in the 2006 Singing News Fan Awards. (I voted for them; they may well have won had it not been for the radio success of the Mike LeFevre Quartet’s cover of the CCM song “Days of Elijah.”)

I contacted the Monument Quartet to make them aware of the rumor. I heard back from Marshall Pugh who is the group’s tenor and now owner. He confirmed that the group will not be disbanding. However, he said to be watching for an upcoming press release about possible personnel changes.

I wish Monument Quartet the best as they go through this challenging time; may they come out of it as strong as ever.

The Associated Press wire recently put out a feature story on Kenny Bishop. This story can be found online in Lexington, Kentucky’s Herald-Leader. Kenny Bishop was fairly open with the story’s writer (Roger Alford) about his journey as a prodigal - and what prompted him to come back home.

While visiting a Lexington nightclub, a young man walked over to him and started talking.

“He told me ‘you sang in my church the night that I accepted Christ,’” Bishop said. “And at that moment I realized where I was. It was like cold water in the face.”

Those piercing words, Bishop said, allowed him to see that he was in the prodigal’s pigpen and that he needed to return home.

The story contains several items of interest to Southern Gospel trivia buffs (such as Bishop’s current salary, of all things). It’s worth checking out.