The Perrys
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Perrys | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Origin | Dawsonville, GA, USA (now Morristown, TN, USA |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Genres | Southern Gospel |
| Labels | Morning Star Records Daywind Records |
| Members | Libbi Perry-Stuffle, Alto/manager; Tracy Stuffle, Bass; Joseph Habedank, Lead; Nic Trammell, Baritone; Matthew Holt, pianist |
| Past members | Randy Perry, lead Debbie Perry, soprano Denise Helton, soprano Barry Scott, lead Loren Harris, lead Nicole Watts, soprano Mike Bowling, lead David Hill, lead Tracey Phillips, pianist Chuck Trivett, pianist |
| Website(s) | www.perrysministries.com |
The Perrys are a professional Southern Gospel quartet based in Morristown, TN.
The group formed on December 25, 1970 with Randy Perry and his sisters Debbie and Libbi in Georgia. In the mid-80's, the group signed with former pianist for the Happy Goodman Family, Eddie Crook on his, then new, Morning Star Records label. Also during this time Libbi met and married Tracy Stuffle who would become the group's bass singer.
Eventually Debbie left the group to raise a family and the Perrys were joined by soprano singer Denise Helton. During this time the Perrys experienced enormous growth in their popularity with such songs as "I Remember The Day", "I'll Go On", "This Is Just What Heaven Means To Me" (a remake of a classic Happy Goodman Family song) and "The Rock of Ages".
In the mid-90's, shortly after the release of the very popular "Grace" album, Randy Perry left the road to concentrate more on evangelistic work and Denise Helton would also leave the group to pursue other ventures. Nicole Watts and Barry Scott would come in to fill these spots. Barry Scott soon left the group and was replaced by Mike Bowling, a former member of the New Hinsons. During this time the group recorded many hit singles and also garnished their first number one song on the Singing News charts, "By Faith I Can Touch Him Now".
In time, Nicole would leave to start her own solo career and Mike would also leave to join with the Crabb Family and also pursue his own solo career. This time marked a turning point for the Perrys.
Having always been a quartet consisting of two females and two males, the group was faced with a decision that many had been anticipating for some time. The group decided to not fill the position of Nicole Watts with another soprano but to turn that position over to a male. The group has since became a 3 male, one female group and has gained very high status in the southern gospel community.
Fans and the Southern Gospel Music industry showed the Perrys support for their hard work by honoring them Singing News Fan Awards for the 2004, 2005, and 2006 Mixed Quartet Of The Year. Libbi Perry Stuffle was voted Singing News Fan Awards for the 2005 Female Vocalist and Alto Singer Of The Year and the 2006 Alto Singer of the Year. The Perrys were also awarded the Singing News Fan Award for Album of the Year in 2006 for their album Remembering the Happy Goodmans. Also, the Perrys were honored by the Harmony Honors Awards with the 2004 Song Of The Year, “I Wish I Could Have Been There,” and 2004 Album Of The Year, This Is The Day.
In August of 2006 it was announced that longtime lead singer, Loren Harris, had resigned his position with the group in order to spend more time at home with his family. The decision was made by The Perrys to move Joseph Habedank to the vacant lead position and bring in Nic Trammell to fill the baritone spot.
