February 2004 ~ Featuring Tracy Stuffle
I've said it before in past articles, and I'll say it again. The Perrys are my favorite mixed quartet, and some of my favorite people to be around. They don't have a weak link in the group. This month, I would like to feature my good friend Tracy Stuffle, and share a little information about him. Tracy is the bass vocalist for the Perrys, and he is one of Southern Gospel's best. In fact, just this past year he was nominated in the top 5 bass singers in the Singing News Fan Awards. The Perrys are at the top of their game right now, and with the current line-up, they are producing one of the best sounds in Gospel Music today!

Tracy Lee Stuffle was born on March 20, 1966. He is the only child of George and the late Lucille Stuffle. Tracy married Libby Perry on November 28, 1987. They have one child, Jarod (JK), who is twelve years old. The Stuffle family lives in Morristown, Tennessee, which is Tracy's original hometown. They attend Manley Baptist Church in Morristown, TN, which happens to be the church where Tracy was saved in 1975.

Prior to joining the Perrys, Tracy had his own group called "Living Water" from 1983-1985. When Tracy was eighteen years old, his friend Gerald Wolfe called and got the Perrys to try out Tracy. He got the job in November of 1985, and when he married Libby in November of 1987, he got complete job security!

Each month, after I interview a friend of mine, I usually just put their words into a story about them. Since Tracy had some unique answers to give, I wanted you folks to hear what he had to say to my questions. I am going to list the questions and answers just as they were given.

Stewart Varnado (SV): Do you have any hobbies?
Tracy Stuffle (TS): Golfing, Golfing, Golfing, and did I mention Golfing?

SV: Any Collections?
TS: Yes, if you are taking one up, I would appreciate it!! Seriously, I have a coin collection that was handed down to me, just in case anybody wants to help add to it.

SV: Who are your biggest influences?
TS: My dad, my little wife, and Ed O'Neil of the Dixie Melody Boys, because after watching him golf, well that should influence anybody…TO STAY HOME!!! Sorry Ed, just had to say that!

SV: What are your jobs on the road?
TS: I am the bus driver, soundman, emcee, and usually mapping out a golf game here and there.

SV: Tell me about your family.
TS: For the most part, most of you see my wife and son when we travel. My dad is a great man and my best friend! He drove the bus for us for a couple of years.

SV: Any other stories that you might want to share with my readers?
TS: There was a time when I wrecked and totaled the Perry's first bus, but that would take way too long to tell. Then there was that time that I wore two different dress shoes on stage, but that is too embarrassing to tell. Oops, I guess it's too late now!

SV: Is there anything else that you would like to share with the fans?
TS: I am very blessed to get to go and do what I do. I am blessed to get to travel with my family and see people from all different walks of life. Remember if The Perrys are ever in your area, please feel free to let me know in advance and I will be glad to go play a round of golf with you, just email me at: tracy@perrysministries.com. I have several friends on the road that drive for their groups and we call each other during the night when we're driving from one date to the next, just to keep each other awake. Some of those are: Greg Shockley (one of my best friends and an old school buddy) who drives for the Talley Trio. Gene McDonald, bass singer of the Florida Boys, and Reb, bus driver for the Hoppers. Sometimes OLE Buck (Tony Greene of the Greenes), and Eric Hall, bass player and buss driver for Blue Ridge (because he's scared… Late at night and on the golf course. I know I can beat him!

You can visit the Perrys online at: www.perrysministries.com. Their website is very nice and always kept up to date. Be sure to check their tour schedule to see when they will be in your area. Their latest recording is titled "This Is The Day". It is an excellent recording featuring some great singing. If you are like me and enjoy lots of old Southern Gospel Music, be sure to order their "Hits & Hymns" volume one and two. They recorded so many of my favorite songs on those two cd's, and you can tell by listening to those recordings that they were huge Happy Goodman fans! Libby does an awesome job on Vestal Goodman's classic, "God Walks The Dark Hills". Loren Harris is one of the best lead singers in Southern Gospel Music, and if you have been getting the US Gospel News for a while, check the April 2002 issue for my article featuring Loren. The newest member of the Perrys is baritone vocalist, Joseph Habedank. Joseph joined the group in September of 2003. I have only heard him one time, but that was enough to tell that he was an great singer. Justin Ellis is the group's pianist. It kind of makes me sick to see someone play the piano that well. I hope you enjoyed finding out just a little bit more about Tracy and the rest of the Perrys.