Changes for The Diplomats Quartet

Carrollton, GA (March 4, 2019) — The Diplomats have shared the following statement announcing changes in their lineup:

Hello Dear Friends,

We would like to thank you all for your prayers and support of our ministry over the many years. As most of you know, Rita [Pearson] came off the road a year ago due to some health issues that made it hard for her to travel. Rita is doing better; we are thankful for your prayers, and please continue your prayers.

We all know in life many things change. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” We have continued on, but it has been difficult at times. Rita and Jimmy [Pearson] had traveled together for 40 years. Instead of trying to replace her with a female singer, we decided to return to the group’s original roots of a male quartet.

We have known Harold Reed for many years, and he is no stranger to gospel music. He had come off the road and didn’t plan on singing anymore, but he filled in with us until we could figure out what we were going to do, and we knew he was the only one we wanted for Rita’s replacement. He not only is a great singer but has become a dear friend, and he and his wife Katie are now part of our family. 

Alex Utech sang bass with the group for around four years, but he is no longer with [the Diplomats]. He served the group well and is a talented young man. We wish him the best.

We are excited about the future. We have a new addition to the group by way of Ringgold, Georgia. Drew McDowell is 19 years old and is doing a great job playing the drums. We have known Drew since he was a very young boy. He grew up playing in church and was in the marching band. This his first time travel playing gospel music on the road.

We are also excited about two new projects. They should be available by spring. One project is for the gospel music fans that will remember songs from 30 and 40 years ago. The second project will be a collaboration of original songs and never-been-recorded songs by great writers such as Dianne Wilkerson, Rebecca J Peck, Lee Black, Devin McGlamery, and Sue Smith.

We look forward to seeing you all at The Memphis Qt Show, our Homecoming sing, The Singing Echoes Homecoming sing, Silver Dollar City, Dollywood and many more. Please continue to pray that we will follow wherever our Lord leads. Keep up with us on our Facebook page as well as our website, www.diplomatsqt.com.

Blessings,
The Diplomats