The Frontline
Possessing both a communicative magnetism and a voice reminiscent of legendary Kingsmen alumni tenors like Garry Sheppard and Johnny Parrack, Thomas Nalley has been a fan favorite since the first night he took the stage with the Kingsmen in October 2022. He initially gained national attention as tenor vocalist for two other legendary quartets, The LeFevre Quartet and Gold City, and has only gone higher since, as the featured voice of the chart-topping song, “Unstoppable God”. When not on the road, Thomas owns and operates his own apparel-printing business named High Note Customs.
Hometown
Hendersonville, NC
Birthdate
5/8/1979
Family
Wife Sarah (married 6/13/1998), daughter Brianna and son Benjamin
Previous singing experience
Providence Quartet, LeFevre Quartet, Gold City
Favorite scripture
2 Corinthians 10:4
Favorite singers
Danny Funderburk, Wes Hampton, Cece Winans
Favorite song to sing on stage
Place Where the Hungry are Fed
Favorite Kingsmen albums
Battle Cry (2014), Unstoppable God (2024)
Favorite venue to perform
Memphis Quartet Show
Career highlights
Having my first #1 song with Unstoppable God, Meeting and talking with the fans, Traveling with men like Ray Dean Reese and Tommy Fairchild
Within the span of just a couple years of joining the Kingsmen, Cole Watson has established himself as one of gospel music’s most unique and gifted lead vocalists. A tireless worker of his craft, Cole has vocally set himself apart from his Kingsmen predecessors, all the while consistently honoring and studying their techniques. In only his second year with the quartet, he was the youngest nominee for gospel music’s Favorite Lead Vocalist.
Hometown
Gadsden, AL
Birthdate
12/5/1995
Family
Wife Brooklyn (married 9/7/2024), dog Crosley
Previous singing experience
Exodus, Troy Burns Family, Gold City
Favorite scripture
Romans 8:28
Favorite singers
Don Henley, Michael Bublé
Favorite song to sing on stage
Place Where the Hungry are Fed
Favorite Kingsmen album
Good News (2002)
Favorite venue to perform
NQC, Echo Hollow at Silver Dollar City
Career highlights
Traveling with Ray Dean Reese, Meeting and working with so many of my heroes
Bringing an extensive background of musical experience to the Kingsmen, baritone Alan Kendall joined the group in August 2018. Over the span of his tenure, his roles within the group have expanded to emcee, arranger, promoter, and even occasional songwriter. Alan’s historical knowledge of gospel music, combined with his drive to both preserve the legendary Kingsmen sound and musically “push the envelope” like his predecessors, has earned him a high level of respect among his peers. Alan serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern Gospel Music Association and Hall of Fame, and writes a monthly column for Singing News Magazine entitled Game Changers.
Hometown
Young Harris, GA
Birthdate
4/16/1983
Family
Wife Savannah (married 5/22/2010) and daughters Evie and Belle
Previous singing experience
Melody Boys Quartet, Freedom, Rebels Quartet, Jordan’s Bridge, Soloist
Favorite scripture
Colossians 3:23-24
Favorite singers
Jake Hess, Glen Payne, Squire Parsons, Jim Hamill, Ronnie Milsap, Michael Bublé
Favorite songs to sing on stage
I Will Rise Up From My Grave, Victory Shout, Beautiful Home
Favorite Kingsmen album
Live in Dayton (1990)
Favorite venues/events to perform
NQC, The Ark Encounter, James D Vaughan Quartet Festival
Career highlights
Singing with and learning from two Hall of Famers and lifelong friends, Ray Dean Reese and Gerald Williams
One of gospel music’s brightest emerging young talents, Brady Jones brings both a vocal and instrumental prowess that far exceeds his years. Within mere months following joining the Kingsmen in December 2023, he was a Top Five nominee for Favorite Young Artist in gospel music.
Hometown
Morgantown KY
Birthdate
9/14/2004
Family
Tiffani and Jason jones- parents, Maddie Jones- sister, Brandon and Madison jones- brother and sister in law, Monroe and Tousley- nieces (my favorite human beings)
Previous singing experience
Mission IV, Mercy’s Proof
Favorite scripture
1 John 3:16
Favorite singer
George Younce
Favorite songs to sing on stage
The Cross has Won Again, Love will Roll the Clouds away
Favorite Kingsmen album
The Past is Past (2005)
Favorite venue to perform
Singing at Sea
Career highlights
Stepping on stage at the National Quartet Convention
The son of longtime bass legend Ray Dean Reese, Brandon Reese joined the Kingsmen in 1997 as alternate drummer alongside Greg Fox, who had begun tending to the care of his father, longtime Kingsmen manager Eldridge Fox, following the elder Fox’s debilitating stroke. Brandon soon moved to the frontline as Greg assumed his father’s business pursuits in 2001. Little did Brandon know that 25 years later, he would assume the very mantle of both Eldridge and Greg Fox, and his father Ray Dean Reese, as manager and leader of the Kingsmen Quartet. Brandon’s leadership extends far past the road and the stage. He is active in the studio assisting with the production of their albums, serves as sound tech (and still occasional drummer and band leader) at all concerts, and is a master mechanic and bus driver. Brandon’s tireless efforts, as well as the vision of his past mentors, have the Kingsmen poised for a bright future.
Hometown
Asheville, NC
Birthdate
12/23/1975
Family
Wife Shannon (married 12/14/2002), daughter Ava
Previous musical experience
Local Asheville music scene, Kingsmen for more than 25 years
Favorite scripture
Psalm 150:5
Favorite singer:
Michael Sweet
Favorite Kingsmen song
Roll Out the Red Carpet
Favorite Kingsmen album
Battle Cry (2014)
Favorite venue to perform
NQC
Career highlights
Inducted into the Gospel Music (GMA) Hall of Fame (2000)
Very little can be said about this gospel music icon that hasn't already been documented. Known and loved by many as "The Dean of The Bass Singers", Ray Dean Reese joined the Kingsmen in June 1967. His more than a half-century of service to the group was only interrupted for a couple years, during which he sang with another Asheville-based group, The Journeymen and Kathleen. He became known as one of gospel music's quintessential quartet men. His passionate delivery of a lyric has been captured on signature favorites including "The Old Ship of Zion", "Healin' Stream", "To Count for Jesus", "I Know", and many others. Since 2001, he has been Owner, Manager, and CEO of his beloved singing group. Now in his eighties, Ray cheers on today's Kingsmen mostly from the sidelines, but still makes time to join them on the road as his health allows.
Hometown
Asheville, NC
Birthdate
5/16/1939
Family
Wife Carolyn (deceased), daughters Debbie (deceased) and Kelly, and son Brandon
Previous singing experience
Silvertones, Inspirations, Pine Ridge Boys, Journeymen and Kathleen
Favorite scripture
John 3:16-18
Favorite singers
London Parris, Jim "Big Chief" Wetherington
Favorite songs to sing on stage
The Old Ship of Zion, Look for Me at Jesus’ Feet, Glory Road, So High
Favorite Kingsmen album
Chattanooga Live (1977)
Favorite venue to perform
NQC, Singing at Sea
Career highlights
- Recording Chattanooga Live (we had revival that night!)
- Twice voted Favorite Bass in Singing News Fan Awards (1979 and 1985)
- Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2000)
- Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2008)
- Vaughan-Templeton Lifetime Achievement Award (2023)
- Singing News Lifetime Achievement Award (2024)
Behind the Scenes
The words "dedicated servant" best describe Kingsmen bus driver and transportation manager Daniel Branscum, who first stepped behind the wheel of the Kingsmen bus in 2011. Daniel's lifelong love for gospel music and unyielding commitment have carried the group from town to town nationwide. Daniel has often said that his greatest satisfaction has been knowing that he helped safely deliver the quartet to a venue where someone has given their heart to Jesus. His decade-plus of service with the Kingsmen team has increasingly brought him into the public eye, earning him many friends across the country.
For nearly a quarter century, the friendly voice over the phone lines of the Kingsmen office has been Wendi Gregg, who has faithfully served as office secretary and assistant to Ray and Brandon Reese. Wendi's deep relationship with the Reese Family goes back many years. Wendi and the late Carolyn Reese, best friends, often managed the office together, and the Reese Family were close by upon the passing of Wendi's first husband. The devotion of Wendi and her now-husband Robin to the Kingsmen ministry is unparalleled.