October 2002 ~ Featuring Melton Campbell
Since 1964, Southern Gospel Music fans have taken notice of a group of guys from Bryson City, North Carolina called the Inspirations. They have always had a great lineup of talent traveling across the country and the current group is one of my favorite quartets. When they started in 1964, they consisted of four high school students and their teacher. Today that teacher is still there and has guided that group to the top of the Gospel Music industry. They have one of the biggest concert events in the country held in their hometown several times each year, and most recently were honored with yet another number one song. This month I would like to feature their newest member and one of my favorite baritone singers, Melton Campbell.

Melton Campbell was born on December 19, 1968, as the son of Marie and Darwin Campbell. He has one sister named Rose. Today he still lives in his hometown of Jackson, Georgia. His home church is Macedonia Baptist Church. Melton was saved in 1985 at a Nazarene camp meeting in Adrian, Georgia.

Melton and his wife Kristy were married on May 20, 1995. They have two children. Their son Levi is six years old and their daughter Blair is three years old. Melton enjoys fishing, playing golf, riding four wheelers, playing softball, and working in the yard. His collections include old Southern Gospel stuff such as records, etc. He collects old bottles and baseball cards. He is also a big Elvis fan and collects all kinds of Elvis memorabilia.

His biggest influences are his mom and dad. Melton says that his Uncle Max Purdue has always been a big influence in his life. His uncle Max is his mom's brother and was his Sunday school teacher for years. Melton began playing drums and singing with the Georgia Impact Team, which was a group of youth from all of the Nazarene Churches in Georgia. His first experience in Southern Gospel came with a group from Thomaston, Georgia, called Common Garments.

While Melton was with Common Garments, they opened for the Inspirations in Warner Robins, Georgia. At that time, Eddie Deitz was singing baritone for the Inspirations. Eddie told Martin that when he left the Inspirations, they should hire Melton to take his place. Martin gave Melton a bag of cassettes and told him to learn the baritone part for all of their songs. Eight months later, Martin called and asked Melton to ride with the Inspirations for the weekend. After the first concert, Martin told Melton that on the second night out he might call him up to sing one song. During that same night, Archie's granddaughter was born and Archie went home to be with his family. Martin told Melton that he would be singing lead today and Matt would sing the tenor part. Since then, Melton has been with the Inspirations singing the baritone part.

When he joined the Inspirations in January of 2000, he was thirty-one years old. Melton's jobs on the road include driving the bus, setting up the sound system with Archie, and keeping the bus clean inside and out. In his first year with the Inspirations, Melton was nominated as favorite Horizon Individual in the Singing News Fan Awards. He is also featured on the newest Inspirations radio release titled "He Swept Me Off My Feet". Be sure to call your local Southern Gospel radio station and request this song. The Inspirations have been one of the most successful groups in Southern Gospel music and have always been popular on the radio. Their songs can always be found riding the top of Gospel Music charts.

The Inspirations of today include three of the original members. Archie Watkins sings tenor and has been the only tenor that the group has ever had. Martin Cook still plays piano and has been doing so since the groups beginning. Jack Laws was the original baritone singer, and now travels with the group playing rhythm guitar and singing a few songs each night. Matt Dibler is the current lead singer and is one of my favorite lead singers today. Myron Cook plays the bass guitar and is the son of pianist Martin Cook. Melton fills the baritone spot, and singing bass is Mike Holcomb. Mike is one of the lowest bass singers in Gospel Music and is recognized as one of the top five bass singers by the Singing News subscribers. I will also mention that former lead vocalist Ron Hutchins is the webmaster and works in the Inspirations office. Ron is a good friend of mine and I enjoy it when he joins the group on stage occasionally at Inspiration Park.

If you would like to find out more about Melton Campbell or the rest of the Inspirations, visit them on the internet at: www.theinspirations.com. This is one group that has not changed over the years. They still sing the songs that people want to hear and do so without all of the accompaniment tracks and stacked vocals. They are in my opinion a true quartet in the purest form. Go see the Inspirations the next time that they are in your area, you are sure to enjoy them, and if you are ever looking for a great vacation spot, join them at Inspiration Park in Bryson City, North Carolina, for one of Southern Gospel's best events!