Mark Gersmehl
Encyclopedia
Mark “Gersh” Gersmehl is a Christian
musician who is best known as one of the founding members of the Christian rock group White Heart
. He and guitarist Billy Smiley
were the only two original members of the band to stay with White Heart from its conception in 1982 through its disbandment in 1998. Gersmehl played keyboards in the band, as well as occasionally singing lead vocals. He also contributed his songwriting skills, penning 15 of White Heart’s 16 No. 1 hits. When the group disbanded in 1998, he began a solo career, releasing his first solo album in 2002.
in 1954, and spend his childhood in the area. His first musical memories are classical, at home and at the local Lutheran church. His first instrument was the piano, although he later studied trombone, baritone, flute, and recorder. At the age of 15 he performed his first “professional” gig at a wedding reception with the New World Quintet. Later, he would play trombone with the O’Jays, the legendary Philadelphia Sound group, as well as with several professional orchestras in Indiana.
, Gersmehl began playing horns at the studios of Bill and Gloria Gaither
. Other studio musicians suggested that he go on the road with the Gaither Vocal Band
, but at first Gersmehl was hesitant. The third time his studio friends insisted, Gersmehl agreed to go on the road. He would play keyboards and horn on tour with the Gaithers for four years.
and David Huff, Steve Green, and Gary Lunn—decided to join the duo in the formation of the band, which was eventually named “White Heart”.
Through White Heart’s numerous lineup changes, Smiley and Gersmehl, the primary songwriters of the group, stayed on. Gersmehl wrote or co-wrote 15 of the White Heart’s 16 No. 1 hits, as well as numerous other Top 10 hits for other artists including Kathy Troccoli
, Sandi Patty
, and Geoff Moore
. The band was nominated for 2 Grammy Award
s and 22 Dove Awards; however, they never won either award. In 1998, the group disbanded.
, CCM’s first all-girl rock band. Gersmehl and Rachel Rachel’s keyboard player, Brynn Beltran
, began a relationship that blossomed into the two falling in love. After the tour, Gersmehl showed up on her doorstep, and proposed. The two were married in 1994. The two currently live in Nashville, Tennessee
with their son, Trevor.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
musician who is best known as one of the founding members of the Christian rock group White Heart
White Heart
White Heart, also listed as Whiteheart, was a Contemporary Christian Music pop-rock band which formed in 1982. White Heart's discography includes thirteen albums, the most recent of which was released in 1997. Original members Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl worked with a continually-changing cast...
. He and guitarist Billy Smiley
Billy Smiley
Billy Smiley is a music producer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for being one of the core members of the Christian rock band White Heart. He was the bands' guitarist, vocalist, and main songwriter since 1982....
were the only two original members of the band to stay with White Heart from its conception in 1982 through its disbandment in 1998. Gersmehl played keyboards in the band, as well as occasionally singing lead vocals. He also contributed his songwriting skills, penning 15 of White Heart’s 16 No. 1 hits. When the group disbanded in 1998, he began a solo career, releasing his first solo album in 2002.
Early life
Gersmehl was born in Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
in 1954, and spend his childhood in the area. His first musical memories are classical, at home and at the local Lutheran church. His first instrument was the piano, although he later studied trombone, baritone, flute, and recorder. At the age of 15 he performed his first “professional” gig at a wedding reception with the New World Quintet. Later, he would play trombone with the O’Jays, the legendary Philadelphia Sound group, as well as with several professional orchestras in Indiana.
Gaither Vocal Band
While attending Ball State UniversityBall State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
, Gersmehl began playing horns at the studios of 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:...
. Other studio musicians suggested that he go on the road with 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...
, but at first Gersmehl was hesitant. The third time his studio friends insisted, Gersmehl agreed to go on the road. He would play keyboards and horn on tour with the Gaithers for four years.
White Heart
By 1981, Billy Smiley and Gersmehl, both of whom were playing with the New Gaither Vocal Band at the time, found that they were tired of playing backups for other artists, and felt that they wanted to go out on their own and let the Lord work through them. They decided to start their own contemporary Christian music group singing some of their co-written compositions. Four musicians who were in the Gaither Trio, the Gaither Vocal Band, or both—DannDann Huff
Dann Huff is an American musician, session musician, singer-songwriter and producer. For his work as a producer in the Country music genre he has won several awards including the Musician of the Year award in 2001 and 2004 at the Country Music Association Awards and the Producer of the Year award...
and David Huff, Steve Green, and Gary Lunn—decided to join the duo in the formation of the band, which was eventually named “White Heart”.
Through White Heart’s numerous lineup changes, Smiley and Gersmehl, the primary songwriters of the group, stayed on. Gersmehl wrote or co-wrote 15 of the White Heart’s 16 No. 1 hits, as well as numerous other Top 10 hits for other artists including Kathy Troccoli
Kathy Troccoli
Kathleen Colleen "Kathy" Troccoli is a contemporary Christian singer, author, and speaker.-Personal:Born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 24, 1958, Troccoli moved at age three and was raised in Islip Terrace, Long Island, New York, graduating from East Islip High School. At 15, she lost her father...
, Sandi Patty
Sandi Patty
Sandra 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:...
, and Geoff Moore
Geoff Moore
In 1988, Geoff Moore and the Distance released their first official album together, entitled A Place to Stand. They also recorded Foundations in 1989 for Sparrow Records. After a while, they jumped to Forefront Records and recorded Pure and Simple in 1990.They followed in 1992 with A Friend Like U...
. The band was nominated for 2 Grammy Award
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...
s and 22 Dove Awards; however, they never won either award. In 1998, the group disbanded.
Solo career
While still with White Heart, Gersmehl was encouraged by others in the music industry to consider a solo career. However, he did not begin a solo career immediately after the disbanding of White Heart. By the early 2000s, Gersmehl was ready to roll again, releasing his first solo album, “Awakening”, in March 2002. Gersmehl continues to tour both in the US and abroad, as well as teaching and encouraging Christians and other musicians. His wife, Brynn, often accompanies him to concerts and speaking engagements.Family Life
On a seven-month tour in 1993, White Heart’s opening act was Rachel RachelRachel Rachel (band)
Rachel Rachel was a Contemporary Christian Rock musical group that was active in the early 1990s. The AOR group is best known as the first American female Christian rock group in the history of CCM. Members included Cheryl Jewell , Heli Sterner , Brynn Beltran , Jennifer York , and Jennifer...
, CCM’s first all-girl rock band. Gersmehl and Rachel Rachel’s keyboard player, Brynn Beltran
Brynn Gersmehl
Brynn Gersmehl is a Christian musician from southern California who writes in the Contemporary Christian genera. She is best known for her involvement in the AOR group Rachel Rachel, the first all-girl Christian rock band, with whom she wrote and performed two #1 songs...
, began a relationship that blossomed into the two falling in love. After the tour, Gersmehl showed up on her doorstep, and proposed. The two were married in 1994. The two currently live in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
with their son, Trevor.