Martin Cook, a former piano player for the Kingsmen and a chemistry teacher at Swain High School in Bryson City, NC, formed the Inspirations in 1964 with several of his teenage students: Archie Watkins, Ronnie Hutchins, Jack Laws and Dean Robinson. The Inspirations became full-time in 1969, a year after hosting their first “Singing In The Smokies” event. Bass singer Mike Holcomb joined them in 1972 as the Inspirations rose to national attention with a number of hit songs.
The Inspirations continued to present concerts with a traditional style and a conservative image in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Songs like “Cry For The Children” and “We Need To Thank God” resounded strongly with Christian conservatives and fans of traditional gospel music. For most of the 2000s, the members of the Inspirations were Archie Watkins, Matt Dibler, Melton Campbell, Mike Holcomb, Martin Cook and Myron Cook. The Inspirations returned to the top position on the Singing News chart in 2002 after a 26-year absence with “I’ll Not Turn My Back On Him Now.” “I Have Not Forgotten” (April 2007) and “If You Only Knew” (November 2007) were also number one songs for the Inspirations during the 2000s.
In early 2017, original pianist, manager, emcee, and co-owner Martin Cook retired from the Inspirations. Cook’s stint with the group spanned some 53 years. Bass singer Joe Brown departed at the same time as Cook. Original Inspirations tenor Archie Watkins became the new owner and manager of the group. The other members of Watkins’ group, Smoky Mountain Reunion (all former Inspirations), were blended with the current group giving them seven singers in total. Utility musician Luke Vaught assumed piano duties.
After the departure of lead singer Matt Dibler in 2018, Roland Kesterson moved back to a primary singing role filling the lead position. Around the same time, former Chuck Wagon Gang bass singer Wyatt Austin was hired to play bass guitar and occasionally be featured on bass vocals.
In mid-2020 after several months not touring due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Inspirations announced the younger group members (Luke Vaught, Roland Kesterson, and Wyatt Austin) would resume traveling and were joined by tenor singer Isaac Moore. Vaught began pulling double duty playing piano and singing baritone while Austin became the group’s full-time bass singer. Concert promoters consequently began introducing the revamped lineup as the Young Inspirations.
You may also like the following events from Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts:
- This Friday, 27th June, 07:00 pm, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown in Franklin
- This Saturday, 28th June, 07:00 pm, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown in Franklin
- Next month, 11th July, 07:00 pm, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown in Franklin
Also check out other
Music events in Franklin,
Entertainment events in Franklin,
Concerts in Franklin.
