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Southern Gospel Music started in Tennessee

Southern Gospel music originated at the turn of the century in the Southeastern United States with sacred quartet singing by white groups. The pioneer of this music was the Tennessee-resident James D. Vaughan, who created the first major white sacred quartet, then established a publishing company to make and sell books of the quartet music, including his own compositions.

Since that time countless Tennessee born Southern Gospel singers, musicians, performers, and teachers have strived to teach the gospel to the world through their music. Below is a partial list of some of these great Tennessee Southern Gospel groups and soloist.

  1. Anthony Burger- Pianist from Chattanooga, TN (Update: Anthony Burger passed away on Feb. 22, 2006.)

  2. Austin's Bridge- Southern Gospel/Country Trio based in Nashville, TN.

  3. The Barnetts- Family group based in Stanton, TN

  4. The Beene Family - Based in Kingsport, TN

  5. The Berry Family - Based in Andersonville, TN

  6. Blackwood Gospel Quartet- Based in Knoxville, TN

  7. Brian Burchfield - Surgoinsville, TN

  8. By Faith - Trio based in Manchester, TN

  9. The Birdsong Family - Based in Lafollette, TN

  10. The Bradfords - Based in Memphis, TN

  11. Bread of Life- Quartet from East TN

  12. Called Out Quartet- Based in Hendersonville, TN

  13. Carters- Husband and Wife duo from Ten Mile, TN

  14. Chosen Heirs - Based in Kingsport, TN

  15. The Chuck Wagon Gang - Based in Pigeon Forge, TN

  16. Crystal River Quartet- Originally from Knoxville, TN, group was sold in 2008 and now based in Nashville, TN

  17. The Dills- Family group from Jackson, TN

  18. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver- Bluegrass gospel group from East TN

  19. The Dunsmores - Based in Halls, TN (Knox County)

  20. Ernie Couch and Revival - Based in Nashville, TN

  21. Eternal Vision - Based in Knoxville, TN

  22. Evidence - Based in Knoxville, TN

  23. Forgiven - Based in Knoxville, TN

  24. FOR HIM Quartet - Based in Knoxville, TN

  25. Forever His - Mascot, TN

  26. Four Fold - Southern Gospel Quartet based in Scotts Hill, TN

  27. Freemans- Family group from Nashville, TN

  28. Frog Jump Gospel Quartet - from Frog Jump, TN

  29. Glenn Allred- Born in Monroe, TN, currently with the Florida Boys Quartet

  30. Greater Vision- Trio from Morristown, TN

  31. Misty Freeman- Soloist and member of the Freemans from Nashville, TN

  32. Heart Faith - Husband & Wife duo from Spencer, TN

  33. Heartsong- Quartet from Woodbury, TN

  34. Heirline - Southern Gospel group based in Jasper, TN

  35. The Hemphills - Based in Nashville, TN

  36. His Own - Based in Knoxville, TN

  37. Hopes Call- Family trio from Murfreesboro, TN

  38. Inmans- Southern Gospel Family group based out of Memphis, TN.

  39. Isaacs- Family group residing in Lafollete, TN

  40. James D. Vaughan- The founder of Southern Gospel Music from Lawrenceburg, TN

  41. Jeff Treece Band - Based in Knoxville, TN

  42. Jim Hamill- Famous Kingsmen member born in Memphis, TN. UPDATE: Jim Hamill passed away on November 29th, 2007.

  43. Jonathan Wilburn- Former lead singer for Gold City, born in Carthage, TN (Jonathan left Gold City in 2008)

  44. Journeymakers- Family group from Tazewell, TN

  45. Rev. J.Bazzel Mull- Famous preacher, television personality, radio station owner, and southern gospel concert promoter. (UPDATE: 9/05/2006, 4:30 AM, Reverend Mull passed away.

  46. The Kent Curtis Family - Southern Gospel Family group from McEwen, TN.

  47. Knoxville Gospel Blog - Blog site for Knoxville related gospel music, events, concerts etc..

  48. Kerry Beatty- Lead singer for Palemetto State Quartet, born in Nashville, TN

  49. Kingdom Heirs- Dollywood quartet from Sevierville, TN

  50. Kings Servants- Knoxville, TN based quartet

  51. Kirk Talley- Soloist from Knoxville, TN

  52. Kyla Roland and Deliverance-  Outstanding songwriter, singer, author from Morristown, TN

  53. Larry Smith - Seymour, TN

  54. Lauren Talley- Soloist and member of Talley Trio from Morristown, TN

  55. Manna- Gospel group from Oliver Springs, TN

  56. MasterPeace- Bluegrass gospel group from East, TN.

  57. McKameys- Family group from Clinton, TN

  58. Mountain Rose - Bluegrass/Gospel band based in Jamestown, TN

  59. Needhams- Family gospel group out of Murfreesboro, TN.

  60. New Calvary Echoes- Family group from Powell, TN

  61. New Road - Based in Luttrell, TN

  62. Oak Ridge Boys- Group started in Knoxville, TN close to Oak Ridge.

  63. Pine Mountain Railroad - Bluegrass/ Gospel group based in Knoxville, TN

  64. The Praisers - Based in Knoxville, TN

  65. Prophets Quartet- started 1959 in Knoxville, TN, now based in Nashville, TN

  66. Righteous Pathway Ministries- Based in Sevierville/Pigeon Forge area of TN.

  67. Roarks- Southern Gospel Family group, based in Sharps Chapel, TN.

  68. Sonya Isaacs- Solist and member of the Isaacs from Lafollete, TN

  69. Southern Touch Quartet - Maryville, TN

  70. Singing Cookes - Based in Kingsport, TN

  71. Talley Trio- Family trio from Morristown, TN

  72. Terri Bewley - Knoxville, TN

  73. Tim Lovell- Kingsport, TN

  74. Tommy Spencer - Knoxville, TN

  75. Tony Gray & New Creation - Tennessee and Georgia

  76. Triumphant Quartet- Based in Sevierville, TN.

  77. True Gospel - Based in Harrogate, TN

  78. The Vocal Group Testament - Based in Knoxville, TN

  79. The Washams - Based in Maynardville, TN

  80. Twice Born - Southern Gospel group based in Greenback, TN

  81. Two His Glory - Southern Gospel husband and wife ministry based in Shelbyville, TN

  82. Wilburns- Family group from Carthage, TN

  83. Woody Wright- Gospel and Country performer, producer and singer/songwriter, from Kingston, TN. 

  84. Won by One- Trio from Morristown, TN