Fairfield Four singer Robert Hamlett dies at 84

Robert Hamlett, a Nashville singer who helped usher in a thrilling new era for gospel group The Fairfield Four, died Monday at age 84.

The vocal quartet was founded in a Nashville church in 1921, and Mr. Hamlett joined their ranks in 1984. In the 1990s, the group hit new heights of fame and acclaim. They appeared on albums by Elvis Costello and John Fogerty, and their own album, "I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray," won the Grammy for best traditional gospel soul album in 1998.

Two years later, Mr. Hamlett and his fellow members were seen and heard in the 2000 film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" They shared a scene with George Clooney as a group of singing gravediggers. That film's soundtrack earned them a second Grammy in 2002.

Mr. Hamlett continued to perform with the group through 2014. His last concert with the group was a taping for PBS' "Rock My Soul" TV special, filmed at Nashville's Downtown Presbyterian Church.

"The greatest thrill was performing in Carnegie Hall," Hamlett said in 2013. "We received a standing ovation when we did our 'O Brother' song, 'Lonesome Valley.' We couldn't believe it: a standing ovation in Carnegie Hall."

Mr. Hamlett’s funeral will be on Monday, February 8, 2016 at the Highland Hills Funeral Home, 2422 Brick Church Pike, Nashville, TN. 37207. Visitation 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Funeral 7:00pm - 8:00pm. Condolences accepted at www.highlandhillsfuneralhome.com.

A full obituary from Mr. Hamlett's family follows: