Guardians Announce Major Changes and 2027 Tour

 Jake Sammons November 10, 2026

After nearly four decades of sharing the Gospel through song, The Guardians have announced plans to conclude their journey as a full time group following a series of select appearances in 2027. The tour, “The Ones You Loved One More Time,” will give the quartet an opportunity to say thank you to the fans, pastors, promoters, churches, venues, and friends who have supported their ministry through the years. Founded in 1988, with Dean Hickman and Neil Uhrig among its founding members, The Guardians have built a lasting legacy in Southern Gospel music. Over the years, the group has celebrated numerous number-one songs, multiple Singing News Fan Award nominations, and multiple Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations. But for the men who have been part of The Guardians, the greatest privilege has always been sharing the message of Jesus Christ and the hope of the Gospel with audiences across the country. Bass singer Pat Barker recently informed the other members of his decision to step away from full-time travel. As the group’s schedule became increasingly busy, Pat found that the time required on the road was taking him away from his family and his church responsibilities more than he felt he could continue. “This was not an easy decision, because I love these men, and I love what we have been able to do together,” Barker said. “But as our travel schedule grew, I realized that my time away from home and away from my church was beginning to take a toll. After a great deal of thought and prayer, I knew I needed to make a change. “I went to the men and let them know that I would be able to continue through January of 2027. After I shared my decision, they made the difficult decision that The Guardians would conclude their ministry as a full time group rather than continue on”. Barker emphasized that the decision to step away was his own and that the other members of The Guardians have shown him nothing but understanding and support. “I want to be clear that this began with my decision,” he said. “The men of The Guardians have been gracious to me through this entire process. If anyone is disappointed by this announcement or by changes to the schedule, I take responsibility for the decision that brought us to this point. I love and respect these men, and I’m grateful for the years we have shared together.” Following those conversations, the group asked Barker if he would join them for a limited number of appearances through the remainder of 2027. The result is a schedule of 35 select dates allowing The Guardians to celebrate the music, memories, and relationships that have meant so much to them. “When the guys asked if we could do some select dates together, it felt like a wonderful way to say thank you,” Barker said. “We know there are people who have supported The Guardians for many years. We want the chance to see as many of them as we can, and thank them for being a part of this journey.” The Guardians will fulfill all scheduled appearances through January 2027. Because of the transition to a limited schedule afterward, some previously planned dates will need to be cancelled. “To every pastor, promoter, church, venue, and fan affected by a cancelled date, I am truly sorry,” Barker said. “We understand that these events involve planning, preparation, and the trust you have placed in us. Please know how much we appreciate your invitation and your support, and we hope you will understand the reasons behind this difficult change.” As they prepare for these appearances, The Guardians remain grateful to every individual who has prayed for them, welcomed them, played their music, attended a concert, or shared in their ministry since 1988. The Guardians would also like to say a very special thank you to the Harper Agency and Daywind Records for the incredible support they have shown over the last several years. Additional information about “The Ones You Loved One More Time” and the selected 2027 appearances will be shared in the coming days and weeks.