The exciting year of 2002 has passed and gone and what a year it has been for the quartet industry. As usual, at the beginning of a new year we look back on the past year.  In this 2003 issue we will briefly review each of the twelve albums featured in 2002 and conclude by revealing Gloryland Gospel's top 5 albums and 15 groups to watch in 2003.  Be sure to check the individual album reviews for information about how to purchase these projects.

2002 was a heavy release year on the national side, however the amount of Independent releases that hit the market was unbelievable.  Literally up until the last week in December groups were still releasing projects. To get things started, in February we introduced many of you to the foot stompin' hand clappin' sounds of The Victory Travelers from Chicago, Ill.  Known for their house wreckin' drive songs, these gentlemen are regional legends. However, the project did not make much noise in the quartet industry as a whole.  The March review featured The Virginia-Aires and their down home yet modern sound.  They have continued to gain popularity throughout the year. 

April featured probably one of the most well rounded projects reviewed in 2002 coming from The Chosen Sons. Producer and group member Min. Ron Simpson showed his skills perfectly on this release.  A quartet radio favorite was "Tears of The Believer", an interesting interpretation of the late Madame Edna Gallmon Cooke's song "Bottle of Tears". We closed out the spring with the bass man himself Mr. Isaac "Dickie" Freeman of the Fairfield Four and his solo recording "Beautiful Stars".  This project has made a stir in both gospel and secular markets, and continues to gain popularity. 

The summer months of June, July, and August featured one of  the year's breakout hit recordings coming from Tim Garner & The Travails.  Their release of "Just The 3 of Us" featuring radio favorites "Good Christian" and "Willie Mae" has caused the group to be booked solid well into 2003.  Minister Garner and the Travails even chimed in later in the year with a Christmas single called "The Gift of Love".  Lookout for the Travails in 2003!! In July we featured longtime group leader Lee Cloud and his Northernaires.  Their old time style made a little noise but the project has not received nation wide promotion.  The same is the case with Brian Mayes & Heavenbound's "I'll Always Be Grateful".  However, Brian's sincerity in performance has gained the group a larger following during 2002. 

The months of September and October brought a 2000 release from the Sons of Wonder and the hit release from the Concert Supremes.  Though the Sons of Wonder release dropped in 2000 it still enjoys rave reviews now.  Well rounded production, and smooth vocal arrangements have become the hallmark of the Sons of Wonder sound.  Probably the most interesting project of 2002 would have to go to The Concert Supremes.  Enlisting the help of long time producer Dwight Gordon the Supremes have hit with one of the most well rounded projects of the year.  Their "Just 4 U" release features a little something for everybody. 

We closed the year out with the return of the McDonald Sisters in December and the newly named group Eternal Light. Formerly known as the Eternal Life Singers of Marion, AR this group's name change seems to have brought newer and better things for them.  Their project "New Thang" has one of the best sounds of any quartet release this year.  As was mentioned earlier, we closed the year with The McDonald Sisters and their "Give It Up" project.  This song will be a hit for the North Carolina based group by the end of the year. 

Top 5 Independent Releases of 2002

• Tim Garner & The Travails "Good Christian"
• The Concert Supremes "Just 4 U"
• Rev. Walter Ellis & The Country Boys "Live In Montgomery"
• The McDonald Sisters "Give It Up"
• Veal Brothers "Feel The Spirit"

15 Groups to Watch in 2003

• The Brown Boyz- The New sound of quartet, are you ready??
• The Concert Supremes- Lookout for Marvin Howard
• Rev. Walter Ellis & The Country Boys- Always smooth yet explosive
• Tim Garner & The Travails- One of the Best "Live" performances for your money
• Lil Blair & The New Violinaires- Rev. Charlie Brown as a member??
• Memphis Harmonizers- Rev. Melvin Rogers and Ronnie Wilson lead
• The Messengers- A new "Live" recording brings Willie Banks fellas back to the scene.
• Rev. Percell Perkins- 85 year old legend returns to the recording scene
• Ronica & The Mighty Blazing Stars- We anxiously await the next offering from this powerhouse group
• Roscoe Robinson- Yet another Legend recapturing the glory days on Amec records
• Soul Stirrers- Rev. Luther Gamble is back and the Martin Jacox sound lives only it's with the Crume brothers.
• Rev. Roney Strong & The Sensational Strong Family- Powerful singing preacher's new release
• The Veal Brothers- The industry's best kept secret
• The Windy City Spiritualaires- A return to the recording scene??
• The Wonderful Harmonizers- One of the best groups on the road