Gaither Vocal Band (1980-present) is a Southern Gospel Music group. Often incorrectly stated as 1981 (even by Gaither, himself) it was formed in 1980 on the spur of the moment before a concert with the song, First Day In Heaven. Not only did original bass singer, Lee Young confirm the date, one of their early performances of this song (with an explanation and introduction by Bill himself) can be found on the 1980 double record album, Live Across America. This arrangement is a little different than the one they eventually did on their debut album, the self titled The New Gaither Vocal Band in 1981. They chose this name because they didn't want to be restricted to necessarily 4 singers.

Lee Young was dismissed 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. Steve Green is a gospel singer renowned for his extraordinary vocal range (tenor 3) and flexible solo style. ...

At this point the New Gaither Vocal Band became new, but dropped the "new" part of their name. Bill Gaither dropped to the lowest part (although they didn't call it Bass at the time), Gary McSpadden was moved down to baritone and Michael English was hired as 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 a singer called, Lemuel Miller. The group did not record an album with Lemuel before he 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. First planned to perhaps be their final album their gospel roots project Homecoming in 1991, caused most Southern Gospel fans to welcome the Vocal Band with open arms. A follow-up recording called Southern Classics cemented their relationship with fans. Michael English is a Christian singer who has been recording music since 1972. ... Jim Murray was a guitarist and harmonica player for the psychedelic folk rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service. ...

Jim Murray left and was replaced by Terry Franklin whose tenor voice was heard on the aforementioned, Southern Classics. Later amidst controversy, Michael English left. He was replaced by Buddy Mullins. Terry Franklin soon left and was replaced by yet another Imperials alumnus, Jonathan Pierce (formerly known by his first and last name Jonathan Hildreth instead of his first and middle name as he has been known since joining the Vocal Band. Strengthened by the popularity of the Homecoming video series, the Vocal Band added Guy Penrod at lead and after Pierce's departure, David Phelps at tenor in the 1990s. After Lowry’s departure, The Imperials alumnus Russ Taff sang baritone for a couple of years. When Taff returned to solo work, Marshall Hall was his replacement. Wes Hampton succeeded Phelps in 2005. Jim Murray was a guitarist and harmonica player for the psychedelic folk rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service. ... Michael English is a Christian singer who has been recording music since 1972. ... Guy Penrod is a gospel music singer mostly known for his work as the lead singer of the Gaither Vocal Band, a position he has held since 1994. ... The Imperials are a hugely successful American gospel music group. ... Russ Taff (born November 11, 1953) is an American gospel singer. ... Marshall Hall may be Marshall Hall (physiologist) English physiologist of the nineteenth century Marshall Hall (mathematician) American mathematician of the twentieth century Marshall Hall, Maryland Marshall Hall (amusement park) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

During the 1990s and into the first few years of the 21st century, the Gaither Vocal Band mastered the art of mixing classic Southern Gospel with Country and Inspirational styles. This gave the group a broad fan base that reached beyond the typical domain of Southern Gospel. Despite the immense popularity of the Gaither Vocal Band, they’ve only had one number one song on the Singing News chart. "Yes, I Know" held the top position from July to October of 1997. Other popular tunes by the Gaither Vocal Band include "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 Gaither and/or Gloria Gaither like "He Touched Me", "I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary", and "Sinner Saved By Grace." Southern Gospel music is a popular American form of Christian music. ... Look up country in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Singing News is an American magazine which focuses on the Southern Gospel music industry. ... William Bill Gaither (born March 28, 1936) is an American singer and songwriter of southern gospel and Contemporary Christian music. ... Gloria Gaither is a songwriter for gospel music, along with her husband, Bill Gaither. ...

Members

The Gaither Vocal Band - Complete List of Group Members

• Bill Gaither, Baritone (1980-84); Bass (1984-present)
• Lee Young, Bass (1980-1982)
• Steve Green, Official Site, Tenor (1980-1983)
• Gary McSpadden, Lead (1980-1984); Baritone (1984-88)
• Jon Mohr, Bass (1982-1984)
• Larnelle Harris, Official Site, Tenor (1983-1987)
• Michael English, Official Site, Lead (1985-1994)
• Lemuel Miller, Tenor (1987)
• Jim Murray, Tenor (1987-1992)
• Mark Lowry, Official Site, Baritone (1988-2001)
• Terry Franklin, Tenor (1992-1994)
• Buddy Mullins, Official Site, Lead (1994-1995)
• Jonathan Pierce, Tenor (1994-1997)
• Guy Penrod, Lead (1995-present)
• David Phelps, Official Site, Tenor (1997-2005)
• Russ Taff, Official Site, Baritone (2001-2004)
• Marshall Hall, Official Site, Baritone (2004-present)
• Wes Hampton, Official Site, Tenor (2005-present)

William Bill Gaither (born March 28, 1936) is an American singer and songwriter of southern gospel and Contemporary Christian music. ... Steve Green is a gospel singer renowned for his extraordinary vocal range (tenor 3) and flexible solo style. ... Larnelle Harris is a Gospel singer, songwiter and recording artist. ... Michael English is a Christian singer who has been recording music since 1972. ... Mark Allen Lowry (born June 24, 1958 in Houston, Texas) is an American evangelical Christian comedian and singer. ... Guy Penrod is a gospel music singer mostly known for his work as the lead singer of the Gaither Vocal Band, a position he has held since 1994. ... Russ Taff (born November 11, 1953) is an American gospel singer. ... Marshall Hall may be Marshall Hall (physiologist) English physiologist of the nineteenth century Marshall Hall (mathematician) American mathematician of the twentieth century Marshall Hall, Maryland Marshall Hall (amusement park) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Producers of Gaither Vocal Band Albums

Keith Thomas - 1986
Billy Smiley - 1986-1988
Lari Goss - 1990
Ken Mansfield - 1990
Cheryl Rogers - 1993
Bill Gaither - 1993-present
Michael English - 1993-1994
Guy Penrod - 1995-2000
Michael Sykes - 1993-present
David Phelps - 2003

Discography

• The New Gaither Vocal Band (1981) - Benson
• Passin' The Faith Along (1983) - Benson
• New Point of View (1984) - Benson
• One X 1 (1986) - Word Nashville
• Wings (1988) - Star Song
• The Best from the Beginning (1989) - Benson
• A Few Good Men (1990) - Star Song
• Homecoming (1991) - Star Song
• Peace of the Rock (1993) - Star Song
• Southern Classics (1993) - Benson
• Testify (1994) King is Coming (1994) - Chapel
• Can't Stop Talkin' About Him (1995)
• Southern Classics: Volume II (1996) - Chapel
• Back Home in Indiana (1997) - Spring Hill
• Lovin' God & Lovin' Each Other (1997) - Spring Hill
• Still the Greatest Story Ever Told (1998) - Spring Hill
• God is Good (1999) - Spring Hill
• Classic Moments from the Gaither Vocal Band - Volume 1 (1999) - Benson
• Classic Moments from the Gaither Vocal Band - Volume 1 (1999) - Benson
• I Do Believe (2000) - Spring Hill
• Everything Good (2002) - Spring House
• a cappella (2003) - Gaither Music Group
• Best of the Gaither Vocal Band (2004) - Gaither Music Group
• Give it Away (2006) - Gaither Music Group

External links

• Gaither Vocal Band discography, news ... from Music City