THE TRUE LIGHT QUARTET: UNCLE PAUL'S LEGACY (published 9-7-2022; article #355)

Introduction

I have a post-it note, which I dated 8/28/2003, a Thursday. I was talking with my father by phone that day. I had asked Dad to please tell me the members of The True Light Quartet, aside from Uncle Paul, who sang bass. He did, and he told me the parts that they sang. I wrote down on the post-it note what my father told me.

As a boy, I remember hearing The True Light Quartet sing. I don't recall where or how many times. Mom and Dad took us boys to hear them at church gatherings. The quartet sang a cappella. I remember very well the musical gospel messages that The True Light Quartet sang. A good sermon can be sung.

This article is for all the relatives of the Marion and Gertrude Ferrell line. I am writing it to honor Uncle Paul's legacy.

The Family

Papaw Marion Ferrell (4/13/1880 - 11/21/1970) and Mollie Gertrude “Gertie” Archer Ferrell (11/30/1892 - 6/11/1971) had eight children, two daughters and six sons, who were born and lived beyond infancy.

Their two daughters, my aunts, were Carrie E. Ferrell Davis (12/5/1909 - 1/28/2000) and Lula Mae Ferrell Absher (1/14/1912 - 10/9/1995). They were the two oldest children.

Granny and Papaw Ferrell's six sons were, in order of oldest to youngest, James William “Bill” Ferrell (8/20/1914 - 6/21/1999), Roy Palmer Ferrell (6/9/1917 - 9/13/1991), George Charles Ferrell (1/14/1920 - 12/1/1995), Paul Edward Ferrell (3/16/1922 - 12/4/1983), Robert Carson Ferrell (4/30/1925 - 12/1/1999), and my father, Earl H. Ferrell (9/17/1927 - 1/25/2008).

Memories of two aunts, five uncles, their spouses, and their children, my many cousins, abound with vivid and pleasant memories.

The True Light Quartet

On that 8/28/2003 post-it note, based on what my father told me, I wrote down the members of The True Light Quartet and the parts they sang. I am glad that I kept that post-it note. Dad told me the following:

Roy “Curly” Mauk sang tenor.
???? Carter sang tenor. (Dad couldn't recall his first name.)
Roy Starnes sang tenor “on the last,” as my father said.
Paul Ferrell sang bass.
Nick Williams sang soprano.

I don't know how many years The True Light Quartet sang at churches and other religious gatherings, mostly in northeast Tennessee, around Kingsport. I believe the quartet formed in the 1970s or earlier. Uncle Paul passed away on 12/4/1983. I think that the quartet had stopped singing together quite a while before then.

The True Light Quartet composed and sang at least eight original songs. They also sang many commonly known spiritual songs. The quartet recorded these eight songs on cassette tape.

The True Light Quartet on Cassette

Initially, I had two cassette tapes with “True Light Quartet” written on them. I still have those tapes, along with my 8/28/2003 post-it note in the photograph below. On the first cassette cover, Dad had written, “True Light Quartet.” On the sleeve of that tape, not in the photograph below, I wrote, “Copied Jan. '96.” On the second cassette cover, I wrote, “True Light Quartet (Paul Ferrell).” That tape has no sleeve, and I didn't date it.

Photograph by M. Fearghail on 9/7/2022 at 10:22 AM.

Eventually, the original cassette tape was transferred to an original CD disc. Dad knew who had transferred the cassette tape to the CD disc, but I don't remember what he told me. Dad had copies of the original CD disc. I think that he gave me a CD disc copy, but I can't find it. My youngest brother, however, had at least two CD disc copies. He gave me one of his copies on 8/7/2008.

The True Light Quartet on CD

The photograph below, which I took two days ago at 5:19 PM, shows the CD that my youngest brother gave me on 8/7/2008.

On the back of the paper that lists the eight songs, I wrote, “8/7/08, Thu., Doug.” I didn't photograph the inside of the disc cover. The songs are as follows:

I Can See the Lights of Home
I Am Going Home to Heaven
Reach Out and Touch the Lord
Sinner Man
Tis' the Old Ship of Zion
I'll Be No Stranger Up There
Walking, Walking, Walking
Hush, Someone's Calling My Name

Uncle Paul's distinct bass voice is heard in each song. Dad knew personally every member of The True Light Quartet.

My Last visit with Uncle Paul

I remember well Uncle Paul, his wife Lorraine Franklin Ferrell (6/28/1926 - 2/17/1996), and their three daughters, two still living as of this publication date. Family gatherings and other occasions during my childhood and teenage years brought us together.

Dad took me to visit with Uncle Paul and Aunt Lorraine around Christmas in 1982. I think that was the last time that I saw Uncle Paul. Three friends and I were planning a trip to Myrtle Beach in June 1983. Uncle Paul and I talked about that upcoming beach vacation and many other topics. Uncle Paul passed on December 4, 1983. His music in The True Light Quartet still ministers in song.

The True Light Quartet on Appalachian Irishman - Podcasts

Today, 9/7/2022, I uploaded The True Light Quartet's eight songs from the CD disc to my YouTube channel, Appalachian Irishman - Podcasts. The playlist is titled The True Light Quartet. Please click the title link and enjoy the quartet's sermons in song!

[5/7/2023 addendum: I updated and corrected the YouTube links. The specific link to the playlist, The True Light Quartet, is now correct.]

I wrote the following description of that playlist: Eight original songs, recorded, perhaps, in the 1970s or early 1980s. Paul Ferrell sang bass. He was my uncle. On 9/7/2022, I uploaded their album, from CD, to honor each member, especially Uncle Paul. The quartet sang great sermons!

I can't figure out how to change the tracks from numbers to the song titles mentioned above. The “Popmart [Video/DVD]” came from the CD disc that I uploaded. I can't edit to correct it. Please contact me by email, phone, or this website's “Contact Form,” if you can't find the playlist!

[5/7/2023 addendum: I figured out how to show the correct song titles. The playlist is visible.]

Conclusion

The members of The True Light Quartet, all having been sinner men, have, as far as I know, all walked to the Old Ship of Zion, touched the Lord, had their names called, seen the lights of Home, and gone home to heaven, where they are not strangers.

By faith, I see them singing as a heavenly quartet. Around them are many members of the Ferrell family, listening to them. Their joy is everlasting. Won't it be wonderful to join them there someday?