The Marksmen Quartet and the Troy Burns Family are performing Friday, July 7, at Sacred Sounds in Patriot Hall, 320 Emberson St., in Ringgold, Ga. at 7:30 p.m. Admission is a $10 donation to the Share America Foundation, which promotes interest in traditional Appalachian music among today’s youth. Randall Franks will emcee the concert.
Over a period of 30 years, The Marksmen have become one of the top bluegrass gospel groups in the nation. In 1991, The Marksmen won Video of the Year at the Independent Country Awards for their production of “Grandpa Was a Farmer.” They received a Telly Award for their video of “Wagon Tracks” in 1992. In 1993, ’94 and ’95, they were named Bluegrass/Gospel Group of the Year at the National Bluegrass Awards.
Their song “Love Letters In The Sand” was No. 1 on the Christian Voice Country Gospel Charts, and “Sound the Battle Cry” was No. 1 on the Singing News Bluegrass Gospel Chart. The Marksmen also have been inducted into the Lone Star State Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Texas.
The Troy Burns Family from Bryson City, N.C., is the trio of husband-and-wife Troy and Tammy Burns with Shane Mathis.
Troy Burns was a founding member and lead singer of The Inspirations, performing with them for more than 30 years. In addition to singing with the trio, he is lead singer of Archie Watkins & Smokey Mountain Reunion.