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Give us a little history about Southern Sound. Whose idea was it to form the group? Who were the initial members?

Southern Sound was a lifelong dream of our former bass singer Charles Brantley, and some ten years ago, he made good on his dream. I happened to run into Charles at NQC in 1998. This was the first NQC I had attended since it was held in Nashville. I had known Charles for many years but had not seen him in a very long time. He said he had retired as a Methodist minister and was now looking to put a group together. I told him I was not interested. Apparently that did not deter Charles in the slightest. We organized with Roger Sweeney on tenor, Ben Harris lead, Keith Harris baritone and Charles on bass. Charles retired in early 2007, and the group continues on.

Southern Sound has a unique sound. Explain how this sound came about. How is it different from other quartets?

When we first began, I did not want to copy any other group, or be tied to doing cover tunes or sound a likes. So I set out to arrange both new songs and older classics in the way I thought they should be sung. Whether that is right or wrong, those early years especially, were a reflection of the kind of harmony I wanted to hear. It was fortunate that I had guys willing to work hard enough to learn that kind of harmony. I think that groups today as a whole are lazy. They don't want to work hard enough to sing complicated arrangements, and most don't know how to read music. I think this is a shame. We should all strive to perfect our craft, for in doing so, we honor He who we sing for. I am a firm believer that He deserves our very best, and if that means going back to school to learn how to read music, then that is part of doing our very best.

Tell us about the current group of guys.

Like many groups we have been guilty of hiring the wrong people through the years, but now, we have the best and most talented lineup we have ever had. It is amazing to see how God has used this group of guys, and how He put all of this together, when just below the surface, Trevor and I were becoming weary of the hassle of keeping it together. Each time I think of how this all came together it makes me tremble. When Charles retired, we searched hard for a bass singer, and auditioned far more men than I care to remember. The last person to give us a call was Alan Brewster from Ringgold, GA. Alan sent in a demo CD and the first piece of what would eventually become Southern Sound became a reality. Alan in my opinion is very likely the finest bass singer going today, and his love of the Lord and Southern Gospel Music is exactly what we needed. About a month later we lost a tenor singer who moved away, and I called Mike Young from Dahalonga, GA. Mike had tried out for us once before and we really liked Mike and loved his talent, but he lived some 4 1/2 hours away and we thought at the time it would be a hardship on Mike driving such a long distance just to meet the bus. But, when Alan came into the group, the concept of the two of them sharing driving duties from Georgia made it feasible. When I called Mike he accepted the position over the phone. Mike is the son of legendary piano player and tenor singer, Little David Young.

Then in August of 2007 I got a call from a very nice man from Fulton, KY saying he was calling concerning the ad we were running for a piano player. I told him he were not currently running an ad, and had not done so for over two years. But, as strange as this may seem, we had just learned the day before that our current piano player was leaving to pursue a solo ministry. How Barry Patrick found that two year old ad is beyond me, but it is certain that God had a hand in all of this. When Barry came down to audition I knew immediately that this was the guy we needed. First he loved the Lord, and secondly he could play piano like no other we had ever had before, and third, his family supported him 100% in this decision. Now, with these three fresh faces joining myself, (Ben Harris) and our tremendous baritone of five years, Trevor Haley, we had the jigsaw puzzle of this complicated set of events put together. We have not had a cross word since then, and God has richly blessed our efforts, even in these times of uncertainity.

What is Southern Sound doing to capture the attention of the younger audience?

I have always been convinced that we don't need, nor should we, conform to the world to win the world. I am fully aware that four men and a piano player in matching suits maybe considered old fogey in some circles, but I think it shows respect for He who we serve, and the audience that comes to listen. I am a firm believer that good music, well rehearsed and well presented will win every time. Southern Gospel Music does not need to reinvent itself into something we are not, but rather we need to set the bar high both in terms of music quality and devotion to He we sing about. Young people have been very receptive to our music when we have the opportunity to present it to them. Our newsletter list is comprised of about 32% of people under the age of 35. In this day and time I think that speaks for itself.

What do all the guys do when they are not singing?

Count the days until the next time we crawl on that old bus.....to a man. We love what we do and we love each other.

Are there any songwriters in the group? How does the group decide what new songs they will pick?

Yes we have several songwriters in the group. Of course Trevor has written some wonderful songs, and Barry has written several too. Mike and his Dad also write great Gospel songs, and once in a while, I get inspiration to write a song or two.

What are you looking for in songs?

Many things. In a ballad, I want a song that tells a very old story in a brand new way. I want a song that will touch my heart just by reading the lyrics, and I want the music to stir me with creative musical movements that are new and fresh. A new idea for a very old story is a daunting task. We pass on far more songs than we accept. In a fast song, I want a song which can be arranged to have a memorable melody, complicated chord structures, and a foot stomping beat. One that is fun to sing and fun for the audience to listen to. I am not big on three chords and a cloud of dust. We also look for old classics from years gone by that may have gone unnoticed by other groups. Sometimes you can find a great song that has already been recorded, but maybe in a way that did not show the song as well as it should have. Then there are those old classics they defy age and their message always is timely. A song like "The Haven Of Rest" is just such a song.

Is there one song in particular that seems to minister to the audience when you sing?

There are several. "What A Morning" that I wrote some 4 years ago has always been a spiritual uplifting song. Trevor's "We Will Stand" has also been a wonderful song to sing, and is especially timely for the day in which we live. When we sang that at NQC two years ago the entire audience of some 14,000 people stood, not as an encore for us as much as a promise to God to stand for what is right. It was a moving moment. Recently we have been singing the old hymn, "Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Savior" and it is a beautiful prayer that never fails to bless me through and through.

Is there one song that seems to minister to you guys as a group when you sing it?

Where do we begin? God's music blesses every time. As His Word says, "It shall not return void". There are so many, and each one of them bring their on message and blessing. Some are a blessing of good humor in a Christian way, and others bring tears to our eyes because of the Holy reverence of His name. No other music on Earth has the effect of Gospel Music. It can be fun and lighthearted to listen to, complicated in musical arrangement, or so deep in spiritual thought that the tears from His touch run through us like a bolt of lightening. It can be a song that causes a lost person to run to the altar, determined to not let another minute go by without His saving Grace. It can be a balm of hope and peace in a world of trouble on every hand. It can even be the long sought after determination to work even more deligently for the cause. What other kind of music can come close to saying all of that? When the His people are blessed, we too are blessed. And those blessings come in many different forms from laughter, to inspiration, to deep spiritual enlightment.

If you knew that the group only had one more song to sing and then hang it up forever, what song would that be?

I cannot imagine never singing a song for Him again. When I eventually come to that place in life, I think it will be just before God calls me home. Those great lyrics from my old friend Rusty Goodman, "When I'm reminded of these words, I'll leave the never". I would hope that I could sing that song just one more time.

If each of you had a hero from the history of SGM, who would it be?

I have heard Mike Young say many times that his hero was his Dad, Little David Young. I have heard Barry comment on the talents of Anthony Burger and how much he admired him. Alan was a big fan of George Younce for years and has virtually every thing George ever recorded.Trevor has mentioned many heros, including a young Gary McSpaddin and Terry Blackwood. Trevor reminds me of McSpaddin in many ways, and has the talent and musical knowledge of Terry Blackwood. In reality, Trevor is one of my heros. He is a wonderful Christian man and a great talent. My Grandfather who taught choir and taught me how to sing using the old shape note system would have to be one of mine, and of course, my old friend and mentor, Jake Hess would be another. Jake was an icon in SGM, but to me he was a pestering friend that stayed on my case for all the years I didn't sing in a gospel quartet. He thought I was wasting my time. He was right.

What should a Pastor or Promoter expect when Southern Sound hits the stage?

He should expect a lot of singing, and very little talking. We do not come to preach, but sing. He should expect a program geared very much toward making an enjoyable evening of laughter, well rehearsed music, and a message in song that God still reigns. We do not apoligize for trying to make people laugh. IN doing so we help them for a time, forget the trials and stress of everyday life. In doing so, hopefully the people will a renewed strength and determination to do more for Him. We are very aware that a pastor turning over a service to a singing group is a huge responsbility for both the pastor and the group. We are adament about conducting ourselves in a way that supports the pastor and edifies the church. This means in terms of presentation of songs, in appearance, and in the message that Christ is Lord.

How would a Pastor or Promoter book Southern Sound?

You may call Barry at 270-627-2365, or call our office in Nashville at 615-883-7375. You can reach us on the web at http://www.southernsoundquartet.com. We offer on our web site, email to contact us and a virtual press kit that can be easily downloaded.

Reader Comments

I know Southern Sound personally, and they are five of the finest and talented men in southern gospel music. They live what they sing, and they have a wonderful time doing it!

Great group, great bunch of guys who exhibit quality in their song and their life.

They are one of the top quartets out here in Gospeland. They sing from the heart with outstanding meaning and sound.

jlf1356(John)

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