The Gaither Vocal Band is an American Southern gospel vocal group, named after its founder and leader Bill Gaither. In March 2017, it was announced that the Gaither Vocal Band lineup consisted of Reggie Smith, 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 lineup of the band has changed many times, with artists leaving to work on solo careers. Besides Gaither, singers with the longest tenure in the band include Guy Penrod (1995–2009), Mark Lowry (1988–2001, 2009–14), Michael English (1985–94, 2009–14), David Phelps (1997–2005, 2009–17), and Wes Hampton (2005–present).
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 two Grammys and 17 Dove Awards.
History Beginnings The Gaither Vocal Band is named after gospel leader Bill Gaither. It was the successor 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 named his album He Touched Me. Presley won a Grammy for the album. 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.
The original Vocal Band (called the New Gaither Vocal Band) was formed spontaneously, backstage of a Gaither Trio concert. It consisted of Bill Gaither and Gary McSpadden of the trio, along with two of the trio's backup singers, Steve Green and Lee Young. The quartet sang "Your First Day in Heaven" on stage that night. Their debut album, the self-titled The New Gaither Vocal Band, debuted in 1981.
According to the liner notes of the CD compilation The Best of the GVB, the term "vocal band" was used instead of "quartet" because it did not limit Gaither in terms of sound or number of group members.
Young left the group in 1982, and Jon Mohr was hired as the new bass singer. They then recorded the album Passin' the Faith Along. Later, Green left and Larnelle Harris was hired. This group cut the New Point Of View album before Mohr left.
Widespread popularity Michael English was hired as the new lead singer, so McSpadden was moved down to baritone, and Gaither dropped to bass. At this point the group dropped the "new" part of their name. Although the previous album (New Point of View) had been more contemporary than its predecessors, the album with this version of the group (One X 1) took it even further. After this album, Harris left and was replaced by Lemuel Miller. The group did not record an album with Miller before he too left. He was replaced by Imperials alumnus Jim Murray. This lineup cut one album (Wings) before Gary McSpadden left to start his solo career. Mark Lowry was convinced to replace him. Their gospel roots project Homecoming was released in 1991. Murray left and was replaced by Terry Franklin. The album Southern Classics was released in 1993 with the hit "I Bowed on My Knees" (co-written by Jeremy Ward).
English left in 1994. He was replaced by Buddy Mullins. Mullins was only a temporary fill-in, but he was included on the album Testify. Franklin soon left and was replaced by yet another Imperials alumnus, Jonathan Pierce (formerly known as Jonathan Hildreth, his first and last name, then changed to his first and middle name). Strengthened by the popularity of the Homecoming video series, the Vocal Band added Guy Penrod as lead following the departure of Mullins. After Pierce's departure, Gaither hired David Phelps as tenor. After Lowry's departure, Imperials alumnus Russ Taff sang baritone for a couple of years. Marshall Hall was his replacement. Wes Hampton succeeded Phelps in 2005.
The group has had three number one songs on the Singing News chart. "Yes, I Know" held the top position from July to October 1997, as did "I Will Go On" in November 2006. "Greatly Blessed" was their third number one single. The group has routinely performed classic Southern gospel songs including many written by Bill and Gloria Gaither like "He Touched Me", "I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary", and "Sinner Saved By Grace".
Reunion In July 2008, the vocal band recorded a reunion DVD at the Gaither Studios — The Gaither Vocal Band Reunion, Volumes 1 and 2. Except for Pierce, Franklin, and Miller, the former and present members appeared and performed. The two CDs debuted in the top two positions on Billboards Contemporary Christian Album chart, marking the Gaither Vocal Band's first No. 1 on the Christian Album chart. The DVDs of the same title debuted in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on the Music Video charts as well. It also garnered a Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country, Bluegrass Gospel Album.
The quintet
In January 2009, Hall and Penrod left. Gaither brought back some former members: English as lead vocal, Lowry as baritone and Phelps as tenor. The first album by this five-member version was Reunited, released in September 2009. It was also the first album of the vocal band to feature only songs written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. A live album called Better Day was released in January 2010. In August 2010, they released the album Greatly Blessed, followed by I Am A Promise, a children's album, released in August 2011. Their next album was Pure and Simple, released in September 2012.
In October 2013, it was announced that Lowry and English would once again be leaving the group to devote more time to their solo careers. English's departure was immediate whereas Lowry stayed on until they could find another baritone to replace him. Their last album as members, Hymns, was released in March 2014 and was nominated for a Grammy Award the following December. After their departure, several guests filled in until two new members could be found. In January 2014, it was announced that Adam Crabb (of The Crabb Family) would join the group as the fourth member and lead singer. Todd Suttles joined the group as the baritone singer one month later.
Following their formation, the new quintet released a limited-edition album, The New Edition, which could only be purchased at concert performances. In October 2014, the group released their first album together, entitled Sometimes it Takes a Mountain. Five months later, that album was followed by a two-DVD live performance release and the release of their second album (a live performance album), Happy Rhythm. Upon release, the DVDs debuted at the top of Billboards Music Video chart (Sometimes it Takes a Mountain at #1 and Happy Rhythm at #2). In August 2016, the group's album Better Together was released.
In March 2017, it was announced that Phelps would be once again leaving the group on April 1, and Reggie Smith would join the group as tenor. In October of the following year, this lineup released their first studio album, entitled We Have This Moment. This lineup is still active as of 2026. In October 2018, there was another Gaither Vocal Band Reunion. It was a two-day concert, recorded live. Except for Green, all of the past and present members who were at the first reunion performed. A live album for these concerts titled Reunion Live was released the following year.
In April 2020, McSpadden died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, while recovering from pancreatic cancer, since earlier that year. Later, that same year in May, Pierce died, while recovering from heart surgery. Another live album for the 2018 reunion concerts, titled Reunited Live, was released in 2020, which was also a tribute to McSpadden.
In May 2025, Hampton celebrated 20 years with the Vocal Band on Family Fest 2025.
Members Lineups 1980–1982(as the New Gaither Vocal Band) 1982–1983 1983–1985Steve Green – Tenor Gary McSpadden – Lead Bill Gaither – Baritone Lee Young – BassSteve Green – Tenor Gary McSpadden – Lead Bill Gaither – Baritone Jon Mohr – BassLarnelle Harris – Tenor Gary McSpadden – Lead Bill Gaither – Baritone Jon Mohr – Bass 1985–1987(now simply the Gaither Vocal Band) 1987 1987–1988Larnelle Harris – Tenor Michael English – Lead Gary McSpadden – Baritone Bill Gaither – BassLemuel Miller – Tenor Michael English – Lead Gary McSpadden – Baritone Bill Gaither – BassJim Murray – Tenor Michael English – Lead Gary McSpadden – Baritone Bill Gaither – Bass 1988–1992 1992–1994 1994Jim Murray – Tenor Michael English – Lead Mark Lowry – Baritone Bill Gaither – BassTerry Franklin – Tenor Michael English – Lead Mark Lowry – Baritone Bill Gaither – BassTerry Franklin – Tenor Buddy Mullins – Lead Mark Lowry – Baritone Bill Gaither – Bass 1994–1995 1995–1997 1997–2001Jonathan Pierce – Tenor Buddy Mullins – Lead Mark Lowry – Baritone Bill Gaither – BassJonathan Pierce – Tenor Guy Penrod – Lead Mark Lowry – Baritone Bill Gaither – BassDavid Phelps – Tenor Guy Penrod – Lead Mark Lowry – Baritone Bill Gaither – Bass 2001–2004 2004–2005 2005–2009David Phelps – Tenor Guy Penrod – Lead Russ Taff – Baritone Bill Gaither – BassDavid Phelps – Tenor Guy Penrod – Lead Marshall Hall – Baritone Bill Gaither – BassWes Hampton – Tenor Guy Penrod – Lead Marshall Hall – Baritone Bill Gaither – Bass 2009–2014 2014–2017 2017–presentWes Hampton – 1st Tenor David Phelps – 2nd Tenor Michael English – Lead Mark Lowry – Baritone Bill Gaither – BassWes Hampton – 1st Tenor David Phelps – 2nd Tenor Adam Crabb – Lead Todd Suttles – Baritone/Bass Bill Gaither – Bass/BaritoneWes Hampton – 1st Tenor Reggie Smith – 2nd Tenor Adam Crabb – Lead Todd Suttles – Baritone/Bass Bill Gaither – Bass/Baritone
Current Members Bill Gaither (1980–present) Wes Hampton (2005–present) Adam Crabb (2014–present) Todd Suttles (2014–present) Reggie Smith (2017–present)
Former Members Lee Young (1980–1982) Steve Green (1980–1983) Gary McSpadden (1980–1988) (d. 2020) Jon Mohr (1982–1985) Larnelle Harris (1983–1987) Michael English (1985–1994), (2009–2014) Lemuel Miller (1987) Jim Murray (1987–1992) Mark Lowry (1988–2001), (2009–2014) Terry Franklin (1992–1994) Buddy Mullins (1994–1995) Jonathan Pierce (1994–1997) (d. 2020) Guy Penrod (1995–2009) David Phelps (1997–2005), (2009–2017) Russ Taff (2001–2004) Marshall Hall (2004–2009)
Timeline
Musicians Piano Anthony Burger (1993–2006) (d. 2006) Gordon Mote (2006–2012) (also sang) Matthew Holt (2012–present)
Bass guitar Wesley Pritchard (2006–2012, 2018 reunion live) Woody Wright (2023–present)
Drums Mike Hopper (1998–2003) Greg Ritchie (2003–2022) Michael Rowsey (2022–present)
Guitar Kevin Williams (1993–present) (also Bass guitar)
Special Guests Gene McDonald
Discography
Awards and nominations Grammy Awards Year Category Nominated work Result 1991 Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album Homecoming 1994 Southern Classics 1998 Back Home in Indiana 2003 Everything Good 2004 A Cappella 2007 Give It Away 2009 Lovin' Life 2015 Best Roots Gospel Album Hymns 2017 Better Together 2022 That’s Gospel, Brother 2023 Let’s Just Praise the Lord 2024 Shine: The Darker the Night, The Brighter the Light
GMA Dove Awards