Gaither Vocal Band
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Multiple issues Template:Infobox musical artist
The Gaither Vocal Band is an American southern gospel vocal group, named after its founder and leader Bill Gaither. On March 1, 2017, it was announced that the Gaither Vocal Band lineup consisted of Reggie Smith, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Todd Suttles, and Bill Gaither. Although the group started out recording contemporary Christian music in the 1980s, it became known for southern gospel after the popularity of the Gaither Homecoming videos.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The lineup of the band changes often, with artists leaving to work on solo careers, and new and old ones coming to replace them. Besides Gaither, singers with the longest tenure in the band include Guy Penrod (1995–2009), Mark Lowry (1988–2001, 2009–14), Michael English (1985–94, 2009–14), David Phelps (1997–2005, 2009–17) and Wes Hampton (2005–present).
The band has released 29 albums (not including compilations), at least 19 of which have charted. The band has also released 10 DVDs, which feature many other Christian artists as well. The Gaither Vocal Band has been honored with two Grammys and 17 Dove Awards.
HistoryEdit
BeginningsEdit
The Gaither Vocal Band is named after gospel leader Bill Gaither.<ref name="pbs">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was the successor-group of the Bill Gaither Trio. By the 1980s, Bill Gaither, along with wife Gloria Gaither, were both very successful songwriters.<ref name="allmusic">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For example, their song, "He Touched Me" was covered by Elvis Presley, after which he named his album He Touched Me. Presley won a Grammy for the album.<ref name="elvis">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bill Gaither felt that his trio had reached its peak in the mid-1980s, but his desire to make another gospel hit kept the trio going.<ref name="pbs"/>
The original Vocal Band (called the New Gaither Vocal Band) was formed spontaneously, backstage of a Gaither Trio concert. It consisted of Bill Gaither and Gary McSpadden of the trio, along with two of the trio's backup singers, Steve Green and Lee Young. The quartet sang "Your First Day in Heaven" on stage that night.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their debut album, the self-titled The New Gaither Vocal Band, debuted in 1981.
According to the liner notes of the CD compilation The Best of the GVB, the term "vocal band" was used instead of "quartet" because it did not limit Gaither in terms of sound or number of group members.
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 Green left and Larnelle Harris was hired. This group cut the New Point Of View album before Mohr left.
Widespread popularityEdit
Michael English was hired as the new lead singer, so McSpadden was moved down to baritone, and Gaither dropped to bass. At this point the group dropped the "new" part of their name. 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, Harris left and was replaced by Lemuel Miller. The group did not record an album with Miller before he too left. He was replaced by Imperials alumnus Jim Murray. This line up cut one album (Wings) before McSpadden left to start his solo career. Mark Lowry was convinced to replace him. Their Gospel roots project Homecoming was released in 1991. Murray left and was replaced by Terry Franklin. The album Southern Classics was released in 1993 with the hit "I Bowed on My Knees" (This song was co-written by Jeremy Ward).
Later English left. He was replaced by Buddy Mullins. Mullins was only a temporary fill-in, but he was included on the album Testify. 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 three 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. "Greatly Blessed" was their third number one single. The group has routinely performed 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".
ReunionEdit
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 Pierce, Franklin, and Miller, the former and present members appeared and performed. The two CDs debuted in the top two positions on BillboardTemplate:'s Contemporary Christian Album chart, marking the Gaither Vocal Band's first No. 1 on the Christian Album chart. The DVDs of the same title debuted in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on the Music Video charts as well. It also garnered a Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country, Bluegrass Gospel Album.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The quintetEdit
In January 2009, Hall and Penrod left. Gaither brought back some former members: Michael English as lead vocal, Mark Lowry as baritone and David Phelps as 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. A live album called Better Day was released in January 2010. In August 2010, they released the long-awaited album called Greatly Blessed, followed by I Am A Promise, a children's album, released in August 2011. Their most recent album was Pure & Simple, released in September 2012.
In October 2013, it was announced that Lowry and English would be leaving the group to devote more time to their solo careers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> English's departure was immediate whereas Lowry stayed on until they could find another baritone to replace him. Their last album as members, Hymns, was released in March 2014<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and was nominated for a Grammy Award the following December.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After their departure, several guests filled-in until two new members could be found. In January 2014, it was announced that Adam Crabb (of The Crabb Family) would join the group as the fourth member and lead singer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Todd Suttles joined the group as the baritone singer one month later.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Following their formation, the new quintet would go on to release a limited edition album, The New Edition, which could only be purchased at concert performances. In October 2014, the group released their first album together, entitled Sometimes it Takes a Mountain.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Five months later, that album was followed by a two-DVD live performance release and the release of their second album (a live performance album), Happy Rhythm.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Upon release, the DVDs debuted at the top of BillboardTemplate:'s Music Video chart (Sometimes it Takes a Mountain at #1 and Happy Rhythm at #2).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In August 2016, the group's album Better Together was released.
In March 2017, it was announced that Phelps would be leaving the group on April 1, and Reggie Smith would join the group as tenor.
In October 2017, this line-up released their first studio album, entitled We Have This Moment.
In October 2018, there was another Gaither Vocal Band Reunion. It was a two-day concert, recorded live. Except for Green, all of the past and present members who were at the first reunion performed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
MembersEdit
LineupsEdit
| 1980–1982 (as the New Gaither Vocal Band) |
1982–1983 | 1983–1985 |
|---|---|---|
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| 1985–1987 (now simply the Gaither Vocal Band) |
1987 | 1987–1988 |
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| 1988–1992 | 1992–1994 | 1994 |
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| 1994–1995 | 1995–1997 | 1997–2001 |
|
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| 2001–2004 | 2004–2005 | 2005–2009 |
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| 2009–2014 | 2014–2017 | 2017–present |
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TimelineEdit
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Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1980 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1980 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
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width:1 layer:back color:album at:01/04/1981 # The New Gaither Vocal Band at:01/08/1982 # Passin' the Faith Along at:01/05/1984 # A New Point of View at:01/06/1986 # One X-1 at:01/02/1988 # Wings at:01/06/1990 # A Few Good Men at:01/04/1991 # Homecoming at:01/03/1993 # Peace of the Rock at:01/08/1993 # Southern Classics Vol. 1 at:01/09/1994 # Testify at:01/11/1995 # Southern Classics Vol. 2 at:09/09/1997 # Lovin' God & Lovin' Each Other at:01/04/1998 # Still The Greatest Story Ever Told at:18/05/1999 # God Is Good at:24/10/2000 # I Do Believe at:13/08/2002 # Everything Good at:30/09/2003 # A Capella at:24/01/2006 # Give It Away at:15/04/2008 # Lovin' Life at:30/09/2008 # Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style at:08/09/2009 # Reunited at:01/07/2010 # Better Day at:10/08/2010 # Greatly Blessed at:09/08/2011 # I Am A Promise at:11/09/2012 # Pure and Simple at:04/03/2014 # Hymns at:14/10/2014 # Sometimes it Takes a Mountain at:17/03/2015 # Happy Rhythm at:09/10/2015 # Christmas Collection at:26/08/2016 # Better Together at:13/10/2017 # We Have This Moment at:01/09/2019 # Good Things Take Time at:19/03/2021 # That's Gospel, Brother at:01/10/2021 # All Heaven And Nature Sing at:18/03/2022 # Let's Just Praise The Lord at:11/08/2023 # Shine: The Darker The Night The Brighter The Light at:11/10/2024 # New Star Shining at:31/01/2025 # How Sweet It Is
PlotData =
textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(3,-5) width:11 bar:Green from:01/01/1980 till:01/07/1983 color:tenor bar:Harris from:01/07/1983 till:01/04/1987 color:tenor bar:Miller from:01/04/1987 till:01/08/1987 color:tenor bar:Murray from:01/08/1987 till:01/07/1992 color:tenor bar:Franklin from:01/07/1992 till:01/07/1994 color:tenor bar:Pierce from:01/07/1994 till:01/07/1997 color:tenor bar:Phelps from:01/07/1997 till:01/07/2005 color:tenor bar:Hampton from:01/07/2005 till:end color:tenor bar:Phelps from:01/07/2009 till:01/03/2017 color:tenor bar:Smith from:01/03/2017 till:end color:tenor bar:McSpadden from:01/01/1980 till:01/07/1985 color:lead bar:McSpadden from:01/07/1985 till:01/07/1988 color:baritone bar:English from:01/07/1985 till:01/04/1994 color:lead bar:Mullins from:01/04/1994 till:01/08/1995 color:lead bar:Penrod from:01/08/1995 till:01/07/2009 color:lead bar:English from:01/07/2009 till:01/01/2014 color:lead bar:Crabb from:01/01/2014 till:end color:lead bar:Gaither from:01/01/1980 till:01/07/1985 color:baritone bar:Gaither from:01/07/1985 till:end color:bass bar:Gaither from:01/01/2014 till:end color:baritone width: 3 bar:Lowry from:01/07/1988 till:01/07/2001 color:baritone bar:Taff from:01/07/2001 till:01/07/2004 color:baritone bar:Hall from:01/07/2004 till:01/07/2009 color:baritone bar:Lowry from:01/07/2009 till:01/01/2014 color:baritone bar:Suttles from:01/01/2014 till:end color:baritone bar:Suttles from:01/01/2014 till:end color:bass width: 3 bar:Young from:01/01/1980 till:01/07/1982 color:bass bar:Mohr from:01/07/1982 till:01/07/1985 color:bass
</timeline>
DiscographyEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
Awards and nominationsEdit
Grammy AwardsEdit
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album | Homecoming | Template:Won |
| 1994 | Southern Classics | Template:Nom | |
| 1998 | Back Home in Indiana | Template:Nom | |
| 2003 | Everything Good | Template:Nom | |
| 2004 | A Cappella | Template:Nom | |
| 2007 | Give It Away | Template:Nom | |
| 2009 | Lovin' Life | Template:Won | |
| 2015 | Best Roots Gospel Album | Hymns | Template:Nom |
GMA Dove AwardsEdit
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Southern Gospel Album | Homecoming | Template:Won |
| 1994 | Southern Classics | Template:Won | |
| Southern Gospel Song | "Satisfied" | Template:Won | |
| 1995 | "I Bowed on My Knees" | Template:Won | |
| 1999 | Southern Gospel Album | Still the Greatest Story Ever Told | Template:Won |
| 1999 | Southern Gospel Performance | "I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary" | Template:Won |
| 2000 | Southern Gospel Album | God Is Good | Template:Won |
| 2001 | Southern Gospel Song | "God Is Good All the Time" | Template:Won |
| Southern Gospel Album | I Do Believe | Template:Won | |
| 2002 | Southern Gospel Song | "He's Watching Me" | Template:Won |
| 2003 | "More Than Ever" | Template:Nom | |
| Country Album | Everything Good | Template:Nom | |
| 2007 | Southern Gospel Song | "Give It Away" | Template:Won |
| Southern Gospel Album | Give It Away | Template:Won | |
| 2009 | Lovin' Life | Template:Won | |
| Christmas Album | Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style | Template:Nom | |
| 2010 | Southern Gospel Album | Reunited | Template:Won |
| Greatly Blessed | Template:Won | ||
| Song of the Year | "Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored" | Template:Nom | |
| 2011 | Southern Gospel Song | "Better Day" | Template:Won |
| 2013 | Southern Gospel Performance | "Glorious Freedom" | Template:Nom |
| Bluegrass Song | "Come to Jesus" | Template:Nom | |
| Southern Gospel Album | Pure and Simple | Template:Won | |
| 2015 | Southern Gospel Artist of the Year | Gaither Vocal Band | Template:Won |
| 2017 | Template:Won | ||
| 2018 | Template:Won | ||
| 2019 | Template:Won | ||
| 2022 | Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | My Feet Are on the Rock | Template:Won |
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Template:Official website
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