August 2006 ~ Featuring Scott Fowler
Since joining the Cathedral Quartet in 1990, Scott Fowler has become one of Gospel Music's favorite vocalists and personalities. I first met Scott at a Cathedrals concert in Hammond, Louisiana, and can still remember George introducing 'Little Scott' to sing 'Mansion Over The Hilltop'. Since that time, he and Roger Bennett have formed one of Gospel Music's best quartets, Legacy Five. The Dixie Echoes recently had the privilege of singing at their Homecoming Celebration in Nashville, Tennessee, and I had the opportunity to catch up with Scott Fowler and gather some stories to share this month.

Scott Fowler was born on July 9, 1966. He is the youngest child of Scharlotta and the late Vernon Fowler. He has one brother, Marty, and two sisters, Pennie and Pam. He says that he's the baby! Scott was saved in 1974 at a church in Dupo, Illinois, when his dad was preaching. When posed the question, 'When were you and your wife Taryn married?' Scott stated, "December 20, 1997…I think. Will Taryn be reading this?" Scott and Taryn have two sons, Preston and Bailey. Preston will turn 3 years old on October 18th, and Bailey will be 1 year old on August 18th. He is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, but now resides in Franklin, Tennessee. Scott and his family are members of The People's Church in Franklin.

Scott credits his father and grandfather as his biggest influences personally, and George Younce and Glen Payne as his biggest influences professionally. His hobbies include playing with his sons, golf, racquetball, and most anything outdoors. He says that his only collection is pictures of his boys. Scott and his wife Taryn met in 1996 on a Charles Stanley cruise to Alaska. Taryn's dad, Ken Davis, a Christian comedian, was on the ship performing, as were the Cathedrals. Scott jokes, "One year later, on the same cruise, Taryn asked me to marry her! Again, will she be reading this? Needless to say, Alaska is a very special place to us. Now, almost nine years later, we have two awesome boys, Preston Davis Vernon Fowler and Bailey Eric Fowler."

When Scott was 21, he joined a group from Houston, Texas, called The Sound. He sang with them from 1987-1990. While he was with the Sound, they opened for the Cathedrals on a few dates in Michigan. Several months later, Scott says that his phone rang and woke him up about 8:00am. A voice on the other end said, "Hi Scott, this is Glen Payne with the Cathedral Quartet." Scott said that it was all he could do to keep from saying, "Yeah right, and I'm the Jolly Green Giant!" But indeed it was Glen on the phone. Scott continues, "He told me that Mark Trammell had just given his notice and that my name had came up as a possible replacement. I made the arrangements to meet the Cathedrals a week later in Odessa, Texas, where I auditioned for them in a hotel room at the Hyatt. That night, after the concert, Glen offered me the job. It was absolutely one of the most incredible days of my life!" Scott sang baritone for the Cathedral Quartet from 1990 until they retired in 1999. When the Cathedrals announced their retirement, Scott and Roger Bennett started putting together their own quartet. In 2000, they launched Legacy Five.

In addition to singing lead for Legacy Five, Scott is on the National Quartet Convention Board of Directors, where he serves as secretary and treasurer. He also coordinates Legacy Five's two annual events at the Opryland Hotel over the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. When Roger cannot travel with the group, Scott also serves as the groups emcee. During his nearly 20 years traveling professionally, Scott has had many awards bestowed upon him. In 1992, he was voted the Horizon Individual in Southern Gospel. From 1993-1995, he was voted the Favorite Young Artist. For six consecutive years (1994-1999), he was voted Favorite Baritone vocalist in the Singing News Fan Awards. This year, Scott has been voted in the Top 5 for both Favorite Lead and Favorite Male vocalist. Last year, he was honored with a humanitarian award from the Southern Gospel Music Guild for his efforts in raising some $700,000 for the Roger Bennett Benefit Fund.

For more on Scott Fowler and the rest of Legacy Five, visit them online at www.legacyfive.com. They are one of my favorite quartets, and obviously favorites of many! In 2004, the fans voted them their Favorite Traditional Male Quartet in the Singing News Fan Awards. Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler have been long time friends and favorites of mine. They have two fellow Louisiana boys in their group, Scott Howard (baritone) and Glenn Dustin (bass). Singing tenor is Frank Seamans. Frank joined the group in June of 2004, and has an amazing tenor voice! I have featured Roger Bennett, Scott Howard, Glenn Dustin, and now Scott Fowler in my U.S. Gospel News articles. That alone should tell you something about how much I like these guys. I have all of my past articles archived on my website if you'd like to read about many more of my friends. Check Legacy Five's schedule and go see them when they are anywhere in driving distance. It will be a concert you'll never forget!