The Inspirations

The Inspirations
Origin	Bryson City, North Carolina, United States
Genres	Southern gospel
Years active	1964–present
Labels	Mark V Records Canaan Records Inspiration Records Horizon Records
Website	www.theinspirations.com
Members
Martin Cook, Piano/manager; Mike Holcomb, Bass; David Ragan lead; Jon Epley, baritone; Jodi Hosterman, tenor Myron Cook, bass guitar; Luke Vaught, utility musician; Dean Bernstrom, guitar
Past members
Ronnie Hutchins, lead; Troy Burns, bass/baritone; Eddie Deitz, lead/baritone; Marlin Shubert, bass; Roger Fortner, utility musician; Dale Jones, steel guitar; Chris Smith, baritone; Daron Osborne, utility vocalist; Matt Dibler, lead; Archie Watkins, tenor; Dallas Rogers, tenor; Jack Laws, guitar/baritone; Melton Campbell, baritone

The Inspirations are a professional Southern gospel quartet from Bryson City, North Carolina.

Career

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 known 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.

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.

Awards

Singing News Fan Awards

• Favorite Group (1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978)
• Favorite Traditional Male Quartet (2005, 2006 (tied))
• Album of the Year (2004: The Journey Ahead)
• Song of the Year (1974: "Touring That City", 1976: "Jesus Is Mine", 2002: "I'll Not Turn My Back On Him Now", 2003: "We Need to Thank God", 2007: "I Have Not Forgotten")

Discography

Mark V Records

• Our Pioneer Heritage
• Cool Water
• Just as Long as Eternity Rolls
• What a Wonderful Time
• From the Heart of the Smokies
• He's Our Guide
• Jesus is Coming Soon
• The Next Step You Take
• The Night Before Easter
• Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
• Our Inspiration

Canaan Records

• Our Inspiration
• Wake Up in Glory
• Old Time Singin'
• We Shall Rise
• Touring the City
• When I Wake Up to Sleep No More
• More to Go to Heaven For
• I'm Taking a Flight
• Golden Street Parade
• 12th Anniversary
• A Night of Inspiration
• On Heaven's Bright Shore
• When I Get Home
• Looking For You
• Something to Sing About
• Songs of Love
• The Best of the Inspiration, Volume 1
• Country Christmas
• Is That Footsteps That I Hear?
• Someday
• The Wonder of Wonders
• 20th Anniversary
• Praise God and Country
• Tell it to a Friend
• Going Home for Christmas
• It's Still the Blood
• What's That I Hear?
• The Country Needs the Cross
• Yes, I Will Be There
• Silver Anniversary
• He Brought Me Out

Inspiration Records

• Sing Me a Gospel Song
• Singing in the Smokies LIVE
• Singing in the Smokies: Second Helping
• Is That Footsteps That I Hear?
• What's That I Hear?
• Country Needs the Cross
• Jesus is Coming For Me
• Yes, I Will Be There
• Silver Anniversary
• Cry for the Children
• Between Here and Sunset
• Thank You, Lord
• Old Time Religion
• Two Shoes
• Sunday's Coming
• The Sooner, The Better

Horizon Records

• Pure Vintage
• Highway to Heaven
• The Journey Ahead
• What a Day
• From the Smokies
• I Know
• Things Are Different Now
• How Great It Is
• The Son Came Down
• On The Sunrise Side
• Live Favorites of 45 Years
• God Makes No Mistakes

External links

• http://www.sghistory.com/index.php?n=T.The_Inspirations Southern Gospel history: The Inspirations