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Michael Helwig was born and raised in Kitchener, Ontario, a small city in the heart of Mennonite country. Raised in a musical family, Michael says he’s been singing in front of audiences all of his life. Southern Gospel was a huge part of his musical upbringing. “My dad had Southern gospel on his record player constantly. It made me appreciate a style of music where a group has to be vocally talented in order for it to sound right. In my opinion, you cannot beat four-part, male harmony.” Michael continues, “We grew up listening to the Statesmen, the Blackwood Brothers, the Cathedrals, and of course, the Stamps! I was also influenced by Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Statler Brothers, and a -not necessarily Southern- gospel group called Brush Arbor.”
The first group Michael had the privilege of singing with was Unashamed, based out of his home church in Cambridge. A young male quartet, Unashamed’s enthusiastic delivery and progressive harmonies soon brought them a strong following and awards from the Canadian Gospel Music Association. After three years, Michael was invited to join the Torchmen, one of Canada’s top male quartets. He sang tenor with them for three years as well before being approached by the Wilburns, from Carthage, Tennessee.
Ed Enoch and the Stamps Quartet have obtained legendary status in the ranks of Southern Gospel Music. From their involvement with the National Quartet Convention, to their association with Elvis Presley, to having one of the most recognizable SGM figures singing bass for decades, the Stamps Quartet along with JD Sumner have been a southern institution. In 2005, this southern quartet got a little northern exposure when Michael Helwig took on the baritone position with the Stamps.
written by Lorraine Walker
Source: http://www.sgmradio.com/featurehelwig.html
http://www.thestampsquartet.com/
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