The Dayspring Trio: A Harmony of Faith, Family, and Southern Gospel
Born from humble beginnings in a small Americus, Georgia church, the Dayspring Trio has grown into a beloved Southern Gospel group with a rich history spanning over two decades. Their journey is a testament to the power of faith, friendship, and the enduring appeal of gospel music.
In February 1999, brothers David and Michael Luten, along with their close friend Jason Ross, were invited to form a do-wop quartet as part of the planned entertainment for a Valentine's Day banquet honoring the church's senior adults. This performance ignited a passion that would shape their futures. The young men, accompanied by the piano talents of one of the senior ladies, quickly assembled a repertoire of 1950s classics and the event was a resounding success, leaving the trio eager to continue their musical journey together.
A Valentine's Day Performance
The Early Years
Having been raised in the a cappella tradition of their church, David, Michael, and Jason naturally gravitated towards gospel songs without instrumental accompaniment. They prepared a few selections and performed their first mini-concert as part of a youth rally at their home church under the name "Triad." While the concert was well-received, all three agreed that to continue with a cappella style singing, they would need to expand beyond three voices.
They enlisted the help of two other teens from their youth group: Russ Wishum and John Landrum. This new configuration adopted the name "Dayspring" and featured Michael Luten on Tenor, David Luten on Lead, Russ Wishum and John Landrum both performing a combination of Baritone and Vocal Percussion, and Jason Ross singing Bass. The Dayspring acappella quintet remained active until 2002 when Jason and John's high school graduation and subsequent move to college led to the group's disbandment. However, their bond remained strong, and they reunited several times over the next few years to perform at special events for their home church.
Parting Ways and Individual Growth
The following five years saw David, Michael, and Jason developing their individual music ministries in diverse ways. Michael and Jason began experimenting with digital recording, which influenced Jason's decision to pursue a degree in Audio Production from Middle Tennessee State University. Meanwhile, David joined Junior Combs and the New Gathering, a southern gospel quartet based in Jacksonville, Florida. Michael soon followed, joining the group until it disbanded in 2006. The brothers then followed New Gathering bass vocalist Chad Johns in forming the Once Forgiven Quartet based out of Avon Park, Florida.
Rebirth: Becoming The Dayspring Trio
By the time Jason graduated from MTSU, he was eager to return to singing. At this point, all three original members were married, and Michael and his wife, Allie were expecting. The demands of weekly travel to southern Florida began to take a toll on the Luten brothers, prompting David to reach out to Jason about the possibility of reforming Dayspring. However, with neither Russ nor John interested in rejoining and Michael still committed to Once Forgiven, their hopes seemed dashed.
Undeterred, David and Jason began seeking new talent to fill the tenor and baritone positions. They enlisted Michael's help in auditioning applicants, and during this process, their old chemistry began to resurface. Recognizing the magic of their original trio, they canceled further auditions, and Michael agreed to join the group on a part-time basis while continuing to sing with Once Forgiven.
Rather than seeking a fourth member, Michael suggested the group transition from their exclusively a cappella style to become a Southern Gospel trio using pre-recorded instrumental accompaniment. This shift led Jason to move from bass to baritone. It also became apparent that David was now better suited for tenor than Michael, leading the brothers to switch parts, with Michael becoming Dayspring's Lead Vocalist; the configuration the group has kept ever since.
The newly formed Dayspring Trio sang their first southern gospel concert in 2007, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their musical journey. Since then, the group's lineup has remained constant, with David, Michael, and Jason continuing to blend, not only their voices in harmony, but their lives as well.
The Dayspring Trio Today: Faith, Family, and Music
Today, celebrating over 15 years as a trio, David, Michael and Jason are all committed husbands and fathers, actively involved in the same small church community that nurtured their early musical aspirations. They maintain a vibrant part-time ministry, performing approximately 50 concerts per year while prioritizing their families and local church involvement.
The Dayspring Trio's journey from a youth group Valentine's Day performance to a respected Southern Gospel ensemble is a story of perseverance, adaptation, and unwavering faith. Through life's changes and challenges, their commitment to their music, their faith, and each other has remained constant. Their harmonies continue to inspire and uplift audiences, carrying forward the rich tradition of Southern Gospel for a new generation. As they look to the future, the Dayspring Trio remains dedicated to their mission of sharing the gospel through music, touching hearts and souls with every performance.
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