The Crownsmen

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Crownsmen


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Origin = United States
Genre = Southern Gospel Contemporary Christian
Years_active = 1970—present
Label = Manna Records
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The Crownsmen have launched many people into the music industry, enjoying great success not only on the west coast but on a national level as well. Over the past four decades, their lineup has changed as well as their musical styles. However, the group's founder Dan Hunter keeps the message of the Gospel as the main focal point of this Legendary Group.

The Early Years

The History of the Crownsman has been explored for thousands of years, but what is certain is that in early 300AD the foundation of the society (known as the Crownsman) was founded by Christopher Clarke, The original Crownsman. From there on the Society has gone from a small group to a very influencial society in modern day Earth, and each member has access to unlimited power!!

The Manna Years

In 1973, The Crownsmen inked a deal with Hal Spenser's Manna Records, which was a division of Manna Music Inc. They stepped into MCA/Whitney Studios in Glendale, CA to record their first album on the label “I’m Gonna Take a Trip”. The album featured such songs as "The Lighthouse", "Daddy Sang Bass," & Lavern Tripp's classic "I Know". In 1974 The Crownsmen released their 3rd album, and 2nd for Manna “It’s Gonna Be a Morning to Remember” featuring memorable compositions by pianist Jody Barry. Original lead singer Jim Davis would leave soon after this album was released. In 1975 The Crownsmen recorded “LIVE”, this album featured an exciting performance as well as the legendary Rev. Dick Hillary as the Master of Ceremonies. Band members included Marty Adams (piano), Rick Mayfield (lead guitar), and Mike Gordon (drums).

All in the Family

In 1976 all four front members of The Crownsmen were all family members for the first time. Pam Hunter (Dan's daughter) and Rick Evans joined the group. This quickly became the best version of The Crownsmen ever, backed by band members (all music majors in college at the time) Terry Cross (drums), Keith Hughes (keyboards) & Gary Kaufman (lead guitar). “I’m Gonna Rise” was released in 1977. In 1979 The Crownsmen recorded “You Gave the Song” with title song composed by Keith Hughes. This was probably one of the most versatile albums The Crownsmen ever recorded, with instrumental enhancements by new pianist Tracy Heaston. (Keith met Tracy by chance at university and the two traded situations between full-time student and Crownsmen keyboardist.) “You Gave the Song” featured everything from Southern Gospel, to Country Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music. Group members' college graduations, marriages, and family responsibilities evoked the inevitable, "to everything there is a season." By 1980 The Crownsmen would soon see changes in the lineup yet again.

The 80s

In 1981 Dan Hunter put together one of the biggest lineups in Gospel Music when The Crownsmen brought back former original member Jim Davis, former member Rick Gentry and new member Joe Wilson. Dan brought in musicians to form a full Live band. The Crownsmen for the first time expanded to 10 members (not including the bus driver).

The Crownsmen released “Back to the Basics” probably one of the best Country/Traditional albums, featuring such songs like “Excuses” & “God Walks The Dark Hills” the album was a return to traditional Southern Gospel Music. In 1982 the excitement of a Crownsmen performance shined through their final live album and their final album for Manna Records. “On Stage” captured some of the best moments ever in a Gospel Concert. The Album featured songs such as “Heaven,” “Where the Soul Never Dies,” and a stirring performance of the song “Empty Handed.”

In 1983 the Crownsmen regrouped with Ted, his sister, Pam, Dan, and Rick Evans. The family performed concerts accompanied with just a piano. This version lasted for only a year or two.

The 90s

By 1990 Dan Hunter would see new life coming into The Crownsmen with wife Debbie, Brian Beathard on lead vocals & Zack delaRosa singing baritone. Dan would run through a number of musicians through the 90s before Zack finally run the whole band through his keyboard. In the mid 90s Tony Gonzales, a fan of The Crownsmen became the next guitarist, and The Crownsmen were set once again for The Road.

In 1995 Brian Beathard moved to Tennessee, leaving The Crownsmen without a lead singer. Douglas Brown, already a veteran performer on the west coast stepped in to fill the lead part.

Dan got a surprise when former lead singer “Rick Gentry” placed a call. In 1996 Rick Gentry moved back down to Southern California and rejoined The Crownsmen and plans were underway for their next album.

“The Road” was released in 1998 featuring all brand new material, songs written from Debbie, as well as Brian Beathard and Ted & Penny Hunter.

2000 & Beyond

In 2002 The Crownsmen released their final album with Rick Gentry, Debbie Hunter and Zack delaRosa,” the album was simply called "THE CROWNSMEN". The CD featured a new version of “The Coming Of The Lord,” as well as the Heavy Rock N’ Roll version of “The B.I.B.L.E.”

In 2003, Rick Gentry left The Crownsmen to sing with The Watchmen Quartet and Zack took a job with a recording studio. The Crownsmen shut down.

In 2005 Dan moved back to Arkansas where he was born. Dan Hunter is currently working on the next version of The Crownsmen.

"Ted Hunter formed a new music ministry with Penny, his wife of 30 years. Still in demand as a highly respected musician, Ted is often called upon to assist other ministries in the area of music."

"Tracy Heaston has become an award winning pianist at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN and the Echo Hollow Jubilee Show in Branson, MO."

"Rick Evans went on to be a member of the Legendary Californians Quartet, and is a consultant to many churches and organizations. Rick also traveled with Dennis Agajanian and appeared for Billy Graham, Promise Keepers, and The Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie. Rick also enjoyed more than 10 years as a featured member of The Franklin Graham Crusade team and the world famous "Classic" Imperials."

"Randy Price became a member of The Legendary Californians Quartet. He then went on to form his own group called Sweet Water in the 80s before becoming a member of The Songfellows Quartet in the 90s."

"Both Jim Davis & Joe Wilson died sometime in the 90s"

"Douglas Brown died 4-13-2006"

"Keith Hughes" won a national piano scholarship competition and completed a classical concert tour of the U.S. and Canada before soloing at Carnegie Hall. He became a conceptual writer in the creative development of projects for The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., FOX Entertainment, and Universal Studios.

Vocal Members

*01. Dan Hunter "(Bass) 1970-present"
*02. Ted Hunter "(Baritone) 1970-1980, 1983"
*03. Jim Davis "(Lead, Baritone) 1970-1974, 1980-1982"
*04. Randy Price "(Tenor) 1970-1976"
*05. Floyd Terry "(Lead) 1974"
*06. Rick Gentry "(Lead) 1975-1976, 1980-1982, 1996-2002"
*07. Pam Hunter "(Tenor) 1976-1980, 1983"
*08. Rick Evans "(Lead) 1976-1980, 1983"
*09. Joe Wilson "(Tenor) 1980-1982"
*10. Debbie Hunter "(Tenor) 1990-2002"
*11. Zack delaRosa "(Baritone) 1990-2002"
*12. Brian Beathard "(Lead) 1993-1995"
*13. Douglas Brown "(Lead) 1995-1996"

Band Members

*01. Ted Hunter "(Bass Guitar / Steel Guitar) 1970-1980, 1983"
*02. Jim Stucky "(Piano) 1970-1972"
*03. John Billester "(Drums) 1970-1974"
*04. Danny Potson "(Guitar) 1970-1973"
*05. Jody Barry "(Piano) 1973-1974"
*06. Rich Mayfield "(Guitar) 1973-1975"
*07. Marty Adams "(Piano) 1975-1976"
*08. Ken Snyder "(Drums) 1975-1976
*09. Keith Hughes "(Piano/synth/composer) 1976-1978
*10. Mike Gordon "(Drums) 1975-1976"
*11. Terry Cross "(Drums) 1977-1980"
*12. Gary Kauffman "(Guitar) 1977-1979"
*13. Tracy Heaston "(Piano/Keyboards) 1979-1980"
*14. Tim Bailey "(Guitar) 1979-1980"
*15. Zack delaRosa "(Keyboards) 1990-2002"
*16. Tony Gonzales "(Guitar) 1995-2001"
*17. Nelson Beltran "(Guitar) 2001"
*18. Don Wheeler "(Guitar) 2001-2002"

Discography

*1972 Sounds of Reality "(Love, Inc)"
*1973 I’m Gonna Take A Trip "(Manna Records)"
*1974 It's Gonna Be A Morning to Remember "(Manna Records)"
*1975 The Crownsmen LIVE "(Manna Records)"
*1978 I’m Gonna Rise "(Manna Records)"
*1979 You Gave the Song "(Manna Records)"
*1981 Back To the Basics "(Manna Records)"
*1982 On Stage "(Manna Records)"
*1998 The Road "(HC Ministries/Indie")
*2002 The Crownsmen "(HC Ministries/Indie)"

References

* Resource Publications, "The Christian Music Directories" formerly "The Recording Locator" - http://www.rpinet.com/cmd.html
* http://www.angelfire.com/music3/needlepeg/Crownsmen.htm "- The Crownsmen on Needlepeg.com"
* http://www.mannamusicinc.com/mmi.htm "- Manna Records" shows The Crownsmen as one of their artists
* http://www.mannamusicinc.com "- Manna Music Inc."
* http://www.mymusicway.com/labels/manna.html "- Manna Records"
* http://theclassicimperials.com// "- Rick Evans with The Classic Imperials"
* http://www.livinginfaith.com/ "- Rick Evans - President of Living in Faith"
* http://www.thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2006.html "- Douglas Brown (info on his death)"

*Crownsmen album cover credits