SWOT Analysis – Triumphant Quartet

Based on readership alone, this new SWOT analysis feature has become one of the most read features each week.  This week takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of Southern Gospel’s most popular quartet; Triumphant Quartet.

The group has now picked up favorite male quartet at the Singing News fan awards three years running.  Based on current popularity, I see a fourth win coming in 2012.  Like the Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet has no signs of stopping that streak anytime soon.

STRENGTHS

• Stability:  Name me the last time a Southern Gospel quartet has held the same line-up since their inception (ten years ago).  Southern Gospel fans like stability and they have gotten that with Triumphant Quartet.  They know when they go see the group in concert, they are going to see Sutton, Inman, Inman, Bennett and Stice.
• The Groups Work In Theaters:  Especially early in their career, the experience the group gained by performing daily shows in a theater only enhanced their stage performance when traveling the Southern Gospel circuit.
• Scott Inman:  Scott has become one of the strongest vocalists in the group (see “Love Came Calling”, “Somebody Died For Me”).  His songwriting has also given Triumphant Quartet some big songs over the course of the last several years (including the current #1 song “Almost Home”).
• Jeff Stice’s Arranging:  Jeff Stice has an ear to arrange Triumphant’s songs to fit each singer’s vocal strengths.

WEAKNESSES

• Use of Tracks:  I can hear it now.  ’Please stop using this same weakness for every artist’.  Until things change regarding the over use of tracks, I will continue to speak out against it.  You have to remember, I was around during a time period when artists still traveled with bands.
• Similar Set List For Live Performances:  If you tend to see a group more than once a year, the set list for a concert tends to be similar.  For some artists, they run with the same set list for more than a year.  Certain songs should be rotated from time to time.  After hearing specific songs just about every time you see a group for three to four years straight is too much.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Becoming Southern Gospel’s Next Cathedrals/Gold City:  With their current popularity levels and no signs of that waning anytime soon, Triumphant Quartet is well on their way to be considered this generation’s Cathedrals/Gold City.  In 20 years when Southern Gospel fans look back and discuss the best quartets in the genre’s history, Triumphant Quartet will be listed along with quartets like the Cathedrals and Gold City.

THREATS

• Any Personnel Change:  At this point, losing any member of the group would be a blow to the group’s popularity.
• Another Quartet Claiming The Award:  Triumphant Quartet needs to stay on top of their game so another quartet don’t swoop in and take the quartet of the year award.  Right now, I don’t see any competition for Triumphant Quartet from another quartet.

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  MARK TRAMMELL QUARTET***