Rudy Partin was a long-time Barbershopper and lover of a cappella harmony. With a gift for music planted deep into his soul by God, Rudy used his talents as a singer, arranger and director to bring his music to thousands, including directing his own chorus on the international stage in Barbershop competitions in the late 1980s. Such was Rudy's gift that many who knew him would tell you that he could hear a song on the radio and write it out note-perfect as the song was playing! Growing up in North Carolina, Rudy was always attracted to 'Southern Gospel' music and the exciting harmonies created by the many touring families, quartets and trios that often played in the area. Why this attraction to southern gospel music? He wasn't sure. His focus had been primarily on secular music all his life, particularly in his specialty of male four-part harmony, until his alcoholism stripped him of everything--his family, his job, and his music.

Then, in 1993, at one of the lowest points in his life, God reconnected with Rudy like a bolt of lightning as he was walking past his childhood church. God stopped him in his tracks. In his own words, Rudy said, "It was like a cylinder had been placed around me and I could not move." In that instant, Rudy knew he had to seek help for his addictions, help for what seemed an insurmountable task to him, impossible even. But, in that singular moment, he also knew that with God's help, he could do it. In two short years, Rudy had not only cleaned himself up, but he had brought others suffering similar addictions into a life of sobriety and hope through the promises of God and relationship with Jesus Christ. What had been lost was now restored. Not only did Rudy get his life back, but his music came back also.

It was on that incredible journey back into life that Rudy finally understood that love for gospel music that had been planted in his soul and the poignancy of all the old hymns of his childhood. With his music talents fully restored, Rudy began arranging many of the songs and hymns that had touched him and given him strength and hope in his life as he journeyed out of addiction and into a relationship with God through His Son. So filled with this exuberance over God's love for him, Rudy was compelled to find an outlet for his music; an outlet for him to give thanks back to God for what He had done in his life. In 1995 Rudy formed The Master's Men, a 16-voice male a cappella group dedicated to sharing the Word of the Lord in song. It was a group that Rudy could use to show others the power of God's word and to regularly give his thanks back to God for restoring his life and music. Over the years, the group has grown to 21 men and is still spreading the Good News and touching people's lives through live performances and recordings. In fact, recordings of the group have been heard on all seven continents. Though God has since called Rudy home, the group that he started still continues its ministry today. Rudy's timeless arrangements are just as inspiring to sing as they are to hear. On behalf of Rudy, The Master's Men are very pleased to share some of these arrangements with you today.