TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

Triumphant Quartet is now one of the leading groups in Southern Gospel music, but according to Tenor David Sutton, the quartet almost didn’t exist.

“Eric and myself and Jeff Stice at the time were with the Kingdom Heirs at Dollywood,” Sutton recalls. While performing there, they became acquainted with country music star Louise Mandrell, who owned a theater in Pigeon Forge. Through a mutual friend, Barry Gibbs, the singers began participating in a Sunday morning praise and worship service at the theater.

“Well, that thing really took off, and she would have 700 to 1,000 people there on Sunday mornings,” Sutton says. The growing service led Mandrell and her general manager, Sandy Weiss, to look for a gospel quartet to perform regularly. When the Blackwoods, who had previously filled that role, moved to another venue, Weiss approached bass singer Eric Bennett about forming a new group.

“At first, Eric basically said, ‘Don’t really know of anybody,’” Sutton explains. But Mandrell and Weiss continued encouraging the idea. “Finally, myself and Eric and Jeff said, ‘You know what, we’ll pray about this.’” After much prayer and discussion, they sat down with Mandrell and Weiss to explore the possibility.

“I can honestly say if there’s something that I know that was prayed over, this thing was prayed over,” Sutton affirms.

What began as a suggestion turned into a group that has become one of the most respected quartets in gospel music today. Thanks to persistence, faith, and a little encouragement, Triumphant Quartet was born.