HISTORY OF THE GAITHER VOCAL BAND

          DID YOU KNOW THE HISTORY OF  THE GAITHER   VOCAL BAND 

--------------------------Also known as New Gaither Vocal Band (1981–1984)

-Members (past and present)

- Awards and nominations

The Gaither Vocal Band is an American southern gospel vocal group, named after its founder and leader Bill Gaither. As of September 2016, it consists of David Phelps, 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.

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.

The Gaither Vocal Band is named after gospel legend and leader, Bill Gaither. 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. For example, their song, "He Touched Me" was covered by Elvis Presley, after which he even named his album He Touched Me. Presley won a Grammy for the album. 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.

 

            Members (past and present)

Line-ups

1981–1982 (Under the Name "The New Gaither Vocal Band")	1982-1983	1983-1985
Steve Green – tenor Gary McSpadden – lead Bill Gaither – baritone Lee Young - bass	Steve Green – tenor Gary McSpadden – lead Bill Gaither – baritone Jon Mohr – bass	Larnelle Harris – tenor Gary McSpadden – lead Bill Gaither – baritone Jon Mohr – bass
1985-1987 (Now under the name "The Gaither Vocal Band")	1987	1987-1988
Larnelle Harris – tenor Michael English – lead Gary McSpadden – baritone Bill Gaither - bass	Lemuel Miller – tenor Michael English – lead Gary McSpadden – baritone Bill Gaither – bass	Jim Murray – tenor Michael English – lead Gary McSpadden – baritone Bill Gaither – bass
1988-1992	1992-1994	1994
Jim Murray – tenor Michael English – lead Mark Lowry – baritone Bill Gaither – bass	Terry Franklin – tenor Michael English – lead Mark Lowry – baritone Bill Gaither – bass	Terry Franklin – tenor Buddy Mullens – lead Mark Lowry – baritone Bill Gaither – bass
1994-1995	1995-1997	1997-2002
Jonathan Pierce – tenor Buddy Mullens – lead Mark Lowry – baritone Bill Gaither – bass	Jonathan Pierce – tenor Guy Penrod – lead Mark Lowry – baritone Bill Gaither – bass	David Phelps – tenor Guy Penrod – lead Mark Lowry – baritone Bill Gaither – bass
2002-2004	2004-2005	2005-2009
David Phelps – tenor Guy Penrod – lead Russ Taff – baritone Bill Gaither – bass	David Phelps – tenor Guy Penrod – lead Marshall Hall – baritone Bill Gaither – bass	Wes Hampton – tenor Guy Penrod – lead Marshall Hall – baritone Bill Gaither – bass
2009-2013	2013-
Wes Hampton – tenor David Phelps – tenor Michael English – lead Mark Lowry – baritone Bill Gaither – bass	Wes Hampton – tenor David Phelps – tenor Adam Crabb – lead Todd Suttles – baritone Bill Gaither – bass

BILL GAITHER AND HIS WIFE

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

GMA Dove Awards

Year	Category	Nominated work	Result
1991	Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album	Homecoming	Won
1994	Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album	Southern Classics	Nominated
1998	Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album	Back Home in Indiana	Nominated
2003	Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album	Everything Good	Nominated
2004	Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album	A Cappella	Nominated
2007	Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album	Give It Away	Nominated
2009	Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album	Lovin' Life	Won
2015	Best Roots Gospel Album	Hymns	Nominated
Year	Category	Nominated work	Result
1992	Southern Gospel Album	Homecoming	Won
1994	Southern Gospel Album	Southern Classics	Won
1994	Southern Gospel Song	"Satisfied"	Won
1995	Southern Gospel Song	"I Bowed on My Knees"	Won
1999	Southern Gospel Album	Still The Greatest Story Ever Told	Won
1999	Southern Gospel Performance	"I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary"	Won
2009	Christmas Album	Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style	Nominated
2000	Southern Gospel Album	God Is Good	Won
2001	Southern Gospel Song	"God Is Good All The Time"	Won
2001	Southern Gospel Album	I Do Believe	Won
2002	Southern Gospel Song	"He's Watching Me"	Won
2003	Southern Gospel Song	"More Than Ever"	Nominated
2003	Country Album	Everything Good	Nominated
2007	Southern Gospel Song	"Give It Away"	Won
2007	Southern Gospel Album	Give It Away	Won
2009	Southern Gospel Album	Lovin' Life	Won
2010	Southern Gospel Album	Reunited	Won
2010	Southern Gospel Album	Greatly Blessed	Won
2010	Song of the Year	"Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored"	Nominated
2011	Southern Gospel Song	"Better Day"	Won
2013	Southern Gospel Performance	"Glorious Freedom"	Nominated
2013	Bluegrass Song	"Come to Jesus"	Nominated
2013	Southern Gospel Album	Pure and Simple	Won