Most Influential – #28 – Triumphant Quartet

This week finds the artist ranked 28th among the most influential in Southern Gospel history; Triumphant Quartet.

Starting in 2002 as Integrity Quartet and changing their name to Triumphant Quartet in 2004, the first few years of the group’s career was spent at the Louise Mandrell (later Miracle) theater in Pigeon Forge TN.

Triumphant Quartet are one of the few quartets traveling that has all five original members still performing with the group after a decade on the road.

INFLUENCE METER:

• Triumphant Quartet’s influence on Southern Gospel music is just starting to be felt.  This is a group that we’ll look back on in ten years and see the impact they had on Southern Gospel music.  They are this era’s Gold City.
• The continued stability in personnel will only keep Triumphant Quartet tops among the Southern Gospel audience.
• Hit Songs:  ”Almost Home”, “Back To Me”, “Don’t Let The Sandals Fool Ya”, “Down Every Road”, “Everyday”, “Great I Am Still Is”, “He Is”, “He Rescued Me”, “He’s Leading The Way”, “Hey Jonah”, “I Bring You Forgiveness”, “Love Came Calling”, “Old White Flag”, “Saved By Grace”, “Somebody Died For Me” and “When The Trumpet Sounds”.
• Best Album:  Love Came Calling (2010)

Here is a YouTube clip, published by TheEthan1990, of Triumphant Quartet singing one of their early hits “I Bring You Forgiveness”.  Enjoy!

2012 Singing In The Foothills

On Thursday night (06/21/22), I had the chance to attend night one of the 2012 Singing In The Foothills.  This annual outdoor event in Wilkesboro NC is a benefit for the Ebeneezer Christian Children’s Home.  A couple thousand folks were on hand Thursday night to enjoy some great Southern Gospel music.  Here are highlights in order of appearance.  I missed the first artist on the program, the Pfeifers.  I have also provided some audio sound bytes of each set, considering I was sitting too far back to get any good video.  The audio is not the greatest but should give you an idea of how the evening went.

Singing Cookes – This had to be the first time in twenty years that I have seen the Singing Cookes in concert.  Their set consisted of mainly slower songs until they closed with “Ain’t No Grave”.  Jason Crabb was running his social cam most of the evening and caught a clip of the Cookes here.  Enjoy that along with some audio sound bytes of their set.

Sisters – The Ruppe sisters (Heather, Kim, Valerie) were great as usual.  One would be hard pressed to find a better vocal group traveling the Southern Gospel circuit.  These ladies can sing!  Their a cappella number “Thou Oh Lord” was about the best vocal performance heard the entire night.  Jason got another social cam clip here.  Enjoy that along with some audio sound bytes of their set.

Triumphant Quartet – The group’s popularity continues to be on the rise as they thrilled another couple thousand folks at the event.  Their set was standard fare, filled with many of their hits including “Saved By Grace” and “Love Came Calling”.  Crabb was having a good time also as he got another social cam clip of Triumphant Quartet performing here.  Enjoy that along with some sound bytes of their set.

Jason Crabb – The evening closed with Jason Crabb and his band.  My readers already know how I feel about live music.  This set was phenomenal.  The musical interlude in the middle of “Still Holdin’ On” is the reason you can’t beat live music in a concert setting.  Enjoy audio sound bytes of Crabb’s set.

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***

The Fab Five – May 2012

Can you believe it is already May 2012?  To kick off another month I want to take a look at five current radio songs that have grabbed my attention over the course of the last month.  This month finds the return of the Crabb Family to radio, another #1 hit for Triumphant Quartet, one of the strongest radio singles for the Down East Boys, the Martins and the Bowling Family.  The Bowling Family song wins points for that crying steel guitar intro.  Enjoy!

Ten On Ten – Triumphant Quartet

This week’s ten on ten feature highlights the best recordings of one of the top quartets traveling today; Triumphant Quartet.  Triumphant is the reigning quartet of the year and are currently celebrating 10 years in Southern Gospel music.  In their first ten years as a group, Triumphant Quartet has just over 15 recordings in their discography.

Each member of the group has a multitude of singing experience.

Triumphant Quartet’s top ten albums are:

1. Love Came Calling (2010)
2. Triumphant (2005)
3. Intermission (2008)
4. Everyday (2009)
5. You Gotta Love It (2007)
6. Songs From The Heart (2011)
7. Southern Gospel – Quartet Style (2002)
8. Home Free (2004)
9. Lyric & Melody (2009)
10. You Better Hurry Up (2005)

• The pinnacle of Triumphant Quartet’s discography is their 2010 album Love Came Calling.  The title track has become a career record for the group, winning song of the year in 2011.  A nice mix of new songs and covers make for a great recording.
• Triumphant Quartet has released some of the best custom, or what some would call table projects, recordings that any group in Southern Gospel music.  The 2008 recording Intermission ranks highest (#3) among the custom recordings.
• Even though Intermission was a collection of all previously released music, Triumphant turned in great covers of “When I Receive My Robe And Crown”, “Turn Your Back”, “Pearly Gates”, “I Remember The Day” and “Welcome To Heaven”.
• The group’s self titled 2005 recording ranks #2 among the group’s best projects.  This album took Triumphant Quartet to another level anchored by songs such as “One Holy Morning”, “Back To Me”, “Don’t Let The Sandal Fool Ya”, “Hey Jonah” and “Rock Bottom”.
• Triumphant Quartet may be the only quartet in Southern Gospel history that has not had a personnel change since the group started touring ten years ago.  Fans want stability in their favorite artists and if Triumphant Quartet continues without a personnel change, they could dominate quartet of the year for years to come.
• The group began their career as Integrity Quartet.  They traveled as Integrity for nearly three years when they changed their name to Triumphant.  The group’s very first recording as Integrity, Southern Gospel – Quartet Style, was good enough to land at #7 among the group’s best albums.
• In their ten years of singing, Triumphant Quartet has given the listener great songs such as “Love Came Calling”, “Somebody Died For Me”, “Don’t Let The Sandals Fool Ya”, “You’ll Find Me There” and “He Rescued Me”.
• The forgotten gem in the group’s discography is their 2004 album Home Free.  Released during the time of the transition from Integrity to Triumphant, the album had great song selection.
• The album that should be forgotten in Triumphant’s discography is the 2008 custom recording Look To God.  While most of Triumphant’s custom recordings have been top-notch, Look To God didn’t measure up.
• Triumphant Quartet has not even reached the pinnacle of their popularity yet.  They have many years ahead releasing additional albums that will ultimately change the make up of the top ten.

***NEXT UP ON TEN ON TEN:  HOPPERS***

Songs From The Heart – Triumphant Quartet

RATING:  7.700 (10 song average)

• Album – Songs From The Heart
• Artist – Triumphant Quartet
• Label – Custom
• Style – Traditional
• Release Date – 09/06/11
• Available For Digital Download? – Yes

SYNOPSIS:

This week’s album review looks at a recording that was initially released in September 2011.  It finally made its way to online retailers several weeks ago.  Songs From The Heart by Triumphant Quartet is another strong recording in a list of already great albums.

The delay in getting this album out to online retailers was a misfortune.  It would have most likely made my year-end top 20 list for best albums of 2011, but now we’ll never know where it may have ended up.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Songs From The Heart highlight the songwriting talents of group members.  Each group member has at least one composition included on the album.
• Scott penned two up tempo quartet numbers.  ”Almost Home” (Inman) is the group’s current radio single and should do well.  ”When It’s All Said And Done” (Inman/Dustin Sweatman), recorded by the Kingsmen, is also a stand out track.
• “Thank You Lord” was a song Clayton penned when he was a member of the Singing Americans.  I don’t know if I have heard this song since the Singing Americans.  I’m glad the group included it on the recording.  It would make a great radio single choice.  Jeff Stice also includes a song recorded by Perfect Heart, “When The Rapture Comes My Way”.
• Sometimes listeners, but more importantly historians of the music get lost in constantly pointing to the past when talking about quartet trend setters.  Triumphant Quartet is this decade’s quartet trend setter.  If we have a chance to look back 20 years from now, Triumphant Quartet will be included along side names like the Cathedrals, Statesmen, Gold City, etc.
• Strongest songs included in order:  ”Thank You Lord”, “When It’s All Said And Done”, “Be Of Good Cheer”, “Almost Home”, “When The Rapture Comes My Way” and “Streets Of Gold”.

DISLIKES:

• The time it takes for certain albums to hit online retail venues.  Folks, this is 2012.  There is no excuse a Southern Gospel listener should not be able to purchase a new recording via digital download as soon it is made available in CD format.
• I am usually in the ‘less is more’ camp in regards to the number of songs on an album (10 being the maximum).  This album could have used several more songs from Scott Inman’s song book.
• Weakest songs included in order:  ”Let’s All Stand For America” and “Goin’ Up To Heaven”.

SONG LIST:  1. “Be Of Good Cheer” (8)  2. “Thank You Lord” (8.5)  3. “Praying For Me” (7.5)  4. “When It’s All Said And Done” (8.5)  5. “Streets Of Gold” (7.5)  6. “When The Rapture Comes My Way” (7.5)  7. “God Works All Things For Good” (7.5)  8. “Almost Home” (8)  9. “Goin’ Up To Heaven” (7.5)  10. “Let’s All Stand For America” (6.5)

Smack Down!! – “It’s A Wonderful Day”

This week in song covers smack down we find the Biney English penned tune “It’s A Wonderful Day”.  The song was originally recorded by the Anchormen, when Biney was a member, on their 1989 recording Heart Of The Matter.  The song starts with the chorus and moves in to the first verse, repeats the chorus and then goes in to the second verse before closing with the chorus.

The Anchormen, during this recording, was composed of David Walker (Tenor), Biney English (Lead), Terry Carter (Baritone) and Jody Medford (Bass).  The group has a full production with horns and their version is a bit more up tempo than the cover.  The Anchormen will take the first chorus and verse.

Triumphant Quartet covered the song on their 2008 table project, Intermission.  Triumphant’s arrangement scaled back on the horns and slowed the tempo down slightly.

The group will take the second chorus and verse.  It’s a wonderful day for a smack down.  Anchormen or Triumphant.  Enjoy!

Concert Review – 2011 Singing In The Foothills – Thursday

I was able to attend night one (06/23/11) of the 2011 Singing in the Foothills, held in Wilkesboro NC.  With outdoor Southern Gospel concert events going by the wayside, I would venture to say this event is probably now one of the largest Southern Gospel outdoor events in the country.

This year’s talent line-up will no doubt bring in large crowds and night one was no exception.  I didn’t arrive to the event until about 7:30pm and the first group on the program, the Pfeifers, were wrapping up.  So of the groups I saw, here are highlights in order of appearance.

Dove Brothers - The Dove Brothers took the stage with authority.  They almost seem to demand it now with the full band backing them up.  They keep getting better every time I see them with the band.  They opened with the Oak Ridge Boys gospel classic, “Jesus Is The Man For The Hour” and went right into their current single “I Recall”.  I was already enjoying their set but it only got better with Jonathan Price stepping up to perform “My Soul Has Been Set Free”.  Jerry Martin was a huge loss for the Dove Brothers but Jonathan really showed last night he has what it takes to be one of Southern Gospel’s top tenor singers.  Southern Gospel veteran Tony Peace was playing bass in the Dove Brothers Band last night.  I don’t know if it is a permanent position or temporary fill in.  The Dove Brothers set the tone for the rest of the night.  Great set!!

McKameys - The North Carolina foothills had no shortage of McKamey fans last night.  The group opened their set with several songs from the new recording, Joy In The Journey.  Most notable selections were the title song “Joy In The Journey” and the crowd came unglued when the group performed “I Made It By Grace”.  The song deserved an encore and the crowd was on their feet.  Peg mentioned the group had just come off vacation and were ‘chomping at the bit’ on stage.  The group definitely came ready to sing.  Other highlights included “The Shepherd’s Point Of View”, “I’ve Won” and “I Keep Praying”.

Triumphant Quartet - This was the first time for Triumphant Quartet to perform at the Singing in the Foothills.  They came on stage with one of my all time favorite McGruder songs, “Saved By Grace”.  This should be another big song for them at radio.  The crowd was pleased with the instrumental solos from David and Jeff and then Jeff’s piano solo.  I was hoping the group would perform “Love Came Calling”, but the song was missing from their set list.  They did wow the crowd with “Old White Flag” and “He Is”.  Consistently solid live performances will continue to garner this group quartet of the year.  It is going to happen again for 2011.

Hoppers - Another consistent live performer is the Hoppers.  They never disappoint and always give the crowd the songs they want to hear.  It was nice to hear “Stepping On The Clouds” again.  I haven’t heard them stage that for a couple of years.  They rolled out the big guns with “I’ve Come Too Far”, “Jerusalem”, “Yes I Am” and “Shouting Time” but the crowd really responded to the powerful “Something’s Happening”.  Learned last night this will be the Hoppers new single.  If concert response is any indication, this song should do well at radio.

**It is good to get back to the things I enjoy and one of those is live Southern Gospel concerts.  Last night was a good concert to come back to.  Some of my favorite concert artists all on one program was too good to pass up.