Biography

Return To Crossroads Label Group

The Inspirations are a professional Southern Gospel male quartet from Bryson City, NC. In 1964, Martin Cook, a science teacher from Swain County High School in Bryson City, NC, along with four of his students (Archie Watkins, Ronnie Hutchins, Jack Laws, and Troy Burns) began holding nightly singing sessions in the basement of his home. They sang locally at first in churches and other small venues, but it was not long until they began singing on the road professionally.

In 1968, the Inspirations became regulars on the popular TV show, Gospel Singing Jubilee, along with groups like the Florida Boys, Dixie Echoes, Happy Goodmans, and Hinsons. Being on the Jubilee was one of the biggest factors that helped the group receive the national recognition and exposure they needed. They remained on the show until its end in 1981. The group was also the subject of a CBS Weekend News documentary in 1970, helping the quartet gain further national exposure.

The Inspirations sponsored and promoted one of the largest Gospel Music singing festivals in the nation, the Singing in the Smokies, from 1967 to the present. They have received many Singing News Fan Awards at the annual National Quartet Convention, including Favorite Southern Gospel Group a total of six times, Favorite Male Quartet twice, and Favorite Southern Gospel Song of the Year six times.

The current group of Inspirations includes original member and founder Martin Cook playing piano and doing the MC work. Martin is the only original member still with the quartet. Martin's son Myron joined in 1981 to play the bass and has held that position to the present. Jon Epley joined the group in December of 2010 and sings bass. In 2014, three former members of the group returned to join Jon, Martin, Myron, and Luke. Dallas Rogers returned to sing tenor, Matt Dibler who was with the group for 12 years returned to sing lead, and Melton Campbell, who was also with the group for 12 years returned to sing baritone. Luke Vaught is the final member of the Inspirations, and plays multiple instruments nightly in concert.

Now in their 50th year, the Inspirations are more determined than ever to continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ across the country in song. We feel that America needs the Gospel more than ever in this increasingly alarming period in time. All the Inspirations are focused on this mission and are believing that God still has great things in store for our country. We hope and pray that He will continue to use us to be an inspiration and blessing to all who hear the Gospel through our music.