Well, all the Southern Gospel bloggers are weighing in on the biggest buzz out there since yesterday. I know friends and others will be looking for my opinion, so I will weigh in on this as well. There's been a major shakeup in the Gaither Vocal Band, with the revamped lineup being Mark Lowry, David Phelps, Michael English, Wes Hampton and of course, Bill. Guy Penrod and Marsh Hall have exited the group. Here's my $.02 and change:
- My guess is either the GVB reunion video or the Guy Penrod substitute rotations, or both, sparked the fire for these guys and made the group experience fresh once again.
- I knew when I saw all those Gaither Homecoming dates suddenly appearing on Mark's schedule that something was up. I thought perhaps Mark was continuing to cover the Penrod hiatus, which is of course now permanent. Big change for sure for Mark and some of the people that support him. I am happy, though, that Mark's new solo release, "Life Gets Loud", was not a casualty of this change...it will be out in February. I'm anxious to hear it, particularly some songs written by a couple of Nashville songwriter friends of mine, Steve Christopher and Scooter Simmons, that Mark covers.
- It will be fabulous to hear David back in the group and knocking that range into the stratosphere.
- It is a compliment to Wes Hampton that he remains in the lineup. I'm glad for him...he's a fine singer and one of the most down to earth, sweet persons I've met in this circle.
- Sorry that Marsh will be gone, but he will be fine. He's a great singer and I was a fan of his before he joined the Vocal Band. He's done some good work with Benjy Gaither on their CD "Songwriters". But you know, if I had to choose between baritones it would just have to be Mark.
- I will certainly be looking forward to a Guy solo project. I also wonder if he will eventually put together a family group--the kids sing and the harmony I've heard them do in his video was quite good.
- I'd only heard the Michael English era of the GVB in video clips, so I will be up for hearing him back in the fold. My good thoughts and prayers are with him and Marcie in this musical and life change.
It should be our turn here in Nashville to get the Gaither Homecoming Christmas show this year, so unless I get a chance to hear the group live before then (doubtful, since I've more or less "retired" from concert travel), I'll be waiting on that concert.
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