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Sun State Quartet was established a little over six years ago upon a vision of ministry held by Ira Smith. Having a rich history in "Quartet Gospel", the desire to continue that type of ministry led Ira to seek God for direction. God answered that prayer and the ministry was born. Therefore the task of finding members, equipment and transportation was immediately started. Although there have been several different members since then, Ira kept searching for vocalists to continue on. Ira, with deep regret and sorrow, had to retire recently because of his health. We pray that God will send us vocalists with the same deep desire that Ira displayed then and still shows today. We will miss Ira's passion, laughter, dedication and presence. Thank you Ira.....
The group currently consists of:
Lenny Eckert: Lenny joined the group in October 2004 and is the baritone vocalist of Sun State Quartet. He is the owner / manager of the ministry. He was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and currently resides in Masaryktown, Florida. He is the youngest son of an evangelist and has been singing in gospel music since the age of three. He, as was his father, is a licensed minister/evangelist. Past ventures include The Eckert Family, The Redemption Singers, The Waymaker’s Quartet and The Atkinson Family (later named The Atkinson’s Trio). He is attending, and playing the piano, for New Life Ministries in Hudson, Florida, is married to Sandy and has no children.
Richard Alderman: Richard rejoined the group in October of 2009 after a short time off the road. He was born in Plant City, Florida and currently resides in Ocala, Florida. He sang previously for Sonshine Quartet and Sun State Quartet. He is attending Central Christian in Ocala, is married to Brandy and has three children, daughter Emma and sons Tommy & Brendyn.
Ron Lasseter: Ron joined the group in April 2008 and is the bass vocalist of Sun State Quartet. He is a native of Lakeland, Florida and still resides there. He grew up in a ministry minded family and knew that God had a calling in his life at an early age but chose a different path. In 2000 he surrendered to the ministry call when he joined Risen. He graduated from the Steve Hurst School of Music while singing with Southern Sanctuary Quartet of Mooresville, North Carolina. He is married to Sara and has one son, Elijah.
Kevin Knoth: Is the tenor vocalist for PraiseHymn Quartet based in Lakeland, Florida. Since they are not presently accepting bookings, Kevin has offered to fill in as lead vocalist for Sun State until such time as PraiseHymn resumes accepting dates. We thank him for his heart of service to the Lord and for the calling he has on his life. He grew up in church and currently attends Crestview Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida and sings in the Praise Team there. He enjoys Praise & Worship music and loves to sing songs that give praise and honor to our Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born in West Palm Beach, was raised in Wapakoneta, Ohio and now resides in Lakeland, Florida. He is married to Tammy and has four children, daughters Tori & Kaitlyn and sons Brandon & Brooks.
Sun State Quartet’s style is predominately Southern Gospel with the “classic” quartet sound. We do not come to entertain or perform. We do not come to impress you with a fancy choreographed show. We are here to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray that through some song or through some spoken word, that your life may be touched and you will leave a changed person. Whether it is a soul that's saved, a broken heart that's mended, a shattered life brought back together again or just an encouraging word, all we desire to do is minister Gods Word, Gods Grace and Gods Mercy to your heart.
The group currently consists of:
Lenny Eckert: Lenny joined the group in October 2004 and is the baritone vocalist of Sun State Quartet. He is the owner / manager of the ministry. He was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and currently resides in Masaryktown, Florida. He is the youngest son of an evangelist and has been singing in gospel music since the age of three. He, as was his father, is a licensed minister/evangelist. Past ventures include The Eckert Family, The Redemption Singers, The Waymaker’s Quartet and The Atkinson Family (later named The Atkinson’s Trio). He is attending, and playing the piano, for New Life Ministries in Hudson, Florida, is married to Sandy and has no children.
Richard Alderman: Richard rejoined the group in October of 2009 after a short time off the road. He was born in Plant City, Florida and currently resides in Ocala, Florida. He sang previously for Sonshine Quartet and Sun State Quartet. He is attending Central Christian in Ocala, is married to Brandy and has three children, daughter Emma and sons Tommy & Brendyn.
Ron Lasseter: Ron joined the group in April 2008 and is the bass vocalist of Sun State Quartet. He is a native of Lakeland, Florida and still resides there. He grew up in a ministry minded family and knew that God had a calling in his life at an early age but chose a different path. In 2000 he surrendered to the ministry call when he joined Risen. He graduated from the Steve Hurst School of Music while singing with Southern Sanctuary Quartet of Mooresville, North Carolina. He is married to Sara and has one son, Elijah.
Kevin Knoth: Is the tenor vocalist for PraiseHymn Quartet based in Lakeland, Florida. Since they are not presently accepting bookings, Kevin has offered to fill in as lead vocalist for Sun State until such time as PraiseHymn resumes accepting dates. We thank him for his heart of service to the Lord and for the calling he has on his life. He grew up in church and currently attends Crestview Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida and sings in the Praise Team there. He enjoys Praise & Worship music and loves to sing songs that give praise and honor to our Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born in West Palm Beach, was raised in Wapakoneta, Ohio and now resides in Lakeland, Florida. He is married to Tammy and has four children, daughters Tori & Kaitlyn and sons Brandon & Brooks.
Sun State Quartet’s style is predominately Southern Gospel with the “classic” quartet sound. We do not come to entertain or perform. We do not come to impress you with a fancy choreographed show. We are here to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray that through some song or through some spoken word, that your life may be touched and you will leave a changed person. Whether it is a soul that's saved, a broken heart that's mended, a shattered life brought back together again or just an encouraging word, all we desire to do is minister Gods Word, Gods Grace and Gods Mercy to your heart.
