Mark Trammell Quartet

For over thirty five years, Mark Trammell has been blessed to sing Gospel Music, something he says, "Evolved from a dream to a life's call; from just singing to ministry." Many long time observers and followers of Gospel Music consider him to be one the greatest baritone singers of all time. He has won multiple awards as a singer and producer, and has been a member of four of Gospel Music's most acclaimed groups - The Kingsmen, The Cathedrals, Greater Vision and Gold City. For most people, just being with one of these legendary groups would be the pinnacle of a career and justification for resting on your laurels. But for Mark now is not the time to kick back and relax. Instead, it is time to launch a new mission that focuses on evangelism through the seamless integration of Gospel Music and preaching - The Mark Trammell Quartet.
 
If surrounding yourself with the right people is one of the keys of success, then Mark Trammell might be considered a 'master locksmith'. Since he was 15 years old, Mark has literally been surrounded by and sung with some of the most respected men in Southern Gospel Music including Ray Shelton, Eldridge Fox, Jim Hamill, Squire Parsons, Ray Reece, Tim Riley, Glen Payne, and George Younce. Taking on the mantel of mentor, Mark Trammell is now surrounding himself with three of the brightest young vocalists on the Gospel Music horizon.  Joel Wood, Dustin Sweatman, and Pat Barker.
 
Mark Trammell has been married to his wife LaResa for thirty one years. They have one son, twenty five year old Nick who graduated from Gadsden State Community College with an Associates Degree in Music.  Nick is presently working on his Business Degree from Jacksonville University as well as settling in to married life with his bride Jessica Brown Trammell (Mark calls her his princess)  from the gospel music family "The Browns" from Lemars, Iowa.  
 
Throughout his career, Mark has been privileged to perform in some very prestigious venues including Radio City Music Hall, Brooklyn Tabernacle, and the South Lawn of the White House. He performed for President Jimmy Carter, and noted pastors/evangelists such as the venerable Dr. W. A. Crisswell, Dr. Charles Stanley, Dr. Tom Eliff, Dr. Bailey Smith and others. It was on the Isle of Patmos that Mark initially began to understand God's call of evangelism. "For many years I literally fought the call of evangelism," explains Mark. "I've enjoyed these years of helping others fulfill their dreams while living out my own dream of being a gospel singer. But now, God has given me new dreams built on His calling on my life to combine singing and preaching as the venue warrants. I came to the realization a few years back that God doesn't want me to be someone else. He wants me to be who He made ME to be, and that was the goal for this trio when we started and now for the quartet. We are to be ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to live, preach, and sing in such a manner that no one feels or thinks we're trying to be something we're not. We are to be trusted stewards of God's blessings in our lives. We are to be faithful and obedient to God's leadership and to administer our ministry with integrity on sound and godly principles. The bottom line is for our families to be able to say, 'we're glad we lived in the home of a Gospel singer.'"

The most talented member the group is Dustin Sweatman. Dustin is twenty-six years old and hales from Cumming, GA. For three years prior to joining MTQ Dustin sang with the Dixie Melody Boys. He is not only a very talented lead singer, but is an awesome keyboard artist, and song writer as well.  For twelve years Dustin refined this craft by taking lessons from Eloise Phillips, a noted teacher in Southern Gospel Music circles. In 2004 Dustin was honored as one of the top five vocalists for the Horizon Individual Award. Dustin’s father is Gerald Sweatman who has written many wonderful songs that have been recorded by groups such as the Kingsmen, Hoppers and many more. “It is a privilege to be working with a group that is focused on ministry,” he says. “I want to see people changed and drawn closer to Christ after attending our concerts.  Dustin and his wife Jennifer are a very important part of this ministry.

The most outgoing member of the group is 29 year old tenor Joel Wood.  Joel sang tenor for some groups both in his home town as well as Daybreak Quartet from Atlanta, Ga. area before joining MTQ.  Joel and his wife Melissa live in Phenix City, Alabama and are proud parents of four boys...........yes, four!   Tyler 10, Brayden 7, Jaxon 3, and Cameron who is eighteen months.  Needless to say the MTQ family is growing.  If you are looking for someone to make you laugh, Joel is your man.
 
The newest member is actually the one who made this group "an honest quartet."  He is thirty six year old Pat Barker, and he sings the bass part.  Pat is a true "quartet man" in every sense.  Before joining MTQ Pat sang with the venerable Dixie Echoes Quartet from Pensacola, Florida.  Pat and his wife Kesha have two children.  Four year old Andy, and Breelyn who is just over a year old. 
 
Mark states that the major reason for turning this trio into a quartet is the fact that he desires to help perpetuate the craft that he has given his life to, and that is to present every aspect of pure gospel quartet music to the best of their ability.

Quick Facts

Nominated top five Trio of the Year
Eric Phillips - winner of Horzion Award - Individual
"It's Jesus"- Top Ten song of year for 2004