April 2003 ~ Featuring Jerry Martin
When Southern Gospel Fans start talking about their favorite tenor singers, names such as Brian Free, Jay Parrack, David Phelps, and Rosie Rozell, are a few names that are always mentioned. In the last few years, a new name has joined the ranks of the best tenors in Gospel Music, and that name is Jerry Martin. Even though Jerry is one of my favorite tenor singers, I am basing the previous statement on the fact that Southern Gospel Music fans have nominated him as Favorite Tenor Singer in the Singing News Fan Awards. Jerry has been blessed with a distinct high tenor voice and a very approachable personality. I also think that it's worth mentioning that Jerry and I share the same birthday on September 11. The only difference is that I was born a decade later in 1980!

Jerry Martin was born on September 11, 1970, in Bladenboro, North Carolina. He is the son of Craven and Estelle Martin. Jerry has one brother named Steve, and one sister, Debbie Butler. He was saved in 1980 at the Galeed Baptist Church in his hometown of Bladenboro, NC.

Jerry and his wife Teresa were married on June 15, 1991, and live in Greenville, North Carolina. They have two dogs, Fancy and Sassy. Jerry says that he has a wonderful wife, and that she is a big part of what he does. Without her support, he says that he wouldn't be traveling today. In June, they will celebrate their twelfth anniversary.

His biggest influences are his parents. Musically, his influences are Brian Free and the late Rosie Rozell. When he is at home, Jerry likes to work on the computer. He is the webmaster for the Dove Brothers website. His collections include Christmas village sets, and Jackalope memorabilia.

Prior to joining the Dove Brothers Quartet, Jerry spent several years singing tenor for the Mighty Kingsmen Quartet. I asked Jerry what was his highlight of traveling with the Kingsmen and he stated that he always had dreamed of singing with the Kingsmen Quartet and when he stepped out onto the stage for the first time with the group in Leesburg, Florida, his dream had came true. His first official date with the Kingsmen was on February 5, 1998. In his first year with the Kingsmen, he was nominated for Horizon Individual in the Singing News Fan Awards. When the Kingsmen name was retired in September of 2001, he continued traveling with the same guys with a new name of the Carolina Boys Quartet. When John Rulapaugh left the Dove Brothers, McCray called Jerry and asked him if he would be interested in the job. Jerry began traveling with the Dove Brothers in November of 2002. He says that he enjoyed the years that he spent with the Kingsmen and Carolina Boys, and wouldn't trade anything for the friendships and memories that were made during that time.

On the road, Jerry helps with the product table and gathers information to keep the website up to date. He says that he is really glad to be with the boys from Bladenboro. It is like a family reunion, since they all grew up together.

Visit www.dovebrothersquartet.com to get more information on Jerry Martin and all of the Dove Brothers. Jerry has done an excellent job on their website and I'm sure you will find plenty of pictures and info to keep you up to date with the latest happenings with their quartet. McCray Dove has a great group of guys working with him and they have proven to be favorites all over the country. I admire McCray's love for traditional quartet music and believe that he and his brother Eric will keep that tradition going for many years to come. Burman Porter provides the smooth bass vocals and has a great personality to match his singing. Their new pianist is Andrew Smith, I haven't had the opportunity to hear him with the group yet, but I look forward to hearing him play the next time we work with the Dove Brothers. I encourage you to attend a concert the next time you see the Dove Brothers in your area. They are an exciting group with some good old-fashioned quartet singing. Pick up their latest recording when you go see them, or order it on their website. You are sure to leave their concert with a smile on your face!