Gospel Music Lyrics

Gospel is undergoing constant change, but personally I favour the old traditional style, that was alive because of great voices and even greater feelings, that come across clear and powerful.

Gold City is an American Christian music group that is based in Gadsden, Alabama.

The Mississippi-based Christianairs were renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve to begin the year 1980 with bass Dallas Gilliland, tenor Bob Oliver, lead singer Jerry Ritchie, and baritone Ken Trussell. The group's owner was initially Floyd Beck. Bass Tim Riley would replace Gilliland as the permanent bass singer in July of that same year. The group was an instant success in the industry, appearing on the main stage of the National Quartet Convention in October 1981. By 1982, tenor Brian Free, lead Ivan Parker, and pianist Garry Jones had joined Riley to form a consistent nucleus that remained together until the mid-1990s. Their recordings of upbeat tunes like "I Think I'll Read It Again" and inspirational songs like "No Other Word for Grace but Amazing" and "Midnight Cry" catapulted the group into the upper ranks of Southern Gospel. The last recording by this popular lineup was the critically acclaimed Acapella Gold (1993). The group moved their home base to Gadsden, Alabama sometime in the mid- to late '80s.

The last few years have brought a period of change and transition to this legendary quartet. Many personnel changes in the front line, as well as the breakup of the Band of Gold, have given a new look as well as a new sound to the group. The most notable and tragic change occurred in 2006, when Doug Riley, who comanaged Gold City in addition to playing drums (before taking over running the sound when the group streamlined their operations), was killed in an auto accident on the way to the recording studio early on the morning of January 31, to continue work on a recording.

In March 2006, bass singer Bill Lawrence (who had been handpicked by former bass Tim Riley) left the group. Tim filled in for several months while the search for a replacement was underway. Aaron McCune, who was bass singer with the Palmetto State Quartet at the time, joined Gold City in May 2006. McCune brought to Gold City the trademark smoothness and deep range that has long been a standard for this quartet.

In March 2008, lead singer Jonathan Wilburn left the group. Bruce Taliaferro, a Gadsden native who has filled in for Wilburn and Daniel Riley in the past, stepped in to fill the empty position.Gold City released their first recording with Mr. Taliaferro in July 2008. Also, August 2008 saw the Band of Gold return to the scene on a limited basis. The band consists of current pianist Josh Simpson, drummer Kevin Albertson, bass guitarist Taylor Barnes, and lead guitarist Daniel Addison.

Legacy Five is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by former Cathedral Quartet members Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler after the owners of the Cathedral Quartet, Glen Payne and George Younce, decided to retire in 1999. Group members attribute their success to the changing face of gospel music and their willingness to adapt to it. As a result, the group has won numerous awards.

The group is co-owned by Scott Fowler and Debbie Bennett.

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The Blackwood Brothers Quartet is an American gospel music singing group.

The group formed in 1934 in the midst of the Great Depression when preacher Roy Blackwood (1900-1971), moved his family back home to Mississippi. His brothers Doyle Blackwood (1911-1974), and James Blackwood (1919-2002) (only 15 at the time), already had some experience singing with Vardaman Ray and Gene Catledge. Adding Roy's 13-year-old son R. W. Blackwood (1921-1954), to sing baritone, the brothers began to travel and sing locally. By 1940, they were affiliated with Stamps-Baxter to sell songbooks and were appearing on 50,000-watt radio station KMA (AM) in Shenandoah, Iowa.

The Blackwood Brothers were still a major force in the industry at the end of the 1960s. In 1969, they collected nearly 200,000 signatures on a "God And Country" petition in retaliation to the banning of prayer in school. They would continue to win Grammy awards (8 in all) as recent as 1982. They earned yet another nomination in 2004. James Blackwood would win the male vocalist of the year 7 times from the Gospel Music Association.

Blackwood Brothers lineups during the post-Sumner era included bass singers John Hall, London Paris, and Ken Turner, and tenor Pat Hoffmaster. The 1970s lineup with Hoffmaster, Jimmy Blackwood, Cecil Blackwood, Ken Turner and Tommy Fairchild had the Blackwood Brothers' biggest hit with Learning To Lean.

After the departure of James Blackwood, the Blackwood Brothers continued to sing together with various lineups for the rest of the 20th century. The family patriarch, James Blackwood, died in 2002. Several Blackwood descendants have upheld the family gospel tradition of the original Blackwood Quartet. James Blackwood's son Jimmy eventually put the name back to use following James' death. Jimmy had sung with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet from 1969 to 1986.

(Wikipedia)

The Florida Boys Quartet is a Southern Gospel vocal quartet founded in about 1946 by J. G. Whitfield. Originally named The Gospel Melody Quartet, the group was re-named in 1954.

Roy Howard, the group's original lead singer, had a heart attack in 1951 and died shortly thereafter. Doyle Wiggins sang lead for about a year. When he left in 1953, he was replaced by Les Beasley. Beasley remained at the lead position through 1999, when he stepped aside and hired Josh Garner to fill the position. Beasley continued to play bass guitar and act as the group's master of ceremonies.

Glen Allred joined as baritone in 1952; Darrell Stewart became the group's pianist in 1956. Allred, Stewart, and Les Beasley remained at their respective positions for over four decades. During this time, various tenors and basses sang with the group. Billy Todd joined the group as bass singer in the late 1950s, and stayed with the group until 1972. He was replaced by Buddy Liles, who had sung with the Orrell Quartet, the Rhythm Masters Quartet, the Landmark Quartet, and the Rebels Quartet. Liles stayed with the group for over two decades.

Their final two albums, "Sing Your Blues Away" (2005) and "Keep On Singing" (2006), were received well by Southern Gospel fans, labeled by many as their best recordings.

In 2007, the Florida Boys had two personnel changes at relatively the same time, as long-time bass singer Gene McDonald left to work for a bus company, and tenor Harold Reed left to join the Kingsmen Quartet. McDonald was replaced by Butch Owens, and lead singer Josh Garner moved up to the tenor position, with Les once again singing lead for the group.

Then, in June 2007, Les Beasley announced that the legendary quartet would be disbanding the following month. However, he also announced that they would come back together once more for a farewell appearance at the National Quartet Convention in September 2007.

At the "farewell concert" it was announced that, with the blessing of Les, Glen, and Darrell, the Florida Boys name would be continuing. The "new" Florida Boys will be Dustin Bearden - Tenor, Charlie Waller - Lead, Buddy Burton - Baritone, Chip Cooper - Bass, and Joshua Pope - Piano.

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The Cathedral Quartet, often known as simply The Cathedrals (or briefly for one album Bobby Clark and the Cathedral Quartet), was an American southern gospel quartet that lasted from 1964 until their disbandment at the end of 1999.

The tenor and baritone position changed often during the Cathedrals' long career, but the four most stable versions had George Younce and Glen Payne teamed with Roy Tremble (tenor), and George Amon Webster (baritone) from 1974-1979; Kirk Talley (tenor), and Mark Trammell (baritone) from 1980-1983; Danny Funderburk (tenor), and Mark Trammell (baritone) from 1983-1990; and Ernie Haase (tenor), and Scott Fowler (baritone) from 1990-1999.

The Cathedrals were thought by many quartet fans to be the epitome of class during their peak of popularity from the 1980's until their retirement in 1999.

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The Gaither Vocal Band is a Southern Gospel and contemporary Christian music group.
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 two number one songs on the Singing News chart. "Yes, I Know" held the top position from July to October of 1997, as did "I Will Go On" in November of 2006. 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."

(Wikipedia)

This CD (Best of the Gaither Vocal Band) is everything I hoped it would be and more! Being in my late 40's most of these songs are from my teens/early adult years. The arrangements, superb smooth harmonies [accompanied and acapella], and uplifting individual voices make for a moving, spirit inspired, joyous and worshipful CD. These guys aren't merely performing songs for entertainment's sake but sing with passion, from the heart and their obvious love for the Lord. They are gifted worship leaders singing for all they're worth and take me along with them. I have thrashed the CD since I got it last week and can't get enough of it. As enjoyable as the Homecoming series is, to have only the GVB do their finest is something I have longed waited for. Group memebers may have changed over the years but the sound is enduring. Please Bill give us another - some of my favourites are missing! -- Jane Austin "rosebel" (New Zealand)

The Kingdom Heirs are a Southern Gospel quartet based at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

The Kingdom Heirs perform multiple shows daily at Dollywood during the months that the park is open. While the park is closed, they tour just like any other group. The group has been at the park since 1981, when it was known as Silver Dollar City. It is estimated that they sing to over 2 million people each year - more than any other Southern Gospel group.

The Kingdom Heirs have had 4 songs - "That's Why I Love To Call His Name," "I Know I'm Going There," "Forever Changed," and "What We Needed" - reach #1 on the Singing News magazine charts.

(Wikipedia)

The Oak Ridge Boys are a country and gospel group that is based in the United States. The group was founded in 1945 as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular during the 1950s. Their name was changed to the Oak Ridge Boys in the early 1960s, and they remained a gospel-oriented group until the mid 1970s, when they changed their image and concentrated more on country and pop music. The band's current lineup consists of lead singer and second tenor Duane Allen, baritone William Lee Golden, tenor Joe Bonsall, and bass Richard Sterban.

(Wikipedia)