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The Unexpected Journey of Triumphant Quartet

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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.

The Message Behind “Things We Cannot Change”

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The song Things We Cannot Change carries a message of faith and hope. For The LeFevre Quartet, the song is a reminder that no matter what happens in life, Jesus Christ provides strength and guidance.

Mike LeFevre explains why the group was drawn to the song:”One of the main things that attracted us to the song Things We Cannot Change is the positive message. As Christians, we deal with things every day that we don’t necessarily expect, but through Jesus Christ, He has equipped us to deal with these things. And so, I love this song. It’s a positive message. It’s all about Jesus.”

Life is full of unexpected moments. A day that starts off as routine can suddenly take a turn in ways we never imagined. Mike LeFevre reflects on this reality, “I’m sure we’ve all had a day where we started out and everything was supposed to be normal, but that day eventually turned out to be anything but normal, anything but what we expected. And it’s natural for human beings to try to fix the things that are going on around them. But as Christians, if we live by faith and realize that He is our source, we have the problem fixer on our side. This song is a great reminder that through all the things that we cannot change, He can take care of them.”

New bass vocalist Daniel Ashmore also shares his perspective on how quickly life can shift, “When I think of the song Things We Cannot Change, I think about life and how quickly things can change. One minute you’re on the mountaintop, the next minute you’re in the valley, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. You never know what’s going to change. A loved one may get cancer. Your car breaks down on you. You have no means to pay for it. Your best friend may let you down. Your government will let you down. People will let you down. Through all of that, there’s one who doesn’t change. It’s the same one who created this world. He’s not changed a bit. He’s still God. He still can help you in your situation. So no matter what you’re going through, just remember, through the things you can’t change, there’s one you can run to that will never change.”

The song includes a powerful lyric that states, “He is a Light when we cannot see.” Mike LeFevre reflects on the importance of these words:”There’s a line in that song that says, ‘He is light when we cannot see.’ And I can tell you from over the years that I’ve lived in this world, that there’s been plenty of times I couldn’t see. And He has been my light because you don’t know what direction to go. You don’t know where you’re headed, and you feel so lost. Just a strange place you find yourself sometimes. I love that line that says He’s a light when we cannot see.”

Through Things We Cannot Change, The LeFevre Quartet delivers a message of unwavering faith. Life may bring unexpected challenges, but God remains constant. He is the light in the darkness, the problem solver, and the unchanging presence in a world full of uncertainty.

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

The Message Behind ‘I Left It In The Water’

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You never know what will spark the inspiration for a great southern gospel song. For Clint Brown, the idea for Southbound’s song, “I Left It In The Water,” came from a simple t-shirt with a powerful message.

Brown recalls the moment clearly: “We were at Josh Frank’s church in Tennessee, and we saw someone walk across the front with a t-shirt on that said, ‘I left it in the water.’ And so we asked Josh, ‘What is that shirt about?’”

Josh Franks explained that the words came from a man who had just been baptized. “There was a gentleman that we baptized. When he came out of the water, we started asking him about some things, and man, he was so excited, so we were so interested in his testimony. And when they started asking him about his testimony, he said, ‘You know what? I would just rather say this. Everything about my past, I left it in the water.’”

That statement became the heart of the song. “I Left It In The Water” speaks of transformation, forgiveness, and the power of baptism. The lyrics tell the story of someone burdened by their past, carrying guilt and shame. However, through baptism, they experience a renewal—leaving behind their old self and embracing a new beginning.

The song captures this change with words like:

“I had a past I carried so long / Didn’t get it all right, got a lot of it wrong / When they laid me down in that watery grave / Came up without a trace, it was covered by grace / When I left it in the water.”

The message is clear: baptism is not just a symbolic act, but a moment of deep spiritual significance. As the song continues, it emphasizes how forgiveness and grace wash away the weight of the past:

“My past was forgiven that very hour / Guilt, sin and shame no longer remain / Cause I left it in the water.”

Through these lyrics, Southbound delivers a powerful reminder that no matter how heavy a person’s past may be, there is freedom and redemption through faith. The song resonates with many who have experienced similar transformations in their spiritual journey.

A simple t-shirt at a church in Tennessee carried a message that turned into an inspiring gospel song. “I Left It In The Water” now serves as a testimony of hope, grace, and the power of leaving the past behind.

Sound Street Unveils New Single “Heaven In The House”

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Sound Street released their latest single, “Heaven In The House.” This marks their first new music since their Sonlite Records debut album, Good Seed, which came out in late summer 2024.

The song, originally recorded by The Greenes, has been a longtime favorite of the group. Sound Street’s version features a lively fiddle introduction and snappy electric guitar, with Ryan Bilby taking the lead vocals. Jarrod and Jaylie Vanderslice provide increasingly complex harmonies throughout the track.

“Heaven In The House” was written by Ronny Hinson and carries a message about the power of worship. The lyrics describe how believers coming together in praise can bring about a tangible sense of God’s presence.

Sound Street worked with producer Roger Talley on this recording. The group aimed to create music that they genuinely enjoy performing and that resonates with live audiences.

Jarrod Vanderslice of Sound Street expressed enthusiasm about the release, stating that the song serves as a reminder of how worship can bring a taste of heaven to earth. He encouraged listeners to turn up the volume and join in the celebration.

Sound Street is an Oklahoma-based trio consisting of Jarrod Vanderslice, his daughter Jaylie, and family friend Ryan Bilby. The group formed in July 2020 and has since gained recognition in the southern gospel music scene.

In 2021, Sound Street was chosen from the Regional Artist Showcase to perform on the Main Stage at the National Quartet Convention. The following year, they received a top 10 nomination for favorite new artist in the 2022 Singing News Fan Awards.

The trio has had success with previous singles as well. “I’ll Take The Old Highway” reached number 34 on SGNScoops Magazine’s Top 100, while “The Old Story” debuted at number 67 on the Singing News chart in March 2022.

Sound Street maintains an active performance schedule, with over 80 dates per year. They aim to inspire audiences and share the Gospel message through their music

Jon Epley to Depart Greater Vision After Nearly Eight Years

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After serving as the baritone vocalist for Greater Vision since April 2017, Jon Epley has announced his decision to leave Greater Vision. The announcement follows weeks of prayer and discussions as Epley sought clarity on his future path.

Gerald Wolfe, the founder of Greater Vision, expressed his full support for Epley’s decision. “Rodney Griffin, Chris Allman, and I fully support Jon’s decision, and we join him in believing God has a great plan for his life in the days and years ahead,” Wolfe stated. He went on to describe Epley as “like family” to the group and expressed confidence that Epley’s diverse talents would lead to new opportunities.

Epley will continue touring with Greater Vision until the end of February 2025. Meanwhile, Wolfe and his fellow members—Rodney Griffin and Chris Allman—will begin searching for a new baritone to join the group. Wolfe emphasized their belief that God is already preparing the right person for this role and requested prayers for guidance during this transitional period.

Epley’s tenure with Greater Vision has been marked by great vocals and songwriting. His work has added depth to the group’s music, which is known for its rich harmonies and spiritually uplifting messages. As he prepares to step away from this chapter of his career, Epley leaves behind a legacy of dedication and artistry within one of Southern Gospel’s most celebrated groups.