Archie Watkins to retire?
That’s what I’m hearing. Of course I’ve heard Inspirations rumors before that went absolutely no where. So this could be another one of those. Honestly, it wouldn’t matter to me one way or the other. I don’t listen to the Inspirations unless the Erhler’s ice-cream line is short at NQC and I get back to my seat sooner than I intended. And I wouldn’t listen to them any more without Watkins, whose voice could qualify as a torture device under the Geneva Conventions, than I have while he’s been with them. But the I’s are immensely popular and even more successful, by most accounts. So it seemed worth mentioning.
Update: Daniel Mount, who seems to be the soothsayer of all things Inspiration, writes:
Email this PostI noticed this morning’s post concerning Archie Watkins departing from the Inspirations. This was considered last fall. However, Archie made a firm decision to stay on the road for now. As recently as the Christmas weekend, he was still definitely planning on staying.
It was reported on various message boards that Martin Cook was talking to Dallas Rogers of the Dixie Echoes at the last NQC. While they did talk, Rogers has told the members of the Dixie Echoes within the last few weeks that he has made a definite decision to stay with the Dixie Echoes.
Of course, if Archie Watkins develops more voice problems, this could change at any point. But it is my understanding that, for the time being at least, Watkins has made a firm decision to stay on the road.a
Daniel J. Mount wrote:
“And I wouldn’t listen to them any more without Watkins…”
Do you mean that you would completely cease to listen to them if Watkins left the group?
Or do you just mean that you would not listen to them any more than you otherwise would?
Posted 20 Jan 2007 at 7:53 pm ¶
Trent wrote:
Archie Watkins is the defining voice in the group. His unique tenor voice is the signature of the group, and whenever he does retire, Martin will have to find a rabbit in the hat to make it work without Archie. Fans of the Inspos love Archie.
Posted 21 Jan 2007 at 9:27 pm ¶
David Bruce Murray wrote:
Martin Cook is the defining “voice” of the Inspirations. When he retires, the group should be retired as well.
Although Watkins is a key element of their sound, the group could carry on with a compatible tenor…John Rulapaugh, Dallas Rogers, etc.
Without Cook, though, the entire feel of an Inspirations concert would change. The way he works the crowd is what endears the group to their audience.
I would love to hear Holcomb in a different group someday…
Posted 22 Jan 2007 at 6:38 am ¶
Youngbass wrote:
What ever happened to Mark Clark? He was traveling with the I’s at the end of 2006 and was singing tenor on stage I know - I have a friend who auditioned Clark for a tenor position and he later denied because of the I’s deal. If you have seen the I’s live, you have probably seen Mark standing on stage singing. He is a “backup” for Archie from what I understand. I thought he was going to be hired full-time - I wonder if the deal fell through?
Posted 26 Jan 2007 at 5:02 pm ¶
Ron F wrote:
Ive had the honor I guess its an honor to bring the Inspirations on to the stage several times in my 10 year career. What I say when I bring them on is if you Love God you will love the Inspirations because they just like God ” Never change. Ron F.
Posted 20 Feb 2007 at 2:13 pm ¶
fConie Leonard wrote:
Archie is the #1 tenor singer of all times. His voice is truely an “Inspiration” to the Inspirations. They are all wonderful in their own way, but without Archie, they wouldn’t be the same. I have had the honor to meet him personally on several ocasions and he is a wonderful person.
I love him dearly.
Posted 02 Aug 2008 at 5:48 am ¶