Major Changes To America’s Top Quartet
January 13, 2009
1/13/09 (Alexandria, Indiana) - With mixed emotions and tremendous optimism about the future, Gaither Music Group announces major personnel changes for the Gaither Vocal Band, including the return of some of the group’s best-loved alumni.
After more than 14 years as the Gaither Vocal Band’s lead singer, Guy Penrod will now begin a new journey. Bill Gaither is delighted to announce today that Guy is pursuing a new direction as a solo artist. It is a bittersweet transition as Penrod will miss sharing the stage with his comrades and he will be greatly missed.
Bill Gaither states, “I am losing a lead singer, but I am not losing a friend. I am extremely grateful for the incredible contribution he has made to the Gaither Vocal Band’s legacy.” Guy Penrod has said in response, “My years with the Gaither Vocal Band have been among the most glorious of my life. Now, though, with the Band continuing in strength and me tackling the new challenge of a solo career, we can all serve our God even more powerfully in the days to come.”
As Gaither has stated at various times of transition, “You never replace a group member… you simply find a fresh, new direction.” And with that philosophy at heart, Bill Gaither has gone far beyond simply replacing his long-time lead singer. He has completely recreated the Gaither Vocal Band, now expanding the size of the group from four members to five and bringing back an all-star cast of voices from the Vocal Band’s rich legacy of talent.
Effective immediately, the new roster for the five-member Gaither Vocal Band will be: Bill Gaither, David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Michael English and Mark Lowry. Mark Lowry will complete all his previously scheduled solo engagements through April 2009 and will appear with the Gaither Vocal Band at every available opportunity during this transition, beginning with the Gaither Caribbean Cruise on February 22.
Marshall Hall, who has sung with the group since 2004, will no longer serve as the group’s baritone and will be missed dearly by his friends both on and off the stage. He is a talented singer and producer, as well as an experienced worship leader, who will undoubtedly enjoy a solid future building on the experience gained during his five remarkable years with the Gaither Vocal Band.
The public’s overwhelming early response to the January 20th release of The Gaither Vocal Band Reunion DVD, as well as the group’s 2009 Grammy nomination, has already begun what could be the group’s most unforgettable season yet.
The first live concert of 2009 will take place January 29 in Huntsville, Alabama, and tickets are still available. For more 2009 concert dates visit www.gaither.com and click on the ‘Tickets’ banner.
Introducing… your brand new Gaither Vocal Band!
This boggles my mind.
Don’t like it at all.
Expected Guy not to return but letting Marsh Hall go makes me very unhappy.
Sure he can do well in a solo career if he so chooses.
Probably singing to sell out crowds.
Look out Revolunary VB.
Soooooo sad!!! :( :( :( Guy and Wes and Marsh and Bill had SUCH a good sound!
would like to know the real story behind this. glad mark is coming back but as for the others not very excided. but knowone can replace guy
Horrible! Big mistake letting Marshall go. He will be GREATLY missed. This makes me very sad… I don’t know if I’ll be able to even listen to the new GVB now.
So glad to see that Michael English is being given another chance to show how great a singer he is.
As a fan of GVB for over two decades I cannot think of a more exciting time than now to listen to them again! Yes, Guy was great and the fact is all of us in life are replaceable. However, pound for pound the two greatest voices of modern times in Christian music are both Michael English & David Phelps! Having them sing together makes it Heaven on Earth and resembled a GVB DREAM TEAM. I wish everyone in this transition the best and this re-alignment of Bill Gaither reminds us of God’s great grace and yes, you can truly come Home again. Welcome back Mark, Michael & David. Fans buckle up because this is going to be one incredible ride! As we said from the bleachers in the early 1990’s: “Sing it Michael!”
I am thrilled that David, Mark, and Michael are back, what a wonderful surprise. I love Guy, and wish him well. This is going to be a great singing group. Probably the best ever. Bill Gaither never seems to amaze me in all that he does. What a guy. I love you guys, and wish you all the best. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Doris
Sounds like marshall got the old boot to the curb.
A shame group sound great. It still could use a deep bass
I think this is going to be great. I will miss very much, Guy Penrod’s incredible voice and I pray for his great sucess as a solo artist. I agree with Frank about Michael and David and can’t wait to hear them together.
I do not agree with Doug about a bass singer. I think Bill Gaither is the perfect bass singer for this group. He reminds me of Armond Morales and I think Armond is the one of the top 5 Bass singers ever.. Just in my opinion the other four are Big Chief, George Younce, Richard Sterban and J.D.
Lay off Bill , he is great.
I sure enjoyed Guy , he has a magic about him , that people
responded too. and he will be greatly missed., i hope
he will at least let folks know where he is going to be.,
we would like to go and see him in concert
Bill and Gloria Gaither are great!
In my opinion their Gaither Homecoming Hour is the best hour on television. In fact, I’m disappointed when it’s over.
I’m a staunch Southern Gospel fan and esp. love the four part harmony of the quartets, which brings me to ask Brooks if he doesn’t think Tim Riley should be included in the group of best bass singers. I know that would make it the Top 6 Bass singers.
Thoroughly enjoy the GVB. I wish the very best for Guy. Looking forward to hearing some new stuff from old friends!
Good choice Tom. I love the acapella albums that Gold City did with Tim Riley as bass. I will add him to my list. How about a top 10 list of bass singers?
WOW. GUY AND MARSHALL WILL BOTH BE TRULY MISSED. MARSHALL YOUR SONG WHEN I CRY HAS TOUCHED MY LIFE LIKE NO OTHER. I KNOW GOD HAS PLANS FOR THE BOTH OF YOU AND MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WILL BI WITH THE BOTH OF YOU. AND TO THE THOSE WHO ARE RETURNING I AM LOOKING FOR HEARING YOU IN THE FUTURE. SO WHEN IS THE NEW PROJECT COMING OUT?
I have been a fan of the GVB for many years and I have almost all the tape and
DVD I get them on many different stations. I am sorry to hear about Guy leaving
I dont know much about Mr. English but the others member I have seen in
concerts and and on the tapes.
I AM VERY SORRY TO SEE GUY LEAVE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT HE IS DOING WHAT THE LORD WANTS HIM TO DO. GOOD LUCK TO GUY. ON MARSHALL LEAVING THE GROUP I AM A LITTLE STUND. GOOD LUCK TO HIM IN HIS WALK AND WORK FOR THE LORD. NOW TO THE GREAT GUYS THAT ARE COMING BACK TO THE GROUP, I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE ALL OF THEM TOGETHER. MICHAEL ENGLISH IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SINGERS AND DAVID IS AWSOME. MARK IS JUST GREAT. ALL OF THE GUYS ARE GOING TO MAKE THE GROUP EVEN BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND. THANKS GUYS.
I am very excited to see Michael back. I have prayed long hours for him. He has come full circle and deserves a second chance. I love mark and David is awesome. They will do great together. Wes is a sweetheart. He brings sweet innocence and joy to the group. Bill knows how to pick them. Thanks Bill. I need to get a hold of Mark, would there be a chance he could e-mail me?
I sing a lot of songs that Guy has song over the years in my church. It is really going to be hard seeing the GVB without him. I don’t know if I want to. The were just so good together. I guess change is inevitable. Good luck and many blessing to Guy and GVB,
I was most amazed, when I saw that Gaither homecoming of all the members of the band that he could find, together;as he mixed and matched them for various songs, and then they sang together, at various points. It occurs to me that the Gaither organization is a’ living entity,’ changing and regrouping every so often ,to keep the sound fresh and new. Yes, this is a big change. Yes Guy will be missed, tremendously, yes Marshall will be missed, but they will go on and do great things. But I wonder: now what will GVB’s relationship with Ernie and Signature Sound? The 8 man projects were the best idea I have ever heard in gospel music.
I have many Homecoming dvd’s and cd’s but not one from the Gaither Vocal Band UNTIL I saw and heard Michael English on the Reunion Dvd’s. Then I bought Reunited. Now I am going to buy everything that he is involved in. There are not enough words to describe him. May God always use and protect him and his family.