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Nick Trammell – In Conversation

Editor-in-Chief Chris Unthank got to do a brief Q&A with the Mark Trammell Quartet’s Nick Trammell this month. Check it out!

Chris Unthank: For those of you who aren’t familiar with your ministry, tell us who you are and give us a history of your involvement within Gospel music.

Nick Trammell: I have never not been around Gospel Music. I was born in Akron, Ohio in 1984 while my dad (Mark Trammell) was with the Cathedral Quartet. When I was 6, he left the Cathedrals to start Greater Vision with Gerald Wolfe in Morristown, Tennessee. When I was 9, he joined Gold City in Gadsden, Alabama. When I was 18, he started what is now the Mark Trammell Quartet. I was blessed to grow up around some of the best men to ever step on a stage. Growing up, I always loved it, but I never knew if I would have a chance to be involved myself.   In 2006 , Tracy and Libbi Stuffle gave me the opportunity to climb on their bus and sing baritone like I had grown up watching my dad do. It was a dream come true, and I will always be thankful to them for giving me my start. I married the most beautiful woman in the world, my wife Jessica, on December 6, 2008. In February of 2009, I left The Perrys and wound up finishing college before traveling with my wife’s family, The Browns. In August of 2012, Dad called me and said Dustin Sweatman was going to be leaving the group. He asked if I would be interested in taking his place. For five years now, I’ve been one the road with dad, along with some of the finest men traveling today, singing Gospel Music!

CU: Tell us about your family.

NT: My wife Jessica and I have two awesome kids. Tessa Nichole is 5 and is Daddy’s girl. Charlie is 2 and is my little sidekick. I’m blessed with a beautiful family!

CU: How is ministry different now that you’ve experienced singing with your father as compared to other groups?

NT: The goal has always been the same no matter what group I’ve been with: that’s to encourage people and point them to Jesus no matter what situation they face. I feel more “at home,” I guess you could say, standing beside dad every night. He never has a set song list and just lets the spirit lead what direction we go in from night to night. It’s always cool to have someone come up afterwards and say they really needed to hear “that song.” Usually, it’s the song we wouldn’t normally do.

CU: Describe a day in your life on the road. What are your responsibilities with the Mark Trammell Quartet?

NT: We have a great team of guys on our bus. Set responsibilities for each person are rarely discussed because everyone just pitches in and does whatever needs to be done. Blake, Trevor and I set up the sound. Randy handles the product table. Dad does all the important stuff!

We usually are all up by around 10-ish on a normal day. We will all get showers and go to a mall or somewhere for lunch. Depending on the area we are in, we have our favorite regional restaurants we will seek out. Three hours before start time we will get to the venue and set up.

CU: You’re also a sought after songwriter. Tell us about your history with the craft and how you got started.

NT: I’ve only written a few songs that have actually been recorded. The Perrys were kind enough to let me put one of mine on the recording I did with them. Looking back I think they were just being nice! I’ve had a co-write for the Inspirations called “Why We Came Here”. I’ve had several cuts with The Browns since I kind of have an in there! So far a couple for MTQ, but I’m working on more. Pat Barker most recently recorded the first song I was privileged to write with Dianne Wilkinson, called “Just Yesterday”.

CU: How much writing do you currently do?

NT: It comes and goes for me. With our travel schedule and family time at home, it’s hard to find the time to write. I’ll have notes in my phone that I’ll keep for a year or two until I get around to writing or finishing a song.

CU: What’s coming down the road for the Mark Trammell Quartet?

NT: We have just hired a new piano player, 19 year old Trevor Conkle. I’m excited to add an extra element of live music to what we do, so be looking for that. We just finished a new album called Great Moments that will be released in September. We are also still doing a heavy rotation of Second Half Quartet and Gospel Music Hymn Sing dates. If any of these events come to your area, you don’t want to miss them!

CU: What has God been teaching you lately?

Patience and Trust. I depend on myself and my abilities (or lack thereof)  way too much. Even though I’ve seen him work first hand, I’m still guilty of trying to do things and make decisions myself without just waiting and trusting that in His time, His will can bring perfect peace.

You can find out more about Nick by visiting the Mark Trammell Quartet at www.marktrammellministries.com.

Chris Unthank

Chris Unthank is a seasoned veteran of Gospel music, having been a writer, performer, songwriter, and general music enthusiast for over two decades. He has been the Editor-In-Chief for AbsolutelyGospel.com since since January 2011. Chris is an avid fan of all things nerdy and resides in Murfreesboro, TN with his wife Noel and their four children.
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