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53-610: Gold City (formerly known as Gold City Quartet ) is an American southern gospel quartet based in Gadsden, Alabama . Formed in 1980, the group was one of the most successful quartets through the 1980s and 1990s, charting ten number one hits in Singing News magazine and being host to many icons in the Christian music industry, including Brian Free , Ivan Parker , Mark Trammell , Mike LeFevre, and Tim Riley. The Alabama-based Christian group

106-475: A 16 episodes series of stories and songs which featured many special guests. It premiered every Friday night from September 11 to December 25, 2020. In March 2021, Haase announced that on March 12 they will continue their touring schedule. The group then released Keeping On on July 23, 2021. The album was the final project to feature Devin McGlamery as it was announced on September 14, 2021, that he would be leaving

159-553: A Bridge and Glory To His Name in 2003. They participated in their first live concert ( Live in Indiana ) at Reardon Auditorium, in Anderson, Indiana , on February 21, 2003. Later Shane Dunlap left Signature Sound to start a solo career after release of their third album Glory to His Name in 2003. Wesley Pritchard took Dunlap's position while the group searched for a full-time lead. Jones and Haase dissolved their business relationship after

212-418: A devout love for God or an earthly love for a man or woman. Becoming popular through songbooks, such as those published by R. E. Winsett of Dayton, Tennessee , southern gospel was and is one of the few genres to use recordings, radio, and television technologies from the very beginning for the advancements of promoting the genre. One of the longest-running print magazines for southern gospel music has been

265-700: A full-time solo career. Anderson had been with the group as its baritone singer since its inception in 2002, a total of 13 years. It was later announced that Dustin Doyle of Beyond The Ashes will be replacing Anderson in the Baritone part. In June 2020, Haase had suspended their touring schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Later they created the Living Room Sing to which they sang songs from their Something Beautiful album. On September 11, they renamed it to Friday Night Sing,

318-578: A popular form of music across the United States and overseas, especially among baby boomers and those living in the Southern United States . Like other forms of music, the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of southern gospel varies according to the cultural and social context. It is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for

371-610: A replacement was being sought. Later in December, it was announced that Chris Cooper left Gold City and a replacement would be found by the end of Christmas break. Over the Christmas break, it was announced that former Legacy Five tenor Josh Cobb would be joining the group, and former Ernie Haase & Signature Sound pianist Roy Webb would join as the pianist. It was also announced that Tim Riley would be committed to full-time traveling with Gold City. Later in 2010, Roy Webb opted to leave

424-699: A second series of concerts with only Signature Sound and the Gaither Vocal Band appearing together. Due in part to the popularity of these concerts, the two groups decided to record a single album together, entitled Together , which debuted in October 2007. On the DVD, it was hinted that future collaborations between Signature Sound and the Vocal Band were upcoming. Producer and songwriter Wayne Haun has served as their pianist since their 2008 Summer tour. The group's next project

477-403: A sound with an edge to it. The traditional style southern gospel singers employ a more classical singing style. Lyrically, most progressive southern gospel songs are patterned after traditional southern gospel in that they maintain a clear evangelistic and/or testimonial slant. Southern gospel purists view lyrical content and the underlying musical style as the key determining factors for applying

530-544: A three-year hiatus from the National Quartet Convention, Haase and Signature Sound returned to performing there along with the rest of the Gaither Homecoming performers. Haase was unable to appear with former Cathedrals members Scott Fowler, Gerald Wolfe, Mark Trammell, and Danny Funderburk for a NQC special showcase presentation called The Cathedrals Remembered , a tribute concert at the convention in which

583-430: Is sometimes called "quartet music" by fans because of the originally all-male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet makeup. Early quartets were typically either a cappella or accompanied only by piano or guitar, and in some cases a piano and banjo in areas that were influenced by bluegrass music such as Appalachia . Over time, full bands were added and even later, pre-recorded accompaniments (soundtracks) were introduced. In

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636-432: The Singing News . They started in the early 1970s supplying radio airplay charts and conducting annual fan based awards. They also supply popular topic forums for southern gospel fans to meet and discuss the genre. The move to internet services has brought along companies such as SoGospelNews.com which has become a noted e-zine forum for southern gospel and has remained a supporter for the past twelve years. It too contains

689-468: The Southeast and Southwest , it has a nationwide and even international audience. The music remains "more country than city, more down-home than pretentious". In 2005, The Radio Book , a broadcast yearbook published by M Street Publications, reported 285 radio stations in the U.S. with a primary format designation as "southern gospel," including 175 AM stations and 110 FM stations. In fact, southern gospel

742-405: The southeastern United States . Its lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music . Sometimes known as " quartet music" for its traditional "four men and a piano" set up, southern gospel has evolved over the years into

795-553: The 1990s thanks to the efforts of Bill and Gloria Gaither and their Gaither Homecoming tours and videos, which began as a reunion of many of the best known and loved SGM individuals in 1991. Thanks in part to the Homecoming series, southern gospel music now has fans across the United States and in a number of foreign countries like Ireland and Australia. By the 1990s, the "old-timey" quartet-style music began to develop to include more soloists and duos. Although still mostly popular in

848-689: The Gaither Music Group and became regular performers with the Gaither Homecoming tours and videos. In May 2007, pianist Roy Webb left the band to be with his father, who was dying of cancer. On May 29, 2007, it was announced that Webb had resigned from the group. Later, it was announced that Gordon Mote would be the group's piano player during their Get Away Jordan summer tour supporting their album Get Away, Jordan released in January 2007. Singer and producer Bill Gaither eventually began scheduling

901-645: The Quartet's theme song. The Stamps Quartet was heard on the radio throughout Texas and the South. A handful of groups were considered pioneers in southern gospel music for a series of "firsts." The Blackwood Brothers, with James Blackwood and J.D. Sumner became the first group to travel in a bus, which is on display at the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee . Sumner also

954-540: The United States for the purpose of getting together regularly and singing songs in this style. Convention songs were employed by training centers like the Stamps-Baxter School Of Music as a way to teach quartet members how to concentrate on singing their own part. Examples of convention songs include "Heavenly Parade", "I'm Living In Canaan Now", " Give the World a Smile ", and "Heaven's Jubilee". Southern gospel

1007-518: The air, Southern Gospel USA, a weekly half-hour countdown show hosted by Gary Wilson, Classic radio programs such as The Old Gospel Ship and Heaven's Jubilee with Jim Loudermilk. Another online station is "The Gospel Station." Ernie Haase %26 Signature Sound In 1999, the Cathedral Quartet announced their farewell tour due to the ongoing health issues of George Younce and Glen Payne. Lead singer Glen Payne died on October 15, 1999, before

1060-431: The all-male quartets that would develop years later. The Statesmen were known for their showmanship and introduction of jazz, ragtime, and even some early rock and roll. Elements into their music and their stage appearance with trendy suits and wide audience appeal and were known for their signature song, "Happy Rhythm" (Rockin and a'Rollin). Traditional southern gospel music underwent a tremendous surge in popularity during

1113-457: The baritone part, replacing Jerry Ritchie. Steve Lacey took over for LeFevre in 1992, and after the departure of Free, Jones, and Parker in 1993, Lacey switched to lead while Mark Trammell became baritone and Jay Parrack was named the new tenor. Lacey left to join the Kingdom Heirs the following year. David Hill became lead singer for a while; his departure led to the next consistent lineup for

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1166-483: The convention. In 1982, tenor Brian Free came on board and lead Ivan Parker joined in 1983. This group of men formed a consistent core that remained together until the end of 1993. Original owner Floyd Beck died in 1984, resulting in Tim Riley taking over ownership and the group's relocation to Gadsden, Alabama . Jeff Hullender joined the group in 1984 as the group's bass guitar player. Mike LeFevre joined in 1985 to sing

1219-508: The end of the tour. Upon request of Glen Payne, the remaining members finished the tour with pianist Roger Bennett performing Payne's vocals. Following the tour Bennett and baritone Scott Fowler formed Legacy Five while Ernie Haase continued his solo career. Subsequently, former Cathedrals bass George Younce and Jake Hess , along with Bill Gaither formed The Old Friends Quartet with Ernie Haase , Wesley Pritchard , and Garry Jones. The Old Friends Quartet disbanded after about two years on

1272-503: The first decades of the twentieth century, southern gospel drew much of its creative energy from the holiness movement churches that arose throughout the south. Early gospel artists such as The Speer Family , The Stamps Quartet, The Blackwood Family, and The Lefevre Trio achieved wide popularity through their recordings and radio performances in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. On October 20, 1927, The Stamps Quartet recorded its early hit "Give The World A Smile" for RCA Victor, which become

1325-620: The first year and Roy Webb was chosen as pianist. Later, they found Ryan Seaton (formerly of The Melody Boys Quartet) and hired him as the new lead singer. Haase's father-in-law George Younce became co-owner of the quartet and helped the group have an affiliation with the Gaither Music Group. They released their fourth album, The Ground is Level , followed by Great Love in 2004. In 2004, the group changed its name to Ernie Haase and Signature Sound , reportedly in order to avoid confusion with other similarly titled regional groups. They released their self-titled album in October 2005. They signed with

1378-412: The former Cathedral members joined forces to sing many old Cathedral songs and to honor George Younce and Glen Payne . Haase had other engagements over the weekend and had to leave NQC early, prior to the taping. In October 2009 the group released a second Christmas album entitled Every Light That Shines At Christmas which was the final album to feature Ryan Seaton. They also released a DVD video of

1431-513: The group as the new bass singer for the group. The group released a new project called Here We Are Again in February 2012. In October 2012, Ian Owens announced his resignation and later joined Soul'd Out Quartet, and Paul Harkey joined as the new bass singer. In April 2015, Doug Anderson announced in a video with Haase that he will be stepping down from his position in Signature Sound to pursue

1484-546: The group at the end of October and Doug Anderson would be rejoining the group in November 2021. In October 2021, they created a second season of the Friday Night Sing called Good To Be Home , a 10 episodes series. Just like the first season, they shared stories and sang songs from their Keeping On album and it too feature some special guests. The show premiered every Friday night from October 8 to December 10, 2021. In 2022,

1537-435: The group crossed genres and recorded a traditional pop album called Decades of Love , an album of standard pop love songs that were covered by the group spanning nearly 10 decades. The album was released on August 5, 2022. The project originally was dedicated to the wives of the group's members, but became a successful album by being a top 10 pop music release on iTunes the week it was released. The group continues to be one of

1590-461: The group to fully pursue a solo career. Josh Simpson filled in on the piano while a new pianist was found. After the National Quartet Convention, it was announced that Perry's pianist, Bryan Elliott, would be filling the piano bench. Months later, tenor singer, Josh Cobb was released from the group for logistical reasons. On October 29, Brent Mitchell was announced as tenor, to start officially November 11, 2010. Bruce Taliaferro announced his resignation

1643-414: The group, which included Jonathan Wilburn singing lead, Mark Trammell singing baritone, and Jay Parrack as tenor with Riley at bass from 1996 until 2002. Over this period, the group developed a style that relied on heavy brass arrangements for their more driving songs. Trammell left the group in 2002 to form his own Mark Trammell Trio . In 2004, the group saw the departure of Parrack at tenor in addition to

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1696-556: The group. They've sang songs from their Live in Amsterdam album including some hymns. The show premiered every Friday night from February 2 to March 8, 2024. On April 23, it was announced that Paul Harkey will step down after 12 years at the end of May 2024 and that Christopher Taylor will be the new bass singer on June 15. (Under the Name "Signature Sound Quartet") (Under the Name "Ernie Haase & Signature Sound") (under

1749-528: 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. In February 2007, it was announced that the group had returned to The Beckie Simmons Agency (from The Harper Agency). Beckie Simmons, while at Century II and her own agency, has handled the quartet's bookings for

1802-439: The lead singer for Gold City after he departed the group earlier that month. (Under the Name "Gold City Quartet") (Now simply known as "Gold City") Band of Gold Piano Drums Bass Lead Guitar Sound Engineer Compilations Appearances on the Gaither Homecoming videos Southern gospel See also: Southern gospel music is a genre of Christian music . Its name comes from its origins in

1855-763: The majority of its existence. In March 2008, lead singer Jonathan Wilburn left the group. Bruce Taliaferro, a Gadsden native who had filled in for Wilburn and Daniel Riley in the past, stepped in to fill the empty position. Gold City released their first recording with Taliaferro in July 2008. Also, August 2008 saw the Band of Gold return to the scene on a limited basis. The band consisted of pianist Josh Simpson, drummer Kevin Albertson, bass guitarist Taylor Barnes, and lead guitarist Daniel Addison. On April 28, 2009, tenor, Steve Ladd, announced that he would be leaving Gold City. On June 17, 2009, it

1908-527: The marketplace. The date of southern gospel's establishment, as a distinct genre, is generally considered to be 1910. The year the first professional quartet was formed for the purpose of selling songbooks for the James D. Vaughan Music Publishing Company in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee . Nonetheless, the style of the music itself had existed for at least 35 years prior—although the traditional wisdom that southern gospel

1961-416: The music charts with forums and chat rooms available to the fans. Internet Radio has broadened the southern gospel music fan base by using computer technologies and continual streaming. Some of these media outlets are: Sunlite Radio which features many of the southern gospel programs likewise heard on traditional radio. This list includes The Gospel Greats with Paul Heil, which recently celebrated 30 years on

2014-545: The musical traditions of white musicians from the American South, the name Southern gospel was used to differentiate it from the black gospel tradition. Convention songs typically have contrasting homophonic and contrapuntal sections. In the homophonic sections, the four parts sing the same words and rhythms. In the contrapuntal sections, each group member has a unique lyric and rhythm. These songs are called "convention songs" because various conventions were organized across

2067-499: The next month on December 18, 2010. Tim Riley would retire again in 2014 to be replaced by bass Chris West. On January 28, 2020, Bruce Taliaferro announced his return to the group, after the resignation of lead singer Scott Brand. Bruce began singing with the group on February 21. On January 11, 2022, Taliaferro announced his second resignation from the group, effective immediately until his replacement by Gadsden native Cole Watson. Watson and seven year tenor Thomas Nalley were released by

2120-539: The quartet nine months later. In the fall of 2022, Gold City announced the third return of Bruce Taliaferro. On the same night he was re-introduced, they also announced Former Kingsmen Quartet tenor Chris Jenkins as their new tenor singer. Chris West departed the group in January 2023 and Jeff Chapman of the Kingdom Heirs was announced to be their full-time bass singer starting on April 20 after filling in at multiple shows. On August 15, 2023, Josh Feemster replaced Bruce as

2173-421: The retirement of Tim Riley after 24 years. former Brian Free & Assurance bass singer Bill Lawrence replaced him as bass, while Riley's sons, drummer Doug and baritone Daniel, took over management of the group until Doug Riley died in an automobile accident in early 2006. By this point, the full Gold City band had been retired and replaced with accompanying tracks. In March 2006, bass singer Bill Lawrence left

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2226-590: The road, however, as Hess and Younce's ill health prevented them from doing much traveling. Ernie Haase, along with Jones, continued quartet singing and wished to create a quartet with a modern image and attitude, but traditional in sound. Haase and Jones, together with lead singer Shane Dunlap , baritone Doug Anderson , and bass singer Tim Duncan formed the Signature Sound Quartet. They recorded three albums, Stand by Me released in April 2002, followed by Building

2279-574: The same feed entitled, " enLighten on SiriusXm". Enlighten plays southern gospel and has several featured programs which air weekly including Paul Heil's Gospel Greats and Bill Gaither 's Homecoming Radio . Over the last decades, a newer version of southern gospel has grown in popularity. This style is called progressive southern gospel and is characterized by a blend of traditional southern gospel, bluegrass, modern country, contemporary Christian and pop music elements. Progressive southern gospel generally features artists who push their voices to produce

2332-586: The same title which was recorded LIVE for the Gospel Music Channel. On December 28, 2009, Ernie announced that Ryan Seaton was leaving the quartet to pursue other interests and that former Karen Peck and New River lead/tenor Devin McGlamery would be joining as the new lead singer, and they released A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet in October 2010. On January 18, 2011, it was announced that bass singer Tim Duncan had left, and Ian Owens had joined

2385-447: The southern gospel label to a song. Although there are some exceptions, most southern gospel songs would not be classified as Praise and Worship . Few southern gospel songs are sung "to" God as opposed to "about" God. On the other hand, southern gospel lyrics are typically overt in their Christian message unlike Contemporary Christian music (CCM) which sometimes has had "double entendre" lyrics, which could be interpreted as being about

2438-572: The top acts in the Gospel and Christian music field. In 2023, the group celebrated 20 years by recording a live album in Amsterdam entitled Live in Amsterdam: A 20th Anniversary Celebration which was released on August 10, 2023. The album features some of the groups most popular songs. In February 2024, they created a third season of the Friday Night Sing, a 6 episodes series. In this season, each member shared stories about their families and their journey with

2491-453: Was "invented" in the 1870s by circuit preacher Everett Beverly is spurious. The existence of the genre prior to 1910 is evident in the work of Charles Davis Tillman (1861–1943), who popularized "The Old Time Religion", wrote "Life's Railway to Heaven" and published 22 songbooks. Some of the genre's roots can be found in the publishing work and "normal schools" or singing schools of Aldine S. Kieffer and Ephraim Ruebush . Southern gospel

2544-483: Was announced that Chris Cooper would be filling the tenor position. It was announced in July 2009 that Josh Simpson would be leaving Gold City in August to go to college. His temporary replacement was Curtis Broadway who played on Band of Gold dates. Gold City Bus driver Jim Korn filled in on keys after the Band of Gold quit traveling with the group. It was announced on August 11. 2009 that Aaron McCune had departed Gold City and

2597-537: Was entitled, Dream On. This was released in late October 2008 and was filmed in Chicago, at the Navy Pier Ballroom. In January 2009, Ernie Haase announced a Cathedrals tribute tour was next on the quartet's agenda and the group started touring with a live band that included Wayne Haun on the piano, David Griffith on the bass, Kelly Vaughan on electric guitar and Zak Shumate on the drums. In September 2009, following

2650-529: Was instrumental in creating the National Quartet Convention , an annual music festival where many groups, both known and well known perform for a week. The Speer Family was known for bringing blended groups to mainstream popularity where both male and female performers toured together. The best known group of the 1950s and 1960s was the Statesmen Quartet , which set the trend for broad appeal of

2703-505: Was promoted by traveling singing school teachers, quartets, and shape note music publishing companies such as the A. J. Showalter Company (1879) and the Stamps-Baxter Music and Printing Company . Over time, southern gospel came to be an eclectic musical form with groups singing traditional hymns, a capella (jazz-style singing with no instruments) songs, country, bluegrass, spirituals, and "convention songs". Because it grew out of

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2756-477: Was renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at midnight on New Year’s Day in 1980, composed of tenor Bob Oliver, lead Jerry Ritchie, baritone Ken Trussell, and bass Dallas Gilliland. Bass Tim Riley would replace Gilliland as the permanent bass singer in July of that same year. The group appeared on the main stage of the National Quartet Convention in October 1981. Pianist Garry Jones joined the group one month prior to

2809-497: Was the 9th most popular format for AM stations and the 21st most popular for FM. Southern gospel radio promoters routinely service more than a thousand radio stations which play at least some southern gospel music each week. Recent years have also seen the advent of a number of internet-only southern gospel "radio" stations. Two popular satellite stations that feature southern gospel are channel 34 on XM Satellite Radio and Channel 65 (changed from 67). On Sirius Satellite Radio. Both play

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