Doc Horsley began dreaming in 1987 about creating a four part harmony gospel quartet and never imagined how the good Lord would bless these many years of quartet travels. Doc's lifetime of gospel music experience includes 36 recordings from Nashville with the Travelers, the Proverbs, the Glorylanders, and 20 with Fortress which he created in 1988. Doc has recently released a collection of all bass features on all of these recordings. It is entitled "40 years of bass singing" and contains 53 tunes on a two CD set. Doc won bass singer of the year, gospel D.J. of the year, and is a published songwriter with BMI-Nashville, while writing several chapters on U.S. gospel music history for national publishers. Doc has been a gospel DJ. In 1984, he created the Illinois State Gospel music new talent show where 12-15 gospel quartets and 25 soloists appeared annually. While his wife Marilyn, his children & grandchildren are his passion, FORTRESS has been his ministry. Through the years many outstanding individuals shared the stage making this ministry one of the best. See History section..As the MC, Doc prays for strength to carry the Lord's music to a lost and dying world. Doc's features--- Just a little Talk with Jesus, Walking & Talking with My Lord, Jesus made a Believer out of me, God Made a Way & You gotta walk that lonesome road . Doc & Marilyn have four adult children --son-Tim Horsley of Nashville TN, daughter-Andrea Hancock & granddaughter-Leslie of Carterville IL, daughter Diana Bailey and grandson Grant of Perryville MO., and son Mitch Regenhardt of Phoenix, AZ.

After 10 years away from Fortress, Joey Rhodes has returned. Doc & Joey have been friends for more than 20 yrs and it is good to have them together. Also, Joey is excited about travelling with Doc & Fortress and prays that our concert tour will be a blessing to old and new friends. Joey is an accomplished musician as well as a singer & songwriter, writing dozens of songs for years with many recorded by Fortress and others. He and Rhonda live near Carlyle Lake. Both are ordained with ECA and Joey has been in solo music evangelism for the past 10 years. . They are members of the Fouts Christian near Centralia and have two married children--Shaun & wife, and Tiffany & husband & seven grandchilren. Joey is featured on O What a Savior, Glory Road, Keep Praying, He's A Personal Savior, He's All I need. His return is a blessing for Fortress & his friends in the music business ... Email Joey@JoeyRhodes.com

Greg Flanigan of Centralia is the lead vocal for Fortress. Greg carries years of singing experience, recording and studio work with a strong Christian faith and love of his Lord. He is blessed with strong vocals, a clean clear expression and a glorious sense of humor. Greg and his wife Vineta have fifteen grandchildren and one great grand daughter and enjoy them as well as a strong participation in the Fouts Christian Church. Greg travelled extensively as a rock/roll singer/musician and his stage presence builds on that training. We are proud to add Greg to our stage program. He is featured on What a Lovely Name, Tell me the story of Jesus, Just a closer walk with thee, O What a Price & He Locked the Gates . He can be emailed at ::: gvflan@att.net

FORTRESS' baritone is Jerry Tomlinson of Sikeston Mo. Jerry & his wife Joyce live in the Blodgett neighborhood. They have two -sons Robert & Thomas--wives Sherry & Jessica. There 3 grandchildren-Ryan, Annie & Caroline are granddad's joy. Jerry is a man with years of experience travelling and singing with folks like Barney Barrow, Finis Barr, Foggy River Boys, Tommy Fairchild of the Oak Ridge & Blackwood Bros as well as Reunion Qt., and Southern Tradition with Bill Schell & Ralph Green.As a preteen he sang with his family the Ray Family on radio in Cairo IL. Although from Missouri, Jerry has spent much of his gospel singing travels with Illinois based groups. He loves 4 part harmony & is an outstanding pianist and arranger. His powerful God-given baritone vocals drive the blend & harmony of Fortress. He is featured on "Home is where the heart is, I Met the Master, When I get carried away, & Cheer the Weary Traveler. Thanks man for bringing God's talents to us.
Email --tomlinsonjerry@hotmail.com