Getting to know the Troy Burns Family
Troy Burns of (Bryson City, NC.) was one of the founding members of the Inspirations in 1964. Starting at the young age of only 13, Troy performed and was a vital member of the group for over 30 years. For over the past 50 years his name and voice have been sought after by the thousands and both have been known to have only gotten better with age. Having been the lead singer for both the Inspirations and Archie Watkins & Smoky Mountain Reunion, Troy is no stranger to the industry and is loved by many.
Troy is currently touring and performing with his own group the Troy Burns Family that he founded over 7 years ago along with his wife Tammy Burns. The Troy Burns Family consists of Troy, Tammy, their baritone Shane Mathis, and the newest member Jacob Kluttz, pianist for the group. While traveling and singing all over the country the family is known for two very distinct things: their close family harmony and their love for the ministry of Jesus.
Troy, having been singing most of his life, has had the privilege of recording over 700 original and charting songs. Some include Jesus Is Coming Soon, Touring That City, Is That Footsteps, The Wonders of Wonders, Your Tears Are Touching God, The First Million Years, and many more. Troy and the Inspirations were a regular on the network TV show the Gospel Singing Jubilee and had the honor of winning the 1974 Dove Award for the Best Gospel TV Show. With over 6,000 concerts and numerous awards under his belt it is no surprise that this year Troy is the 2017 Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Inductee! Troy gives the credit to all his success to an evening service in an old fashion revival back in 1962 when Troy was saved at the age of 10 years old. Quoted by many Troy has been called “Mentor”, “My Hero”, “Friend” and a “Patriarch” of Southern Gospel Music.
Tammy Burns of (Bryson City, NC.) has had a heart for singing ever since she was a young child. Even though she had no plans to ever be a Gospel singer, she was raised with a formal education in vocal performance and was a member of the Sound Of Youth from Robbinsville, North Carolina.
As the wife of Troy Burns Tammy has had the privilege of traveling the country with her husband as he toured with the award winning Inspirations and she is the only female to have ever taken the stage and sing with the group. For 3 months Tammy had this amazing opportunity to travel and sing tenor with the Inspirations and now she is the full time alto of the Troy Burns Family. Along with her husband by her side Tammy starred in their groups concept video I’m Praying For You, which gave Tammy’s voice the opportunity to be heard around the entire world and has impacted the hearts and souls of millions. Many have compared Tammy’s distinct singing voice to the late Patsy Cline and Barbara Streisand. Tammy has a heart for the ministry and young people and she never passes up an opportunity to invest and love on the younger generations. Tammy believes her passion for young people comes from her own experience as child being saved at the age of 10 years old during Vacation Bible School at Robbinsville First Baptist Church in 1969. Tammy always works hard to make sure that the words she says and the songs she sings only depict the light and love of Jesus Christ.
Shane Mathis of (Atlanta, GA.) is a locally and nationally known Christian speaker, singer, songwriter, and actor. With Shane coming from a linage of a Christ-centered family deeply devoted to the art of music and performance it is no surprise that Shane continues to do what both he and his family love dearly.
Shane is a well-established Southern Gospel artist and has had the opportunity to work and share the stage with many of the top respected names in today’s industry. A friend of Shane’s for many years now had this to say back in 2010 when Shane was only 13 years old, “You are seasoned beyond your years.” – Bill Gaither . Despite his deep roots in the genre of Southern Gospel Music, Shane believes that the Holy Spirit calls us to be versatile in our worship and therefore he serves as part of the worship team and leadership staff of Victory World Church (Atlanta, GA). Shane travels full time as the baritone of the Troy Burns Family. It is a honor for Shane to be able to learn and watch first hand from a man like Troy Burns who has been singing for over 50 years. Without the love and support of his friends and family Shane knowns he wouldn’t be able to continue on in the furthering of the Kingdom and all he is called to do.
Jacob Kluttz of (Salisbury, NC.) is an 18-year old pianist with the talent to turn heads wherever he goes. From the very young age of 4 years old, Jacob has had the passion and talent of playing the piano with no musical training or theory understanding. This gift of playing by ear that Jacob has is a gift from God and Jacob will be the first to tell you that. Jacob has a testimony that tells the story of real life happenings and how God’s grace can bring any situation to good.
Jacob was adopted out of a broken family at a very young age and entered into a new family parented by Jonathan and Dawna Kluttz. Both his parents love the Lord and raised Jacob to know this love of a heavenly Father as well. They are the owners and proprietors of Kluttz Piano Company which was started in 1931. So it is no surprise that Jacob would grow up loving and being drawn towards the art of piano playing. Jacob is the newest member of the Troy Burns Family and while out on the road you can hear many people compare Jacob to the late Anthony J. Burger who played for the popular Gaither Homecoming shows and earned Dove Award nominations for his albums of instrumental music.