Southern Gospel Royalty Heading to the Paramount
By: Pamela Hall
The Ashland Beacon
The Gaither Vocal Band is one of the most prominent groups in Southern Gospel music today. The popular group is coming to the Paramount in Ashland on April 28.
For lovers of Southern Gospel music, the name “Gaither” is well known and considered almost like royalty, if such a thing existed in that genre of music. Bill Gaither and his wife Gloria have penned many songs that have become classic hymns, not only for Southern Gospel music fans, but for churches all across the country, if not the world. One such classic song, “He Touched Me”, was recorded by Elvis Presley as the title cut on a Gospel album for which he won a Grammy award.
The Gaither Vocal Band was organized by Bill Gaither in 1981 after an impromptu performance at a concert by Bill, Gary McSpadden, Steve Green, and Lee Young. For the first several years, the group sang in a more Contemporary Christian music genre, having distinguished group members such as Larnelle Harris and Jim Murray. The group eventually moved into a more Southern Gospel style in the early 90s, with notable members such as Michael English, David Phelps, Guy Penrod, and Mark Lowry. The group’s popularity became more widespread than ever.
Although most of the group members today have been together for several years, the group’s ever-changing members in the past, a common occurrence in most Southern Gospel groups, had become somewhat comical with not only the audience but group members.
“We’ll call this group ‘November’,” joked guitar player Kevin Williams at one concert several years ago. However, it seems that with each change, the group just gets better and better and has a greater impact.
Today, the group members are Adam Crabb, Wes Hampton, Reggie Smith, Todd Suttles, and of course the legend himself, Bill Gaither.
There is an important part of the Gaither Vocal Band that may be somewhat overlooked, and that is the “band” portion of the group. The “vocals” could not do without the fellows on the instruments. Kevin Williams has been an important asset on guitar for the group for many years.
“It’s been over 30 years now that I’ve been traveling with Bill and Gloria and the Vocal Band,” Kevin said. “Hard to believe it has gone so fast. Every night is so special. I get to talk with people from around the world whose lives have been changed by the music that these two school teachers created. Music that has impacted lives and changed the culture in a sense.”
Another important part of the band is Matthew Holt, an expert pianist who has certainly been an asset to the group since 2012. Rounding out the band is Michael Shade Rowsey, the new drummer for the Gaither Vocal Band.
The “Rowsey” name should sound familiar. Michael grew up in Flatwoods, the son of singer/songwriter, Dove Award winner, and Grammy nominee, John Darin Rowsey and his wife Shirley. Michael was exposed to Southern Gospel music from infancy and began playing drums almost as a toddler. It was a dream of his as a little boy to one day play drums for the Gaither Vocal Band. He has also played for Jason Crabb and David Phelps and is a singer/songwriter in his own right. He currently resides in Huntington with his wife, Bridget, and their children, Cullum and Shadyn. Being with Gaither is the fulfillment of that little boy dream of his.
“It’s an honor to play for such an iconic group,” said Michael, “and for the icon himself, Bill Gaither.”
Michael is not the only Kentucky boy with the Gaither Vocal Band. Adam Crabb is originally from Beaver Dam, Kentucky, and Kevin Williams is originally from Russell Springs. Bill Gaither seems to know that those Kentucky boys are very talented.
“I always look forward to being back in my home state of Kentucky,” Kevin said about coming to the Paramount.
Traveling and doing concerts can be very tiring, even for those that are young. Yet it doesn’t seem that Bill has any trouble keeping up.
“He’s 87 years old now,” Kevin said of Bill, “and he can probably outrun any of the other guys. He still loves creating and communicating ideas. I think that’s what happens when you are fueled by a purpose and a calling. I feel like I’ve had a 30-year master class.”
The Gaither Vocal Band will be at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland on Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office or at www.paramountartscenter.com. It will be an evening of great music and blessings that you won’t want to miss.
For more information about the Gaither Vocal Band, visit www.gaither.com.