The David Phelps And The Gaither Vocal Group Scandal
At every Gaither Homecoming Concert, Mark Lowry offers a lot. In addition to being a Christian comedian, he is the only one who will challenge leader Bill Gaither, even going so far as to make a joke about Gaither’s hair.
He performs baritone in the Gaither Vocal Band, the main attraction of the concert. And others who were unaware of Lowry’s talent for composition were made aware of it by the popular Christmas song “Mary, Did You Know?” Lowry remarked on Monday, “I recall asking the Lord to help me achieve something eventually that would outlive me when I was a kid. “I’m guessing he gave Mary, Did You Know in response to that request.”
Michael English has had a checkered career. He started with Southern gospel groups and Bill Gaither’s Gaither Vocal Band but has since found success on his own. In 1994, he won five Dove Awards, but his label dropped him after he married, and Christian retail and radio banned his music. His career has taken a backseat to the scandal. Now, what should he do? Read on to find out.
David Phelps
The David Phelps and the Gaither vocal group scandal aren’t exactly news. Phelps has been singing with the Gaither Vocal Band for about eight years. But, this time, he will leave the group to pursue a solo career. Bill Gaither didn’t have to look far for a replacement, however. Smith has filled in with the group from time to time and will now slide into the lineup on the GVB’s upcoming tour. But, if you’re wondering who will take his place, Phelps has a lot of responsibilities.
After graduating from Baylor University, David Phelps forged a lucrative career with the Gaither Vocal Band. He had a seemingly unlimited vocal range, extending over three octaves, and a gift for communicating the songs. The singer and his vocal bandmates have received numerous Grammy Awards and Dove Awards for their work, and many of their albums have reached platinum status. Unfortunately, David Phelps and the Gaither vocal band scandal isn’t the only scandal that has come out of the Gaither Vocal Band.
Lori Purtle Phelps married David Phelps on October 21, 1969, and the two are now parents of four children. His oldest daughter, Maggie Beth, sings with the Gaither Vocal Band. His wife Lori, a professional trumpeter, and the four children have a solid vocal presence on the Gaither videos. However, the scandal involving the Gaither Vocal Band has brought the band to public scrutiny.
Guy Penrod
The Gaither Vocal Band has recently made headlines, and one of its members was the star of the latest scandal. Guy Penrod, the band’s leader, married a woman named Jordan in 2001 and resigned to focus on his ministry. The scandal has caused the Gaither Vocal Band to rethink its practices. But will they ever recover? Or will the scandal only make them look like they’re doing it for the publicity?
Gaither Music Group has announced significant changes to its musical lineup, including the departure of the Gaither Vocal Band’s founding member, Guy Penrod. Instead, the band will welcome some of its most well-known alumni while kicking out former members. In particular, Guy Penrod will leave the band, citing a desire to pursue a solo career. But he will miss performing on stage with his comrades.
Michael English and David Phelps have stepped in to replace Guy Penrod, who quit the band in 2009 because of a heart condition. Both singers have since returned to the band. While Penrod has remained away from the band, he remains active in the gospel music world. His tenor voice can reach a wide range of audiences and convey the heart of the song. And as for the Gaither Vocal Band scandal, Penrod’s departure from the group has left fans wondering if he will ever return.
Mark Lowry
One of the few Christian comedians to take on Bill Gaither and his Gaither Vocal Band, Mark Lowry, has taken the topic of the scandal to the next level. Lowry sings baritone in the group, which is the primary draw at the Gaither Homecoming Concert. While the scandal over the band’s videotaping was unfortunate, Lowry has since written several monologues about popular Christmas songs. In an interview with the Montgomery Advertiser, Lowry answered questions about his career and his sense of humor.
The controversy began when Lowry and the group’s director filmed a Christmas concert in 1984. Lowry performed a few short monologues between songs and was accused of being gay. This led to widespread rumors that Lowry was gay, but the former pastor denied the allegations and remained single. Nevertheless, his personal life remains a secret. He has since been credited with a plethora of successful career moves, and he enjoys spending time with his family.
In response to the accusations of sexual misconduct, Lowry continues to tour and record comedy CDs. He also hosts a podcast and co-hosts a popular radio show for Bill Gaither. Mark Lowry’s latest endeavor, “Remotely Controlled” (also with Campolo), was filmed at a concert hall in New York City. The film will be released on DVD in January 2006.
Michael English
The controversy involving the Gaither Vocal Band and singer Michael English has engulfed the Christian music industry. While the controversy has largely been resolved, English has not yet returned to the spotlight. As a result, Christian radio stations and bookstores have stopped carrying his albums, and the Gaither Vocal Band has also distanced itself from the singer. But the impact of the scandal may be far-reaching. The Christian music industry grosses $550 million annually.
The singer was born in Kenansville, North Carolina, in 1962. His parents, Grace and Aubine, were devoted Christians. His family sang together in a southern gospel quartet before he began performing professionally. After high school, he joined the group The Singing Samaritans and later changed his name to Michael. The group’s scandal shook the faith of many people in the Christian music community. After leaving The Singing Americans in 1982, English joined the Goodmans. In 1983, he married Lisa Bailey. The singer was subsequently banned from touring with the group for six months. However, he soon returned to the group.
The band’s reputation was in danger of going mainstream after the controversy. Gaither’s scandal caused controversy in the Christian music industry, forcing the band to stop touring. Gaither also suspended the group’s contract. The scandal also resulted in the dismissal of many of the singers. Although the group has many controversies, the scandal has a more immediate impact. It has ruined the reputation of the band, and it has also harmed the artists.
Buddy Mullins
Many fans of gospel music may not know about the recent scandal involving Grammy award-winning singer Buddy Mullins. The singer was a member of the Gaither Vocal Band until they were fired, and many fans were disappointed. However, Mullins remained faithful and will continue to tour, write songs, and record. He will also be a part of the reunion video for the band scheduled for July. Ultimately, he will be part of more than 50 recordings for the Gaither Homecoming series.
The Gaither Vocal Band was formed backstage in 1981 at a Gaither Trio concert. The band featured Steve Green and Lee Young as backup singers. The group later released their self-titled debut album, and a year later, they reformed. They changed their name to The New Gaither Vocal Band and replaced Steve Green with Larnelle Harris. The group cut their second album, New Point Of View, in 1984.
Wes Hampton
Wesley Hampton has been involved in the controversy surrounding the Gaither Vocal Band. The tenor was born December 8, 1977, in Nashville, Tennessee. He started his career with the group as a first tenor but was later promoted to the second tenor when the group expanded from a quartet to a quintet. He performs solo concerts and has also appeared in television series and cruises.
The Gaither Vocal Band was a breeding ground for talented people in the early 1980s, and it is no wonder that the group is involved in a scandal over an album’s cover. However, the scandal has also thrown the gospel music group into disrepute. Bill and Gloria Gaither represent the heart of Southern Gospel today. Guy Penrod, a former music teacher from Atlanta, suffered chest pain while performing at a television taping in Red Rocks, CO.
Hampton and the other singers from the Gaither Vocal Band have resorted to using sexual harassment. But this scandal has also thrown into question the integrity of the group’s members. They were once treated like rock stars in South Africa, and today they are treated as such. The band performs 65 times a year, and Hampton frequently changes parts on stage. His range is broad and includes both lead and baritone parts.