HANCOCK COUNTY — Four local men who recently released their first CD hope their gospel sound brings listeners closer to God.
4 The Light Quartet — Jonathan Palmer, Darvin Fenter and Ron Coffman, all of New Palestine, and Mike Hoyt of McCordsville — formed in 2002 at the Mount Comfort United Methodist Church as a men’s quartet to perform special music for the church services. Over time, the group branched out and started singing at worship services at churches throughout the county, including Zion Lutheran Church in New Palestine, Fortville Christian Church and Park Chapel Christian Church in Greenfield.
Today, group members say their music is part hobby, part mission.
“We’re having fun while taking the word to people,” Palmer said.
The group recently conducted a CD release party at Zion Lutheran Church and sang a number of songs from the CD, “Let the Glory Roll.”
Group members they recorded a CD this year in Nashville, Tennessee, in hopes their music will be passed along and reach believers beyond Hancock County.
Lead singer Fenter said recording was a new experience for the group, one that took a little getting used to.
“It was scary at first, but we eventually got the hang of it,” Fenter said.
A few of the group members even got a little more than they bargained for when recording and said they walked away learning valuable lessons.
“We learned not to schedule a session during cold and flu season,” Hoyt said, laughing.
In the end, the group had to re-record a few songs because they knew once the singers felt better, their songs would sound better. But the extra hard work wasn’t something they minded — not when doing what they consider the Lord’s work.
“We’re singing for him,” Fenter said. “We want to share his message.”
The group is looking forward to upcoming performances at the Boone County Fair in Lebanon, a senior citizen dinner in Noblesville, and Sunday morning service in North Vernon. The group also plans to perform at the Indiana State Fair.
The group will return to its home church in late September to put on a show for the home crowd.
4 The Light sings many songs from the 1930s and ’40s, such as “Turn Your Radio On,” “I Saw The Light,” “This Old House” and “Victory in Jesus.” Their repertoire also includes more up-to-date gospel songs from the past 30 years, such as “My Lord and I,” “Singing with the Saints” and “Long Black Train.”
The Rev. Jason Taylor, whose church hosted the party celebrating the quartet’s CD, said the group preformed last year at the church, and he was pleased to have the singers back.
“I love that they sing the old gospel songs,” Taylor said. “Those songs are comforting and point to Christ as our only hope.”
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The gospel quartet’s music can be heard on its website, 4thelight.org.
4 the Light can be contacted through its website, 4thelight.org., on Facebook and at [email protected].
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