David Phelps
Encyclopedia
David Norris Phelps is an American Christian vocalist, songwriter and vocal arranger, who is best known for singing tenor in the Gaither Vocal Band
. He has also released several solo albums, including four Christmas collections. On January 13, 2008, Phelps appeared on Extreme Makeover Home Edition for the Woodhouse family.
, to Gene and Mary Ella Phelps. Gene is a former accountant/banker who currently teaches business and finance at a college in Houston. Mary Ella is a retired English Professor. He has two older sisters, Sherri Proctor (who sings backup vocals for him when he tours) and Kari Lee (a professional trumpeter who tours with the Chicago-based Millar Brass Ensemble.)
Phelps grew up in Tomball, Texas near Houston and graduated from Tomball High School
in 1988. He attended Baylor University
, (where he directed the Baylor Religious Hour Choir) graduating in 1992 with a degree in music and vocal performance.
Phelps is a lyric tenor
as a trademark of his large range, especially his ability to sing in a high tessitura
for sustained periods. Live recordings, whether by himself or with the Gaithers, indicate he has more than a three octave full voice
range. In the first verse of "Just As I Am
," off of the album "Revelation," David sings an E2. This is attested by live performances. During a performance of "When God Dips His Love In My Heart," he ably sings an F5, full voice, and sustains it for a significant period of time. During his time with the Gaither Vocal Band, his high tessitura was employed often. He was introduced to Bill Gaither by Mark Lowry
, who was (and is now again) the baritone in the group. Lowry brought Gaither a tape of Phelps. During a performance of "Let Freedom Ring" (originally recorded on their God is Good CD), he ably sings an Db5 in full voice. In Studio his highest note ever is a C#6 the Soprano High C#6.
Phelps is once again, since approximately January 13, 2009, part of the Gaither Vocal Band
. He is sharing the tenor part with Wes Hampton.
videos Christmas in the Country and A Time for Joy. The Phelps Family currently resides south of Nashville, Tennessee.
Gaither Vocal Band
The Gaither Vocal Band is a Grammy award-winning Christian music vocal group, headed by Bill Gaither. They originally recorded contemporary Christian music, but after the popularity of the Gaither Homecoming videos, the group has become known for southern gospel.-Group history:The Gaither Vocal...
. He has also released several solo albums, including four Christmas collections. On January 13, 2008, Phelps appeared on Extreme Makeover Home Edition for the Woodhouse family.
Biography
David Phelps was born in TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, to Gene and Mary Ella Phelps. Gene is a former accountant/banker who currently teaches business and finance at a college in Houston. Mary Ella is a retired English Professor. He has two older sisters, Sherri Proctor (who sings backup vocals for him when he tours) and Kari Lee (a professional trumpeter who tours with the Chicago-based Millar Brass Ensemble.)
Phelps grew up in Tomball, Texas near Houston and graduated from Tomball High School
Tomball High School
Tomball Senior High School is an accredited public high school in the city of Tomball, Texas. Until 2011, it was the only high school in the Tomball Independent School District, which serves nearly 9,500 students...
in 1988. He attended Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
, (where he directed the Baylor Religious Hour Choir) graduating in 1992 with a degree in music and vocal performance.
Phelps is a lyric tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
as a trademark of his large range, especially his ability to sing in a high tessitura
Tessitura
In music, the term tessitura generally describes the most musically acceptable and comfortable range for a given singer or, less frequently, musical instrument; the range in which a given type of voice presents its best-sounding texture or timbre...
for sustained periods. Live recordings, whether by himself or with the Gaithers, indicate he has more than a three octave full voice
Modal voice
Modal voice is the vocal register used most frequently in speech and singing in most languages. It is also the term used in linguistics for the most common phonation of vowels...
range. In the first verse of "Just As I Am
Just as I Am
Just as I Am can refer to:*Just as I Am — a 1971 album by Bill Withers. It includes the hit single "Ain't No Sunshine".*Just as I Am — the debut album by Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian....
," off of the album "Revelation," David sings an E2. This is attested by live performances. During a performance of "When God Dips His Love In My Heart," he ably sings an F5, full voice, and sustains it for a significant period of time. During his time with the Gaither Vocal Band, his high tessitura was employed often. He was introduced to Bill Gaither by Mark Lowry
Mark Lowry
Mark Alan Lowry is a Christian comedian, songwriter, and singer, best known for co-writing the song “Mary, Did You Know?”. Lowry performed with the Gaither Vocal Band from 1988–2001 and, in January 2009, he re-joined the group along with other "GVB" alumni Michael English and David Phelps...
, who was (and is now again) the baritone in the group. Lowry brought Gaither a tape of Phelps. During a performance of "Let Freedom Ring" (originally recorded on their God is Good CD), he ably sings an Db5 in full voice. In Studio his highest note ever is a C#6 the Soprano High C#6.
Phelps is once again, since approximately January 13, 2009, part of the Gaither Vocal Band
Gaither Vocal Band
The Gaither Vocal Band is a Grammy award-winning Christian music vocal group, headed by Bill Gaither. They originally recorded contemporary Christian music, but after the popularity of the Gaither Homecoming videos, the group has become known for southern gospel.-Group history:The Gaither Vocal...
. He is sharing the tenor part with Wes Hampton.
Personal life
David's wife is Lori Purtle Phelps (also born on October 21, 1969); together the two have four children: Callie Noelle (born 1995), Maggie Beth (born 1997), David Grant (born 2000) and Coby Daniel (born 2004). Callie, Maggie Beth and Grant can be seen on the Gaither HomecomingGaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming is the name applied to a series of videos, music recordings and concerts, which are organized, promoted and usually presented by Christian music songwriter and impresario Bill Gaither...
videos Christmas in the Country and A Time for Joy. The Phelps Family currently resides south of Nashville, Tennessee.
Solo Albums
| Year | Album | Peak chart position |
Record Label | Record Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Journey to Grace | |||
| 2000 | Joy, Joy | Springhill Music | ||
| 2001 | David Phelps | Phil Naish | ||
| 2004 | Revelation | 7 | Word | Regie Hamm Regie Hamm Regie Hamm is an American singer-songwriter. He has multiple credits as a songwriter, producer, musician , and artist.-Early and personal life:... , Chris Harris Chris Harris Chris Harris may refer to:* Chris Harris , English business author* Chris Harris , American football player* Chris Harris , Texas State Representative and State Senator... |
| 2005 | Life is a Church Life is a Church Life is a Church is a studio album from Christian singer David Phelps. It was released on September 13, 2005 by Word Records.-Track listing:#"With His Love " - 3:44#"Something's Gotta Change" - 3:37... |
9 | Greg Bieck | |
| 2006 | Legacy of Love: David Phelps Live! | 28 | ||
| 2007 | No More Night: Live in Birmingham No More Night: Live in Birmingham No More Night: Live in Birmingham is a live CD/DVD from Christian singer David Phelps. It was recorded during a presentation at the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama on 2006... |
Jim Chaffee, Rudy Landa | ||
| 2007 | One Wintry Night One Wintry Night One Wintry Night: A David Phelps Christmas is a Christmas album from Christian singer David Phelps. It was released on September 25, 2007 by Word Records.-Track listing:All songs written by David Phelps, except where noted.... |
23 | Monroe Jones | |
| 2008 | The Voice | 15 | Monroe Jones | |
| 2008 | O Holy Night [LIVE] | 4 | ||
| 2010 | Christmas With David Phelps [LIVE] | |||
| 2010 | Family Band | |||
With the Gaither Vocal Band
- 1998: Still the Greatest Story Ever Told
- 1999: God Is Good
- 2001: I Do Believe
- 2002: Everything Good
- 2003: A Capella (producer/arranger)
- 2004: Best of the Gaither Vocal Band
- 2009: Reunion Vol. 1 & 2 (LIVE)
- 2009: Reunited
- 2010: Better Day [LIVE]
- 2010: Greatly Blessed
- 2011: I Am a Promise
Appearances on other albums
- 1998: In My Life, Larry GatlinLarry GatlinLarry Wayne Gatlin is an American country music singer/songwriter. He is perhaps best known for teaming up with his brothers Steve and Rudy in the late 1970s, becoming one of country music's most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Gatlin has had a total of 33 Top 40 singles...
(Spring House) (background) - 1999: Within Old Pages, Walt Mills (Homeland Records) (background)
- 2000: Lordsong, Lordsong (Daywind) "Trial of the Heart" (background)
- 2001: Lauren Talley (Horizon) "The Prayer" (duet)
- 2001: Mark LowryMark LowryMark Alan Lowry is a Christian comedian, songwriter, and singer, best known for co-writing the song “Mary, Did You Know?”. Lowry performed with the Gaither Vocal Band from 1988–2001 and, in January 2009, he re-joined the group along with other "GVB" alumni Michael English and David Phelps...
On Broadway (Spring Hill) "A Whole New World" (duet with Sandi PattySandi PattySandra Faye "Sandi" Patty is an American Christian music singer. For many years she was known as Sandi Patti. She has been dubbed "The Voice" by critics, because of her wide range and flexibility.-Early life:...
) - 2001: Pursuing His Presence, The God Chasers (Spring Hill) "Completely Yours" (solo)
- 2006: The Nativity Story: Sacred Songs, Various (Watertower Music) "The Virgin's Lullaby" (Background)
- 2009: Let Go, Sheila WalshSheila WalshDr. Sheila Walsh, D.Min. is a Scottish-born contemporary Christian vocalist, songwriter, evangelist, author, inspirational speaker, and talk-show host.-Biography:...
(Spring Hill) "The Prayer" (duet) - 2009: In All I Do, Paid In Full, "Because I Love Him" (solo)
- 2010: Love Will Find A Way, Steve GreenSteve GreenSteve Green is a Contemporary Christian music singer notable for his vocal range and flexible solo style. Over his 35 year career, Green has been honored as a four-time Grammy Award nominee, seven-time Dove Award winner. He has had 13 No...
, "God Is Love" (background)
Solo
- 2006: Legacy of Love [LIVE]
- 2007: No More Night: David Phelps Live in Birmingham
- 2008: O Holy Night
- 2010: Christmas With David Phelps
With the Gaither Vocal Band
- 1998: Hawaiian Homecoming
- 2001: I Do Believe
- 2003: Australian Homecoming
- 2009: Reunion Volumes 1 & 2
- 2010: Reunited
- 2010: Better Day
Gaither Homecoming Video featured performances
- 1998: Kennedy Center Homecoming "The Battle Hymn of the RepublicThe Battle Hymn of the Republic"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is a hymn by American writer Julia Ward Howe using the music from the song "John Brown's Body". Howe's more famous lyrics were written in November 1861 and first published in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862. It became popular during the American Civil War...
" - 1998: All Day Singin' at the Dome "I'll Fly AwayI'll Fly Away"I'll Fly Away", is a hymn written in 1929 by Albert E. Brumley and published in 1932 by the Hartford Music company in a collection titled Wonderful Message...
" - 1998: Atlanta Homecoming "What a Meeting in the Air", "Jesus Saves"
- 2000: Good News "I'm Free", "What A Meeting in the Air"
- 2001: A Billy GrahamBilly GrahamWilliam Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
Music Homecoming - Volume 2 "It is Well with My Soul" - 2001: Mark Lowry On Broadway "A Whole New WorldA Whole New World"A Whole New World" is the Oscar winning featured pop single from the soundtrack to the 1992 Disney film Aladdin. It was composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Tim Rice. The song is a ballad between the primary characters Aladdin and Jasmine about the new world they are going to discover together....
" - 2002: Freedom Band "Worthy the Lamb"
- 2002: I'll Fly Away "I'll Fly Away", "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"
- 2002: God Bless America "The End of the Beginning", "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
- 2003: Heaven "No More Night", "What a Day That Will Be"
- 2004: A Tribute to Jake HessJake HessJake Hess was an American Grammy Award-winning southern gospel singer.-Life:Hess was born Manchild Hess December 24, 1927, in Limestone County, Alabama...
"Sweeter as the Days Go By" - 2004: Passin' the Faith Along "I Can't Even Walk"
- 2005: So Glad "Bein' Happy"
- 2006: Harmony in the Heartland "The Lifeboat"
- 2007: How Great Thou Art "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood"
- 2008: Rock of Ages "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"
- 2011: The Best of David Phelps
- 2011: Alaskan Homecoming "America, the Beautiful"
- 2011: Majesty, "Sunday School Medley", "His Eye Is On The SparrowHis Eye is on the Sparrow"His Eye Is on the Sparrow" is a Gospel hymn. Although today it is a staple of African-American worship services, the song was originally written in 1905 by two white songwriters, lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel...
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