Discover Us
No stranger to Gospel music, Spoken 4 has toured all over North America for the last 12 years. The group traces it's origins back to Silver Dollar City when several of the members performed as part of the in-house gospel quartet. Eventually Jon and Cecil, girding themselves with prayer, decided God was calling them to tour full time to spread the saving message of Christ through word and song. Bringing with them some long time friends, and some of Branson's best talents, the group started going wherever God opened a door. Over the years some members have come and gone but the one constant remains the same. A deep drive to see lives changed through the power of Christ.
Today's Spoken 4 lineup boasts a rich background of testimony as well as vocal stylings. Bringing together 4 different styles Spoken 4 manages to capture a unique sound that includes the rich traditions of southern gospel music with smooth modern harmonies brought to them by working with some of the greatest musicians and vocal arrangers in all of gospel music. Whether it is legends like JD Miller, Jeff Steele, Jeff Stice or Tommy Fairchild, Spoken 4 is constantly trying to evolve to bring about the best possible sound to that will reach people and bring glory to God.
Today's Spoken 4 lineup boasts a rich background of testimony as well as vocal stylings. Bringing together 4 different styles Spoken 4 manages to capture a unique sound that includes the rich traditions of southern gospel music with smooth modern harmonies brought to them by working with some of the greatest musicians and vocal arrangers in all of gospel music. Whether it is legends like JD Miller, Jeff Steele, Jeff Stice or Tommy Fairchild, Spoken 4 is constantly trying to evolve to bring about the best possible sound to that will reach people and bring glory to God.
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
Isaiah 55:11
Spoken 4's mission is simple, to remove themselves and allow Christ to move. Whether they are called to sing, preach or pray, these men desire to allow God's Holy Spirit to use them in whatever way He chooses. They draw upon the unerring Word of God and believe fully in the infalliblity of The Bible. It is their goal that their lifesong would sing of Christ and all He has done for us when He went to the cross.
"We have enjoyed having Spoken 4 at our church for the past 10 years. We have adopted them as part of our church. If you want to hear great southern gospel music from a group who can sing and love the Lord, invite them to come to your church!"
Pastor Ron Shults
New Prospect Baptist Church
Garfield, AR
"I know that performing at a public park (even one as boldly Christian as Silver Dollar City) must present its challenges, but I wanted to thank you for being so bold about the need for Christ as his forgiveness."
Preston Bowman
Radio DJ
Pastor Ron Shults
New Prospect Baptist Church
Garfield, AR
"I know that performing at a public park (even one as boldly Christian as Silver Dollar City) must present its challenges, but I wanted to thank you for being so bold about the need for Christ as his forgiveness."
Preston Bowman
Radio DJ
Meet The Guys
Growing up in the backwoods of South Carolina Brandon has always been involved with music and theater. Whether it was his father, who played drums and sang in local country bands, or his grandmother, who sang in the choir on Sunday mornings, he has always had a love for music and telling stories through song. Beginning at the age of 12, he began to deal with depression, but hid it from most of his family and friends. At age 16 Brandon knew that he wanted to be involved in ministry, but had no idea that God was still preparing him. On Jan. 6, 2004 Brandon came home from work only to find his mother lying across her bed, the victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound through her chest."The hardest thing that I have ever had to do in my life was to call my grandmother and explain to her that my mom, her daughter, had just killed herself. I had just kissed her goodbye that morning. Everything seemed okay. It's something I still can't understand." Now Brandon uses his own story, and that of his mother, to reach a group of people often forgotten and overlooked.
For the last 10 years Brandon has been part of Spoken 4 singing the tenor part, but he also works as the webmaster and does all the artwork for Spoken 4. You can also find Brandon with a pen and paper in hand as he writes songs for the group including songs like "Rise Get Up", "I Went Down", and "He Carried My Cross" to name a few.
Jon was born, and grew up in his hometown of West Point, MS. Jon and his family attended First Baptist Church of West Point, and it was there that Jon was saved when he was 14yrs old. After giving his heart to Christ, Jon joined the FBC adult Choir, and soon after he began feeling some sort of calling on his heart from God. Jon's parents, Judge Joe and Glenda Taggart, always encouraged him to follow his heart's dreams, and when Mississippi College traveling show group, "The Naturals" recruited Jon and offered him a scholarship to come join their group and attend college at MC, it was evident that music was the path that God was leading him. While attending college, Jon began going to church at Raymond Road Baptist in Jackson, MS. Lots of great things happened in Jon's life at Raymond Road Baptist. He met his wife, Amanda there, Rededicated his life to Christ, and also began singing in his first Gospel Quartet called Mercy Blend.In the summer of 1999, Jon auditioned and landed a job singing lead in a 50's and 60's style barbershop quartet at Six Flags Astroworld in Houston, TX. After that summer, Jon returned to finish college at MC and get his BA in Business Administration. In 2001, Jon married the love of his life, Amanda Wade Taggart, and in 2003 they moved to Branson when Jon got a job singing with a gospel quartet at Silver Dollar City, where he would go to work full time for the next 4 years. Jon also got to meet and sing with his pal Cecil Stringer, and in 2007 God would lead the two of them to step out on faith and form their own quartet, Spoken 4. Jon's lovely wife Amanda owns and operates her own Salon and Spa, named Hairitage Salon and Spa, which is located on Hwy 13 in Branson West near Kimberling City where they live with their two young boys Clark and Charlie.
Brian grew up in West Plains, MO. At the age of six, his life was marked with tragedy when he was accidentally ran over by a lawnmower. Losing his leg just below the knee altered the trajectory of his life. Instead of sports, his mother shifted his sights toward the piano. As a young adult, he came to Branson and began a career as an entertainer.In 1994, Brian’s life was once again altered after an auto accident left him with a paralyzed left arm. He continued to persevere with the help of the Lord and his family, using his unique story to encourage others that God can take a mess and turn it into a message. Today Brian is married with four adult children and lots of grandkids.
No stranger to gospel music, Cecil has been in the business since the tender age of 17 years old. It was Southern Gospel Hall of Fame bass singer, JD Sumner, who first discovered a young Cecil Stringer Jr. while singing at his home church of McDowell Road Baptist Church. After getting his mother's permission, Cecil would audition for the famed Blackwood Brother's Quartet where he would replace a retiring Ken Turner.Over the years Cecil would go on to sing along side some of the best singers in all of gospel music, including the Passion Play Quartet, The Braschlers, and The Branson Brothers. He also studied with famed vocal coach Lee Roy Abernathy for 9 years. Cecil always strived to place Christ first and always sought His direction in life. So it came as quite a shock one day when The Branson Brother's were infomed that the group has just performed their last performance together. The group would be officially disbanded the following morning. When the bus arrived home Cecil was taken to the emergency room to deal with a lingering cold he had been having for several weeks, but there he was informed that he had been dealing with pneumonia and would likely have scarring and be asthmatic for the rest of his life. After being taken home he discovered that the home he had built by hand had been destroyed when a pipe burst due to the freezing Ozark Mountain temperatures. Faced with a decision to walk away or push on, Cecil prayed and was renewed in his walk with Christ. In 1993 Cecil was honored to be inducted into the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet
In late 2007 Cecil found himself performing full time at Silver Dollar City as part of their gospel quartet. It was there he met friend and business partner, Jon Charles Taggart and the two eventually decided to form Spoken 4 Quartet. Cecil is happily married to his wife, Amy Stringer and together they have two children Renee and Tristan. When he's not on the road you will find the lifelong Yankees fan catching up on his favorite pasttime, or furthering his extensive collection of model planes and trains. Cecil is a living testimony that the devil may take everything you have, but God will give it all, and more, back to you if you are faithful to Him.