Gaither Vocal Band
Encyclopedia
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
.
Lee Young left the group in 1982, and Jon Mohr was hired as the new bass singer. They then recorded the album, Passin' The Faith Along. Later, tenor Steve Green left and Larnelle Harris
was hired. This group cut the New Point Of View album before Mohr left.
At this point the New Gaither Vocal Band became new, but dropped the "new" part of their name. Due to baritone becoming high for Bill and lead becoming high for Gary McSpadden, Bill Gaither dropped to the lowest part (Bill stated they never called it bass at the time as it wasn't a true bass part). McSpadden was moved down to baritone and Michael English was hired as the new lead singer. Although the previous album (New Point of View) had been more contemporary than its predecessors, the album with this version of the group (One X 1) took it even further. After this album, Larnelle left and was replaced by Lemuel Miller. The group did not record an album with Lemuel before he too left. He was replaced by Imperials
alumnus, Jim Murray. They cut one album (Wings) before Gary McSpadden left to devote more time to his solo career. Mark Lowry
was tapped to replace him. Although Lowry admittedly didn't have the natural ear for the baritone part, or the experience, he added a great voice along with his comedy and soon made their sound more smooth. Their Gospel roots project Homecoming in 1991, caused most Southern Gospel fans to welcome the Vocal Band with open arms. Jim Murray left and was replaced by Terry Franklin. The album Southern Classics was released in 1993 with the hit I Bowed On My Knees.
Later Michael English left. He was replaced by Buddy Mullins. Despite being only a temporary fill-in, Mullins did record the album "Testify" with the group, in place of Michael English, who had initially planned to record that album with the group. Terry Franklin soon left and was replaced by yet another Imperials alumnus, Jonathan Pierce
(formerly known as Jonathan Hildreth, his first and last name—then changed to his first and middle name). Strengthened by the popularity of the Homecoming video series, the Vocal Band added Guy Penrod
at lead. After Pierce's departure, Gaither hired David Phelps
at tenor. After Lowry's departure, Imperials alumnus Russ Taff
sang baritone for a couple of years. Marshall Hall
was his replacement. Wes Hampton succeeded Phelps in 2005.
The group has had two number one songs on the Singing News
chart. "Yes, I Know" held the top position from July to October 1997, as did "I Will Go On" in November 2006. Other popular tunes by the Gaither Vocal Band include "Temporary Home," "Let Freedom Ring," "Count On Me," "The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor," and "When Jesus Says It's Enough." The group routinely performs classic Southern Gospel songs including many written by Bill and Gloria Gaither
like "He Touched Me", "I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary", and "Sinner Saved By Grace."
, Terry Franklin, and Lemuel Miller, the rest of the former and present members appear and perform. The two CDs debuted in the top two positions on Billboard’s Contemporary Christian Album chart, marking not only the Gaither Vocal Band's first No. 1 on the Christian Album chart, but also their first No. 1 debut on that chart as well. The DVDs of the same title debuted in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on the Music Video charts as well.
In January 2009, Marshall Hall and Guy Penrod left. Gaither brought back some some former members: Michael English as lead vocal, Mark Lowry as baritone and David Phelps as high tenor. The first album by this five-member version was Reunited
released in September 2009. It was also the first album of the vocal band ever to feature only songs written by Bill and Gloria Gaither.
In August 2010, they released the long-awaited album called Greatly Blessed.
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning Christian music vocal group, headed by Bill Gaither. They originally recorded contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
, but after the popularity of the Gaither Homecoming
Gaither 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, the group has become known for southern gospel
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
.
Group history
The Gaither Vocal Band was formed in the early 1980s on the spur of the moment, backstage before a Bill Gaither Trio concert. Just four members—Gaither and Gary McSpadden of the trio, and Steve Green and Lee Young, who were backup singers— singing quartet standards around a piano. Then, they decided to take it on stage singing, “Your First Day in Heaven.” Their debut album, the self titled The New Gaither Vocal Band, debuted in 1981.Lee Young left the group in 1982, and Jon Mohr was hired as the new bass singer. They then recorded the album, Passin' The Faith Along. Later, tenor Steve Green left and Larnelle Harris
Larnelle Harris
Larnelle Steward Harris is a gospel singer and songwriter. During his 30-plus years of ministry, Harris has recorded 18 albums, won five Grammy Awards and 18 Dove Awards, and has had several number one songs on the inspirational music charts.-Early life:A native of Danville, Kentucky, Harris...
was hired. This group cut the New Point Of View album before Mohr left.
At this point the New Gaither Vocal Band became new, but dropped the "new" part of their name. Due to baritone becoming high for Bill and lead becoming high for Gary McSpadden, Bill Gaither dropped to the lowest part (Bill stated they never called it bass at the time as it wasn't a true bass part). McSpadden was moved down to baritone and Michael English was hired as the new lead singer. Although the previous album (New Point of View) had been more contemporary than its predecessors, the album with this version of the group (One X 1) took it even further. After this album, Larnelle left and was replaced by Lemuel Miller. The group did not record an album with Lemuel before he too left. He was replaced by Imperials
The Imperials
The Imperials are an American Christian music group that has been around for over 45 years. Originating as a southern gospel quartet, the innovative group would become pioneers of contemporary Christian music in the 1960s. There have been many changes for the band in membership and musical styles...
alumnus, Jim Murray. They cut one album (Wings) before Gary McSpadden left to devote more time to his solo career. 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...
was tapped to replace him. Although Lowry admittedly didn't have the natural ear for the baritone part, or the experience, he added a great voice along with his comedy and soon made their sound more smooth. Their Gospel roots project Homecoming in 1991, caused most Southern Gospel fans to welcome the Vocal Band with open arms. Jim Murray left and was replaced by Terry Franklin. The album Southern Classics was released in 1993 with the hit I Bowed On My Knees.
Later Michael English left. He was replaced by Buddy Mullins. Despite being only a temporary fill-in, Mullins did record the album "Testify" with the group, in place of Michael English, who had initially planned to record that album with the group. Terry Franklin soon left and was replaced by yet another Imperials alumnus, Jonathan Pierce
Jonathan Pierce
Jonathan Pierce is an American gospel/CCM singer from Odessa, Texas. His full name is Jonathan Pierce Edward Loveheart Hildreth although he prefers to perform using his first and middle names instead of his first and last name....
(formerly known as Jonathan Hildreth, his first and last name—then changed to his first and middle name). Strengthened by the popularity of the Homecoming video series, the Vocal Band added Guy Penrod
Guy Penrod
Guy Penrod is a gospel music singer mostly known for his work as the lead singer of the Gaither Vocal Band, a position he held from 1994-2008.-Biography:...
at lead. After Pierce's departure, Gaither hired David Phelps
David Phelps
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...
at tenor. After Lowry's departure, Imperials alumnus Russ Taff
Russ Taff
Russell Taff is an American gospel singer who is originally from Farmersville, California. Taff later then moved to Arkansas where he graduated from Cutter-Morning Star High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas....
sang baritone for a couple of years. Marshall Hall
Marshall Hall (singer)
Marshall Hall was born on December 30, 1970 in Lexington, KY to a musical family - mother Alice, father Dale, older brother Mitchell, and younger brother Matthew....
was his replacement. Wes Hampton succeeded Phelps in 2005.
The group has had two number one songs on the Singing News
Singing News
The Singing News is an American magazine which focuses on the Southern Gospel music industry....
chart. "Yes, I Know" held the top position from July to October 1997, as did "I Will Go On" in November 2006. Other popular tunes by the Gaither Vocal Band include "Temporary Home," "Let Freedom Ring," "Count On Me," "The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor," and "When Jesus Says It's Enough." The group routinely performs classic Southern Gospel songs including many written by Bill and Gloria Gaither
Gloria Gaither
Gloria Gaither is a Christian songwriter, author, speaker, editor, and academic. She is the wife of Bill Gaither and also sang in the Bill Gaither Trio, one of the most influential groups in recent Christian music.-Early Years:...
like "He Touched Me", "I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary", and "Sinner Saved By Grace."
Recent times
In July 2008, the vocal band recorded a reunion DVD at the Gaither Studios—The Gaither Vocal Band Reunion, Volumes 1 and 2. Except for Jonathan PierceJonathan Pierce
Jonathan Pierce is an American gospel/CCM singer from Odessa, Texas. His full name is Jonathan Pierce Edward Loveheart Hildreth although he prefers to perform using his first and middle names instead of his first and last name....
, Terry Franklin, and Lemuel Miller, the rest of the former and present members appear and perform. The two CDs debuted in the top two positions on Billboard’s Contemporary Christian Album chart, marking not only the Gaither Vocal Band's first No. 1 on the Christian Album chart, but also their first No. 1 debut on that chart as well. The DVDs of the same title debuted in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on the Music Video charts as well.
In January 2009, Marshall Hall and Guy Penrod left. Gaither brought back some some former members: Michael English as lead vocal, Mark Lowry as baritone and David Phelps as high tenor. The first album by this five-member version was Reunited
Reunited (Gaither Vocal Band album)
Reunited is an album from Contemporary Christian, Southern Gospel group Gaither Vocal Band. The album was released on September 8, 2009. The album reunites Bill Gaither with singers David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Michael English, and Mark Lowry....
released in September 2009. It was also the first album of the vocal band ever to feature only songs written by Bill and Gloria Gaither.
In August 2010, they released the long-awaited album called Greatly Blessed.
Members (past and present)
| 1981–1982 (Under the Name "The New Gaither Vocal Band") |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 1982–1983 |
|
|
| 1983–1984 |
Larnelle Harris Larnelle Steward Harris is a gospel singer and songwriter. During his 30-plus years of ministry, Harris has recorded 18 albums, won five Grammy Awards and 18 Dove Awards, and has had several number one songs on the inspirational music charts.-Early life:A native of Danville, Kentucky, Harris... – Tenor |
|
| 1985–1987
(Under the Name "The Gaither Vocal Band") |
|
|
| 1987 |
|
|
| 1987–1988 |
|
|
| 1988–1992 |
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... – Baritone |
|
| 1992–1994 |
|
|
| 1994–1995 |
Jonathan Pierce Jonathan Pierce is an American gospel/CCM singer from Odessa, Texas. His full name is Jonathan Pierce Edward Loveheart Hildreth although he prefers to perform using his first and middle names instead of his first and last name.... – Tenor |
|
| 1995–1997 |
Guy Penrod Guy Penrod is a gospel music singer mostly known for his work as the lead singer of the Gaither Vocal Band, a position he held from 1994-2008.-Biography:... – Lead |
|
| 1997–2001 |
David Phelps 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... – Tenor |
|
| 2001–2004 |
Russ Taff Russell Taff is an American gospel singer who is originally from Farmersville, California. Taff later then moved to Arkansas where he graduated from Cutter-Morning Star High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas.... – Baritone |
|
| 2004–2005 |
Marshall Hall (singer) Marshall Hall was born on December 30, 1970 in Lexington, KY to a musical family - mother Alice, father Dale, older brother Mitchell, and younger brother Matthew.... – Baritone |
|
| 2005–2009 |
|
Lovin’ Life Lovin' Life is an album from Contemporary Christian, Southern Gospel group Gaither Vocal Band. The album was released on April 15, 2008.-Track listing:# "I'm Forgiven" - 4:00# "Build an Ark" - 3:32... (2008) |
| 2009–Present |
|
Reunited (Gaither Vocal Band album) Reunited is an album from Contemporary Christian, Southern Gospel group Gaither Vocal Band. The album was released on September 8, 2009. The album reunites Bill Gaither with singers David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Michael English, and Mark Lowry.... (2009) |
Grammys
- 1991: Best Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel for Homecoming
- 2008: Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel for Lovin' Life
Southern Gospel Album of the Year
- 1992: Homecoming
- 1994: Southern Classics
- 1999: Still the Greatest Story Ever Told
- 2000: God Is Good
- 2001: I Do Believe
- 2007: Give It AwayGive It Away (Gaither Vocal Band album)Give It Away is an album from Contemporary Christian, Southern Gospel group Gaither Vocal Band. The album was released on January 24, 2006.-Track listing:# "Bread Upon the Water" - 4:04...
- 2009: Lovin' Life
- 2010: ReunitedReunited (Gaither Vocal Band album)Reunited is an album from Contemporary Christian, Southern Gospel group Gaither Vocal Band. The album was released on September 8, 2009. The album reunites Bill Gaither with singers David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Michael English, and Mark Lowry....
- 2010: Greatly Blessed
Southern Gospel Song of the Year
- 1993: "Satisfied"
- 1994: "I Bowed On My Knees"
- 1999: "I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary"
- 2001: "God Is Good All The Time"
- 2002: "He's Watching Me"
- 2007: "Give It Away"
- 2011: "Better Day"