Cathedral Quartet
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Southern gospel music |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
The Cathedral Quartet, also referred to as the Cathedrals or the Cathedral Trio, was a prominent American southern gospel group active from 1964 until December 1999. The last ensemble consisted of Glen Payne (lead vocalist), George Younce (bass), Ernie Haase (tenor), Scott Fowler (baritone and bass guitar), and Roger Bennett (piano and rhythm guitar).
Origins and initial period
Originally formed in 1963 as a trio, the group included Weatherford Quartet's lead singer Glen Payne, tenor Bobby Clark, and baritone Danny Koker. They initially performed as the resident band for Rex Humbard's Cathedral of Tomorrow, adopting the name Cathedral Trio. In 1964, the ensemble grew into a quartet with the addition of bass vocalist George Younce from the Blue Ridge Quartet. By 1969, they committed to full-time touring, parting ways with the Cathedral of Tomorrow. Following the exit of Koker and Clark, tenor Mack Taunton and baritone-pianist George Amon Webster joined the group. Their signing with Canaan Records led to collaboration with producer Marvin Norcross and Florida Boys lead singer Les Beasley, which enhanced their visibility through appearances on the nationally syndicated The Gospel Singing Jubilee. This phase marked a period of artistic development as they honed their musical style and stagecraft to solidify their identity.
Emergence and growth
Gospel artist Bill Gaither invited them to perform at his annual Praise Gathering in Indianapolis, which resulted in a surge of performance opportunities. Gaither worked closely with Younce and Payne to produce subsequent albums under Word Records. The group incorporated comedic segments by Younce and Payne into their shows and welcomed Roy Tremble as tenor. In 1979, Tremble, Webster, and pianist Lorne Matthews departed to establish "The Brothers." Their successors included tenor Kirk Talley from the Hoppers and baritone/pianist Steve Lee. Prior to 1980, Roger Bennett joined on piano after impressing the band during an opening performance. After Lee's brief replacement by Roger Horne, former Kingsmen bassist/baritone Mark Trammell became part of the lineup. The quartet transitioned from Canaan (Word) to Riversong (Benson) in 1983.
1980s
In mid-1983, Talley left to create the Talleys with family members. That December, Danny Funderburk from the Singing Americans took over tenor duties. This configuration remained stable for several years until Bennett departed to co-found Journey Records; he was succeeded by classically trained pianist and vocalist Gerald Wolfe. With Wolfe on board, the group contributed to Symphony of Praise (1987), recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring songs such as "This Ole House" and "Champion Of Love." During this decade, they enhanced their sound by incorporating Trammell's bass guitar alongside a synthesizer, complementing their vocal harmonies.
1990s: Gaither Homecoming era
In February 1990, Funderburk left to form Perfect Heart. The Cathedrals recruited tenor Kurt Young, who exited after two months and was replaced by Indiana native Ernie Haase. Later that year, Trammell departed to establish Greater Vision with Wolfe. Scott Fowler, previously lead singer for the Sound, joined as baritone and bassist—completing the final lineup of the Cathedrals. This ensemble (with some exceptions among former members) recorded The Cathedral Quartet: A Reunion concert in 1995.
During the early 1990s, Bill Gaither and his group, the Gaither Vocal Band, produced Homecoming, a Southern gospel tribute featuring Younce and Payne that inspired the Gaither Homecoming video series including appearances by the Cathedral Quartet. Alongside extensive touring and video productions, they made three guest spots on NBC’s Today show throughout that decade.
Final years and farewell tour
During the late 1990s, both Younce and Payne experienced worsening health conditions; by 1999, Younce was battling kidney failure and heart complications, while Payne had been diagnosed with liver cancer. They arranged a farewell tour to proceed as their health permitted. On May 18, 1999, The Gaithers and the Cathedrals collaborated on a live Farewell Celebration video, which included appearances by The Statler Brothers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Sandi Patty, Guy Penrod, and the Gaither Vocal Band. The Cathedrals' last National Quartet Convention performance took place without Payne physically present; he participated remotely via telephone from his hospital bed. Payne passed away on October 15, 1999, at age 72. Subsequently, Bennett assumed Payne’s role for the group's concluding concerts held in December 1999 in Akron, Ohio.
After the group
In 2000, Fowler and Bennett established the Southern gospel ensemble Legacy Five, with Fowler taking on lead vocals and bass duties, and Bennett serving as emcee and pianist. Haase embarked on a solo path before forming The Old Friends Quartet alongside Younce, Jake Hess, Wesley Pritchard, and Garry Jones; they produced two albums and a concert video for Gaither Homecoming prior to health concerns halting the project. Afterwards, Haase and Jones founded Signature Sound Quartet—later rebranded as Ernie Haase & Signature Sound—aligned with Gaither’s Homecoming tour.
Trammell initially performed baritone for Greater Vision before joining Gold City and ultimately launching the Mark Trammell Quartet in 2002. Gerald Wolfe remains active with Greater Vision as emcee and pianist. Danny Funderburk has pursued solo recordings and collaborated with multiple groups following his time with Perfect Heart. Kirk Talley maintained a solo career until vocal difficulties arose in 2012.
Significant losses among members include George Younce (2005), Roger Bennett (2007), original baritone Danny Koker (2008), George Amon Webster (2013), original tenor Bobby Clark (2014), Steve Lee (2017), Roy Tremble (2023), Roger Horne (2023), and Haskell Cooley (2024).
In 2010, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound released A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet, which garnered a nomination for Southern Gospel Album of the Year at the 42nd GMA Dove Awards. In 2014, former members Haase, Fowler, Funderburk, Trammell, and Wolfe (with Talley excluded) unveiled Cathedrals Family Reunion, honoring 35 years of the group’s heritage through narratives and music.
Members
| 1963-1964
(As the Cathedral Trio) |
1964-1967
(As the Cathedral Quartet) |
1967-1969 |
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| 1969-1971 | 1971 | 1971-1972 |
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| 1972 | 1972-1973 | 1973-1974 |
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| 1974-1979 | 1979 (early) | 1979 (late) |
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| 1979-1980 | 1980 (early) | 1980-1983 |
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| 1983-1986 | 1986-1988 | 1988-1990 |
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| 1990 (early) | 1990 (mid) | 1990-1999 |
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*George Younce– bass *Roger Bennett– piano, vocals |
Timeline
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</timeline>
Cathedrals Family Reunion Participants
| 2009
(Performing as Cathedrals Remember The Music) |
2012 | 2013–2014
(Under the name Cathedrals Family Reunion) |
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Studio Releases
- 1963: Introducing the Cathedral Trio
- 1963: When the Saints Go Marching In
- 1964: Beyond the Sunset
- 1965: Taller Than Trees
- 1965: Presenting the Cathedral Quartet, Mariner’s Quartet, Gospel Harmony Boys
- 1965: The Cathedral Quartet with Strings
- 1966: The Cathedral Quartet with Brass
- 1966: Greatest Gospel Hits
- 1966: Land of the Bible
- 1967: I Saw the Light
- 1968: Family Album
- 1968: Focus On Glen Payne
- 1969: Jesus is Coming Soon
- 1970: I’m Nearer Home
- 1970: It’s Music Time
- 1970: A Little Bit of Everything
- 1971: Everything’s Alright
- 1971: Somebody Loves Me
- 1971: Right On
- 1972: Welcome to Our World
- 1973: Seniors in Session
- 1973: Town and Country
- 1973: The Last Sunday
- 1974: Our Statue of Liberty
- 1975: Plain Ole Gospel
- 1975: For Keeps
- 1976: The Cathedral Quartet Sings Albert E. Brumley Classics
- 1976: Easy on the Ears, Heavy on the Heart
- 1977: Then and Now
- 1978: One at a Time
- 1978: The Cathedral Quartet Featuring Oh, What a Love
- 1978: Sunshine And Roses
- 1979: You Ain’t Heard Nothing Yet
- 1979: Two Versions of Keep On Singing
- 1979: Smooth as Silk
- 1980: Interwoven
- 1980: Better Than Ever
- 1980: Telling the World About His Love
- 1981: Cherish That Name
- 1981: Colors of His Love
- 1982: Something Special
- 1982: Greater
- 1982: Oh Happy Day
- 1983: Individually
- 1983: Voices in Praise/A Cappella
- 1984: Distinctively
- 1984: The Prestigious Cathedral Quartet
- 1985: An Old Convention Song
- 1985: Especially For You
- 1985: A Cappella Christmas titled A Cathedral Christmas A Cappella
- 1986: Master Builder
- 1987: Land Of Living
- 1987: Symphony of Praise
- 1988: Goin’ In Style
- 1989: I've Just Started Living
- 1989: 25th Anniversary
- 1990: Climbing Higher and Higher
- 1991: The Best of Times
- 1993: High and Lifted Up
- 1993: Worship His Glory: Acapella Praise
- 1994: Raise the Roof: 30th Anniversary
- 1996: Radio Days
- 1998: Faithful
- 2013: Cathedrals Family Reunion
Live Recordings
- 1974: Live in Concert
- 1979: Live With The Cathedral Quartet
- 1983: Live in Atlanta
- 1986: Travelin’ Live
- 1992: Camp Meeting (Live)
- 1995: A Reunion (captured live in 1993)
- 1997: Alive! Deep In The Heart Of Texas
- 1999: A Farewell Celebration
- 1999: Live in Jacksonville
- 2012: Moody Radio Presents... Live In Chicago (recorded live in 1996)
- 2014: Cathedrals Family Reunion: Past Members Reunite Live In Concert
Compilation Albums
- 1971: Hits (Eternal)
- 1971: Request Time (Skylite)
- 1976: The Best Of The Cathedral Quartet (Eternal)
- 1976: Music Time (Eternal)
- 1979: Then I Found Jesus (Eternal)
- 1979: Oh What A Love (Eternal)
- 1980: Special
- 1982: A Collection of Their Best (Canaan)
- 1983: Favorites Old and New
- 1983: Featuring George Younce
- 1983: Featuring Glen Payne
- 1984: Classics (Heartwarming)
- 1986: Classics Vol. 2 (Heartwarming)
- 1988–1991: Collection Volumes 1–3 (Riversong)
- 1990: The Collector’s Series (Homeland)
- 1993: Some of Their Finest Moments
- 1995–1996: 20 Favorites Volumes 1 & 2 (Benson)
- 1996: The Cathedral Collection (Homeland)
- 1998: 20 Gospel Classics (Landmark)
- 1999: Various compilations including Anthology: A 35 Year Musical Journey, plus thematic sets issued by Homeland, Diamante, Riversong, Heartwarming, and Benson labels
- 2000–2003: Signature and greatest hits collections released through Homeland, Epic Records, Word Records, and Canaan
Gaither Homecoming Video Appearances
- 1994–2000: Participated in numerous Gaither Homecoming videos featuring memorable performances such as "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "An Old Convention Song," "This Old House," and "He Made A Change"