 Mark Trammell |
TimelineSenators Bass Guitar/Lead (August 17, 1974 - August 1, 1976) |
Mark Trammell (May 11, 1959 -)
Biography
Mark Trammell was the youngest in a family of four boys. His father was a bi-vocational pastor/plumber in central Arkansas. He discovered his love for gospel music watching the Gospel Singing Jubilee television program on Sunday mornings when he was still a toddler. He later followed in the footsteps of his brother Jerry Trammell who sang tenor with the Florida Boys and other groups.
Trammell began his career with local groups called New Horizon and The Arkansas Boys. His first professional position came at the age of 15 in the summer of 1974 with the Senators. He had joined the group to play bass guitar but was thrust into the lead singing position on his very first weekend out due to the sudden departure of Gary Timbs. In 1976, Trammell, still a member of the Senators, performed for a few months with Jim Hamill who was taking a break from the Kingsmen.
Trammell left the Senators in August of 1976. He filled in playing bass guitar with the Florida Boys where his brother Jerry was still singing tenor. Despite his busy schedule, he was able to complete high school in 1977. That summer, he performed briefly with the Southmen Quartet which was his first experience singing with bass singer Tim Riley.
His connection with Jim Hamill led to Trammell joining the Kingsmen Quartet in 1978 to play bass guitar. For a short period in 1979 between the departure of Squire Parsons and the arrival of Wayne Maynard, he also sang baritone for the Kingsmen.
In 1980, Trammell was hired to sing baritone and play bass guitar for the Cathedral Quartet, replacing Steve Lee. He would remain with the Cathedrals for the next decade.
Trammell left the Cathedrals in 1990 to form the group Greater Vision with another Cathedrals alumnus, Gerald Wolfe, and Chris Allman.
He left Greater Vision in 1993 and joined Gold City where he remained for another ten years re-united with group owner Tim Riley.
In 2003, Trammell formed the Mark Trammell Trio which became the Mark Trammell Quartet a few years later with the addition of bass singer Pat Barker. After a few years, his son Nick Trammell began singing lead with the group.
In 2014, Trammell, Barker, and Greater Vision members Gerald Wolfe, Rodney Griffin, and Chris Allman began making special appearances billed as the Second-Half Quartet. The group was typically billed as a bonus act at events where Greater Vision and the Mark Trammell Quartet were also scheduled to perform. This "super group" released two albums and made regular appearances until 2018 after which their appearances were more limited.
Trammell is also a songwriter with compositions recorded by several Southern Gospel artists.
Awards
Singing News Fan Awards:
Favorite Baritone (1983, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023)
Southern Gospel Music Association Hall Of Fame (2018)
Solo Discography
hi-res
2003 Treasures Of The Heart, Volume One (Crossbridge Music/CBD0302): Great Is Thy Faithfulness; Does Jesus Care; Heaven Came Down; It Is Well With My Soul; Jesus Paid It All; He Keeps Me Singing; Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus; Until Then; I'd Rather Have Jesus; No One Ever Cared So Much For Me.
hi-res
2007 Treasures Of The Heart, Volume Two (Custom Records/CD0976): Since Jesus Came Into My Heart; Jesus Medley; Holy Holy Holy; Just Over In The Gloryland; God Leads Us Along; Saved Saved; How Great Thou Art; Softly And Tenderly; Count Your Blessings; Only Trust Him.
hi-res
2008 Peace On Earth (Three Angels Broadcasting Network/3ABN032-2): There's A Song In The Air - Medley: There's A Song In The Air/Away In The Manger/What Child Is This; I Wonder As I Wander; Go Tell It On The Mountain; Let There Be Peace On Earth; Angels From The Realms Of Glory; O Come, O Come Emmanuel; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; Come Thou Long Expected Jesus; Do You Hear What I Hear; Tell Me The Story Of Jesus.
Songwriter's Résumé
(Partial List)
He's My Lord
How Unworthy I Am
What Will You Do For Jesus
When I Stand In The Presence