Glad (band)
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| GLAD | |
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 left to right: Don Pardoe, Chris Davis, Ed Nalle, John Gates, and Jim Bullard (2000) |
With over 1.5 million albums sold, GLAD is one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian pop/rock and a cappella music. While they formed as a progressive rock group in 1972, they discovered a large audience for their a cappella music in 1988.[1] Today, they continue to perform concerts and release occasional albums. As Contemporary Christian Music (CCM Magazine) described it, "GLAD's elegant vocals helped set them apart from other pioneers of Contemporary Christian music. That vocal sound has since evolved into a complex, self-sustaining life form of its own..."[citation needed] The GLAD sound utilizes tight harmonies and refined arrangements with classical and jazz overtones. Some of their hits over the years have included "Be Ye Glad," "Maker of My Heart," "Where Your Heart Is," "God is My Rock," "The Easter Song," "You Put This Love in My Heart," and "Color Outside the Lines."[citation needed]
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[edit] History
GLAD formed on the campus of West Chester State University of Pennsylvania[1] when singer Ed Nalle auditioned for a new Christian band. Nalle would write and produce much of GLAD's early material in addition to his role as lead vocalist. The other members (from Temple University in Philadelphia) were Bob Kauflin (keyboards, vocals), T. Coble (bass, vocals), John Bolles (guitar, vocals), and Brad Curry (drums). The group's name was chosen from a poll taken at a shopping mall. Playing over 200 dates annually at college campuses, churches and concert halls throughout the United States, GLAD released their first two albums on Myrrh Records in 1978 and 1980. GLAD, their debut album, was enthusiastically received by young Christian music lovers interested in a gospel message presented with artistry and conviction.
"The Reason" (on Beyond a Star) was their first a cappella song, which they subsequently re-recorded for their 1988 watershed album, The Acapella Project. That album was released with some trepidation because there was no track record in the genre for the Christian market, but it proved tremendously popular (selling over 400,000 copies[1]), and received a Dove Award nomination and a Billboard Critic's Choice Award.[citation needed] Since that time, GLAD has alternated band and a cappella recordings and increased their admirers, evidenced by new groups that are obviously influenced by the group's elaborate, multilayered sound.
GLAD made a bold venture into the mainstream with their 1995 release, A Cappella Gershwin (featuring some arrangements by the legendary Gene Puerling), which set the a cappella world buzzing and helped introduce their music to a wider audience. The Charleston Gazette wrote, "GLAD has long been Christian pop music's most sophisticated ensemble... The singing, built around Ed Nalle's uncanny high tenor, has the elegance and sophistication the source material demands."[citation needed]
The group's musical talent, polish, and uplifting message has been a dynamic ministry for over thirty years, twenty recordings, and thousands of concerts; additionally, since 1985 they have helped to secure sponsors for thousands of needy children in Third World nations through Compassion International and trips to countries such as Haiti, Mexico, Ecuador, Kenya, Brazil and Indonesia.
GLAD's current lineup includes Nalle and longtime members Chris Davis (a musician with a strong background in classical and electric guitar, plus session work in the Northwest) and John Gates (an experienced studio percussionist who backed Gladys Knight & the Pips, Frankie and the Knockouts, and others), plus alternating keyboardists Paul Langford and Don Pardoe. Kauflin and Don Hart are the group's primary a cappella arrangers. Recently, the group has released recordings inspired by the writings of John Piper and the worship music of Sovereign Grace Ministries (formerly PDI).
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
- Receive the Glory (A Cappella Project IV) (2005)
- God Of All Comfort (2003)
- Pure and Holy Passion (2002)
- Voices of Christmas (2000)
- A Cappella Worship 2 (1999)
- A Cappella Worship (1998)
- The A Cappella Project III (1996)
- Color Outside The Lines (1995)
- A Cappella Gershwin (1995)
- Acapella Hymns (1993)
- Floodgates (1992)
- The Symphony Project (1991)
- An Acapella Christmas (1991)
- The Acapella Project II (1990)
- Romans (1989)
- The Acapella Project (1988)
- Who Do You Love? (1987)
- Champion of Love (1985)
- No Less Than All (1983)
- Captured in Time (1982)
- Beyond a Star (1980)
- GLAD (1978)
[edit] Live albums
- Live at the Kennedy Center (1984)
[edit] Compilation albums
- Simply GLAD (2005)
- Signature Songs (2000) (includes "I Find Your Love Again" and "Always")
- GLAD: Collector's Series (1998) (includes "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty")
- GLAD: Right Price (1995)
- The Acapella Collection (1991) (includes "Prelude 19")
- GLAD: Radio Anthology (1987)
[edit] Other album appearances
- Kenny Rogers: The Gift (1996) (background vocals on "Sweet Little Jesus Boy")
- No Compromise: Remembering the Music of Keith Green (1993) ("How Can They Live Without Jesus?")
- Master Pieces: Classic Christian Songs Made New (1992) ("Rise Again")
- Generation 2 Generation (1992) ("A Simple Song of Praise" featuring the Children of Compassion)
[edit] Videos
- "Color Outside the Lines" (1995)
- The Video Project (1990)
- "Who Do You Love?" (1987)
[edit] Trivia
- GLAD's harmonies often take advantage of the eleventh and major ninth chords.
- Their a cappella arrangements are typically comprised of four to eleven parts.
- They have published several SATB-adapted songbooks, accompaniment tracks, and original Studio Series Charts.
- In 1987, GLAD established the 21st Street Recording studio with JDK Music (whose clients include Disney World, Bell Atlantic, and The Learning Channel) in Purcellville, Virginia. The studio is available for outside projects and custom recordings.
- The group performed at the 2002 Easter sunrise service at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
- Debby Boone recorded Bob Kauflin's [Sing] "A New Song" (featured on Beyond a Star and The Acapella Project II) on her 1980 album With My Song. She also recorded Michael Kelly Blanchard's "Be Ye Glad" on her 1987 album Friends for Life.
- Kauflin recorded an all-piano instrumental album, Heroic Piano (1988).
- GLAD members have assisted on several Sovereign Grace Music albums.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, First printing, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 363-364. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
