Bios

"Sing to the Lord a new song . . ." Is 42:10 We developed a love for gospel music early in life and honed our individual skills by listening to The Statesmen Quartet, The Cathedrals, and others of that fine caliber. Scott Bush and Tommy Watley began singing when they were five years old. Lloyd McKemy has been playing the piano since he was seven years old. Anthony Morrison began singing in his teens, and Jeff began singing when he was 17.. Each of us brought to TPQ a multitude of experience amassed from time spent in other groups and created a unique bond and blending of voices. Jeff has sung with the Bibletones, the Rapture Quartet, Gloryland, and Southern Praise. Anthony has sung with The Cornerstone Quartet, Jordan River Quartet, Common Garments, Men of Grace, and The Jordans. Lloyd has played piano for The Gilmores, The Brown Brothers, and The Seekers. Tommy has sung with The Regents, The Harvesters, and London Paris and the Apostles and traveled with The Gaithers and Jake Hess. Today, we are the strongest and best we have ever been. The night God brought our tenor singer to us on April 14, 2005, we felt God’s anointing on our group. We had that same experience on January 29, 2012 when God blessed us with our new bass singer, Jeff Lanier. In both cases, we knew God had sent these particular men to us but understood that they needed to feel that conviction, too. When each confirmed at that time that he shared our belief that God had brought him to our group, we began to pray, taking turns to praise and thank God for what He had created that night. Since then, every rehearsal is like a trip to the altar. We feel God in our midst in an extraordinary way. We live by our honor, integrity, and character. We deeply love our Lord, His churches, our wives and families, and each other. Our music ministry is more than a series of actions we perform when we stand before an audience; it is a vital part of our daily lives. We take the responsibility of our God-given talents seriously and have a glorious time expressing our love for our Lord. We long to draw our listeners close to the heart of God. We yearn to lead the hurting and the lost to the One who can heal and save.

Tommy Watley (Lead) I started singing specials in church at age five and realized then that gospel singing would always be an important part of my life. As a pre-teen, I claimed to be saved but realized during my early twenty’s that I had not dedicated my life fully to the Lord. I was saved and baptized in June 1972. When I was twenty-five, I started singing in quartets such as The Regents, The Harvesters, London Paris and the Apostles, and others. I traveled and sang and made friends with many professionals in the field such as Jake Hess, George Younce, and the Happy Goodman Family. I traveled with the Gaither’s for more than three years. During that time, I filled in for many singers in well-established groups that I had followed and listened to as a child. Throughout my career, I have sung various parts. I currently sing lead. In the early 90’s, I re-established The Proclaimers Quartet. The members have changed through the years, but the focus of the group has remained the same—to sing for the glory of God and to bring listeners closer to the Lord and lead some to accept Christ as their savior. My wife Morgan and I have three children and six grandchildren. We reside in Columbus, GA.

Scott Bush (Tenor) I have loved music all my life and have been singing solos since I was five years old. I was born in Dothan, Alabama and was saved at age twelve. I attend Lakewood Baptist Church in Phenix City, Alabama where I am a choir member. I also play tuba in the orchestra. My wife Diane and I have three children. I joined The Proclaimers Quartet in early 2005 and am eager to see what God has in store for us. I know the power of God-anointed music and pray that my talents will be used to draw others to God.

Lloyd McKemy (Keyboard) My exposure to Southern Gospel Music began when I was only two years old. I began playing the piano at the age of seven. I was saved at age nine during a Vacation Bible School in Austin, Texas. In high school, I played in a rock-n-roll band. In 1964, I joined the United States Air Force and continued to play piano in a country music band. As I grew older, the Lord dealt with me about my music. I promised God that I would never use my music for any purpose other than to serve Him. I began playing gospel music thirty-five years ago when my keyboard and I joined the Gospel Singing Gilmores. I spent five years with the Brown Brothers Quartet from Valley, Alabama. I joined The Seekers in late 2002. I became part of The Proclaimers Quartet in early 2005. My wife Leda and I live in Eufaula, Alabama. We have been married for thirty-eight years and have three children and five grandchildren.

Anthony S. Morrison (Baritone) I have been involved with Southern Gospel Music since early childhood. I grew up watching my dad sing along with recordings by The Stamps, The Statesmen, The Blackwood Brothers, The Speers, The Blue Ridge Quartet, and all the other "old timers." The quartet style music has remained my preference. When I was a teenager I sang with The Cornerstone Quartet of Columbus. I have sung different parts with various groups, including The Jordan River Quartet, Common Garments, The Men of Grace, and The Jordans. In 1994, I joined The Proclaimers Quartet as a bass singer and enjoyed two tenures with the quartet. I have now moved to the baritone part as The Proclaimers Quartet takes to the road again. I was saved at the age of five, and I believe that living a consistent Christian life greatly influences others to move closer to Christ. I also feel that a musician’s love for the Lord must be reflected not only in his music but also in his daily life. My wife Kimberly and I have three children and live in Columbus, GA.

Jeff Lanier (Bass) I was saved when I was 17 years old and began singing that same year. I have sung with the Bibletones, the Rapture Quartet, Gloryland, and Southern Praise. My favorite Bible verses are Isaiah 12: 1–6. I was Minister of Music for 21 years at Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church in Titus, AL. I have been married 24 years to my lovely wife Teresa, who is my favorite cook, my best friend, and the love of my life. I could not make it without Teresa. We are members of Santuck Baptist Church in Wetumpka, AL. We have two fine sons, Joshua and Joseph, and a precious grandchild, Madison Grace.