PALMETTO STATE POISED TO EXPAND REACH
PSQ Partners to bring Southern Gospel Music to Wider Audience
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The historic Palmetto State Quartet announces the newest
incarnation of this enduring vocal ensemble that defies the quartet label. The group
assembles not four, but five vocalists, and breaks out of any traditional mold by refusing
to define its members by vocal part. The diverse lineup includes: Mike Allen, a fixture
on the popular Gaither Homecoming television series, who had never signed on
officially with any one group until now; Jeremy Easley, the X-Factor season-one, top-15
finalist (male vocalist ages 15–30 category) who received a standing ovation from
Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, and L. A. Reid; Paul Lancaster, longtime
Palmetto State member and former member of the Mullins, winner of two Dove
Awards with gospel music siblings, the Martins; Casey Martin, popular keyboardist for
an array of secular and gospel artists, brings a soulful influence and plays an integral
part in the PSQ presentation; David Staton, Grammy-nominated songwriter, singer,
producer, and adroit industry thought leader; and Larry Strickland, who sang with the
famous Stamps Quartet in the '70's when they backed up Elvis Presley, and has been
seen on the OWN network show, The Judds.
"Ask any of these guys and they would tell you that singing with other great singers
causes you to step it up. And once in a while you hit this magical combination where the
whole is greater than the sum of its parts," according to Strickland. Besides their stellar
talent, each member brings a unique new audience to the gospel music they love and
its message they cherish.
With so many tie-ins to pop culture that cross musical genres, this group is uniquely
positioned to attract and influence new listeners. This will be welcome news to music
promoters and presenters of gospel music globally. Not since Strickland’s Elvis days
with the late J.D. Sumner and the Stamps has there been another vocal group that has
featured two great bass singers.
Most recently, PSQ has been touring with the Judds, singing backup to Wynonna’s
powerful voice and introducing southern gospel music to a whole new audience.
“We are not interested in anyone labeling us a ‘super group’. What we hope is that
churches will leverage whatever we’ve been blessed to do in order to reach out to
various crowds that typically aren’t planning to come to church or a gospel concert,”
said Staton. And with some strategic use of traditional advertizing and social media,
church leaders may be surprised the number of first-time attendees who drop in to
check out the great music and happen to hear some very good news. The members of
Palmetto State are committed to effectively sharing the gospel in a clear, compelling
manner and consider that their top priority.
Palmetto State is booked exclusively through the Becky Simmons Agency at
+1 615.595.7500 or Info@BSAworld.com.
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