Doc
Horsley, Joey Rhodes, Greg Flanigan & Jerry Tomlinson comprise the gospel quartet--FORTRESS. They
follow a long legacy of outstanding singers who have worked
with Doc for 21 years. Fortress started in August of 1988 when Doc called
three friends and formed a southern gospel quartet. First Jeff
Dunford, then Jerry Piper &
Joey Rhodes. Duane Jackson replaced Jeff as tenor after
Jeff's son was born and Jerry decided to leave to sing with
his wife. Duane, Joey, and Doc worked as a team for several
years even though the baritone changed from Tom Pigford to Terry
Sprague. With Terry FORTRESS recorded three times with Sonlite Music
of Nashville, and three times with Mark V Music of Nashville.
Doc continued as bass and manager through those years until
Duane's job moved him in late 1997.
Terry wanted to travel as a soloist, & Joey travelled as a solo ministry. So Fortress reorganized
with new members. Garry Roach & Paul Lowe. Even though the baritone slot changed from
Leon Phillips to Mylon Hulsey, Doc, Paul and Garry were the
heart of this edition of Fortress until 2001.
Those members recorded four times together with Garry Jones
of Nashville producing and arranging. But Mylon left to
marry, Garry moved to Florida for work, and Paul joined the
Shilohs as tenor for less traveling. So FORTRESS in 2001 was Doc as
manager and bass, Roger Crews at tenor, David Null on lead and
Adam Cannon-baritone. We celebrated an anniversary in 2003 with GOLD CITY in the newly rebuilt Marion Civic Center. While Deon Baker and John Nimmo filled in a few months neither stayed very long. Fortress 14th & 15th
CD were released by Garry
Jones Music. Fortress single
from this CD was My Savior's Face written by
Marilyn Horsley.
The 16th & 17th Cds were released with Bill Schell producing. Then for a few months in 2006-three young guys Elijah, Josh and Jay filled in to continue the great quartet harmony. But in 2008 a new set of Joey Rhodes, Greg Flanigan & Jerry Tomlinson joined with Doc Their new CD-entitled Gospel Blend is now available.
What a super gospel tour for Fortress in these 21 years. As manager/owner
of FORTRESS, I confess that I have
been more blessed to have traveled and sung with men of such
great musical talent than they. We have enjoyed
great events/concerts including singing for the Illinois
governor, for the Illinois State Fair, Illinois Soil/Water Agency Convention, Illinois Farm Burea, Trinity Broadcasting,
dozens of county fairs and festivals, opening for nearly every national
quartet in the USA including the Isaacs, Easters, Gold City, Cathedrals,
Kingdom Heirs, JD & Stamps, Statesmen, Steeles, Down East, Florida Boys, Blackwoods, Kingsmen, &
many others. Every member has had real dedication to the work
while they traveled with FORTRESS but some
drove major miles to travel and practice – especially Jerry, Duane,
Tom, Joey, Greg, Paul and Mylon. That adds another
dimension to one's dedication to sing for the Lord. Jerry Piper
and Joey Rhodes' dedication and committment required hours of
driving and still they wrote great songs for Fortress.
Traveling thousands of miles late into the night and
early in the mornings requires members who have a sense of humor
and a cooperative spirit. The real "crazies" were
Jeff, Duane, & Terry who gave every ounce
of their being to make the sound and stage program the very
best in order that my MC work looked good.
Thanks also for the long lasting friendships within the members
which will never be lost just because members had to move on
to other venues. Thanks especially for God given & natural talent
among the superior voices of past members. So after all these
years of traveling from Dallas to Detroit to DesMoines and everywhere in
between, Fortress continues its ministry of
carrying gospel music to the lost and wounded in this world.
Our travels and concerts would be of no value without the loving
and wonderful support of our wives. To Marilyn Horsley, Penny
Dunford, Lonnie Piper, Rhonda Rhodes, Dawn Roach, Shara Sprague, Cindy Lowe,
Anita Jackson, Darlene Crews, Vineta Flannigan, & Joyce Tomlinson, & to all of the short term guys' wives-- I say thanks. Today's singing members are highly
skilled, fully dedicated men who want to proclaim His
music for the wounded souls not yet in His fold. Our friends
of years past will be truly blessed to hear the new members along with DOC on low bass
as they carry the message to the world. Channel 6 in Paducah
KY has used FORTRESS on its telethon of stars
for several years. . Fortress is now in its 21th year.. WOW thanks
to all.
SO WHERE ARE THEY TODAY::
1989-2009 ((# indicates number of releases with Fortress))
ROGER CREWS-tenor extraordinaire serving his church as youth leader-good luck buddy((3))
TERRY SPRAGUE-baritone
in 1990s & fill in many times--died tragically on April 22, 2007 in
............a motorcycle accident while his wife Shara survived. Singer Extraordinaire ((4))
ADAM CANNON-baritone 2001-2006 is travelling full time with Hissong in gospel music. Lives
.............in Nashville, TN. Married March 08 new baby boy May 09 ((3))
DUANE JACKSON-tenor in 1990s--lives in Murfreesboro
TN/manages industrial engineering
.............sings in church choir--two children-- boy & girl ((6))
JERRY PIPER--original baritone--1989--music director, songwriter/ teacher of music & art in
.................... Oklahoma City.((1))
JEFF DUNFORD--original tenor--1989--manager of QM Bearings equipment supplier
&
............. enjoys his grown son.((1))
PAUL LOWE-- tenor 1998-2000 is now a US postmaster
with 3 teenagers to follow/support-- ..............sings in church choir((3))
GARY ROACH--lead 1998-2000 is a construction company
owner, a new church deacon &
..............a new first time GRAND DAD-YEH((3))
DAVID NULL--manages his church's radio station and video/tape ministry;lives in Marion((3))
JAY ARVIEW--soloist, songleader is going to school & working Good luck Buddy((0))
.....................................SHORT TERM SINGERS.................................................................
JOHN NIMMO-fill in at lead in 2006.
TOM PIGFORD--living in Sparta IL,
MYLON HULSEY- two sons. He will be a great father
CHRIS SPRAGUE-fill in at lead in fall of 2007
DEON BAKER--fill in at lead in 2005. Gods blessing brother
ELIJAH BARNFIELD--spring 2007 lead & wedded in 08
JOSH MADDOX-great talent at tenor in 2007
CHRIS HUDDLESTON-fill in tenor for a few weeks
JOSEPH WRIGHT-fill in at baritone for a few weeks
