

When reading the comments left on various message boards which exist for the Southern Gospel community there seems to be a consensus that fans generally do not like changes within groups. Candidly I’ll tell you that within the groups there are times that a change is welcome and there are times when it is not. The recent personnel change that has taken place with Palmetto State Quartet is about as bitter sweet as any I have had personal experience with. I certainly did not want to see my good friend Aaron McCune leave the group. None of us did. Aaron will always be a close friend to each of us and we wish him well as he endeavors to do what he feels is best for his family. As I’ve stated before, Aaron’s presence will be sorely missed on and off the stage.
As sad as I am to see Aaron leave I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to be traveling and singing with my old buddy Burman Porter again. Burman and I traveled together with The Dove Brothers Quartet for nearly five years before circumstances took us in different directions. Over the last three and a half years Burman and I have never failed to keep in contact. Any time Palmetto State had a singing engagement within a reasonable distance of his home town Burman would come out to see us, then when he and his family would vacation in the Smoky Mountains Jennifer and I would do our best to dine with them as oft as possible. Burman moved his family to Knoxville, Tennessee last year and started singing with the Blackwood Gospel Quartet. When I had the privilege of helping him move into his new house, only 35 minutes from my home in Sevier County, I was excited by the prospects of family cookouts and what not. Then we got busy with our respective quartets and the next time we saw each other our groups were singing together in Terrell, TX, then a month or so later in Sioux Falls, SD. Needless to say we’ve seen more of each other on the road than we have at home.
There have been many stories told about Burman ranging from the hilarious to the absurd and I’m here to tell you that they are all absolutely true. From allowing someone to shoot him once he had donned a bullet proof vest to having his lights knocked out by a dead turkey Burman’s life has been nothing if not exciting. If our previous travels together are any indication of the future I’m sure there will be plenty to share with you over the coming years. Burman is truly a character right out of the funny pages. He laughs from the moment he wakes up until he finally passes out from exhaustion at the end of the day. One thing is for sure, if life on the road has ever become monotonous or boring it is now clear that those days are over.
Burman Porter is back on the scene, and once again he is singing his way into the hearts of Southern Gospel Quartet Fans across the country. His rich bass tones perfectly compliment the full sound of the trio and give us a firm foundation on which to build some beautiful close harmonies. All of the guys are excited about the future of Palmetto State Quartet with Burman Porter singing bass. We pray that you will welcome him to our family with open hearts, minds, and arms.
John Rulapaugh
Palmetto State Quartet
http://www.palmettostatequartet.com
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