For nearly thirty 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 Trio.
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 mentors, Mark Trammell and Steve Hurst are now surrounding
themselves with two of the brightest young vocalists on the Gospel
Music Horizon, Eric Phillips and Dustin Sweatman.
Mark Trammell has been married to his wife LaResa for twenty-seven
years. They have one son, twenty-two year old Nick who graduated
from Gadsden State Community College with an Associate Degree in
Music. He is presently working on his Business Degree from Jacksonville
University. 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. 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 is the goal for this trio.
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.'"
Over twenty-five years ago, Mark Trammell, as a member of The Kingsmen,
shared the stage with one of Southern Gospel Music's best-loved
tenor singers, Ernie Phillips. Today, Ernie's son Eric Phillips
sings tenor for the Mark Trammell Trio. Although his earliest memory
of singing is being on stage with Squire Parsons, Sam Parsons, and
his father when he was very young, Eric actually began his singing
career a few years ago with some regional groups from the Carolinas.
Before joining the Trio, Eric was the tenor vocalist for The Melody
Masters Quartet. Like the others, Eric is very ministry minded.
"It's all about the message," he states. "I want
to be an encouragement to people and to share The Word through song
to unbelievers. It's very humbling, yet also very rewarding when
someone tells you how a song you've sung has been inspiring to them,
or helped them in some way deal with a problem or difficult situation."
Ever the tenor, Eric adds, "of course there's nothing like
a good, fast, Gospel song with a high ending!" Eric is married
to his lovely wife, Lauren. Lauren is a full time student and a
full time mother to their little girl, Carli. Eric is a graduate
of Western Carolina University with a BS in Criminal Justice. A
veteran of the Asheville Police Department, he still holds his certificate
in law enforcement in the state of North Carolina.
The newest member of the Mark Trammell Trio is Dustin Sweatman.
Dustin is twenty-two years old and hales from Cumming, GA. For the
past three years Dustin sang with the Dixie Melody Boys. He is not
only a very talented lead singer, but is an awesome keyboard artist
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 services.”
Steve Hurst is a renowned musician, instructor and mentor to many
of today’s favorite Gospel Artists. He has been involved in
ministry for over thirty years. Steve loved music as a child and
furthered his training throughout his schooling. He graduated from
George Peabody College for Teachers of Vanderbilt. Following graduation
he began working as a music instructor for groups and soloists as
well as working in music schools around the country. He started
the Steve Hurst School of Music in 1992. This school has been a
blessing to many musicians around the country over the years. The
school has grown into one of the number one schools of its kind
in the country today. Each summer students from across the United
States and Canada join together for training in five different areas.
Over the years Steve has worked with members of some of the major
groups in Gospel Music such as: Talleys, Gaither Vocal Band, Gold
City, Perrys, Greater Vision, Florida Boys, Crossway, Jody Brown
Indian Family and many more.
