SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL RILEY OF GOLD CITY
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL RILEY OF GOLD CITY
Daniel Riley, the son of the legendary bass singer Tim Riley, has become one of Southern Gospel's most popular baritone singers. He has been the baritone vocalist for the group since 2002 and also serves as the owner and manager of the quartet. I recently got the opportunity to interview him via SGN Scoops for an article that will appear in the July issue of the magazine. I also interviewed for the blog.
So without further ado, here it is!!
J. Gilmore: Hello Mr. Riley! So, how did you get your start in Southern Gospel music?
D. Riley: I was literally born into it. My dad, Tim Riley, was a member of Gold City and sang with groups before then. His first professional group was with the Dixie Echoes, before he got drafted. I basically grew up with that legacy in my family. It's all I've ever known.
J. Gilmore: Great!! Who are your musical influences?
D. Riley: Michael McDonnald, Larnelle Harris, I enjoyed a lot of black gospel music growing up too, choirs, a lot different styles and influences. Growing up, I listened to everybody. Dad had a ton of records I listened too. Blackwood Brothers, Statesmen, and everyone dad has been with, Dixie Echoes, Southmen, and Gold City have all shaped me musically.
J. Gilmore: What a fantastic list of artists! Who is your singer in Gospel or secular music?
D. Riley: Michael McDonald--I'm a huge fan. Charles Jenkins is also a great singer and a favorite of mine. He is a pastor at a church in Illinois, Fellowship Chicago, and has an awesome choir there.
J. Gilmore: Awesome! Who are your favorite groups? Past or present.
D. Riley: It would be hard to pick just one, being around it as much as I have.
J. Gilmore: Yeah, it is hard for me too! There are so many!! What has been the best part of traveling with Gold City?
D. Riley: One of the all-time highlights has been traveling with my dad. This has been something I never thought I'd be doing. Next to that, knowing that people come to the table and say that they've been encouraged by what we do has always been very fulfilling.
J. Gilmore: That must be amazing!! Gold City has had many incredible songs over the years. What is your favorite song to sing?
D. Riley: The first song I recorded with the group was "It's Still The Cross," and it's still one of my favorite songs to sing. It's a timeless powerful message.
J. Gilmore: Awesome! What is your favorite Scripture verse?
D. Riley: James 1:2-4
J. Gilmore: Great! What is something that people might not know about you?
D. Riley: I like to draw. I'm not saying that I'm great at it, but I find it therapeutic, relaxing. I'm not calling myself an artist. You won't find a "Riley" hanging in any museum. But I enjoy it, and my daughter, Sadie, is like that, too, artistic, creative.
J. Gilmore: That's fantastic! I also enjoy drawing! What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your years of singing Gospel music?
D. Riley: I've had a lot of memorable moments. To be honest, every night there's something. I love what I do and I don't care if I'm singing to 50 or 50,000. I would have to say that the night I sang at the Ryman was a very memorable moment. I was not even singing with the group at the time, but I opened for them at the Ryman. What made it so special was that it was the first time my girlfriend, Holly, had come to see me sing. She's now my wife. We just got back from a very memorable trip to Brazil. We were also privileged to tour in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which was a great experience too.
J. Gilmore: Wow!! That must have been incredible! Any advice for aspiring Gospel artists?
D. Riley: First, you have to love this more than anything. If you're going to do it, make sure you're called to do this. Some aren't but I don't recommend it. Sing every chance you get. Be visible, get a good demo and look good. Even if a group isn't needing anyone currently, they're always looking. So, make yourself available.
J. Gilmore: Great advice! What can fans expect from the group this year?
D. Riley: We are preparing for a new recording this summer, listening to songs and making plans to go into the studio soon. We are slated to do several tour dates with some former Gold City alumni as part of the Heritage of Gold Tour. We join Wilburn and Wilburn, The LeFevre Quartet, and Jay Parrack and Steve Ladd for those dates. We hope folks will keep an eye on our tour schedule for those. We also have several dates that will include my father. Tim Riley is still very much in demand and can forevermore still sing, even if I do say so as a biased son. He will be with us at Gadsden, AL on July 11th, at Silver Dollar City in August, and Springfield, MO in November, just to name a few of the dates he's confirmed to be at. Aside from all this "business" sort of stuff, Gold City just wants to continue to bring to our audiences great gospel music and the life-changing message of the gospel. If we can help our audiences to escape the cares of the world for a couple of hours and encourage them that Jesus loves them and is for them and wants to save their souls and be Lord of their life, then our day is complete.
J. Gilmore: Sounds like a great year is ahead!! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this! God Bless!
For more information on Daniel Riley and Gold City, visit their website: http://www.goldcityqt.com/