MTQ Homecoming - This Weekend!

July is a special month for us.  If we had the ability to rewind life to this time 15 years ago, this ministry would still be in the preparation process.  At that stage in our group’s history, God was working behind the scenes to provide everything we needed to launch what began as the Mark Trammell Trio.

1 Samuel 12:24 says, “Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.”  As we look back on God’s faithfulness we are humbled and thrilled to see where He has taken us in 15 years.

To celebrate all that God has done and is doing, we want to invite you to the MTQ Homecoming!  We’re going to have two nights of your favorite music at Mark’s home church, July 28-30, 2017.  Saturday night we will host the MTQ Reunion...something you’ll only see this year at the homecoming!

Our homecoming will kick off on a Friday night with music from MTQ and special guests, Legacy Five.  For those who’ve attended in the past, this will be a special treat because it will be L5’s first time at homecoming!  When I resigned from the Cathedrals, Scott Fowler was hired to fill my position.  We’re going to have a fun night together!

Saturday morning will start bright and early with our Annual Golf Tournament at Silver Lakes Golf Course.  At 8:00 a.m. we will meet at the club house, team up and head out for a game of Four Man Scramble.  You can sign up and bring your own team or be assigned to a team before we start – either way, we’re going to enjoy a relaxing morning playing with y’all!  If you want to register now, just call: 256-236-1464 and ask for Milton Harris.  He’ll take care of you!

Any ladies not wishing to golf may want to join our wives at the Ladies Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the Rock Gym (at Hill Crest Baptist.)  The Luncheon is hosted by Jessica, LaResa, Tracy and Lauren.  You’ll get to enjoy some delicious food, spend time with our wives and hear them sing!  If you’re interested in the Ladies Luncheon, call 256-504-8160 for ticket info!

Finally, Saturday night will be a special night for us as a group… We’re celebrating 15 years in ministry!  To celebrate, we’ve invited past members Eric Phillips, Joseph Smith, Dustin Sweatman and Pat Barker to join us for a MTQ Reunion! This is going to see something you won’t see for at least another ten years - a reunion of our past members.  We will literally start out with the first trio and sing from the very first project we did.  We will walk through our 15 years as a group as best we can.  I’m excited about that!

On Sunday morning, you can come to church with MTQ as we gather at Hill Crest one more time for a special time of worship with MTQ as we close out the weekend.  Join us at 10:00 a.m. and also enjoy the Hill Crest Choir and hear preaching from the Word! 

We truly hope you can be with us July 28th-30th at the MTQ Homecoming.  We’ve been planning and working to make this year one that will be remembered and don’t want you to miss it!  Though there’s nothing like being at an event as it happens, if you can’t make it, I encourage you to keep an eye on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to see a glimpse into each night – we’re sure to be posting a few photos here and there.  But I don’t want to wait until homecoming to let you know how much your support of this ministry means to me.  From the bottom of my heart – thank you!

Trevor Conkle Joins MTQ as New Pianist

Gadsden, AL - After five years of looking for the right man to sit at the keyboards, 2017 Singing News Top Five Traditional Quartet nominee, The Mark Trammell Quartet announces today that nineteen year old Trevor Conkle from Arab, Alabama will be that man.  Mark says, “We are thrilled that Trevor expressed interest in being an active part of our ministry.  We believe this young man has a bright future in Gospel Music, and we are pleased that he wants to grow with us!” 

For the last three years, Trevor has enjoyed traveling with the multi-award winning first family of gospel music, The Hoppers, from Madison, NC.  Trevor states, “While I am truly grateful for this family and the daily investment they have made in me, my first love is convention style and  quartet music.  Upon hearing of The Mark Trammell Quartet genuinely looking for a keyboard man, I began to enquire and that enquiry led to my gaining this position.  I couldn’t be more pleased, and look forward to traveling with this great quartet.  The Hoppers have been wonderful to me and I will always cherish my time with them."

Trevor will be boarding the MTQ bus on Thursday, July 20, 2017 to begin the next chapter in his musical life.  When you see MTQ, be sure to welcome this young man to his new home.

What’s on the Menu?

If you’ve been on the Singing at Sea Cruise, you know that the ship feeds us well!  But, when we changed cruise lines this year, we changed menus as well.  The chef’s aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ships serve creations all their own, and we’d like to introduce you to five things we enjoyed while on the cruise this year!  

Watermelon and Raspberry Soup – This is a cold soup served as a “starter” during the evening meal in the main dining room.  If you had a cold soup on one of our previous cruises, you may remember the consistency being creamy like a milkshake; whereas this soup could be likened to a thick lemonade.  Light and refreshing, it may just be the thing to start off your meal!

Shrimp Ravioli – If you enjoy seafood, perhaps one of the most unique entrees you can order is the Shrimp Ravioli.  (This is also the plate you see featured in our promo video for the 2018 cruise.)  The raviolis are stuffed with cheese and shrimp with wilted spinach, creamy thyme, corn and lobster sauce served on top.  

Eggplant and Artichoke Tart – Baked with red pepper hummus, arugula and mascarpone cheese, this starter may be the most odd plate you order, but we promise it tastes delicious…even if you don’t recognize some of the ingredients! 

Chicken Marsala – Is one of the more recognizable entrees, but just as tasty as the unfamiliar ones!  You would enjoy the sautéed chicken and Marsala-mushroom sauce served with mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Popular Desserts – The dessert menu has so many options, it would be difficult to just point out one.  So here are some favorites from this year’s cruise – The Carrot Cake, The Moist Almond Chocolate Cake (featured in photo above) and The Double Strawberry Cheesecake was very popular!     

Of course, we encourage you to go on the Singing at Sea Cruise for more than just the food!  Over 25 groups sing throughout the week and we get to enjoy beautiful ports of call with fellow Believers.  Next year, we’re sailing to Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico on Brilliance of the Seas February 12-17, 2018.  If you would consider this Christian vacation, MTQ would love to be your host group! 

For more information on the cruise – click here