GROUP HISTORY: GAITHER VOCAL BAND, PART 2 1997-PRESENT

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS

A HISTORY OF THE GAITHER VOCAL BAND PART 2 1997-PRESENT

The addition of David Phelps in 1997 brought a whole new dynamic to the group. Phelps brought his classical style and his musical training and contributed some incredible arrangements to the quartet. This lineup recorded three great projects: their first Christmas album Still The Greatest Story Ever Told (1998), God Is Good (1999), and I Do Believe (2000). Each feature some of the now classic GVB songs such as “Let Freedom Ring,” “Mary Did You Know,” “Where No One Stands Alone,” “The Love Of God,” and “Sinner Saved By Grace.” This lineup is one of the most solid in the group’s history lasting from 1997-2001 when baritone Mark Lowry departed to focus on his solo career. Imperials alumnus Russ Taff stepped in to fill the position and added his distinctive and powerful voice to quartet. This formation recorded two incredible albums Everything Good (2002) which featured songs such as “I’m Gonna Sing,” Knowing You’ll Be There,” “I Pledge Allegiance,” and “It Is Finished; and A cappella (2003) which featured the masterful vocal arrangements of David Phelps. The year 2004 brought more change as Russ Taff left the group and was replaced by young baritone Marshall Hall. The quartet released a “Best Of” CD collecting their most popular songs in 2004 which also featured the classic “Can’t Stop Talking About Him” recorded by this brief lineup.

Phelps left the group the following year and the talented tenor and longtime super fan of the GVB, Wes Hampton joined as the new tenor. Hampton still brings that level of excitement to his performances. Over the next four years, the lineup of Hampton, Penrod, Hall and Gaither released four hit projects: Give It Away (2006), Together (with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound) (2007), Lovin’ Life (2008), and Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style (2008). The group was awarded a Grammy for Lovin’ Life which included the songs “There’s Always A Place At The Table,” “Prisoner Of Hope,” “Search Me Lord,” and “Jesus And John Wayne.”

In 2008, the group recorded a monumental project called Reunion which featured past and present members of the quartet with the exception of tenors Terry Franklin, Lemuel Miller, and Jonathan Pierce. This project was released the following year as two CDs and DVDs packed with bonus footage of the event. Also in 2008, Guy Penrod took a leave of absence from the group and eventually departed after nearly fourteen years with the quartet. Penrod’s departure was made officially announced in early 2009 along with that of Marshall Hall’s.

Bill Gaither shocked everyone with his announcement that the quartet would now become a quintet by revealing their replacements: first tenor David Phelps, lead singer Michael English, and baritone Mark Lowry. This ushered in a new era for the GVB with the return of three of their most celebrated vocalists joining Gaither and Wes Hampton. This dynamic lineup recorded six incredible projects that featured unbelievable harmonies. The first of these was Reunited in 2009 which celebrated the return of the former members and featured thirteen classic Gaither penned songs. They released a live album in 2010 called Better Day which includes songs from their DVD releases Better Day and Reunited. The following year the GVB continued to step out of the box creatively with their album featuring Children’s songs called I Am A Promise. The five member group continued to achieve great success and released another hit record in 2012 called Pure And Simple which had an acoustic focus with very little orchestration. This album received critical praise earning the group several Dove Awards. In late 2013, baritone Mark Lowry once again announced his departure from the group as it became more difficult to do both GVB and solo work. Shortly after, lead singer Michael English departed as well. The final recording from this lineup entitled Hymns was released the following year (2014) and received a Grammy nomination in 2015. In January 2014, it was announced that Crabb family member Adam Crabb had joined the group as the new lead singer. Some speculated that the group would return to the quartet format, but it was clarified that the five member format was still in place. Shortly after, Todd Suttles of the Settles Connection and the Vanderbilt University Athletic faculty, joined as the new baritone. Suttles brings a whole new dynamic to the group as demonstrated by his incredible range being able to sing both baritone and bass. Crabb brings his soulful and powerful lead the mix and blends well with the group. By April 2014, the group had released a new CD called The New Edition which was a collection of previously recorded songs given the five member treatment. This project was only available at their concerts. Later that year, the new lineup released their first mainline project called Sometimes It Takes A Mountain which has been well received. It features both old and new songs such as “Happy Rhythm,” “The Night Before Easter,” “Written In Red” and “Sometimes It Takes A Mountain” each done the signature GVB style.

The Gaither Vocal Band has become a beloved music group over their 30 plus year career. Their dedication to spreading the Gospel through song can be clearly seen. They have been blessed by God with incredible voices and through their performances can see that they truly believe what they sing about. Their continued success is a result of God’s hand on their lives.

Awards

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 2 Grammys, and 17 Dove Awards.

Grammy Awards (Bold= Won)

1991 Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album Homecoming

1994 Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album Southern Classics

1998 Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album Back Home in Indiana

2003 Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album Everything Good

2004 Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album A Cappella

2007 Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album Give It Away

2009 Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album Lovin' Life

2015 Best Roots Gospel Album Hymns

Dove Awards (Bold=Won)

1992 Southern Gospel Album Homecoming

1994 Southern Gospel Album Southern Classics

1994 Southern Gospel Song "Satisfied"

1995 Southern Gospel Song "I Bowed on My Knees"

1999 Southern Gospel Album Still The Greatest Story Ever Told

1999 Southern Gospel Performance "I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary"

2000 Southern Gospel Album God Is Good

2001 Southern Gospel Song "God Is Good All The Time"

2001 Southern Gospel Album I Do Believe

2002 Southern Gospel Song "He's Watching Me"

2003 Southern Gospel Song "More Than Ever"

2003 Country Album Everything Good

2007 Southern Gospel Song "Give It Away"

2007 Southern Gospel Album Give It Away

2009 Christmas Album Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style

2009 Southern Gospel Album Lovin' Life

2010 Southern Gospel Album Reunited

2010 Southern Gospel Album Greatly Blessed

2010 Song of the Year "Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored"

2011 Southern Gospel Song "Better Day"

2013 Southern Gospel Performance "Glorious Freedom"

2013 Bluegrass Song "Come to Jesus"

2013 Southern Gospel Album Pure and Simple