Cathedral Quartet

The Cathedral Quartet

The Cathedral Quartet, often known as simply The Cathedrals, was formed in 1964 by bass singer George Younce, lead singer Glen Payne, tenor Bobby Clark, and baritone Danny Koker. The tenor and baritone position changed often during the Cathedrals long career, but the two most stable versions are George, Glen, Danny Funderburk (tenor), and Mark Trammell (baritone) from 1983-1990, and George, Glen, Ernie Haase (tenor), and Scott Fowler (baritone) from 1990-1999. The Cathedrals were thought by many quartet fans to be the epitome of class during their peak of popularity from the 1980's until their retirement in 1999.

The Early Years

The Cathedrals began as a trio consisting of Glen Payne (formerly lead singer for The Weatherford Quartet), Bobby Clark, and Danny Koker. They were hired by evangelist Rex Humbard to be the house gospel group of The Cathedral of Tomorrow, taking the name 'The Cathedral Trio'. Within a few years, they had become popular enough that Humbard wanted to expand the trio into a quartet. He enlisted bass singer George Younce, then singing with the Blue Ridge Quartet. The newly formed quartet became even more popular with the addition of George's smooth bass. Although performing at the Cathedral of Tomorrow was considered a dream job for a quartet, having a permanent base of operation and steady income, George and Glen decided in 1969 that they wanted to go out on their own. It was a risky move, as they would now have to travel extensively and would not be guaranteed a steady pay check. They didn't have to worry much, because they were immediately popular with crowds due to their superior singing. They also owed much of their popularity to George and Glen's stage presence. George was a wonderful emcee, with a humble demeanor and a terrific sense of humor. Glen was usually the butt of George's jokes. In later years, George often made fun of Glen's age (Glen was two years older than George), calling him 'The Old Man' and using his catch phrase, "I love old people!"

The 80s

In 1983, tenor singer Kirk Talley left the Cathedrals, leaving George, Glen, baritone Mark Trammell, and piano player Roger Bennett. A tenor singer named Danny Funderburk joined the Cathedrals, and they soon became the most popular they had ever been. The Cathedrals had finally reached the peak of their creativity and popularity. Funderburk had a distinctive voice that stood out from other tenors. His powerful voice was used to good effect on songs like "I Just Started Living" and "Somebody Touched Me". Combined with Mark Trammell's fine baritone and George and Glen's usual excellence, they were regularly reaching the top of the gospel charts, with #1 singles "Step Into The Water", "Champion Of Love", "I Can See The Hand", and "I Just Started Living". During this period, they began doing more contemporary songs with larger production, while never leaving their simple "four-guys-and-a-piano" sound. From now until their retirement, The Cathedrals would balance their albums with a combination of styles. Other groups began copying The Cathedrals' use of taped music tracks on stage, which allowed them to do the larger-production style songs. For a couple of years, piano player Roger Bennett left the group due to health reasons. During this time, Gerald Wolfe stepped in as piano player, staying long enough to sing lead on the song "Champion Of Love". Gerald Wolfe would later form the popular trio Greater Vision.

The 90's and Gaither Homecoming years

By 1990, Danny Funderburk had left The Cathedrals, and Mark Trammell left a little later. Tenor Ernie Haase and baritone Scott Fowler, George, Glen, and Roger Bennett (who had re-joined the group by this time) made up the new version of the Cathedrals. Around this time, gospel songwriting legend Bill Gaither and his group, the Gaither Vocal Band, were recording a tribute album to classic Southern Gospel songs called 'Homecoming'. For one of the songs, "Where Could I Go", Gaither wanted to include as many of his childhood Southern Gospel heroes as possible. Among many others, George Younce and Glen Payne were among Gaither's little group of singers he called on to sing on the song. Out of this recording, the Gaither 'Homecoming' videos were born. At first, the whole group of Cathedrals were not included, just George and Glen. Several Homecoming videos later, the full Cathedrals were included, where they gained a whole new fan base. The Cathedrals soon became one of the most popular groups to be featured on the videos. George even starred in some of Gloria Gaither's children's Homecoming videos with Vestal Goodman (children wrote many fan letters to the Gaithers, and George Younce and Vestal Goodman were the favorites). George used his onstage clowning to good effect on these children's videos, riding a tandem bicycle with Vestal and singing fun songs like "The Laughing Song" and "Led Out Of Bondage", as well as a tender duet with young Madison Easter on "God Loves To Talk To Little Boys When Their Fishin'". The Cathedrals sang many of their classic songs on the Homecoming videos, as well as some of their new hits, like "Tryin' To Get A Glimpse" and "He Made A Change". Ernie Haase delivered a stirring rendition of the Rosie Rozell classic "Oh, What A Savior". George sang one of his favorites, "Suppertime". Glen and Guy Penrod sang a classic version of "The Haven Of Rest". The Homecoming Friends gave a tribute to Glen Payne for 50 faithful years in gospel music.

The Cathedrals Farewell

In 1999, George Younce was suffering from kidney failure, and his heart was too weak for a kidney transplant. He was put on dialysis, and was noticeably paler and thinner on the Gaither videos. George and Glen decided it was time for the Cathedrals to retire. They had decided to do a farewell tour of selected concerts, as George's health allowed. Bill Gaither wanted to do a Cathedrals Farewell Celebration video. The video is a great example of the Cathedrals stage style, and was highlighted by George's hilarious emcee job. They were joined on the video by The Statler Brothers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Sandi Patty, Guy Penrod, and Bill Gaither himself. In the late summer of 1999, Glen Payne was diagnosed with liver cancer. It was a shock to everyone, as George Younce's health was the reason the Cathedrals were retiring. Roger Bennett filled in as lead vocalist in Glen's absence. Glen was in Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, TN when the Cathedrals traveled to the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. Much to the surprise of the audience, he made a special appearance, over the phone from his hospital room, with a stirring rendition of "I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone." It would be his last public performance, as he died almost two months later. The final Cathedrals concert was held where it all started for the group, in Akron, OH.

After The Cathedrals

George recovered from his health problems enough to continue to appear on some more Homecoming videos, contributing a memorable version of the old Statesmen quartet song "Up Above My Head" with former Statesemen lead singer Jake Hess. Later George, Jake, Ernie Haase, and singer Wesley Pritchard formed "The Old Friends Quartet" with the help of Bill Gaither. They recorded two albums, and did a concert video for the Gaither Homecoming series. George and Jake's poor health brought an end to the Old Friends a couple of years later. In 2000, former Cathedrals Scott Fowler and Roger Bennett formed the popular traditional Southern Gospel group Legacy Five. In 2003, tenor singer Ernie Haase(with the help of George Younce) put together Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, one of the most popular new groups, and joined the Gaither Homecoming Tour as a featured quartet. After leaving The Cathedrals, Mark Trammell joined another legendary group, Gold City. He left Gold City in 2002 to form the Mark Trammell Trio. Gerald Wolfe formed and sings lead with Greater Vision. Kirk Talley, after leaving the Cathedrals, formed the Talley Trio, and now has a successful solo career. On April 11, 2005, George Younce passed away. The Cathedrals are still seen on reruns of old Homecoming videos, and their albums are still selling. The Cathedral Quartet has left a rich legacy in Southern Gospel Music, and will not soon be forgotten.