The Gaither Vocal Bandis a Grammy-winningSouthern Gospel(originallycontemporary Christian) group.The Gaither Vocal Band was formed in the early 1980s on the spur of the moment, backstage before aBill Gaither Trioconcert. Just four guys—Gaither and Gary McSpadden of the trio, and Steve Green and Lee Young, who were backup singers— singing quartet standards around a piano. Then, they decided to take it on stage singing, “Your First Day in Heaven.” The audience loved it.Their debut album, the self titledThe New Gaither Vocal Band, debuted in 1981.Lee Young left the group in 1982, and Jon Mohr was hired as the new bass singer. They then recorded the album,Passin' The Faith Along. Later, tenor Steve Green left andLarnelle Harriswas hired. This group cut theNew Point Of Viewalbum before Mohr left.At this point the New Gaither Vocal Band became new, but dropped the "new" part of their name. Due to baritone becoming high for Bill and lead becoming high for Gary McSpadden, Bill Gaither dropped to the lowest part (Bill stated they never called it bass at the time as it wasn't a true bass part). McSpadden was moved down to baritone andMichael Englishwas hired as the new lead singer. Although the previous album (New Point of View) had been more contemporary than its predecessors, the album with this version of the group (One X 1) took it even further. After this album, Larnelle left and was replaced by Lemuel Miller. The group did not record an album with Lemuel before he too left. He was replaced byImperialsalumnus, Jim Murray. They cut one album (Wings) before Gary McSpadden left to devote more time to his solo career.Mark Lowrywas tapped to replace him. Although Lowry admittedly didn't have the natural ear for the baritone part, or the experience, he added a great voice along with his comedy and soon made their sound more smooth. Their Gospel roots projectHomecomingin 1991, caused most Southern Gospel fans to welcome the Vocal Band with open arms. Jim Murray left and was replaced by Terry Franklin. The albumSouthern Classicswas released in 1993 with the hitI Bowed On My Knees.Later Michael English left to focus solely on his ever growing solo career. He was replaced by Buddy Mullins, who agreed to sing with the group while concurrently remaining with his family group, Mullins & Co., which later becameSunday Drive. Despite being only a temporary fill-in, Mullins did record the album "Testify" with the group, in place of Michael English, who had initially planned to record that album with the group. Terry Franklin soon left and was replaced by yet another Imperials alumnus,Jonathan Pierce(formerly known by his first and last name Jonathan Hildreth instead of his first and middle name as he has been known since he began recording). Strengthened by the popularity of the Homecoming video series, the Vocal Band addedGuy Penrodat lead, freeing Mullins to concentrate solely on his family group. After Pierce's departure, Gaither hiredDavid Phelpsat tenor. After Lowry's departure, Imperials alumnusRuss Taffsang baritone for a couple of years. When Taff returned to solo work,Marshall Hallwas his replacement.Wes Hamptonsucceeded Phelps in 2005.