Joe Ayers - Tenor  

Joe’s love for Southern Gospel music began in the 1950’s in Shreveport, Louisiana where he grew up listening to the Blackwood Brothers, Statesmen, Plainsmen, and Cathedral Quartets. His father was an Assembly of God pastor who built many churches in Louisiana, and he also was a mentor for his young son. So Joe had the opportunity to hone his singing talents in church. His mom and dad were also key figures in the direction of his spiritual life. Ms. Martha Clancy, a beloved Choir Director of Lakeshore Baptist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana was responsible for guiding and training Joe’s smooth tenor voice.

Listening to quartet music, as well as singing those old hymns, gave Joe a burning lifelong dream of actually singing in a Southern Gospel Quartet. This dream became a reality for Joe in 1996, when Southern Grace was born, and Joe became a charter member.

Joe is also very active in Sunday school and the Sanctuary Choir at his home church, First Baptist, Texarkana, TX where he is also a deacon.

Joe is retired from JCPenney, where he was employed for 34 years.

Donald Peace - Bass Guitar  

Don grew to love gospel music by singing from the Heavenly Highway Hymnal at First Assembly of God church in DeKalb, TX.  His passion for four-part harmony grew even stronger when he attended his first concert with The Statesmen, Blackwood Brothers and Oak Ridge Boys.  His lifelong dream of singing gospel music was fulfilled in 1996 when he became a charter member of Southern Grace Quartet where he sang baritone for ten years.  Then in 2006 Don decided to retire from singing and he regained his passion which is playing bass guitar.  

For several years Don played bass in a country band where he opened for numerous country stars. After several years, realizing that he was out of the Lord’s will, he surrendered to God’s call and left the secular music world. His love for music still pulled at his heart’s strings, so he became very involved with the choir at First Baptist Church, Texarkana, TX. Then, in 2006 Don moved to Atlanta, TX, to be near his grandchildren.  He quickly became involved in the music ministry at First Baptist Church, Atlanta, TX.  where he now plays bass guitar for the adult choir and orchestra whenever he's not out with the quartet.

According to Don, the difference in this group and all the others that he had been associated with is that now "It’s all about God and singing His praise and not about the group". The Lord has blessed Southern Grace in more ways than anyone could ever imagine. To God be the glory!

In 1995 Don retired from the Federal Government and also from the United States Army Reserve where he had achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Music has always been a part of Chip Bricker’s life. He has played piano and bass for a great number of the country music stars. However, he realized that life on the road was really tough. He also realized that this was not the way the Lord wanted him to use his God-given talents. Chip still receives requests on a regular basis to participate in special venues, i.e. Country Gospel Music Awards Show in Nashville, Tennessee and the Miss Arkansas pageant in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Chip is one of the most talented musicians you will ever find. He plays several musical instruments, but piano and bass are his specialties. Chip has also been voted, 2007 musician of the year, by The Agape Music Association.  He is the owner of S.M.A.R.T. recording studios in Texarkana and has engineered and produced all of Southern Grace Quartet’s projects. In January 1998, when they needed a pianist, Chip was the first person that the group called. Thankfully he accepted and the group has continued to excel in leading worship for churches of all faiths.

2007 Musician of the Year, Agape Music Awards.

 

Lead  

Mark’s love of Southern Gospel music began in the early 1980’s.  While at a Cathedral Quartet concert in Tyler, TX, the Lord inspired him to begin to pursue this love.  With another member of Highland Park Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, TX, he became a founding member of the Highland Heirs Quartet.  He has enjoyed sharing performances with The Greens, The Chuck Wagon Gang, Greater Vision, The Talley’s, The Florida Boys, J. D. Sumner & The Stamps, and with his favorite Southern Gospel group, The Cathedral Quartet.  The Highland Heirs were also blessed to become the host group of a television program, Quartet Corner.  The Highland Heirs ministered in the Northeast Texas region for approximately eight years. 

The Lord has moved Mark to many different cities in Northeast Texas as well as Bossier City, LA.  During this time, he has been blessed to serve as Music Director for East New Hope Baptist Church in the Mt. Pleasant area as well as providing the opportunity to minister to many churches through revivals and supply work. 

After being out of Southern Gospel music for over ten years, Mark is excited to have the opportunity to sing with Southern Grace.  “I can’t wait to see what God is going to do.  Having seen Him perform miracles beyond belief in the past, I know He has a great plan for the future of Southern Grace that will be beyond our imagination.”  Mark is an active choir member at First Baptist Wake Village where he attends with his wife, Nancy, and their youngest son, Ryan.

Roy Dale Bray - Baritone 

Roy Dale remembers as a young child, before going to church on Sunday mornings, watching the "Gospel Singing Jubilee" and seeing The Florida Boys, The Happy Goodman Family, and a young teenager named Steve Sanders. RoyDale had all of Steve's albums and would sing along with them for hours. He has enjoyed many Southern Gospel Concerts since those held at Texarkana College Auditorium, and the Gaither Homecoming Concerts in Ft Worth and Dallas. 

RoyDale grew up singing in church with his two sisters, and has played bass guitar in many country bands. He was a member of The King's Four Quartet with Chip Bricker for several years. 

“I was honored to be asked to sing with Southern Grace. Their love of God and commitment to spreading His word is genuine. I am excited to be part of it.” 

Roy Dale is a member of First Baptist Church in New Boston, TX, where he serves as Deacon, along with his wife Barbie, and their two daughters, Ashley and DeAnna.

 Roy also plays bass guitar.