Archie Watkins joined the Inspirations in 1964, at age 15. The Inspirations quickly become one of the most popular quartets in Southern Gospel; by the mid-1970s, Watkins had been named Mr. Gospel Singer and Favorite First Tenor three times each in the Singing News Fan Awards. (He won Favorite First Tenor a fourth time in 1982).

 

 

 

During the forty-five years he spent with the Inspirations, his trademark tenor voice introduced numerous songs, including three that were both #1 hits and Singing News Fan Awards Songs of the Year: "Touring That City," "Jesus is Mine," and "I'll Not Turn My Back on Him Now."

 

 

 

In March 2009, he retired from the Inspirations. He now drives across the country with his wife, Cindy, keeping a slower schedule of solo dates. After recording with Crossroads while with the Inspirations, it was natural he would stay in the Crossroads family for his solo recordings. His solo recordings have already received acclaim; his first solo single, "He Will Remember Me," spent several months in the Singing News top 20 radio charts.

 

 

 

In recent years, he has received several awards honoring his lifetime of contributions to the genre. In 1999, Singing News gave him its highest honor, the Marvin Norcross Award. In 2007, he was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.