Gaither Vocal Band
| Gaither Vocal Band | |
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| Also known as | New Gaither Vocal Band (1981–1982) |
| Genres | Christian, southern gospel, contemporary Christian |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Labels | Spring Hill Music Group |
| Associated acts | Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Larnelle Harris, Russ Taff, Steve Green |
| Website | Gaither Vocal Band |
| Members | |
| Bill Gaither Mark Lowry Michael English David Phelps Wes Hampton |
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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.[1]
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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.”[2] 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 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."
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 Pierce, 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.[3]
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.
Members (past and present)
| 1981–1982
(Under the Name "The New Gaither Vocal Band") |
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| 1982–1983 |
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| 1983–1984 |
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| 1985–1987
(Under the Name "The Gaither Vocal Band") |
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| 1987 |
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| 1987–1988 |
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| 1988–1992 |
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| 1992–1994 |
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| 1994–1995 |
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| 1995–1997 |
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| 1997–2001 |
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| 2001–2004 |
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| 2004–2005 |
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| 2005–2009 |
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| 2009–Present |
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Discography
Awards
Grammys
- 1991: Best Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel for Homecoming
- 2008: Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel for Lovin' Life
GMA Dove Awards
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 Away
- 2009: Lovin' Life
- 2010: Reunited
- 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"
References
- ^ "Gaither Vocal Band". http://vovtz.wordpress.com/gaither-vocal-band/. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "Gaither Vocal Band". United Singers International. http://www.singers.com/gospel/gaithervocalband.html. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
- ^ "The Gaither Vocal Band Receives Early Valentines". The Judy Nelon Group. http://www.gospelmusicupdate.com/_news/gvbgrammybillboard.shtm. Retrieved 9 February 2011.