The Blackwood Brothers Quartet was formed in 1934 in the hills of Mississippi. Roy, Doyle, James, and Roy's oldest son, R. W. Blackwood were the original members. The group sang in churches, on the radio, and in schoolhouses all around Mississippi. Their dedication and effort to spread the gospel in song has left a great heritage and blessed the lives of many people. Since that early formation, the group has won countless awards, sang thousands of concerts, and appeared on many television shows. The dedication of Roy, Doyle, James, and R. W. Blackwood continues today through the hearts and lives of the Blackwood Gospel Quartet. The group is now based in Knoxville, Tennessee. They still sing the traditional close harmony quartet style music the Blackwoods are famous for. Mark Blackwood started singing when he was nine years old with the Blackwood Little Brothers. Mark is the baritone singer for the Blackwood Gospel Quartet. He has won two Grammy awards for recordings he produced for the Blackwood Brothers Quartet. Mark is the son of the late Cecil Blackwood, who was the baritone for the group for forty-six years. Mark traveled with his dad in the Blackwood Brothers Quartet for many years. Mark is the grandson of Roy Blackwood and the great nephew of James and Doyle Blackwood. Mark was born and raised in Memphis but now lives in Knoxville, TN with his wife, Jennifer, and their three year old son, Jamison. Bryan Hutson has been involved in gospel music all his life. Bryan got his start in Batesville, IN with a group he started with his brother called the New Generation. Bryan most recently sang lead with the Kingsmen Quartet for five years where he won the Singing News Favorite Horizon Artist Fan Award. Bryan then took a few years off the road to serve as a worship leader. Bryan has a 13 year old son named Jordan. Burman Porter is a powerful bass singer who is a fan favorite. Burman was one of the original members of the Dove Brothers Quartet where he became popular with his signature songs Get Away Jordon and Operator. Burman has been nominated as one of the top five favorite bass singers by the Singing News Fan Awards. Burman has lived in Bladenboro, NC all his life until his recent move to Knoxville, TN with his wife Robin and his girls Veronica, Ashley, and Jessica. Jonathan Sawrie sings and plays the piano with the quartet part time. Jonathan has an incredible, smooth voice. Jonathan is best known for his long tenure with the Melody Boys Quartet. Jonathan is one of the funniest guys you will ever meet. Jonathan lives Greenbrier, Arkansas with his wife and his 2 boys. Derrick Boyd is the tenor for the Blackwood Gospel Quartet. Derrick has been involved in gospel music for many years. He was with the Dixie Melody Boys for years and was most recently with the Carolina Boys. Derrick has been nominated three times for best tenor in the Singing News fan awards. Derrick and his wife Barbara live in the Nashville area with their son, Presley. Cecil Blackwood passed away November 13, 2000. After Cecil's passing, James Blackwood, who was at the time the only living original member of the Blackwood Brothers, decided to retire the name Blackwood Brothers. In February of 2002, James went to be with the Lord. Mark Blackwood now continues the legacy of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet through the Blackwood Gospel Quartet. The Blackwood Gospel Quartet does not take their heritage in gospel music lightly, nor the responsibility of integrity that goes with it. It is the sincere desire of the Blackwood Gospel Quartet that the people who hear them will be moved to a deep spiritual commitment and give all the glory to the Lord Jesus.