Southern Gospel Critique is honored to host the second stop on the Mark Trammell Quartet’s Your Walk Talks Blog Tour! The Mark Trammell Quartet is one of my personal favorite groups on the road today. They consistently apply their top-notch vocal ability to great songs with a traditional quartet style, which is on display throughout their brand-new recording, Your Walk Talks. More importantly, they are widely respected by their peers and by fans as upstanding Christian examples. That all starts at the top, with Mark Trammell himself. After years of working with and under giants like Eldridge Fox, Jim Hamill, Glen Payne, George Younce, Gerald Wolfe, and Tim Riley, Trammell now stands alongside those men in gospel music history as a performer and as a leader. I recently had the opportunity for a brief conversation with Mark Trammell, where he fills us in on the latest happenings with the Mark Trammell Quartet and their new album.
On Christmas Eve, you announced the launch of your own recording label, Crimson Road Productions. What is your vision for the label?
There is no magic here. The independent label move is primarily for us. It gives us creative freedom to be part of multi-artist recordings without contract breach or a plethora of paperwork. For the last four years MTQ has paid for its own projects from beginning to end. We simply made the last step and developed an in-house label.
Your brand-new release, Your Walk Talks, is your first album of predominately new songs in a few years. What were you shooting for in song selection and production?
This project is the first “new song” project in two years. Because of that, we have had lots of time to listen to new material. We believe that this project is mainstream traditional gospel quartet style. My associate producers did an awesome job in helping put definition to my dreams and goals for this group of songs. The overall project goal was to have a good variety of songs that would appeal to the gospel music fan.
You are right around the same age Glen Payne was when you joined the Cathedrals over 30 years ago. Like he did then, you clearly have plenty left in the tank. After all you’ve accomplished and experienced in gospel music, what keeps you going? Would you consider yourself, like Glen Payne and George Younce, a gospel music “lifer”?
I will have to defer to the statement George Younce made the day I tried out. He said “I don’t know how long the old man and I will be out here. This is not only what we do but its who we are. So as long as the Lord gives us strength and people to sing to, we will keep going.” I couldn’t say it better.
That last statement brings to my mind the lyrics of one of my favorite songs from Your Walk Talks, “God’s Been Faithful,” especially the second verse, which is Trammell’s finest vocal moment on the album:
Through the years He’s been my unfailing Friend
Every longing satisfied
On the mountain high, through the desert dry
He’s brought me through my trials every time
I’m sure Mark would say that this song is a personal testimony of how God has remained faithful in his life, and to be sure, we can all say the same. This song is just one example on a recording filled with encouragement for the believer. If you like straight-ahead quartet music and would like to be so encouraged, don’t miss out on Your Walk Talks!
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I first heard the Mark Trammell Quartet at last year’s National Quartet Convention in Louisville. I told my husband I wanted to go there for our 20th wedding anniversary. I loved it. It was the best anniversary present I’ve ever received. The music was amazing & the Mark Trammell Quartet became one of my favorite bands. I’m gong to see them again in Louisville in March & can’t wait. This time I’m taking my mom & daughter. I’m excited to see what they think of the music. Thanks for singing such awesome music to lift us up.
I have followed Mark since his Cathedral days & he just gets better & better. I know this is another great project he’s had a hand in making.
i have followed Mark for ages. you all are right he just gets better and better. I feel he has the best group he has ever had. i love it when GV and Mark’s quartet get together. they are a hoot. keep up the good work Mark. love your new tenor. he is so cute. i am old enough to be his grandma. LOL
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Just to let anyone know who might read or comment…if you click all the way to the end of the blog tour, you’ll have the opportunity to leave a comment and have a chance to win the new CD for free!
I have known Mark Trammell way before his Cathedral Quartet days. I remember Mark being with a trio called The Singing Rebels. They came to a Kingsmen concert, Jim Hamill put them on and they stole the show. Mark has always been faithful. Mark has given many years of service to the Gospel Music industry, and has done it with class and style. They don’t come any finer than Mark Trammell. I believe George said it best, Mark Trammell was the best quartet man he had ever worked with.
Mark Trammell is God’s man and a GREAT baritone.. I jokingly told Mark I was glad he got right with God and hired a good bass singer….and he did in Pat Barker. Both Mark’s and Pat’s face show their love for quartet southern gospel music every time they perform. Mark’s son, Nick is an excellent lead singer and Dustin Black is a fine tenor….am glad Mark loves 4 part harmony….his group is EXCELLENT in presenting the Message of Christ. It is obvious in his singing and preaching (heard him in JAX Sun. P.M. before Bahamas Cruise early Feb.) He knows, sees and feels deeper than most Christians ever grow. Part of that is his probably his growing up in a Christian Home (Preacher’s Kid)….but he has grown in wisdom and knowledge and in favor with God and man in addition to that. God’s hand is definitely on Mark Trammell and his Quartet. He’s a great quartet man…and is teaching those younger fellas who sing with him, not only the quartet business; but how to be in the quartet business when God is directing the path. How blessed we all are by Mark Trammell Ministries.
Can someone tell me where to find the lyrics on internet for the song “your walk talks”, please? I am a french speaking person and I can’t understand all the words 🙁 Thanks and God bless you!
[…] to promote their new release, featuring four simultaneously posted interviews with group members here, here, here and here. There’s also a contest open to win a copy of the new CD […]