Inducted 2007

Archie Watkins was born January 6, 1949, in Bryson City, NC.  Raised in a family with a deep love of gospel music, Watkins and his family would get together regularly to play musical instruments and sing, eventually resulting in friends and family organizing The Inspirations in 1964 when Archie was only 15 years old.  The Inspirations – with Archie singing the tenor part – became a household name in professional gospel music.

During Archie’s years with the Inspirations, the quartet had more songs placed on The Singing News Radio Airplay Charts than any other group, and Archie was the featured vocalist on more charting songs than any singer, including several Songs of The Year and those that peaked atop the radio charts. Recipient of  Singing News Favorite Male Singer and Favorite Tenor on various occasions, Archie also received the most prestigious honor given by the Singing News Magazine – the Marvin Norcross Award. Watkins also served as a member of the Southern Gospel Music Association's Advisory Board. 

As one of Southern Gospel Music's true legends, Archie Watkins established himself at the top of his field in success, stature and the respect of his peers.  After singing a year with the Bryson City Quartet – a regional gospel singing group from, and named for, his North Carolina hometown – Archie spent his entire professional singing career with The Inspirations Quartet. Known for his distinctive voice and trademark singing stance on song endings, his voice is identified as giving the Inspirations their trademark sound and his tenure with the quartet is a model of consistency in the Southern Gospel Music world.