Our good friend and biographer, the late Mr. Bob Terrell, had a way of doing a lot of nice things for Southern Gospel Music, and especially for The Inspirations. Having authored 57 books on topics ranging from sport: All Aboard: The Story of Charlie 'Choo Choo' Justice; to SGM (The Music Men) and even collections of homespun comedy, Bob had a way of telling a story that compels you to stay up into the wee hours reading.

    Imagine our surprise when we opened the July, 2002,  issue of OUR STATE magazine and found a wonderfully written and illustrated article about The Inspirations Bob had written.

    OUR STATE is easily one of the most beautifully laid out, photographed and interesting state magazines in America, if not THE BEST; and there we were in a feature article, along with articles on Shirley Caesar, Ronnie Milsap, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, The Red Clay Ramblers, James Taylor -well, you get the point- !

     North Carolina has been the birthplace, and home, of many great singers and musicians, and the editors and publishers somehow saw fit to include us. All we can say is we are deeply honored, and we thank them for taking notice of Southern Gospel Music, especially since we believe there is no finer music this side of heaven.

    There is also an article about the efforts of the Hoppers, the Dixie Melody Boys and others who are in the planning stages of our own North Carolina SGM Hall of Fame.

    A couple of days later, we received another surprise. A young magazine, SMOKY MOUNTAIN LIVING, arrived in the mail, and there we were again, featured in an article about the Singing in the Smokies and our beginnings. The article is titled "A Joyful Noise: A Short History of the "Singing in the Smokies" and the Famed Inspirations Quartet".

    Since first discovering SMOKY MOUNTAIN LIVING about a year ago, I have become a collector because of the well written stories unique to our area which are featured each month. The magazine teaches me something new about our beautiful Smokies every month.

    For example, this issue includes articles about how the railroad came to North Carolina, mountain whitewater, and 'Unto These Hills', the outdoor drama presented each summer in nearby Cherokee, NC, as well as many other interesting subjects.

    The Inspirations' article covers pp. 68-70, and includes some terrific aerial photos of Inspiration Park, as well as one of the earliest photos of the original group singing in Martin's basement.

    If you likebeautiful photography,  all things southern, or just great articles about interesting people and places, either or both of these magazines are worth your time and money!

    If you just would just like to thank them for featuring Southern Gospel Music, we encourage you to write to them and subscribe. The Inspirations have no stake in either magazine, other than the sheer enjoyment we get from reading the wonderful articles and seeing the great photography they each contain.