Vaughan is widely hailed as the founder of Southern Gospel Music because of his work as a musician, music teacher, publisher, and radio station owner. The James D. Vaughan Quartet Festival will be held July 24-27 to celebrate his influence on gospel music’s past, present, and future.

In the 1900s, Vaughan started publishing his own music to promote his quartet. James D. Vaughan Music Publishing Company eventually grew to be one of the biggest publishers in the country and sponsored touring quartets to sell songbooks that we still sing in churches and revivals today. Vaughan’s radio station, WOAN, brought gospel to the masses.

This year’s lineup includes some of the biggest names in Southern Gospel Music.

At 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, you will hear the music of the Greater Vision, Mark Trammell Quartet, Guardians, and a special rare appearance by the Second Half Quartet.

Thursday, July 25, at 7:00 p.m., will feature The Inspirations, Gold City, Mylon Hayes Family, and The Whisnants.

Friday, July 26, at 7:00 p.m., there will be a Dove Brothers Quartet and a Spencer Family (JB, Barbara, Kevin, Geniece) Reunion along with the Kingsmen and the world-famous Chuck Wagon Gang.

Gaither Homecoming Artist Ernie Haase & Signature Sound are scheduled for a performance on Saturday, July 27, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The Saturday all-star line-up includes the Triumphant Quartet, The Perrys, Down East Boys, and Josh & Ashley Franks.

Two additional FREE matinee shows will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Gerald Wolfe’s Gospel Music Hymn Sing will return on Thursday and feature Greater Vision, Mark Trammell Quartet, Mylon Hayes Family, Whisnants, Jim & Melissa Brady, and the Hymn Sing Band. The Dixie Echoes & the Blackwood Brothers will sing traditional quartet music on Friday.

Host Quartet and Lawrenceburg’s own, The Kellys, will appear during the week.

Josh Franks will be the MC for the entire festival.

Lawrenceburg, known as the birthplace of Southern Gospel, celebrates the life and the music Mr. Vaughan loved each year downtown at the historic Crockett Theater. For more information or tickets, call 1-931-762-4231. You may also order your tickets online at www.lawrenceburgtn.gov.

Each new board member brings a fresh voice and their ideas to MQS, now in its 11th year. Ricky Carden, owner/lead vocalist of the Down East Boys, has decades of quartet history and experience. The Down East Boys are a fan favorite and can frequently be found at the top of radio airplay charts. Josh Franks, pastor of People’s Tabernacle Church in Savannah, TN, also performs regularly with his wife, Ashley, and is a promoter and emcee of several annual gospel music events. His church regularly hosts gospel concerts, and he is a true friend to everyone in this industry. Pat Barker, bass and emcee of The Guardians and bass vocalist with Second Half Quartet, also brings his quartet knowledge and enthusiasm to the board. He is a fan favorite everywhere he goes.

MQS is an annual event held each June in Memphis, TN. The concert weekend exclusively features all-male quartets. It attracts quartet lovers worldwide, as several countries are represented in attendance each year. This year, the event will be held June 12-15, 2024, at the Cannon Center in Memphis, TN. In addition to performances by Gold City, Triumphant Quartet, Down East Boys, Dixie Echoes, Kingsmen, Mark Trammell Quartet, Tribute Quartet, and many others, Saturday night’s festivities will feature a live recording by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, with special guests The Blackwood Brothers and Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys.

Visit www.quartetshow.com for more information about MQS, including a full schedule of all shows, artist appearances, matinees, tickets, and visitor information.

Singing News is pleased to once again partner alongside Ark Encounter to make summer weekends sing with great Gospel music!  Artists from across the country will be singing on Noah’s Village stage in the shadow of the full-size Ark!

The concerts are free to all with a paid admission to the park and will take place every Friday and Saturday June 2 – July 29, 2023.  Make plans now to attend!

Get tickets to the park by clicking below!

We are excited to announce the 2nd Annual Faith Country & Bluegrass Music Festival taking place at the incredible Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY.

Last year was a resounding success that saw souls saved and the sound of Bluegrass and Faith Country favorites ring throughout the park.  This year features some incredible talent including Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Authentic Unlimited, Chuck Wagon Gang, Emily Ann Roberts, Mo Pitney, Eagle’s Wings, Jackson Heights, and a crew of new favorites that are sure to strum your heartstrings!

The concerts are free with paid park admission to make for a weekend you won’t soon forget!  Get your tickets today by clicking below: