SouthernGospelBlog.com

Label: Daywind
Release Date: October 10, 2006
Song List: When It All Starts Happening I Want to Be There; Prayer Will Take Heaven By Storm; Something’s Happening; Living in the Arms of Mercy; I’m Amazed; Anytime; He’s The God of Second Chances; Jesus Said Love; All I Need to Know; He Was There All the Time.

Mercy’s Mark Quartet came onto the Southern Gospel scene with a classic quartet sound and relatively traditional arrangements on their 2004 self-titled debut. The debut project had classic convention-style songs like “This Jordan” and “We Shall See Heaven Someday,” big ballads like “His Response” and “Soldier On,” and inspirational songs like “Who Is This King.” The song selection, arrangements, and even the vocals were reminiscient of top-tier groups like the Kingdom Heirs or like Gold City back when Garry Jones was their pianist. Even the harshest critics said that Mercy’s Mark was headed for the top if they maintained that lineup.

As they entered the studio to record their second major project, Something’s Happening, it could well be said that expectations were high. But after the project was complete, and after advertisements (including cover art) appeared in Singing News, bass singer Chris West announced that he was leaving the group. Shortly thereafter, tenor Anthony Facello also announced his departure. Even though he was able to keep lead singer Josh Feemster, baritone and manager Garry Jones essentially had to start from the ground up. So he pulled the project from the release process, hired Christian Davis to sing bass and Brent Mitchell to sing tenor, and went back into the studio. The project, now with new vocals, will be released next Tuesday.

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In the last month or so, quite a few Southern Gospel Quartets have sent out the alert that they’re looking for a tenor.

• The Blackwood Quartet was the first to start looking (after Royce Taylor left), and they got John Rulapaugh from the Palmetto State Quartet.
• To replace Rulapaugh, the Palmetto State Quartet came up with Wesley Smith from the King’s IV. (Incidentally, I just noticed that King’s IV, which Wesley had led before joining the Palmetto State Quartet, has decided to disband.)
• Three groups are presently looking. As I mentioned yesterday, the Blackwood Gospel Quartet is presently looking for a tenor after Derrick Boyd left. They have Paul Lancaster filling in, so they can afford to take their time.
• Southern Sound is also looking for a tenor. When Jeremy Calloway announced his departure last month, some thought that he might be bound for the Palmetto State Quartet. But a few weeks ago, it was announced that he was staying. Now it appears Southern Sound is looking again.
• After I hit the “publish” button last night, I realized that I’d forgotten to mention the new Tribute Quartet, which is also looking for a tenor.

And then we have the tenors that are arguably available right now:

• Derrick Boyd, most recently with the Blackwood Gospel Quartet, is looking for a position.
• Jeremy Calloway is presumably looking, unless he is already headed for another group.
• Marshall Pugh isn’t officially looking, but he may let the Monument Quartet name go dormant if the right group comes calling.
• Robbie Hiner just left his position leading Song Garden Music Group to “pursue other interests.

And it’s always fun to ponder who might fit well in the various positions:

• The Tribute Quartet may well have landed Jeremy Calloway, but if not I’d love to see Robbie Hiner go back on the road with the group. He personally has some name ID and would give the group a boost.
• If (a big if) Marshall Pugh is willing to consider a tenor job with another group, he might end up with the Blackwood Gospel Quartet.
• But, on the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest to see both the Blackwood Gospel Quartet and Southern Sound bring new names onto the Southern Gospel scene.

Southern Gospel is a fascinating field to write about, but sometimes it can be tiring just trying to keep up!