Time To Say Goodbye & Welcome Back!
December 2005 was a difficult month for “The Patriot Quartet.” Due to some health reasons, their tenor, Jerry Shepard, felt the need to leave the road and he resigned his position. I stepped in and took over in January 2006 and we have traveled a lot of miles together since that time.
When I joined the group, my biggest fear was all the travel that this group puts in week after week. I was afraid that it would be too much for my liking. Even though I love to sing, I also love spending time with my wife, playing golf, and attending my home church.
Joe, David and Darrell have been very cooperative in trying to maintain a schedule that would fit my needs but this was not fair to a group that has worked so hard to build up its schedule.
So after much prayer and consideration, I decided that it was time for me to leave and my last appointment with the group will be August 13, 2006.
At first the group worried about starting over and having to find another tenor and missing appointments until the group is ready to go again. But now we all see that God was in control!
You see since leaving the group, Jerry has been battling the decision that led him to resign. He was performing at least once a month with the group (just to give me a break) and with each singing, he was feeling the desire to return and regretting his decision to leave.
He missed being with the guys, as well he should, because this is his group. He was there in the beginning and I hope he gets to stay until the end. His health problems have improved and I very proud to announce that he has rejoined “The Patriot Quartet” and he is back where he belongs!
I want to say “Goodbye” and thank everyone for their support during my short tenure and I want to say that I am proud of my time with this group. I also want everyone to join me in saying, “Welcome Back Jerry!”
Continue to pray for Joe, David, Darrell and Jerry as they continue to spread the word of God through song and testimony.
God Bless!
Paul Stearman