Group
Statesmen Quartet
gospel group
- From
- Atlanta, United States
- Active
- 1948–2002
- Rating
- ★ 5
- Releases
- 19
- southern gospel
- gospel
About
The Statesmen Quartet (also known as Hovie Lister and The Statesmen Quartet) were an American southern gospel quartet founded in 1948 by Baptist Minister Hovie Lister. Along with the Blackwood Brothers, the Statesmen Quartet were considered the most successful and influential gospel quartet of the 1950s and 1960s and had a wide influence on artists during that time from the gospel, country, pop, and rock and roll genre. Along with hits spanning many decades, The Statesmen Quartet had many notable successes including being the first Gospel group to receive endorsement deals. Additionally, they made television commercials, appeared on numerous radio and TV shows, and were signed to RCA Victor before launching their own record label, Skylite Records, with The Blackwood Brothers.
Members
-
Jake Hess lead vocals
-
Mosie Lister lead vocals
-
Doy Ott baritone vocals
-
Bobby Strickland tenor vocals
-
Jack Toney lead vocals
-
"Big Chief" Jim Wetherington bass vocals
Discography
Albums
-
The Statesmen Quartet With Hovie Lister
-
The Statesmen Quartet Sings With Hovie Lister
-
The Bible Told Me So
-
I'll Meet You by the River
-
Peace O Lord Apple Music
-
Mansion Over the Hilltop
-
Stop, Look and Listen for the Lord
-
A Musical Merry Christmas
-
The Mystery of His Way
-
Songs of Faith
-
Hovie Lister Sings With His Famous Statesmen Quartet
-
The Sensational Statesmen Quartet with Hovie Lister
-
Keep on Smiling!
-
The Statesmen with Hovie Lister
-
Thanks to Calvary
-
Taller Than Trees
Compilations
Links
Founder
Vocal supporting musician
Also known as
Hovie Lister & The Statesmen · The Statesmen · The Statesmen Quartet
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- d648760f-a552-4467-a1e2-cde452d5d6aa
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 8 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.