Meet the Group

Dr. Brian Routh is a tenured Professor of Accounting at one of the nation’s top women’s colleges. He has taught at many other prestigious universities over the past two decades including Washington State University, Louisiana State University, the University of Southern Indiana, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Additionally, he has been honored with multiple teaching and research awards in business and accounting.

Brian’s passion for music began at a very early age. He channeled this passion constantly building his skills as an accomplished vocalist and classical musician. Brian was the tenor vocalist for one of the nation’s top male quartets, The Anchormen, where he is known for songs such as “Looking for a City”, “There’s a Land”, “When Jesus Passed By”, “O Holy Night”, “Be Still and Know That I am God”, and many more!

One of the country’s most dynamic voices, Brian is known for his smooth tenor vocals even in the high register. During his tenure singing gospel music, Brian was honored with multiple Singing News Fan Award nominations including Favorite Young Artist and Favorite Horizon Individual. 

Brian has recorded two solo projects entitled “One Voice” and “Faithful” and are available online via the Port City Quartet website.

Dale Forbes was born and raised in Camden County, NC until he graduated from high school in 1987. While he was growing up, he and his family would travel to the Smoky Mountains in Bryson City for vacation each summer, and would often attend the Singing In The Smokies to hear several of the most popular Southern Gospel artists showcase their talents. It was during that time that Dale realized he had a voice to sing and began to develop that talent in church, even amazing his school friends with his God-given gift. He began singing in churches and local concerts with his family group, and after graduating from high school, he took his first singing job with The Laymen of Windsor, NC. He transitioned from that job into a full-time position with The Telestials of Nashville, TN for a short time and then moved to Branson, MO to sing with Priority, the host group at Silver Dollar City. In 1991 he moved closer to home and joined the Singing Americans from Maiden, NC where he sang for two years. During that tenure, he met Sherry, his wife of 26 years, and shortly after, he accepted the call to preach, which led them back home to see what God had in store for them. He filled in with The Anchormen for New Year’s weekend in 1993, and it turned into a full-time position where he continued to minister until 1995, when God made it abundantly clear that He had called Dale to preach. He and Sherry began to travel and preach and sing in revivals around the country for six months, while also continuing to lead a home Bible study that they had begun 4 months prior to leaving the group. In a Bible study meeting on July 1, 1996, God spoke through an anointed minister of God a message that would confirm God’s calling upon Dale to pioneer a church in Elizabeth City, NC. Coastal Cathedral Church of God was birthed that night, and Dale and Sherry pastored there for 14 years before God released them to leave. During that 14 years, God blessed them with two boys, Briley and Braeden, who are now adults and following God’s plan for their lives in ministry. Dale was given an opportunity to return to the Anchormen once again, and at God’s directive, they left Elizabeth City and moved to Goldsboro, NC for two years where God did some restructuring in them and prepared them for the new church that they would return to Elizabeth City to start in 2012. New Day Church is a non-denominational Pentecostal church that is filled with many new converts and others who had previously been a part of Dale and Sherry’s former church. This ministry is a powerful witness to the community of God’s mercy and grace, welcoming everyone to come as they are. Dale felt a burden to raise up strong men of God in this ministry, and today is leading dozens of men into their purposes as Armorbearers, not just to the Pastor, but to the ministry as a whole. Training men to walk out God’s purpose in their lives and see their value as mighty men of God is one of Dale’s greatest passions as a minister of the gospel, as well as to his two sons.

Terry Carter began his singing career in 1972 at the age of 14. He sang in a regional quartet from his hometown of Wallace, North Carolina with his friends from church, Michael and Biney English. In 1979, Terry helped form on the mainstream groups of Southern Gospel music – The Anchormen – of which was was part of for many years. Terry has been nominated as one of the top ten baritones by the Singing News Magazine Fan Awards. Terry is also an accomplished producer who has worked with many of the gospel artists in the industry today.

Terry is celebrating over 52 years of singing gospel music! After all these years, his primary goal is to see the lost come to Christ and Christians encouraged through the message of gospel music. Terry is the founder, manager, baritone vocalist, and emcee for the Port City Quartet. He makes his home in Wilmington, North Carolina, and his voice will bless both your ears and your hearts.

Terry has started a live ministry during the week – playing uplifting music and encouraging audiences every where through the everlasting word of the living God.

Tim Perry, M.Div., nails the bass vocal and comes to Port City Quartet from Zebulon, North Carolina.

Over the past 30+ years, he worked in leadership for a major insurance company; however, he retired in 2018 to fully pursue his true passion of singing. Tim has sung with several regional groups over the past 40+ years including the Watchman Quartet, The Whites, Legacy, Fortress, and his most recent group, Gabriel’s Call.

Very important to the success of his singing ministry is the support of his wife, Pat, who he actually met at a gospel concert. They have been married over 30 years and you can most always find her traveling with him at each concert. Pat is also Port City’s Product Manager. Tim’s primary bass singing influences were Mike Holcombe, Tim Riley, and George Younce.

Although he is widely recognized for his rich tones and a natural range that extends off the bottom of the piano, he states that the most important aspect of his performances are not the low notes, but the message in the songs which is the incredible love, mercy, and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tim hopes to see you all on the road with Port City Quartet.