Cathedral Quartet
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral Quartet, often known as simply The Cathedrals, was an American southern gospel
quartet
that lasted from 1964 until their retirement in 1999.
The tenor and baritone position changed often during the Cathedrals' long career, but the four most stable versions had George Younce
and Glen Payne
teamed with Roy Tremble (tenor), and George Amon Webster
(baritone) from 1974–1979; Kirk Talley
(tenor), and Mark Trammell
(baritone) from 1980–1983; Danny Funderburk (tenor), and Mark Trammell
(baritone) from 1983–1990; Ernie Haase
(tenor) and Mark Trammell
just in 1990; and Ernie Haase
(tenor), and Scott Fowler
(baritone) from 1991-2000.
, and baritone Danny Koker
. They were hired by evangelist Rex Humbard
to be the house gospel group of The Cathedral of Tomorrow
, taking the name 'The Cathedral Trio'. Within a year, they had become popular enough that Humbard wanted to expand the trio into a quartet. He enlisted bass singer George Younce
, then singing with the Blue Ridge Quartet
. The newly formed quartet became even more popular with the addition of George's smooth bass. Although performing at the Cathedral of Tomorrow was considered a dream job for a quartet, having a permanent base of operation and steady income, it would not last. Due to the demanding nature of the Humbard ministry, and his desire for the singers to also do counselling, George and Glen decided in 1969 that they should go out on their own instead because they felt they would damage the ministry by doing things outside of their calling. It was a risky move (especially since Koker and Clark had gone on to other interests, while their replacements made the group not yet to the level of the original group). Also, they would now have to travel extensively, while not being guaranteed a steady paycheck. Their lack of name recognition, and the fact that many considered them a "church quartet" instead of a professional one, made it difficult for them to gain an audience base to start with. There were a lot of lean times in those first few years on their own.
Their being on the Canaan
label and Marvin Norcross being willing to keep them on it even when their sales were not great, as well as Florida Boys
lead singer, Les Beasley
, giving them time on the Gospel Singing Jubilee TV show helped give them time to develop their sound and a following. They still struggled and tried about everything they knew such as dressing in styles of the day (but not as dramatically as groups like the Oak Ridge Boys or the Imperials
. They had more personnel changes along the way.
Another big "break" eventually came when they made an appearance at Bill Gaither's Praise Gathering in Indianapolis, IN, and shortly afterward, they were inundated with requests for appearances.
Gaither also wanted to produce their future albums for Word.
They were popular with crowds due to their superior singing and they also owed much of their popularity to George and Glen's stage presence. George was a wonderful emcee, with a humble demeanor and a terrific sense of humor. Glen was usually the butt of George's jokes. In later years, George often made fun of Glen's age (Glen was two years older than George), calling him 'The Old Man' and using his catch phrase, "I love old people!"
When they thought things couldn't be much better, disaster struck in mid-1979. The three younger members (tenor Roy Tremble, baritone and bass player George Amon Webster
, and pianist Lorne Matthews) formed their own group after being convinced by a promoter that they were being held back by the "old men." To make matters worse, Glen heard a rumor about it before being told by the three younger members, and found it to be true when he checked. It was a difficult stage in the Cathedral Quartet journey, but many promoters told Glen and George to get a pianist and press ahead regardless. Soon they got Kirk Talley
(from the Hoppers
) to sing tenor and Steve Lee to sing baritone and play piano, doing double duty as baritones such as Danny Koker and George Amon Webster had done for them in the past.
Steve and Kirk heard a great piano player playing for a local group who was opening for the Cathedrals. They urged George and Glen to get off of the bus and come listen to him and hire him. After much pleading, they came. They too were blown away by the talents of Roger Bennett
and did indeed hire him. This was fortunate for them because not too much later, Steve Lee decided life on the road was not for him, and quit the group. Former tenor, Roger Horne, sang baritone with them until they found a new baritone. They hired Mark Trammell, bass guitarist and sometime vocalist from the Kingsmen
to sing and eventually play bass guitar for them.
This combination lasted for a while and became a very successful group with songs like "Step Into The Water", "Moving Up To Gloryland", "I Know A Man Who Can" etc. They eventually left Canaan (Word) and went to Riversong (Benson). They then first recorded Glen's signature song, "We Shall See Jesus."
was used to good effect on songs like "I've Just Started Living" and "Somebody Touched Me" on which he had the lead. In late 1987, George Younce suffered a heart attack. Gerald Wolfe filled in on bass vocals while George recovered.
This lineup stayed in place for a few years when Roger Bennett decided to leave and help start a record company, Journey Records. He was replaced by Gerald Wolfe
. With Wolfe at the piano and doing some singing, the group improved more and eventually recorded half of an album with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the other half of it acappella. Out of this came songs like "This Ole' House" and "Champion Of Love" (which featured Wolfe on lead vocals.)
Combined with Mark Trammell's fine baritone and George and Glen's usual excellence, they were regularly reaching the top of the gospel charts, with #1 singles "Champion Of Love", "I Can See The Hand" (written by a then-unknown Steven Curtis Chapman
), and "I've Just Started Living". During this period, they began doing more contemporary songs with larger production, while never leaving their simple "four-guys-and-a-piano" sound. From then until their retirement, The Cathedrals would balance their albums with a combination of styles. Other groups began copying The Cathedrals' use of taped music tracks on stage, which allowed them to do the larger-production style songs. Gerald's vocal versatility and high range was a blessing for the quartet as George Younce suffered a serious heart attack in 1987 and had to come off the road for a few months. Gerald Wolfe filled in at the bass position during this time.
After being with the Cathedrals for two years, Gerald Wolfe moved on to a solo career. His replacement was Roger Bennett in December 1988. Roger had missed the work on stage and was glad to be back. In 1988, Mark accepted Jesus as his Saviour on a golf course.
The Cathedrals hired tenor Kurt Young to fill Funderburk's place. Although Young's voice was reminiscent of Kirk Talley's voice, he had difficulty hitting high tenor notes consistently. He was famously remembered for having his voice crack during a performance at the 1990 Dove Awards. After only two months with the quartet, he left and was replaced by Ernie Haase
, who later married Younce's daughter Lisa.
Several months after Haase joined the group, Mark Trammell
left to form Greater Vision with Gerald Wolfe
. Upon recommendation by Ernie, George Younce and Glen Payne hired Scott Fowler
as baritone and bass guitarist. This was the final version of Cathedrals.
Around this time, Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band
were recording 'Homecoming', a tribute album to classic Southern Gospel songs. For one of the songs, "Where Could I Go", Gaither wanted to include as many of his childhood Southern Gospel heroes as possible. Along with many others, George Younce and Glen Payne were in Gaither's little group of singers he called on to sing on the song. Out of this recording, the Gaither Homecoming
videos were born. At first, the whole group of Cathedrals were not included, just George and Glen. Several Homecoming videos later, the full quartet was included, where they gained a whole new fan base.
The Cathedrals soon became one of the most popular groups to be featured on the Homecoming videos. George even starred in some of Gloria Gaither's children's Homecoming videos with Vestal Goodman. (Children had written many fan letters to the Gaithers, and George Younce and Vestal Goodman were the favorites). George used his onstage clowning to good effect on these children's videos, riding a tandem bicycle with Vestal and singing fun songs like "The Laughing Song" and "Led Out Of Bondage", as well as a tender duet with young Madison Easter (son of fellow Gaither singers Jeff and Sheri Easter) on "God Loves To Talk To Little Boys When Their Fishin'".
The Cathedrals sang many of their classic songs on the Homecoming videos, as well as some of their new hits (Haase and Bennett were songwriters and the group recorded songs co-written by both members). Ernie Haase delivered a stirring rendition of the Rosie Rozell classic "Oh, What A Savior" which he had earlier recorded on a solo cassette and on his first CD with the Cathedrals as well. George sang one of his favorites, "Suppertime". Glen and Guy Penrod sang a classic version of "The Haven Of Rest". The Homecoming Friends gave a tribute to Glen Payne for 50 faithful years in gospel music. The Cathedrals scaled back on traveling so they could last longer.
Glen was in Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, TN when the Cathedrals traveled to the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. Much to the surprise of the audience, he made a special appearance, over the phone from his hospital room, with a stirring rendition of "I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone." It would be his last public performance, as he died almost two months later on October 15, 1999. Roger Bennett covered Glen's vocals and they finished out the tour for the fans and because Glen made George promise to meet their obligations. Glen and the younger guys had sung before without George a few times when he was ill, and George felt like he owed him and the fans. Instead of calling Glen the old man, George turned the old man jokes on himself. However, as well as they sang, and as good as they put on these shows, going on without Glen was tough. They did it the same way they always sang, with class. The final Cathedrals concert was held where it all started for the group, in Akron, OH.
. In this group, Scott sang lead instead of baritone as he had with the Cathedrals. He had not been lead singer in a group since he had sung for The Sound before joining the Cathedrals. Ernie went on to continue a solo career he had already been developing. George recovered from his health problems enough to continue to appear on some more Homecoming videos, contributing a memorable version of the old Statesmen quartet song "Up Above My Head" with former Statesemen lead singer Jake Hess
.
Later with some help from Bill Gaither, Ernie and George started The Old Friends Quartet with Hess, Wesley Pritchard, and with Gold City
alumnus Garry Jones as their pianist. They recorded two albums, and did a concert video for the Gaither Homecoming series. George and Jake's poor health brought an end to the Old Friends a couple of years later.
In 2003, Haase (with help from his famous father-in-law) and Garry Jones put together The Signature Sound Quartet. After a while, Garry Jones and Ernie discovered they had different visions and ways of running the group so Garry and the groups lead singer Shane Dunlap left the group. Signature Sound later became associated with Gaither and eventually were called Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. They are one of the most popular new groups, and have joined the Gaither Homecoming Tour as a featured quartet.
After leaving The Cathedrals, Mark Trammell was the original baritone of Greater Vision before leaving it to join Gold City after lead singer Ivan Parker and tenor Brian Free both quit the group and their baritone Steve Lacey moved up to lead. He left Gold City in 2002 to form the Mark Trammell Trio so that he would not only sing, but be able to preach as well. Gerald Wolfe still sings lead with Greater Vision, and is the only original member left. Danny Funderburk has recorded solo recordings and has been in several groups since leaving Perfect Heart. Kirk Talley started a solo career after the Talleys broke up. Later, Roger and Debra had their daughter Lauren sing with them and they restarted the group but called it the Talley Trio instead of The Talleys (as the group was known when Kirk sang with them.) On April 11, 2005, George Younce died. On March 17, 2007, Roger Bennett died after a long bout with leukemia. On February 17, 2008, Danny Koker died. The Cathedrals are still seen on reruns of old Homecoming videos, and their albums are still selling. The Cathedral Quartet has left a rich legacy in Southern Gospel
Music, and will not soon be forgotten.
In 2007, shortly after Roger's funeral, Danny Funderburk, Scott Fowler, Mark Trammell, and Gerald Wolfe got together with Legacy Five members Glenn Dustin & Tim Parton and started doing Cathedrals tribute concerts. They recorded a live album together at NQC in September 2009. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
also released a Cathedrals tribute project in 2010 called A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet
.
Lead
Baritone
Bass
Piano
Bass Guitar
Rhythm Guitar
Drummer
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
quartet
Quartet
In music, a quartet is a method of instrumentation , used to perform a musical composition, and consisting of four parts.-Western art music:...
that lasted from 1964 until their retirement in 1999.
The tenor and baritone position changed often during the Cathedrals' long career, but the four most stable versions had George Younce
George Younce
George Younce was an American bass singer, known for performing with Southern Gospel quartets, especially The Cathedrals.-Biography:...
and Glen Payne
Glen Payne
Glen Payne served more than 50 years as a gospel music's singer. At age 17 in 1944, Glen joined the Stamps-Baxter Quartet. He was also a member of the Lester Stamps Quartet, The Stamps All-Stars, and The Stamps-Ozark Quartet...
teamed with Roy Tremble (tenor), and George Amon Webster
George Amon Webster
George Amon Webster was the baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1969 through 1971, their pianist from 1973 through 1974, and their baritone vocalist from 1974 through 1979...
(baritone) from 1974–1979; Kirk Talley
Kirk Talley
Kirk Talley , is an American Southern Gospel performer/songwriter.-Early career:Born in Johnson City, TN, Talley began performing Southern Gospel Music in 1972. He was a member of the groups "The Hoppers", The Cathedrals and the Talleys. He joined the Cathedrals in 1979 and with the lineup of...
(tenor), and Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell played bass and was a part-time vocalist for Kingsmen Quartet from 1979 until 1980, and he was the baritone vocalist and bass guitar with the Cathedral Quartet from 1980 through 1990. After leaving the Cathedrals, he sang with Greater Vision from 1990 through 1993 and with Gold City...
(baritone) from 1980–1983; Danny Funderburk (tenor), and Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell played bass and was a part-time vocalist for Kingsmen Quartet from 1979 until 1980, and he was the baritone vocalist and bass guitar with the Cathedral Quartet from 1980 through 1990. After leaving the Cathedrals, he sang with Greater Vision from 1990 through 1993 and with Gold City...
(baritone) from 1983–1990; Ernie Haase
Ernie Haase
Ernie Haase started singing as a young boy at Washington Ave. Baptist Church. He is a Christian tenor vocalist known for being the founder of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound...
(tenor) and Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell played bass and was a part-time vocalist for Kingsmen Quartet from 1979 until 1980, and he was the baritone vocalist and bass guitar with the Cathedral Quartet from 1980 through 1990. After leaving the Cathedrals, he sang with Greater Vision from 1990 through 1993 and with Gold City...
just in 1990; and Ernie Haase
Ernie Haase
Ernie Haase started singing as a young boy at Washington Ave. Baptist Church. He is a Christian tenor vocalist known for being the founder of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound...
(tenor), and Scott Fowler
Scott Fowler
Scott Fowler was the baritone vocalist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1991 through 1999. After the retirement of the Cathedrals, he co-founded Legacy Five along with former Cathedral pianist Roger Bennett, in which he sings lead...
(baritone) from 1991-2000.
The Early Years
The Cathedrals began in 1963 as a trio consisting of Glen Payne (former lead singer for The Weatherford Quartet), tenor Bobby ClarkBobby Clark (tenor)
Bobby Clark was the tenor vocalist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1963 through 1967.He was also a member of the Dixie Echoes, Deep South Quartet, The Weatherfords, The Oak Ridge Quartet, The Rangers, & The Men of Music. He appeared with the Rex Humbard National Television Ministry for 8 years...
, and baritone Danny Koker
Danny Koker
Danny Koker was the baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1963 through 1969. He was also pianist and vocalist for the Weatherfords and the Foggy River Boys. Koker also owned a television station in Las Vegas.-External links:...
. They were hired by evangelist Rex Humbard
Rex Humbard
Alpha Rex Emmanuel Humbard was a well-known American television evangelist whose Cathedral of Tomorrow show was shown on over 600 stations at the peak of its popularity....
to be the house gospel group of The Cathedral of Tomorrow
Cathedral of Tomorrow
The Cathedral of Tomorrow was built in 1958 as home to Rex Humbard's ministry. The Cathedral, a round building with the sanctuary in the middle and classrooms and offices around the edges, located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, seats 5,400. It has a domed roof with a large illuminated cross that hangs...
, taking the name 'The Cathedral Trio'. Within a year, they had become popular enough that Humbard wanted to expand the trio into a quartet. He enlisted bass singer George Younce
George Younce
George Younce was an American bass singer, known for performing with Southern Gospel quartets, especially The Cathedrals.-Biography:...
, then singing with the Blue Ridge Quartet
Blue Ridge Quartet
-History:Originally part of the Stamps organization, they eventually split with that group and relocated to North Carolina, later settling in Spartanburg, South Carolina....
. The newly formed quartet became even more popular with the addition of George's smooth bass. Although performing at the Cathedral of Tomorrow was considered a dream job for a quartet, having a permanent base of operation and steady income, it would not last. Due to the demanding nature of the Humbard ministry, and his desire for the singers to also do counselling, George and Glen decided in 1969 that they should go out on their own instead because they felt they would damage the ministry by doing things outside of their calling. It was a risky move (especially since Koker and Clark had gone on to other interests, while their replacements made the group not yet to the level of the original group). Also, they would now have to travel extensively, while not being guaranteed a steady paycheck. Their lack of name recognition, and the fact that many considered them a "church quartet" instead of a professional one, made it difficult for them to gain an audience base to start with. There were a lot of lean times in those first few years on their own.
Their being on the Canaan
Canaan
Canaan is a historical region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and the western parts of Jordan...
label and Marvin Norcross being willing to keep them on it even when their sales were not great, as well as Florida Boys
Florida Boys
The Florida Boys Quartet is a Southern Gospel vocal quartet founded in about 1946 by J. G. Whitfield. Originally named The Gospel Melody Quartet, the group was re-named in 1954.- History :...
lead singer, Les Beasley
Les Beasley
Les Beasley was the lead singer and manager for the Florida Boys, a Southern Gospel quartet, since 1953. He is said to be one of the pioneers of Gospel Music TV. In 2001, Beasley was honoured at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion with a "This Is Your Life" Tribute...
, giving them time on the Gospel Singing Jubilee TV show helped give them time to develop their sound and a following. They still struggled and tried about everything they knew such as dressing in styles of the day (but not as dramatically as groups like the Oak Ridge Boys or the Imperials
The Imperials
The Imperials are an American Christian music group that has been around for over 45 years. Originating as a southern gospel quartet, the innovative group would become pioneers of contemporary Christian music in the 1960s. There have been many changes for the band in membership and musical styles...
. They had more personnel changes along the way.
Another big "break" eventually came when they made an appearance at Bill Gaither's Praise Gathering in Indianapolis, IN, and shortly afterward, they were inundated with requests for appearances.
Gaither also wanted to produce their future albums for Word.
They were popular with crowds due to their superior singing and they also owed much of their popularity to George and Glen's stage presence. George was a wonderful emcee, with a humble demeanor and a terrific sense of humor. Glen was usually the butt of George's jokes. In later years, George often made fun of Glen's age (Glen was two years older than George), calling him 'The Old Man' and using his catch phrase, "I love old people!"
When they thought things couldn't be much better, disaster struck in mid-1979. The three younger members (tenor Roy Tremble, baritone and bass player George Amon Webster
George Amon Webster
George Amon Webster was the baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1969 through 1971, their pianist from 1973 through 1974, and their baritone vocalist from 1974 through 1979...
, and pianist Lorne Matthews) formed their own group after being convinced by a promoter that they were being held back by the "old men." To make matters worse, Glen heard a rumor about it before being told by the three younger members, and found it to be true when he checked. It was a difficult stage in the Cathedral Quartet journey, but many promoters told Glen and George to get a pianist and press ahead regardless. Soon they got Kirk Talley
Kirk Talley
Kirk Talley , is an American Southern Gospel performer/songwriter.-Early career:Born in Johnson City, TN, Talley began performing Southern Gospel Music in 1972. He was a member of the groups "The Hoppers", The Cathedrals and the Talleys. He joined the Cathedrals in 1979 and with the lineup of...
(from the Hoppers
The Hoppers
The Hoppers are a Southern Gospel group from North Carolina.The Hoppers are a family ensemble which first began performing together in 1957. They appeared at the inauguration ceremony for Ronald Reagan in 1981...
) to sing tenor and Steve Lee to sing baritone and play piano, doing double duty as baritones such as Danny Koker and George Amon Webster had done for them in the past.
Steve and Kirk heard a great piano player playing for a local group who was opening for the Cathedrals. They urged George and Glen to get off of the bus and come listen to him and hire him. After much pleading, they came. They too were blown away by the talents of Roger Bennett
Roger Bennett (Southern Gospel performer)
Roger Bennett was a Southern Gospel pianist, singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the award winning Gospel Quartet Legacy Five. Prior to forming Legacy Five, he served nearly 20 years as pianist for The Cathedrals....
and did indeed hire him. This was fortunate for them because not too much later, Steve Lee decided life on the road was not for him, and quit the group. Former tenor, Roger Horne, sang baritone with them until they found a new baritone. They hired Mark Trammell, bass guitarist and sometime vocalist from the Kingsmen
Kingsmen Quartet
The Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen...
to sing and eventually play bass guitar for them.
This combination lasted for a while and became a very successful group with songs like "Step Into The Water", "Moving Up To Gloryland", "I Know A Man Who Can" etc. They eventually left Canaan (Word) and went to Riversong (Benson). They then first recorded Glen's signature song, "We Shall See Jesus."
The 1980s
Kirk Talley decided in the fall of 1983 that he wanted to start a group with his brother Roger and Roger's wife Debra. They did and toured with the Cathedrals for a while when they first started out. The Cathedrals hired Danny Funderburk from the Singing Americans to take Kirk's place in December 1983. Danny and his genuine love for people was an instant hit, and when he found his place in the groups arrangements, he became much more so. This version of the Cathedrals with Funderburk along with George, Glen, Mark Trammell, and piano player Roger Bennett soon became the most popular they had ever been. The Cathedrals had finally reached the peak of their creativity and popularity. Funderburk had a distinctive voice that stood out from other tenors. He had soul, passion and pathos in his voice unlike other gospel tenors of the day who voices were more often than not thin and feminine sounding. His unique, powerful tenor voicewas used to good effect on songs like "I've Just Started Living" and "Somebody Touched Me" on which he had the lead. In late 1987, George Younce suffered a heart attack. Gerald Wolfe filled in on bass vocals while George recovered.
This lineup stayed in place for a few years when Roger Bennett decided to leave and help start a record company, Journey Records. He was replaced by Gerald Wolfe
Gerald Wolfe
Gerald Wolfe was the pianist for the Cathedral Quartet from 1986 through 1988. After performing solo for two years, he formed Greater Vision with his former Cathedral member, baritone Mark Trammell and tenor Chris Allman in 1990. Wolfe sings lead with the trio...
. With Wolfe at the piano and doing some singing, the group improved more and eventually recorded half of an album with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the other half of it acappella. Out of this came songs like "This Ole' House" and "Champion Of Love" (which featured Wolfe on lead vocals.)
Combined with Mark Trammell's fine baritone and George and Glen's usual excellence, they were regularly reaching the top of the gospel charts, with #1 singles "Champion Of Love", "I Can See The Hand" (written by a then-unknown Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, actor, author, and social activist.After starting his career in the late 1980s as a singer/songwriter of contemporary Christian music, Chapman has since been recognized as one of the most prolific singers in the genre,...
), and "I've Just Started Living". During this period, they began doing more contemporary songs with larger production, while never leaving their simple "four-guys-and-a-piano" sound. From then until their retirement, The Cathedrals would balance their albums with a combination of styles. Other groups began copying The Cathedrals' use of taped music tracks on stage, which allowed them to do the larger-production style songs. Gerald's vocal versatility and high range was a blessing for the quartet as George Younce suffered a serious heart attack in 1987 and had to come off the road for a few months. Gerald Wolfe filled in at the bass position during this time.
After being with the Cathedrals for two years, Gerald Wolfe moved on to a solo career. His replacement was Roger Bennett in December 1988. Roger had missed the work on stage and was glad to be back. In 1988, Mark accepted Jesus as his Saviour on a golf course.
The 1990s and Gaither Homecoming Years
In February 1990, Danny Funderburk left to help start a new quartet Perfect Heart.The Cathedrals hired tenor Kurt Young to fill Funderburk's place. Although Young's voice was reminiscent of Kirk Talley's voice, he had difficulty hitting high tenor notes consistently. He was famously remembered for having his voice crack during a performance at the 1990 Dove Awards. After only two months with the quartet, he left and was replaced by Ernie Haase
Ernie Haase
Ernie Haase started singing as a young boy at Washington Ave. Baptist Church. He is a Christian tenor vocalist known for being the founder of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound...
, who later married Younce's daughter Lisa.
Several months after Haase joined the group, Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell played bass and was a part-time vocalist for Kingsmen Quartet from 1979 until 1980, and he was the baritone vocalist and bass guitar with the Cathedral Quartet from 1980 through 1990. After leaving the Cathedrals, he sang with Greater Vision from 1990 through 1993 and with Gold City...
left to form Greater Vision with Gerald Wolfe
Gerald Wolfe
Gerald Wolfe was the pianist for the Cathedral Quartet from 1986 through 1988. After performing solo for two years, he formed Greater Vision with his former Cathedral member, baritone Mark Trammell and tenor Chris Allman in 1990. Wolfe sings lead with the trio...
. Upon recommendation by Ernie, George Younce and Glen Payne hired Scott Fowler
Scott Fowler
Scott Fowler was the baritone vocalist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1991 through 1999. After the retirement of the Cathedrals, he co-founded Legacy Five along with former Cathedral pianist Roger Bennett, in which he sings lead...
as baritone and bass guitarist. This was the final version of Cathedrals.
Around this time, Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band
Gaither Vocal Band
The Gaither Vocal Band is a Grammy award-winning Christian music vocal group, headed by Bill Gaither. They originally recorded contemporary Christian music, but after the popularity of the Gaither Homecoming videos, the group has become known for southern gospel.-Group history:The Gaither Vocal...
were recording 'Homecoming', a tribute album to classic Southern Gospel songs. For one of the songs, "Where Could I Go", Gaither wanted to include as many of his childhood Southern Gospel heroes as possible. Along with many others, George Younce and Glen Payne were in Gaither's little group of singers he called on to sing on the song. Out of this recording, the Gaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming is the name applied to a series of videos, music recordings and concerts, which are organized, promoted and usually presented by Christian music songwriter and impresario Bill Gaither...
videos were born. At first, the whole group of Cathedrals were not included, just George and Glen. Several Homecoming videos later, the full quartet was included, where they gained a whole new fan base.
The Cathedrals soon became one of the most popular groups to be featured on the Homecoming videos. George even starred in some of Gloria Gaither's children's Homecoming videos with Vestal Goodman. (Children had written many fan letters to the Gaithers, and George Younce and Vestal Goodman were the favorites). George used his onstage clowning to good effect on these children's videos, riding a tandem bicycle with Vestal and singing fun songs like "The Laughing Song" and "Led Out Of Bondage", as well as a tender duet with young Madison Easter (son of fellow Gaither singers Jeff and Sheri Easter) on "God Loves To Talk To Little Boys When Their Fishin'".
The Cathedrals sang many of their classic songs on the Homecoming videos, as well as some of their new hits (Haase and Bennett were songwriters and the group recorded songs co-written by both members). Ernie Haase delivered a stirring rendition of the Rosie Rozell classic "Oh, What A Savior" which he had earlier recorded on a solo cassette and on his first CD with the Cathedrals as well. George sang one of his favorites, "Suppertime". Glen and Guy Penrod sang a classic version of "The Haven Of Rest". The Homecoming Friends gave a tribute to Glen Payne for 50 faithful years in gospel music. The Cathedrals scaled back on traveling so they could last longer.
The Cathedrals' Farewell
They had had many successes over the years, but in addition to some of the struggles above, George had also had health problems off and on with his heart, and later his kidneys. By 1999, George Younce was suffering from kidney failure, and his heart was too weak for a kidney transplant. He was put on dialysis, and was noticeably paler and thinner on the Gaither videos. George and Glen decided it was time for the Cathedrals to retire. They had decided to do a farewell tour of selected concerts, as George's health allowed. Bill Gaither wanted to do a Cathedrals Farewell Celebration video. The video which was recorded live on May 18, 1999 is a great example of the Cathedrals stage style, and was highlighted by George's hilarious emcee job. They were joined on the video by The Statler Brothers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Sandi Patty, Guy Penrod, and Bill Gaither himself. Several months after this was recorded, in the late summer of 1999, Glen Payne was diagnosed with liver cancer. It was a shock to everyone, as George Younce's health was the reason the Cathedrals were retiring. Roger Bennett filled in as lead vocalist in Glen's absence.Glen was in Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, TN when the Cathedrals traveled to the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. Much to the surprise of the audience, he made a special appearance, over the phone from his hospital room, with a stirring rendition of "I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone." It would be his last public performance, as he died almost two months later on October 15, 1999. Roger Bennett covered Glen's vocals and they finished out the tour for the fans and because Glen made George promise to meet their obligations. Glen and the younger guys had sung before without George a few times when he was ill, and George felt like he owed him and the fans. Instead of calling Glen the old man, George turned the old man jokes on himself. However, as well as they sang, and as good as they put on these shows, going on without Glen was tough. They did it the same way they always sang, with class. The final Cathedrals concert was held where it all started for the group, in Akron, OH.
After the Cathedrals
In 2000, former Cathedrals Scott Fowler and Roger Bennett formed the popular traditional Southern Gospel group Legacy FiveLegacy Five
Legacy Five is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by former Cathedral Quartet members Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler after the owners of the Cathedral Quartet, Glen Payne and George Younce, decided to retire in 1999. Group members attribute their success to the changing face of gospel music and...
. In this group, Scott sang lead instead of baritone as he had with the Cathedrals. He had not been lead singer in a group since he had sung for The Sound before joining the Cathedrals. Ernie went on to continue a solo career he had already been developing. George recovered from his health problems enough to continue to appear on some more Homecoming videos, contributing a memorable version of the old Statesmen quartet song "Up Above My Head" with former Statesemen lead singer Jake Hess
Jake Hess
Jake Hess was an American Grammy Award-winning southern gospel singer.-Life:Hess was born Manchild Hess December 24, 1927, in Limestone County, Alabama...
.
Later with some help from Bill Gaither, Ernie and George started The Old Friends Quartet with Hess, Wesley Pritchard, and with Gold City
Gold City
Gold City is an American Christian music group that is based in Gadsden, Alabama.-Early years:The Mississippi-based Christianairs were renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to begin the year 1980 with bass Dallas Gilliland, tenor Bob Oliver, lead singer...
alumnus Garry Jones as their pianist. They recorded two albums, and did a concert video for the Gaither Homecoming series. George and Jake's poor health brought an end to the Old Friends a couple of years later.
In 2003, Haase (with help from his famous father-in-law) and Garry Jones put together The Signature Sound Quartet. After a while, Garry Jones and Ernie discovered they had different visions and ways of running the group so Garry and the groups lead singer Shane Dunlap left the group. Signature Sound later became associated with Gaither and eventually were called Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. They are one of the most popular new groups, and have joined the Gaither Homecoming Tour as a featured quartet.
After leaving The Cathedrals, Mark Trammell was the original baritone of Greater Vision before leaving it to join Gold City after lead singer Ivan Parker and tenor Brian Free both quit the group and their baritone Steve Lacey moved up to lead. He left Gold City in 2002 to form the Mark Trammell Trio so that he would not only sing, but be able to preach as well. Gerald Wolfe still sings lead with Greater Vision, and is the only original member left. Danny Funderburk has recorded solo recordings and has been in several groups since leaving Perfect Heart. Kirk Talley started a solo career after the Talleys broke up. Later, Roger and Debra had their daughter Lauren sing with them and they restarted the group but called it the Talley Trio instead of The Talleys (as the group was known when Kirk sang with them.) On April 11, 2005, George Younce died. On March 17, 2007, Roger Bennett died after a long bout with leukemia. On February 17, 2008, Danny Koker died. The Cathedrals are still seen on reruns of old Homecoming videos, and their albums are still selling. The Cathedral Quartet has left a rich legacy in Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
Music, and will not soon be forgotten.
In 2007, shortly after Roger's funeral, Danny Funderburk, Scott Fowler, Mark Trammell, and Gerald Wolfe got together with Legacy Five members Glenn Dustin & Tim Parton and started doing Cathedrals tribute concerts. They recorded a live album together at NQC in September 2009. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound is a Southern Gospel vocal quartet founded in 2002 by Ernie Haase, former Cathedral Quartet tenor, and Garry Jones, former Gold City pianist.-Musical career:...
also released a Cathedrals tribute project in 2010 called A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet
A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet
A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet is a CD/DVD released by Christian gospel quartet Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. The album is a tribute to the legendary gospel group The Cathedral Quartet with whom tenor singer Ernie Haase performed from 1990 to 1999...
.
Members
Tenor- Bobby ClarkBobby Clark (tenor)Bobby Clark was the tenor vocalist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1963 through 1967.He was also a member of the Dixie Echoes, Deep South Quartet, The Weatherfords, The Oak Ridge Quartet, The Rangers, & The Men of Music. He appeared with the Rex Humbard National Television Ministry for 8 years...
(1963–1967, 1972) - Mack Taunton (1967–1971)
- Roger Horne (1971–1972)
- Roy Tremble (1972–1979)
- Kirk TalleyKirk TalleyKirk Talley , is an American Southern Gospel performer/songwriter.-Early career:Born in Johnson City, TN, Talley began performing Southern Gospel Music in 1972. He was a member of the groups "The Hoppers", The Cathedrals and the Talleys. He joined the Cathedrals in 1979 and with the lineup of...
(1979–1983) - Danny Funderburk (1983–1990)
- Kurt Young (1990)
- Ernie HaaseErnie HaaseErnie Haase started singing as a young boy at Washington Ave. Baptist Church. He is a Christian tenor vocalist known for being the founder of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound...
(1990–1999)
Lead
- Glen PayneGlen PayneGlen Payne served more than 50 years as a gospel music's singer. At age 17 in 1944, Glen joined the Stamps-Baxter Quartet. He was also a member of the Lester Stamps Quartet, The Stamps All-Stars, and The Stamps-Ozark Quartet...
(1963–1999) - Roger BennettRoger Bennett (Southern Gospel performer)Roger Bennett was a Southern Gospel pianist, singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the award winning Gospel Quartet Legacy Five. Prior to forming Legacy Five, he served nearly 20 years as pianist for The Cathedrals....
(1999) (filled in as lead to fulfill the rest of the farewell tour after Glen Paynes death.)
Baritone
- Danny KokerDanny KokerDanny Koker was the baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1963 through 1969. He was also pianist and vocalist for the Weatherfords and the Foggy River Boys. Koker also owned a television station in Las Vegas.-External links:...
(1963–1969) - George Amon WebsterGeorge Amon WebsterGeorge Amon Webster was the baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1969 through 1971, their pianist from 1973 through 1974, and their baritone vocalist from 1974 through 1979...
(1969–1971) - Roy Tremble (1971–1972)
- Bill DykesBill DykesBill Dykes is an American gospel music singer.The son of a Baptist preacher, Dykes became his father's music director at age 12 because there was no one else to serve and he was willing to do it...
(1972–1974) - George Amon WebsterGeorge Amon WebsterGeorge Amon Webster was the baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1969 through 1971, their pianist from 1973 through 1974, and their baritone vocalist from 1974 through 1979...
(1974–1979) - Roger Horne (1979(honorary member until new baritone was found))
- Steve Lee (1979–1980)
- Mark TrammellMark TrammellMark Trammell played bass and was a part-time vocalist for Kingsmen Quartet from 1979 until 1980, and he was the baritone vocalist and bass guitar with the Cathedral Quartet from 1980 through 1990. After leaving the Cathedrals, he sang with Greater Vision from 1990 through 1993 and with Gold City...
(1980–1990) - Scott FowlerScott FowlerScott Fowler was the baritone vocalist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1991 through 1999. After the retirement of the Cathedrals, he co-founded Legacy Five along with former Cathedral pianist Roger Bennett, in which he sings lead...
(1990–1999)
Bass
- George YounceGeorge YounceGeorge Younce was an American bass singer, known for performing with Southern Gospel quartets, especially The Cathedrals.-Biography:...
(1964–1999) - Gerald WolfeGerald WolfeGerald Wolfe was the pianist for the Cathedral Quartet from 1986 through 1988. After performing solo for two years, he formed Greater Vision with his former Cathedral member, baritone Mark Trammell and tenor Chris Allman in 1990. Wolfe sings lead with the trio...
(1987(filled in while George Younce was recovering from a heart attack))
Piano
- Danny KokerDanny KokerDanny Koker was the baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1963 through 1969. He was also pianist and vocalist for the Weatherfords and the Foggy River Boys. Koker also owned a television station in Las Vegas.-External links:...
(1963–1969) - George Amon WebsterGeorge Amon WebsterGeorge Amon Webster was the baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1969 through 1971, their pianist from 1973 through 1974, and their baritone vocalist from 1974 through 1979...
(1969–1971) - Lorne Matthews (1971–1972)
- Jim GarstangJim GarstangJim Garstang was the pianist for the Cathedral Quartet from 1972 through 1973. He also played piano briefly for the Dixie Echoes and Plainsmen quartets.-References:*...
(1972–1973) - George Amon WebsterGeorge Amon WebsterGeorge Amon Webster was the baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1969 through 1971, their pianist from 1973 through 1974, and their baritone vocalist from 1974 through 1979...
(1973–1974) - Haskell Cooley (1974–1979)
- Lorne Matthews (1979)
- Steve Lee (1979)
- Roger BennettRoger Bennett (Southern Gospel performer)Roger Bennett was a Southern Gospel pianist, singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the award winning Gospel Quartet Legacy Five. Prior to forming Legacy Five, he served nearly 20 years as pianist for The Cathedrals....
(1979–1986) - Gerald WolfeGerald WolfeGerald Wolfe was the pianist for the Cathedral Quartet from 1986 through 1988. After performing solo for two years, he formed Greater Vision with his former Cathedral member, baritone Mark Trammell and tenor Chris Allman in 1990. Wolfe sings lead with the trio...
(1986–1988) - Roger BennettRoger Bennett (Southern Gospel performer)Roger Bennett was a Southern Gospel pianist, singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the award winning Gospel Quartet Legacy Five. Prior to forming Legacy Five, he served nearly 20 years as pianist for The Cathedrals....
(1988–1999)
Bass Guitar
- George Amon WebsterGeorge Amon WebsterGeorge Amon Webster was the baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1969 through 1971, their pianist from 1973 through 1974, and their baritone vocalist from 1974 through 1979...
(1974–1979) - Steve Lee (1979–1980)
- Mark TrammellMark TrammellMark Trammell played bass and was a part-time vocalist for Kingsmen Quartet from 1979 until 1980, and he was the baritone vocalist and bass guitar with the Cathedral Quartet from 1980 through 1990. After leaving the Cathedrals, he sang with Greater Vision from 1990 through 1993 and with Gold City...
(1980–1990) - Kirk TalleyKirk TalleyKirk Talley , is an American Southern Gospel performer/songwriter.-Early career:Born in Johnson City, TN, Talley began performing Southern Gospel Music in 1972. He was a member of the groups "The Hoppers", The Cathedrals and the Talleys. He joined the Cathedrals in 1979 and with the lineup of...
(1979-83 (would switch with Mark Trammell on Trammell's solos)) - Scott FowlerScott FowlerScott Fowler was the baritone vocalist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1991 through 1999. After the retirement of the Cathedrals, he co-founded Legacy Five along with former Cathedral pianist Roger Bennett, in which he sings lead...
(1990–1999)
Rhythm Guitar
- Victor Clay (occasional appearances starting in 1964)
- Roger BennettRoger Bennett (Southern Gospel performer)Roger Bennett was a Southern Gospel pianist, singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the award winning Gospel Quartet Legacy Five. Prior to forming Legacy Five, he served nearly 20 years as pianist for The Cathedrals....
(1985)
Drummer
- Robbie Willis (Occasionally)
Selected Songs
- We Shall See Jesus
- Boundless Love
- O What a SaviorO What a Savior"O What a Savior" is a hymn penned by the Free Will Baptist hymnist Marvin P. Dalton in 1948.-Lyrics:Once I was straying in sin's dark valley,No hope within could I see,But up in Heaven there is a Savior,who saved a poor lost soul like me,...
- Yesterday
- Homeland
- Master Builder
- Somebody Touched Me
- I Just Started Living
- The Last Sunday
- Wedding Music
- He Loves Me
- Then Came the Morning
- This Ole House
- Moving Up To Gloryland