Inspirations
The Inspirations are a professional Southern Gospel quartet from Bryson City, NC.
The quartet began in 1964 when Martin Cook, a teacher at Swain County High School, invited several young men to his home for evenings of singing. Later they began traveling around the area and singing at various venues. The original quartet consisted of Archie Watkins, tenor; Ronnie Hutchins, lead singer; Jack Laws, baritone, Troy Burns, bass/later lead singer; and Martin Cook on piano.
Since then, the following men have become part of the Inspirations (more affectionately know as "The Fraternity"): Eddie Dietz, lead and baritone; Marlin Shubert, bass, Mike Holcomb, bass; Roger Fortner, lead guitarist; Dale Jones, steel guitar; Myron Cook, upright bass; Chris Smith, baritone; Matt Dibler, lead; and the most recent addition is Melton Campbell, baritone.
The group has had much success in the Southern Gospel genre with such songs as "Shouting Time In Heaven", "When I Wake Up To Sleep No More", "A Rose Among The Thorns" and "We Need To Thank God". They have been named "Favorite Quartet Of The Year" several times at the Singing News Fan Awards which is held in connection with the National Quartet Convention.
Over the past four decades, The Inspirations have collected almost every major Gospel Music Award possible, including a gold plaque commemorating their selling a million records. They have been voted the #1 Gospel Music Quartet several times.
They have charted well over 60 hit songs, more than any other gospel group. The Inspirations have now recorded a combination of more than 60 projects; plus a number of studio and LIVE videos. Their recordings can be found in Canada, Europe, Australia, and Africa. Inspirations' recordings have even been found in Taiwan and missionaries who have gone into the old Iron Curtain countries have brought stories back of finding their music.
The Inspirations were regular cast members of the historic "Gospel Singing Jubilee" television show which was aired nationally in the United States for many years and in 1970, the group then consisting of Archie, Ron, Eddie, Marlin and Martin, were the subject of a seven minute documentary on CBS Television, anchored by current History Channel host, Roger Mudd.
They have been declared Kentucky Colonels, Arkansas Travelers, and they have had many special days set aside in their honor. Each member has collected numerous awards individually.
Each July, since 1966, the quartet has hosted the Annual Singing In The Smokies at the Inspiration Park which is located between Bryson City, NC and nearby Cherokee, NC. This event draws thousands of Southern Gospel fans from around the country and brings in some of the biggest names in Southern Gospel music.
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