About Matchless Grace...

Growing up in church was an awesome experience for me. I never dreaded going, I was always excited to worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Singing was always a big part of worship for us. My biggest musical influence came from this time of my life, our church quartet, which was made up by my aunts and uncles. They instilled in me a love for southern gospel music. They had wonderful harmony but the way that they delivered a song was what impressed me the most. They sang with a spiritual passion. I try to sing with that same passion every time I stand and sing for my Lord.

I began singing in church at the ripe old age of 2 with my mom and dad, Rev. Tommy & Trecie Hazeltine. They used to stand me on a choir chair between them so I could "read" the songbook. These are some of my earliest memories I have as a child and what a blessing they are. Being the youngest of six children, we didn't always have everything we wanted, but we never ran short on love from two of the most wonderful people in the world. Even though there were six of us, they always made you feel like you were their favorite. Isn't that how God's love is, too? When I think about how much I've failed the Lord and realize that He still loves me, I have to believe that I must be His favorite! That "unconditional love" is AMAZING to me and I just can't thank Him enough for His love and His Grace!

God has blessed me and my family beyond measure. I have had the privilege of sharing what God has done for me through our work in Gospel music. I started playing guitar when I was eight years old and have been singing for as long as I can remember. I had the opportunity to travel and sing for years with my wife Gail and our two children. I get so excited when I think of all the opportunities God has given us to share his word through our ministry and music. I just feel lucky to be associated with this wonderfully talented group of people . Please keep Matchless Grace in you prayers so that we can see more come to Christ in 2012.  

I was born into a gospel music singing family that was originally from Claiborne County, Tennessee called the Cunningham Family. My parents moved to Monroe, Michigan which is where I was born and raised. I don’t ever remember not being able to play the piano. My parents said that I sang before I talked (and you could understand the words). I asked to be put on the piano bench at age 3 and was able to play any song I had heard. What an amazing gift from God. I graduated from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. My husband Dennis and I were blessed with 2 children that are musically talented. We lived in Knoxville, Tennessee in the 1990s and sang with my cousin and his family and our children. Matchless Grace is a wonderful and talented group of people. I have truly been blessed throughout my life.

God has blessed me to be part of a christian family where my sister and i were raised in church and exposed to gospel music at an early age. My parents sang in a gospel group with my aunts and uncle back in the 70s and 80s which made a lasting impression on me to this day. For the past 11 years my dad has been playing bass for our group and that is special to me. I have been playing guitar since i was 6 years old and have been influenced not only by gospel music but by bluegrass, country, and classic rock music. At age 44 God continues to bless me with my wife of 21 years, Valerie, and our 2 children Corey and Carley. Corey plays guitar and is currently attending college. Carley plays piano and sings, sometimes opening up for our group when traveling with us. I thank God for his blessings and the opportunity to serve him with these special people in Matchless Grace.

I attended my first National Quartet Convention almost 20 years ago. It was a dream of mine to go to this event and see first-hand the groups that I faithfully listened to on a local southern gospel radio station. The event exceeded my expectations! I was impressed with this music that was life-changing and carried the message of Jesus Christ in song. I joined Matchless Grace in 1992. It has been a pleasure to sing alongside this wonderful group of Christians and friends. We all have the same goal; which is to carry the message of Jesus Christ through song.

They say I was singing before I could talk, as a baby I would try to sing along with my granny as she bounced me on her knee. She would sing the shape notes to learn songs out of the old Stamps & Baxter Hymnal books. So I can proudly say that gospel music has always been a big part of my life. Me and my little brother have been singing in church for about 40 years now, they say time flies when you’re having fun, well I can truly say that I have enjoyed the journey.