About Us

Burton Family 2nd Generation

The Burton Family and gospel music spans over 50 years beginning with the original quartet in the mid 1950s and continues as
the 2nd Generation carries the torch into the 21st Century. Claude Burton, the lead singer for the original Burton Family,
organized the group which consisted of his wife Lorene (singing tenor), his uncle Charles (singing bass), and Charles' wife
Gerrie (singing alto). Claude played the rhythm guitar, and his son Troy played the electric guitar and sang with the group on
occasion. During the group's 40+ years, the group had numerous bass guitar players, including Larry Blankenship, J. D.
Clemmer, and Troy's wife Kaye. This group was known for its unique sound (often compared to the Chuck Wagon Gang which
was so popular during that gospel music era) but more importantly, was known for its spirituality. When the Burton Family came
to your church to sing, you could pretty much count on a "hallelujah" meeting. One didn't wonder if anyone would be saved or
rededicate their life, instead one would wonder "how many" would be saved or rededicate their lives. The original Burton Family
published two records entitled "Because of Him" and "From Heaven To A Lonely Hill" and had a live radio broadcast on WCPH
in Etowah, TN. The broadcast, which featured the Burton Family and Rev. Theades Williams, was on every Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
and is known to be WCPH's first live gospel radio broadcast.

The Burton Family began its ministry in song at the Clay Hill Baptist Church (Click on Clay Hill Baptist Church to view a photo of
the church and hear some choir singing from about 20 years ago) in Riceville, where both families were active members.
Claude and Charles served as deacons. Years later Troy, Claude's son, was ordained as a deacon and continues to serve the
Clay Hill congregation today. To describe the beginning of the Burton Family 2nd Generation, one must go back to the mid
1950s when Rev. Theades Williams was called to pastor Clay Hill Church. Rev. Williams brought with him a four year old,
freckled face little girl named Kaye who became a childhood playmate of Troy's.   Their call to gospel music began at a very early
age, as Troy, Kaye, and other children from the church formed a children's quartet. About three years later, Rev. Williams left
Clay Hill to pastor a church in Polk County for about ten years; and during that time, Troy and Kaye saw each other on a very
limited basis (mostly revivals and singings) but remained friends throughout the years. In 1968, Rev. Williams returned to pastor
Clay Hill and the friendship between Troy and Kaye began to blossom. They became husband and wife in December 1970.
Even prior to their marriage, Troy and Kaye began their journey in gospel music by singing as a duet and at other times singing
as a trio with Kaye's older brother Mike Williams. Immediately after the birth of their first daughter Angie in 1974, Troy, Kaye, and
a dear friend Bill Thompson began singing as the "Sounds of Praise."   The group's music consisted of Troy on the lead guitar
and Bill on the bass. In 1978, Troy and Kaye welcomed another baby girl Kelly into their family. In the early 1980's, Chris
Hampton, son of Tom and Wanda Hampton, joined the group as pianist. Chris was about ten years old when he began playing
with the group, and today continues the Lord's work as a pastor and minister of the gospel. Since the group and the families
associated with the group had outgrown the van, Troy bought an old school bus in which to travel.   He spent one winter
customizing the old bus with carpet, bunk beds, and comfortable seating. "We enjoyed great memories of our travels together
as the Sounds Of Praise and will always remember our dear friend Bill Thompson who passed away in 1989 following a lengthy
illness."

In the early 1990s, Angie (Troy and Kaye's oldest daughter) joined her mother and father, and the group became known as the
Troy Burton Singers and sometimes as the Burton Family 2nd Generation. (The 2nd Generation was added to avoid confusion
with the original Burton Family who at that time continued to sing.) However, most of their singing occurred at Clay Hill Baptist
Church, their home church. Up until that time, Troy and Kaye's youngest daughter Kelly was a little timid and did not seem to
have a desire for gospel music. However, the family knew she was a tenor, because of her shrill scream that was evident since
birth.   After Angie left for college in the fall of 1993, Kelly, age 15, stepped in; and sure enough, she was that tenor and lead
vocal that the group so needed at that time. During the months prior to Claude's death in early 1994, Troy and his family were
privileged to have the opportunity to sing with his father and mother on special occasions. Claude and Lorene especially
enjoyed seeing their son, daugher-in-law and grandchildren carrying on the gospel in song. In the mid 1990s, Vonnie Dolan
joined the group, adding the rhythm guitar and singing bass with the group. During the next few years, Kaye began to play the
bass guitar for the group. However, upon the marriage of their daughter Kelly to Joseph Reed a few years later, Kaye
relinquished the bass playing to her new son-in-law. During the next few years, the group continued to grow as Kelly and Joe
welcomed into their family two sons (Jaxon in 2002 and Eli in 2005). Once again, Troy purchased a school bus to carry the
singers, their family members, babysitters for Kelly's two children, and other church friends who travelled with the group almost
everywhere they went. It was a glorious journey for many years. The years 2006 and 2007 saw several changes within the
group. Vonnie Dolan left the group due to illness, and Joe had to quit playing the bass guitar to take care of the boys during
church while Kelly sang. That left only Troy playing the lead guitar. In an effort to carry on the ministry, Troy began making sound
tracks to fill the void in the music.   Today the group uses music sound tracks prepared by Troy, and Troy continues to play his
lead guitar live.

The group has made several recordings including We have Met To Worship (recorded in 1997), First Glimpse of Heaven (1999),
Love Held Jesus To the Cross (2001), Highway To Heaven (2002), Mama's Flowers (2005), Sweet Spirit (2006), and Home At
Last (2008). During this ministry, Troy has written numerous songs which have been recorded by the group. Troy will be the first
to tell you that God was the author, as he was graced with the privilege of holding the pencil as God's message came to life in
the form of a song. Some of those songs include: Don't Lay your Armour Down; He's Alive; Heaven Will Be Mine; Home At Last;
Jeremiah; Jesus Never Gave Up On Me; I'll Say Goodbye To Satan; Listen -- Can You Hear It; Love Held Jesus To the Cross;
Mama's Flowers; One Prayer Short; Rough and Rocky Road; Salvation Came Through the Blood; and Sweet Spirit.
Additionally, during 2009, several live recordings have been published for release to the public. Since Troy and Kaye are now
retired, these recordings are made and mixed by Troy in the basement of their home. Kaye then designs, prints the CD covers,
and packages them. Through this effort, the Lord has provided a way for the Burton Family 2nd Generation to distribute their
recordings without charge. Since 1997, thousands of CDs and cassette tapes have been distributed in many states and in other
countries as well.   Many churches have assisted this ministry through love offerings and individual donations. It is the desire of
the Burton Family to thank each and every church (including our home church, Clay Hill Baptist Church) for their love and support
throughout this ministry. More importantly, we thank the Lord for the doors he has opened to us and for the ministry that he has
so blessed us with.

May we always remember -- it's not about the Burton Family and never will be. It's all
about Jesus Christ, His mercy, His grace, & His infinite love!