BIOGRAPHY
Ricky Atkinson and Compassion is a South Georgia based Gospel music trio. From the
small town of Sylvester in the southwest corner of the state, they travel all over the
country taking the good news of Jesus to the world. The goal of the group is to bring the
lost to salvation, but the focus of the group is to uplift and encourage the church of today.
The testimony, music, lyrics, attitude and delivery of this group is real. The greatest
desire they have is to carry these great words in song, to all who will receive its great
message. Let me introduce the group to you....
RICKY ATKINSON
Ricky was saved at the age of seven at Faith Baptist Church, where his dad was pastor, in
Bishopville, SC. Ricky started singing with family as a young man and continued through
the teen years. In 1987, he began his career in music by playing piano for a Lance
Carpenter trio called The Camp meeting Trio, as they traveled and playing in many camp
meetings across the south. In 1988, he started singing lead with his first group, The Camp
meeting Boys. In 1991, he formed a male trio called Kindred Spirit. Ricky sang solo for
two years from 1994 to 1996. In 1996, he joined the Wilburns from Carthage, TN. In
1999, Ricky returned to South Georgia to form Ricky Atkinson and Compassion. Ricky
is most noted for being one of Gospel music's top songwriters. Along with being a
songwriter, he is also producer, arranger, publisher and president of two recording labels
for Resting Place Music.
Ricky sings lead and is the group manager.
LOREN HARRIS
Loren Harris began singing at the age of three with his parents, the Rev. Donnie and
Sandra Harris. He was saved on Easter Sunday morning in his home church in Johnson
City, Tennessee. He sang with his family until going to college. During college, he sang
with The Miracles of Kingsport, Tennessee for 2 years and then joined a trio from his
hometown of Erwin, Tennessee by the name of Greater Heights, where he sang until
joining the Wilburns of Cathage, Tennesee in 1996. 4 years later he joined The Perrys of
Morristown, Tennessee singing with them until August of 2006 when he came home to
join the staff of Valley Forge FWB Church in Elizabethton, Tennessee where he is today.
He currently resides in Elizabethton, with his wife Cindy and their children, son Cameron
(7) and daughter Kenidy (3).
Singing News Fan Awards Mixed Quartet of the Year 2004 & 2005 (Perrys)
Harmony Awards 2004 Song of the Year: "I Wish I could Have Been There" and 2004
Album of the Year: "This is the Day"
#1 Songs: "Resting Place"(Wilburns), "I Rest My Case At The Cross" (Perrys), "I Wish I
Could Have Been There" (Perrys)
Song of the Year nominations: "I Rest My Case At The Cross" (Perrys), "I Can, I Have, I
Will" (Perrys), "Calvary Answers For Me" (Perrys), "I Will Find You Again" (Perrys),
"His Name Was John" (Perrys)
Dove Award Nominee for Song of the Year: "I Rest My Case At The Cross" (Perrys)
"Male Vocalist" and "Lead Singer of the Year" nominations for 2004.
Greg Cook
Greg was born in Texarkana, AR where his father was Pastor of a church. He started
singing at age three and eventually became the music director at his father's church before
leaving for college to pursue the ministry as a Minister of Music. Greg was saved after
many years of "playing church." He is thankful that the Lord kept calling him and that he
realized salvation is through the blood of Jesus and not through a denomination. In 1987
he began his professional singing career as the tenor for The Florida Boys Quartet. While
with the Florida Boys he was privileged to be a part of the "Gaither Homecoming Video
Series." One of Greg's most recognized songs is a song he sang while with the Florida
Boys, "When He Was on the Cross." In 1996 he then joined Tony Gore & Majesty
before leaving the road full time in 1998 to return to being a full time Minster of Music.
RAC has been nominated for many awards
since being founded in 1999:
10 - "Songwriter of the Year" - 1999,2000(2), 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,2006(2)
3 - "Group of the Year" - 2004, 2005, 2006
2 - "Album of the Year" - 2004, 2005
3 - "Song of the Year" - 2000,2003, 2005
2 - "Trio of the Year" - 2004, 2005
2 - "Favorite Male Singer" - 2004, 2005
2 - "Favorite Female Singer" - 2004, 2005
2 - "Favorite Website" - 2004, 2005
1 - "Horizon Group of the Year" - 2002
1 - "Horizon Individual" - 2003
2 - "Mixed Group of the Year" - 2004, 2005
Ricky Atkinson and Compassion was voted
"TRIO OF THE YEAR - 2005", by the Southern Gospel Music Fan Fair
Major Appearances:
Gospel Music Television
The World Premier
National Quartet Convention
Dollywood
Silver Dollar City
Celebration Cruise
Gospel Music Fan Fair
Daystar Network
and many more....
Ricky Atkinson's most noted songs, written or co-written:
This Valley is For Me - # 3
Resting Place - # 1
Left Behind - # 7
Blessed Be the Name of the Lord - # 1
Good Time Today in the House of the Lord - # 7
I'm Blessed - #5
The Prodigal - #2
Only Gonna Never Die - # 2
Jesus Can - #1
Based on a True Story - # 4
Who's At the Door - # 7
The Prodigal's Father - # 4
I Have Not Forgotten - # 1
Table of the King - # 4
and many more......