About Us

The Sunny South Quartet came into existence in the 1940s in Tampa, Florida. One of the early members was James “Chief” Weatherton, who later left the group to take a job with Hovie Lister and the Statesmen Quartet. The quartet also had a young lead singer named Jake Hess, who would also later leave the group to go with the Statesmen Quartet. The Sunny South Quartet offered a young 17-year-old bass singer his first professional job. That young man’s name was JD Sumner. JD would later leave the quartet to go with the Sunshine Boys. J. D.  Sumner was one of the most prolific bass singers to ever be a part of southern gospel music not only for his style of singing bass but also as a songwriter. He would later be a part of the world-famous Blackwood Brothers Quartet, and the Stamps Quartet that were long-time backup singers for Elvis Presley.

Over the next decade, the Sunny South Quartet faltered and disappeared from the gospel music scene, until a young baritone singer from Tampa moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1960. His name was C.C. “Cy” Easters. With Cy being good friends with the Statesmen personnel and the Tampa area, the decision to relaunch the Sunny South Quartet would become his mission. His effort paid off with the quartet becoming one of the premiere quartets working out of Atlanta. In the 1960s Atlanta had become the hotbed for southern gospel quartets with the Statesmen and the LeFeveres making Atlanta their home, along with basing their nationally syndicated TV shows out of the studios of WSB Television. Over the next four decades, the Sunny South Quartet continued to work out of Atlanta, working an average of 50 weeks a year. The quartet recorded a large number of LP’s and CD’s during this time. They continued to be special guests on nationally syndicated TV shows and made appearances at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, and the National Quartet Convention.  Due to aging members, the decision was made to retire the quartet and quartet name in 2006.

After much prayer seeking the guidance of the Lord, long-term bassist, Dennis Bryant, and drummer, Sean Bryant are pleased to announce that the “Sun” will rise and the Sunny South Quartet will sing that glorious four-part harmony once again.  The group is now taking bookings for early 2024. The group will continue to operate with the highest integrity, featuring anointed vocals and live music, with a mission to lead lost souls to Christ as our number one priority.