Comments on: Archie Watkins to retire?

By: joe brown

joe brown — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:24:59 +0000

keep up the good work archie see you in reform al.july 30th.

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:41:54 +0000

I have been listening and going to see, hear and be with the I’s since 1979, they have been #1 to me since I first heard When I Wake Up To Sleep No More. I have been to the old resturant after attending Singing in the Smokies, either later dinner or early breakfast, tubing over Devils’ Dip, poor Troy had a rough day. This is where my children spent vacations, Bryson City & Cherokee just so we could go to the mountain and listen to them and others sing. I think they are all great, But Archie and Mike can’t be beat. Love U guys!

By: D.R

D.R — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:06:42 +0000

It would be nice if Christian people actually wrote the critiques for Gospel music

By: randall

randall — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:49:39 +0000

Archie is somewhat a devoted singer to the inspirations coming from a background of singers in his family the roses and watkins from Bryson City NC, I should really know all this due to the fact Archie is my cousin through the Watkins And Parks From Bryson City.

And Another Statement About Martin Cook I Think The Inspirations Will Do Fine Without Him.

By: Debbie Eidson

Debbie Eidson — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:58:23 +0000

I saw Archie tonight at Fullerville Baptist Church in Villa Rica, GA. He was with the Diplomats from Carrollton, GA. He did great. If I hadn’t read it on this board, I would have never had a clue that he was having voice problems. He sung about 10 solos without any problems.

By: Happy

Happy — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:15:52 +0000

Archie is a true legend and Precious Saint of God - what a testimony and inspiration he has been to my family !! I appreciate him following God’s lead for his life and will be upholding him in prayer !! Thank you Archie for giving to the Lord !!

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:26:35 +0000

It is true Dallas Rogers will be the groups new tenor and fans are already loving the new sound. You should go and see them in person and hear what im talking about. Dallas did a sensational job the night I heard him with the group and the blend was superb!!!!!

By: oldtimer

oldtimer — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:17:38 +0000

Someone mentioned that they would like to hear Mike Holcomb with another group. I happen to know that after Big Chief’s death Mike was one of Hovie’s primary choices to come sing bass for the Statemen. You talk about a shift in groups - inspos to statemen!! I do no know if the job was ever offered. I do know by then that the Inspos were on the top of the gospel music world and the Statesmen were on life support career wise. But it would have been interesting!!!

By: William

William — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:57:31 +0000

If it is indeed true about Archie Watkins’ retiring from the Inspirations, I want to thank him for devoting so many years to SGM and for bringing joy to so many people. He has one of the most recognizable voices in the industry, and he and the rest of the Inspirations have made some truly beautiful and distinct harmony.

I must concede, however, that the time has come for him to take it easy: Archie’s been singing tenor for 45+ years–unheard of in any group of any genre! His voice sounds tired, and it stands to reason that it should, given his long career. He is a fantastic person: humble, godly, devoted, and a brother in Christ, and I am going to miss him in concert…The Inspirations won’t be the same.

As for you, Avery, I am praying for your salvation. You are a good writer, but you are full of hate and bitterness. You don’t merely critique; you tear down, and that is not what SGM needs today. You have such seethingly poisonous words to say about the Inspirations, but I encourage you to listen to them from the beginning! Go back to their very first album and listen to them evolve. Listen to their works from the 1970s, when they owned Southern Gospel! You don’t have to like their music as I do, but how can you not respect and appreciate their sound for what it was and still is: Unique!

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:23:03 +0000

It is official. Archie Watkins is Retiring and is leaving the group Feb. 28th 2009. At New Hope Baptist Church in Pigeon Forge,TN

By: fConie Leonard

fConie Leonard — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:48:38 +0000

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.

By: Ron F

Ron F — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 14:13:09 +0000

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.

By: Youngbass

Youngbass — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 17:02:01 +0000

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?

By: David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 06:38:31 +0000

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…

By: Trent

Trent — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 21:27:33 +0000

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.