Gold City

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Gold City

---

Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin =
Genre = Christian
Years_active =
Label =
Associated_acts =
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members = :"This article is about the gospel group Gold City. For the mythical city of gold El Dorado, see El Dorado or City of Gold"Gold City is an American Christian music group that is based in Gadsden, Alabama.

Musical career

Early years

The Mississippi-based Christianairs were renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to begin the year 1980 with bass Dallas Gilliland, tenor Bob Oliver, lead singer Jerry Ritchie, and baritone Ken Trussell. The group's owner was initially Floyd Beck. Bass Tim Riley would replace Gilliland as the permanent bass singer in July of that same year. The group was an instant success in the industry, appearing on the main stage of the National Quartet Convention in October 1981. By 1982, tenor Brian Free, lead Ivan Parker, and pianist Garry Jones had joined Riley to form a consistent nucleus that remained together until the mid-1990s. Their recordings of upbeat tunes like “I Think I’ll Read It Again” and inspirational songs like “No Other Word for Grace but Amazing” and “Midnight Cry” catapulted the group into the upper ranks of Southern Gospel. The last recording by this popular lineup was the critically acclaimed "Acapella Gold" (1993). The group moved their home base to Gadsden, Alabama sometime in the mid- to late '80s.

The 1990s

After the departure of Free, Jones and Parker, Steve Lacey (baritone) took over lead duties while Mark Trammell became baritone and Jay Parrack became tenor. Lacey left to join The Kingdom Heirs. David Hill became lead singer for a while; his departure led to the next consistent lineup for the group, which included Jonathan Wilburn singing lead, Mark Trammell singing baritone, and Jay Parrack as tenor. Over the years, the group developed a trademark style that relied on heavy brass arrangements for their more driving songs, and moving lyrics for their inspirational anthems.

Recent History

The last few years have brought a period of change and transition to this legendary quartet. Many personnel changes in the front line, as well as the breakup of the Band of Gold, have given a new look as well as a new sound to the group. The most notable and tragic change occurred in 2006, when Doug Riley, who comanaged Gold City in addition to playing drums (before taking over running the sound when the group streamlined their operations), was killed in an auto accident on the way to the recording studio early on the morning of January 31, to continue work on a recording.

In March 2006, bass singer Bill Lawrence (who had been handpicked by former bass Tim Riley) left the group. Tim filled in for several months while the search for a replacement was underway. Aaron McCune, who was bass singer with the Palmetto State Quartet at the time, joined Gold City in May 2006. McCune brought to Gold City the trademark smoothness and deep range that has long been a standard for this quartet.

In February 2007, it was announced that the group had returned to The Beckie Simmons Agency (from The Harper Agency). Beckie Simmons, while at Century II and her own agency, has handled the quartet's bookings for the majority of its existence.

In March 2008, lead singer Jonathan Wilburn left the group. Bruce Taliaferro, a Gadsden native who has filled in for Wilburn and Daniel Riley in the past, stepped in to fill the empty position.Gold City released their first recording with Mr. Taliaferro in July 2008. Also, August 2008 saw the Band of Gold return to the scene on a limited basis. The band consists of current pianist Josh Simpson, drummer Kevin Albertson, bass guitarist Taylor Barnes, and lead guitarist Daniel Addison.

Full Gold City Membership Roster

ingers

*Dallas Gilliland, Bass (1980)
*Bob Oliver, Tenor (1980–82)
*Jerry Ritchie, Lead (1980–83); Baritone (1983–85)
*Ken Trussell, Baritone (1980–83)
*Tim Riley, Bass (1980–2004)
*Brian Free, Tenor (1982–93)
*Benny Blackburn, Tenor (1983)
*Ivan Parker, Lead (1983–93)
*Mike LeFevre, Baritone (1985–92)
*Steve Lacey, Baritone (1992–93); Lead (1993–94)
*Jay Parrack, Tenor (1993–2004)
*Mark Trammell, Baritone (1993–2002)
*David Hill, Lead (1995–96)
*Jonathan Wilburn, Lead (1996–2008)
*Daniel Riley, Baritone (2002–present)
*Steve Ladd, Tenor (2004–present)
*Bill Lawrence, Bass (2003–06)
*Aaron McCune, Bass (2006–present)
*Bruce Taliaferro, Lead (2008–present)

Musicians

*Larry Goddard, Pianist (1980); Bassist (1980–82)
*David Holloway, Steel Guitarist (1980–82)
*Wayne Hussey, Drummer (1980–82)
*Cary Kirk, Bassist (1980)
*John Reinhart, Jr., Pianist (1980–82)
*Jeff Easter, Bassist (1982–83)
*Garry Jones, Pianist (1982–94)
*Jerry Lloyd, Steel Guitarist (1982–84)
*John Noski, Drummer (1982–89)
*Ken Bennett, Bassist (1983–87)
*Daryll LeCroy, Guitarist, Steel Guitarist (1983–85)
*Kelly Back, Guitarist (1984–85)
*Jeff Hullender, Bassist (1987–89)
*Doug Riley, Drummer (1989–2005); Sound Engineer (2005–06)
*Barry Scott, Bassist (1989)
*Mark Fain, Bassist (1989–95)
*Daryll LeCroy, Guitarist, Steel Guitarist (1987–93)
*David Brooks, Pianist (1994–95)
*Adam Borden, Bassist (1995–2005)
*Shane Jenkins, Pianist (1995–96)
*Randy Matthews, Pianist (1996–97)
*Byron Stewart, Pianist (1997–98)
*Tim Parton, Pianist (1998–99)
*Channing Eleton, Pianist (1999–2005)
*Josh Simpson, Pianist (2005–present)
*Josh Hoevelmann, Sound Engineer (2002–05)
*Kyle Strickland, Sound Engineer (2006–Present)

Full Gold City Discography

*1981 "First Day in Heaven"
*1981 "We Believe"
*1981 "Sing Golden Nuggets"
*1981 "Songs of Days Gone By"
*1982 "I've Got a Feeling"
*1982 "Gold City: Live"
*1983 "I Think I’ll Read It Again"
*1983 "Hymns Sung by The Gold City Quartet"
*1983 "Higher than the Moon"
*1984 or 1984 "Walking with Jesus"
*1984 "Walk On"
*1985 "Sing with the Angels"
*1986 "Gold City Gold"
*1986 "Double Take: Live"
*1986 "Your Favorite Hymns"
*1986 "Top Hits Volume 1"
*1986 "Top Hits Volume 2"
*1987 "Favorites Volume 1"
*1987 "Favorites Volume 2"
*1987 "Favorites Volume 3"
*1987 "Movin’ Up"
*1988 "Portrait"
*1988 "Voices of Christmas"
*1989 "Chartbreakers Volume 1"
*1989 "Chartbreakers Volume 2"
*1989 "Favorite Hymns Volume 2"
*1989 "Goin’ Home"
*1990 "Windows of Home"
*1990 "Instrumentals Volume 1"
*1990 "Indiana Live"
*1990 "Favorites Volume 4"
*1990 "Chartbreakers Volume 3"
*1991 "Super 70’s Gospel Hits Vol. 1"
*1991 "Super 70’s Gospel Hits Vol. 2"
*1991 "Super 70’s Gospel Hits Vol. 3"
*1991 "10 Year Celebration"
*1991 "Answer the Call"
*1992 "Kings Gold"
*1992 "Masters of the Gospel"
*1992 "Pillars of Faith"
*1993 "Kings Gold 2"
*1993 "Acapella Gold"
*1993 "Requested Hymns Volume 1"
*1993 "Requested Hymns Volume 2"
*1993 "Requested Hymns Volume 3"
*1994 "Renewed"
*1994 "Lord Do It Again"
*1994 "Classics"
*1994 "Kings Gold 3"
*1995 "Standing in the Gap"
*1996 "Kings Gold 4"
*1996 "Having Fun"
*1996 "Preparing the Way"
*1997 "What a Great Lifestyle"
*1997 "Home for the Holidays"
*1998 "The Collection"
*1998 "Within the Rock"
*1999 "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"
*1999 "Amazing Grace: A Hymn Collection"
*2000 "20th Anniversary Celebration: Vol. 1"
*2000 "20th Anniversary Celebration: Vol. 2"
*2000 "Are You Ready?"
*2000 "Through the Years"
*2001 "Pressed Down, Shaken Together, Running Over"
*2002 "The Very Best of Gold City"
*2002 "Camp Meetin' "
*2003 "Walk the Talk"
*2003 "24K Gold"
*2003 "Pillars of Faith/Acapella" (Double Album Reissue)
*2003 "A Gold City Christmas"
*2004 "First Class"
*2005 "Heaven"
*2006 "Gold City — Their Best"
*2006 "Revival"
*2008 "Moment Of Truth"

External links

* [http://www.goldcityqt.com/ Gold City] official website
* [http://www.myspace.com/goldcityqt The Official Gold City Myspace Page]

References