The Palmetto State Quartet is a professional Southern gospel singing quartet that originated in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1946. In 1988 they received at a Singing News Fan Awards ceremony the Marvin Norcross Award for contributions to Southern Gospel over their career.
Personnel history Tenor Leon Sutherland (1946–1949) Clarence Owens (1949–1960) Claude Hunter (1960–1963, 1970–1985) Jerry Hovis (1963–1970) Eddie Broome (1985–1993) (also known for Dixie Echoes and the second incarnation of the Florida Boys) Brion Carter (1993–2002) John Rulapaugh (2002–2006) (also known for groups like The Dove Brothers, Freedom Trio/Quartet, and most recently The Inspirationals Quartet of Texas) Wesley Smith (2006–2008, 2011) (went on to things like Dixie Echoes and Dailey & Vincent) Jeremy Calloway (2008–2009) Robert Fulton (2009–2011) (went on to Gold City) Jeremy Easley (2011-2013) (previously of The LeFevre Quartet) Anthony Roberts (2025-present)
Lead Woodrow Pittman (1946–1954) Jack Pittman (1954-1960?) (at some point Pittman & Bagwell switched parts) Jack Bagwell (1960?–1968, 1970-1997) (d. 2025) Harold Schronce (1968–70) Kerry Beatty (1997–2009) Paul Lancaster (2009-2013) (also sang with Karen Peck, The Nelons, The Greenes, and recently The Booth Brothers) David Staton (2013) (previously of The LeFevre Quartet) Brian Beatty (2025–present) (previously of The Nelons)
Baritone Malone Thomason (1946–1952) Jack Bagwell (1952-1960?) (at some point Pittman & Bagwell switched parts) Jack Pittman (1960?–1967, 1970–1997) (d. 2013) Laverne Tripp (1967–68) (went on to Blue Ridge Quartet) Jerome Bush (1968–69) (went on to Pine Ridge Boys) Milton Sigmon (1969–70) Tony Peace (1997–2004) (went on to things like The Kingsmen Quartet and The Dove Brothers) Rick Fair (2004–2008, 2026–present) (previously of The Statesmen Quartet) Brian Beatty (2008–2009) David Darst (2009–2012) David Staton (2012-2013) DaRon Maughon (2013) Woody Beatty (2025–2026)(previously played and sang with Rosie Rozell and Jake Hess)
Bass Paul Burroughs (1946–1955) Ellison Jenkins (1955–1961) Ken Turner (1961–1968) (went on to Dixie Echoes and The Blackwood Brothers) Joe Divine (1968-1969) Chuck Bright (1969-1970) Cliff King (1970–1976) (previously of the Couriers) Jerry Trotter (1976–1979) Joel Duncan (1979–1994) (previously sang with Rosie Rozell) Harold Gilley (1994–1997) (previously of Statesmen Quartet) Jeff Pearles (1997–2003) (went on to The King's Heralds) Jason Brooks (2003) Aaron McCune (2003–2006) (went on to things like Gold City, Dailey & Vincent, and Oak Ridge Boys) Burman Porter (2006–2008) (known for The Dove Brothers and Freedom Trio/Quartet) Larry Strickland (2008–2013) (husband of Naomi Judd; previously sang with JD Sumner) Mike Allen (2013) (Gaither Homecoming regular) Rick Fair (2025–2026) Doug Young (2026–present)(previously of Statesmen Quartet and New Speer Revival)
Piano Jamie Dill (1946–1968, 1970–d.1987) Charles Abee (1968–1969) (known for The Kingsmen Quartet and The Pine Ridge Boys) Carroll Melvin (1970) David McAbee (1987–1989) Hovie Lister (1989–1991) (brought back his signature Statesmen Quartet the following year) (d. 2001) Woody Beatty (1989–1999, 2025–present) Jerry Kelso (1999–2001) (also played with The Dove Brothers, Dixie Melody Boys, and JD Sumner) Andrew Ishee (2001–2006) (also known for The Kingsmen Quartet, Dixie Echoes, and most recently Oak Ridge Boys) Bryan Elliott (2006–2008) (went on to things like The Perrys, Gold City, and The LeFevre Quartet) KC Martin (2008–2009) (2010-2013) Mark Carman (2009–2010) Mark Willett (2010) (previously of The Perrys)
Various Charles Waller (1983–1997, manager/promoter) Eddie Broome (1984–1985, bass guitar/vocals) Louie Sprouse (1986, Bass guitar) J.J. Jennings (1987, bass guitar) Michael W. Carman (2008-2011, road manager)
References