As a longtime fan of the Gaither Vocal Band, I was eager to hear the sound of Bill Gaither’s new-old group at the first opportunity. That came a couple of weeks ago in northern Kentucky at a Homecoming concert in the Bank of Kentucky Center.
Would the sound be brand new? Or retro? Or the Vocal Band we’ve all grown to love, Guy Penrod’s and Marshall Hall’s absences notwithstanding?
The answer was all of the above. And the crowd of about 8,000 loved it.
Mark Lowry, who has some previous engagements to fulfill, wasn’t part of the group that night. Not in person, at least. He did participate by video, joining Bill, Wes Hampton, David Phelps and Michael English on a chorus of “Satisfied,” to the delight of the crowd.
Having two tenors in the group adds a dimension to the sound already stretching into the stratosphere by the tradition of Phelps, Hampton and English. Hearing Phelps soar on the first verse of Vep Ellis’ “The Love of God” was vintage GVB, bringing the crowd to its feet. Then Hampton matched him on the next verse. And English, with his tremendous range, belted out a chorus.
Phelps and English have returned from stints as soloists, bringing the best of both worlds to the Homecoming tour. Their individual efforts helped fill out a program that included Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Ivan Parker, Janet Paschal, Lynda Randle and Russ Taff, plus videos of departed gospel legends.
Signature Sound and GVB did their Together thing, without missing a beat. And Taff joined his old group on “Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road.”
Randle, whose contralto voice fits right in with the Vocal Band, and pianist Gordon Mote helped fill in for the absence of Lowry at baritone.
Michael English stepped right in on one of the solos Hall had been doing, “Journey to the Sky.” At least after guitarist and humorist Kevin Williams ran out of quips with which to interrupt his opening.
English spent 11 years with the Vocal Band before taking a 15-year hiatus, during which he had to deal with personal obstacles that threatened not only his career but his very life. He tells about it in his book, “The Prodigal Comes Home.”
“Jesus has taken me on a journey,” he told the crowd, “and not a very pleasant one. But I’m back.”
Bill also renewed contact with former Indianapolis Colts tight end Ben Utecht, now with the Cincinnati Bengals, who matches his football ability with singing talent. The son of a United Methodist minister, Utecht did an a cappella version of “Amazing Grace.”
The crowd was able to get into the singing mode as well, belting out a chorus of “Happy Birthday” to Gaither, who said he was “39 and holding.”
Hmmm. He has a 39-year-old son, meaning he’s been holding for quite a few years. Maybe he’s closer to 37, if you reverse the digits.
Jim Bailey’s column appears on Wednesday. He can be reached by e-mail at jameshenrybailey@earth link.net.
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Jim Bailey: Something old, something new in Gaither Vocal Band
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