About
The Commonwealth Quartet
Singing To Make A Difference
The Commonwealth Quartet began in 1993 by Bobby Simpson when he asked Dewayne Harris to join the group as the tenor, which was met with resistance by Dewayne, who was singing in another quartet. Bass, Charley Witty and lead, Gary Martin soon joined the group. As three of the members lived in Kentucky, they came up with the name The Commonwealth Quartet. There have been very few personell changes over the years with Steve Barour and then Shane Harris at the lead position, Tom Sammons at baritone, and Larry Mayfield and Kevin Sanderson at bass. That was until December 2019 when Tom passed away, Kevin resigned due to a family health issue and Shane decided to retire. Dewayne was at a crossroads. He went to God in fervent prayer and told God that if h\He wanted the group to continue, then HE would have to put it together...then God began to move in a mighty way. One by one He led the new members to Dewayne and the current arrangement was formed.
Curtis Morrison is the lead singer of the Commonwealth Quartet. Curtis brings a rich 50 year experience to Commonwealth. He has had his own group for the past several years. Curtis previously sang in the Yours Truly Trio. Curtis also sang with gospel legend David Reece and the Rangers. Curtis' mother Judy wrote a southern gospel standard made famous by the Kingsmen Quartet, "Child, Child" known all over southern gospel music circles. Curtis has a clear and solid lead that will compliment the quartet. He lives in Clarksville Tennessee.
Dewayne Harris is the original tenor and founding member of the Commonwealth Quartet. He makes his home in Gallatin, Tennessee with his wife Mara. Dewayne and Mara have three children and ten grandchildren and two schnauzers named Tucker and Tillie. Dewayne has been singing since the age of thirteen, He has sung in revivals, concerts and church services wherever he was invited. Singing in a quartet has been his hearts desire since he was a child. Dewayne has followed quartets since childhood, and many of them have been his heroes.
Bobby Simpson has rejoined the Commonwealth Quartet. After seventeen years Bobby returned to the group that he and Dewayne started in 1994. Bobby brings a great amount of experience to the group. Bobby started at a young age with the Gospel Five. He then joined the Melody Makers. He was the long time baritone for the Ambassadors of Nashville, where Dewayne first heard him sing. He was most recently associated with Southland. Bobby has a rich, strong baritone voice that you will be sure to enjoy. Bobby and his wife Dana, who is playing piano for the group, have four daughters and 3 grandchildren. Bobby and Dana make their home in Scottsville. Kentucky.
David Holder joins the quartet at the bass position after playing bass for the group for a short while. Dave has a rich history in gospel music he sang starting at an early age with his family the Holder Family, with his dad mother, and sister. Dave moved to Florida for twenty-five years and sang with the Mark V Quartet and the Florida Sunshine Boys. He has a rich bass voice that is sure to win listener's hearts all over the Southeast. David makes his home with his wife Susan in Scottsville Kentucky. He has been a school administrator for many years and has retired from that profession to be a Talent Coordinator with the Real Southern Gospel Network. We are proud to have David with us. Make him welcome when you see the quartet in concert.
Dana Simpson is the 'band" for the Commonwealth Quartet. She not only is one of the finest pianists in Southern Gospel music and fires our tracks from the computer, She also plays our orchestral and keyboard sounds via a Proteus Midi AND she plays bass with her feet! Additionally Dana does all of the vocal arrangements for the group, and she is also an amazing singer, too. She began singing in her family group when she was very young. Dana has taught piano for 35 years, privately and at The Charles Novell School Of Gospel Music and The Do Re Mi Gospel Music Academy. Dana, is married to baritone Bobby Simpson, and they have four daughters and three grandchildren. Bobby and Dana make their home in Scottsville, Kentucky.