‘I need you to tell me if this is what I need to do!

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. – When Cole Watson stood on the stage at Sand Spring Baptist Church last June, chances are he didn’t envision his next trip to Lawrenceburg would be on a different bus and he would be singing in a different group.

But Watson truly believes he’s where God wants him to be.

We caught up with Watson shortly after The Perrys were on fire during their concert at Sand Spring on May14. The group had poured their hearts to God on stage, delivering a strong mix that 55 years of excellence in southern gospel music can bring. And Watson is confident that God directed his transition to The Perrys after four years of singing lead for The Kingsmen.

“I grew up in church and  listening to southern gospel and grew a love for southern gospel early on,” Watson explains. “I will say this. I really didn’t understand why I loved it until I did and meaning me along with all of the other singers have the distinct honor to share this gospel through music and when you get to the point when you know your voice

“Your voice, whether you are male or female, is not yours. It’s not your voice. You didn’t do anything to earn that voice”

Cole Watson leaves little doubt that he wants to use his voice for God’s glory. When you understand that as the driving force behind one of southern gospel’s finest young singers, you can understand the move that Watson made earlier this year. It was a move that Watson says he was not pursuing, but the unfolding of events that followed a simple phone call convinced Watson that God had some new plans.

“First of all, I love those guys,” Watson said of his tenure with The Kingsmen, “I love the history that is there. They treated me like family from Day One. (The change) has nothing to do with The Kingsmen. It was between God and me.”

Watson recalled that when he heard there was an opening in the Perry lineup, he called Libbi Stuffle, the group’s owner, offering his assistance in locating a new lead singer. His intent was that if he knew of a good fit he would direct that person to the group.

Little did Cole know that the person would be him.

He felt a tug to go, even though he was happy. “Then, all of a sudden, (God) hits me harder and it kind of shook me to my core,” Watson said. “I was like, ‘OK, God, I am listening. So I prayed. And I prayed some more. I need you to tell me if this is what I need to do. I need that reassurance.

Watson knew deep down that God’s answer was in the affirmative.

“Let me say this, I have nothing but love and respect for The Kingsmen. If I can ever help them, I will.”

When the Perrys uplifted the crowd with songs like “I Know It Was the Blood,” “Calvary Answers for Me,” and a rousing “Warmin’ Up” to close the show, Watson’s crisp voice blended perfectly even though he’d been traveling with the group for less than a week.

Despite being only 30, Watson is somewhat a veteran of southern gospel, singing with his father and grandfather at a very young age. He says his grandfather sang in a quartet with legendary bass singer Tim Riley before the latter joined Gold City in 1980.

Cole Watson got his start with Exodus, a group his dad helped form for special music at his home church in Gadsden, Alabama. “They got together and practiced and realized the harmonies were there,” Cole smiled.

He’s also had stints with the Troy Burns Family and Gold City before moving to The Kingsmen and now The Perrys. 

Most of all, Watson sees his calling to sing as a ministry directed by God.

He points to a time last year when he came to understand that singing gospel music was not just about sounding good, but was about presenting Christ through music. It’s music designed to praise God, lift burdens and challenge the saints.

And that voice that many southern gospel fans have come to love is burning with passion to tell others about Christ.

Almost two years ago, Watson married Winchester native Brooklyn Hennecke and moved to Clark County. He’s a big-time football fan and his blood remains crimson red instead of Kentucky blue despite living within shouting distance of Lexington. “I will always be Alabama!” he smiled. 

But Cole is reluctantly getting used to the local soft drink, Ale 8 One. “I can drink it if I have to,” he grinned. “The paw paw flavor’s not bad.”

Regardless of his local tastes, Cole Watson is sure that when he goes on stage with one of southern gospel’s iconic families, he’s where God wants him to be.

“The Perrys have been singing together for 55 years. There are a lot of songs in the catalog that the Perrys have done throughout the years,” he says. “We just ask that people pray for us.”

That’s because the Perrys and Cole Watson are just warmin’ up.