Christian music has many forms in today’s rapidly changing, fast-paced, high-tech culture but no genre is still so pleasing to as broad an audience as is the good old fashioned Southern Gospel Quartet. With timeless sounds, moving lyrics and more than a bit of patriotism added in, the Patriot Quartet, a local Kentucky Gospel group, maintains the tradition of four part harmony better than most.
The men of the Patriot Quartet got together in 2000 to sing for the Lord. Using their gifts to glorify the Lord has been an amazing journey thus far. Darrell Gabhart, one member of the talented foursome stated, “The most rewarding experience in any ministry I think, is to see the Holy Spirit use your efforts (music in this case) to reach someone with a need and to see that person respond by giving their heart and life to the Lord, or maybe to renew a close relationship with Him.”
The Patriots’ smooth Southern Gospel style evokes memories of an old fashioned ‘singing on the grounds’, church-wide picnics and home-coming celebrations. But their music does more than that; it also makes a stand for God and Country; hand-in- hand and side-by-side. Without God and freedom of religion as the spark that lit the quest for Independence, we would not be blessed to live in the U.S.A. today and be free to worship as we do.
The quartet’s website states: With the ever-present attack on Christian Values and the attempt to remove all references of God as the primary foundation on which this country was built, this group determined that it was time for a “Southern Gospel Quartet” to take a stand for “GOD & COUNTRY” and hence, THE PATRIOT QUARTET was born.
With their main mission being to share the Lord Jesus Christ with others, Darrell Gabhart feels blessed that God put him on this path with four men he considers true brothers in Christ. (Yes, four men. Though the quartet is naturally made up of four singers, their fifth member is their talented piano player, Wayne Edwards. The quartet is comprised of Eugene Hoffman, Joe White, David Combs and Darrell Gabhart.)
“We often refer to our relationship as that of brothers. We love one another as family and to prove it we often "pick at" and "fuss" at one another just like brothers. I should say brothers and sisters because we consider our spouses to be an important part of our ministry. Each one provides support and real assistance in their own way. Our close relationship as best friends and brothers stems from each having a very similiar calling and a clear understanding of the importance of the Patriot's mission.”
When asked what the most difficult part of being called to serve God via the quartet is, Gabhart expressed that the frequent travel was the most difficult. Missing family events and leaving their wives to handle some things without them can put a strain on life for each of the members but Gabhart believes that much of their success is due to the support of their wives. “One difficulty is having to miss family gatherings, special activities of my wife, children and grandchildren and other special occasions when I'm scheduled to be somewhere singing. All of us in the Patriots have been blessed with wonderful supportive wives or we could not do what we do!”
With a maxed out Spring and Summer Schedule, you can be sure to find the Patriot Quartet at a church or community venue near you in the upcoming months. But rest assured, if you’re unable to make it to one of their concerts you will not be disappointed by the beautiful music etched into one of their nine CD’s currently available for purchase.
Commenting on the future of the quartet, Gabhart emphatically believes, “Our future goals are to sing the gospel in song…and witness to as many souls as we can; either in person or on recorded media. We pray that we'll always listen to the Lord's instructions and defer to His will rather than our own.”
For more information on the quartet’s schedule or to go about purchasing a DVD or CD, click in to their website: The Patriot Quartet
To inquire about booking contact: Darrell Gabhart at 502-598-9928 or Joe White at 502-680-1429
You’ll find The Patriot Quartet in the following cities this Spring and Summer:
May 16 – New Life Worship Center, Frankfort KY
May 16 – Hedgeville Baptist Church, Hedgeville KY
May 22 – Middletown UMC, Greensburg PA
May 23 – Liberty Bible Church, Atwater OH
May 30 – Homer New Life Church of Faith, Homer IL
June 13 – Carthage UMC, California KY
June 13 – Sand Spring Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg KY
June 19 – Victory General Baptist Church, Louisville KY
June 27 – Willmington Baptist Church, DeMossville KY
June 27 - Wayne County Fair and Horse Show, Monticello KY
To see additional dates from July on, click on to the Patriot’s Calendar.
To get a taste of their sound, click on to their video link music player on the right side of their home screen on the Patriot Quartet website. Or click here: video link
Pictures courtesy of Darrell Gabhart and the Patriot Quartet.
Comments
Very nice article on the Patriot Quartet. I love this group and am proud to say they are my friends. Thanks for doing such an outstanding job on the group.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!