Free gospel concert today

The Texas Gospel Music Barn is hosting a free gospel concert featuring The Relations Quartet from Magnolia. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m., today at the Bay City Railroad Depot, 2620 Ave. G.

The Relations Quartet was awarded the South Texas Gospel Music Association Group of the Year for 2001, 2004 and 2007. The group was nominated for a Diamond Award as Group of the Year in 2004. They were also voted Male Quartet of the Year at the 2007 Southern Gospel Music Fan Fair in Chattanooga, Tn.

As a full time Southern Gospel music ministry, they travel 230 days a year throughout the United States. The quartet started more than 30 years ago with four young men all related to each other, hence the name "Relations Quartet."

The group has sung at many state and county fairs and also at family theaters of Branson, Mo. and Pigeon Forge, Tn. The quartet also sings at more than 100 churches a year.

Rod Treme, the bass singer and manager of the group, is a licensed ordained minister. Treme is an original member of the group and has written many of the songs performed and recorded by the group including "I'm On A Mission," "The Almighty One," "My Lord's Coming Some Day," "When I Go Home," and "Movin' On." He was voted STGMA Male Vocalist of the year for 2004. He was also voted at SGM Fan Fair as one of the top five bass singers in the country. Treme and his wife Dianne live in Magnolia and have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Ryan Napier is the lead singer. Before joining the quartet, Napier sang for a group from Houston called "Third Cross." He attended the Stamps Baxter School of Music for four years. He was awarded STGMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 2007. He is also a gifted song writer. He wrote the song "God Is On His Way." Napier and his wife Angela live in San Antonio.

Chad Stephenson, baritone singer, is also an accomplished songwriter. He sang with the trio "His Grace" for 10 years before joining Relations. Stephenson has received Male Vocalist of the Year awards and was nominated for two Dove Awards. He was also nominated as Baritone of the year at the 2007 SGM Fan Fair in Chattanooga, Tn. Stephenson and his wife Jennifer live in Denton.