SGN recently had the privilege to sit down and talk to Daniel Riley about the future of Gold City. Below are the questions we asked and his responses.
When was Gold City Formed?
The discovery of gold in Dahlonega, Georgia in 1828 set off the first major gold rush in America. It also inspired the name for Gold City, one of Christian music's best-known and well-loved entertainers. Formed in 1980 by Floyd Beck, Gold City started out as many other quartets do, with their eye on the big concert stage. As ownership changed going to Tim Riley, Brian Free, Ivan Parker, and Garry Jones, the vision changed a little.
How would you describe Gold City's mission when they first started?
Daniel said that while they still concentrated on the concert setting, the night that these four new owners got together in one of Tim Riley's son's bedroom and prayed for hours about the direction of Gold City is still embedded on his mind. From that night forward, Gold City was on a mission to see souls saved through their ministry. There has always been an entertainment value to what Gold City does, but their values changed that night. Shortly before that meeting they had just hired Mike LeFevre, and as we know the rest is history.
Has the mission of Gold City changed recently? What brought this about?
Tim always stressed that the goal of Gold City was to be an encouragement to the church through the vehicle of entertainment.
Daniel says that to this day they strive to keep that standard. While keeping that standard, about three years ago Daniel realized that for years he had been a lost person who was sitting on the pews of the church. He was one of those people who sat in church for years before ever finding the reality of Salvation. It seemed as though the Lord was telling him that there are many people sitting on church pews just like he was, lost. This sparked a special burden in Daniel and Gold City to reach the lost souls sitting in church every weekend.
Daniel stresses that there is nothing wrong with groups or artists who focus on entertainment, there is a need for that in the world of Christianity. While they still have an emphasis on the entertainment value in their ministry, their focus is on winning those souls that sit on the church pew week after week.
Shortly after this change of focus for Daniel, Gold City was performing on a cruise where Evangelist Jamey Ragle was a featured speaker. Impressed with Gold City's singing, Jamey got together with Daniel after he heard them sing. Daniel explains that he and Janey discovered that they had the same burden of reaching lost souls who are sitting on the church pews every week. Within five minutes the Preach The Word tour was birthed and before the cruise was over several ministers had already been sold on the idea and booked them. Now Gold City is seeing hundreds of souls saved for their efforts and obedience of following what God had laid on their hearts.
It seems that Gold City has been hampered by personnel changes lately, what's your explanation on this?
Danny can't explain why individuals might feel God is leading them in different ways, but it happens. Gold City tries to take care of their people as good as or better than anyone else in the industry. Daniel says he hates to call it an attack of Satan, but he doesn't know what else to call it. They have had more testings of their faith in the last three years than they care to talk about. The attacks on the group and individuals in the group has been very hard, but they are weathering the storms. As everyone knows the ones getting the most done for the cause of Christ are in the heat of the battle and old Satan works overtime to come against them.
Daniel stated that, "One thing that is hard to understand and certainly doesn't help is when people get on the internet and message boards to say negative things about the group or individuals in the group." Daniel says, "It's just hard to understand and very hurtful when peopled get online and with anonymity make wild and false accusations. It's not Christian and it's not helpful. If someone feels they need to know what's going on, or if they feel they have advice they need to give, all they need to do is call me or the office, or E-mail me and I will handle it with you one on one. Sadly the internet has developed a new kind of 'Christian', who feels that they can say anything they want, whether it is true or not."
A lot of people have been asking about why Aaron left the group.
Aaron had some family issues that he needed to address which he couldn't while he was on the road. "We wish Aaron and his family nothing but the best," stated Daniel.
What about Tim? Is there a chance he is coming back on the road.
Daniel said Tim is not coming back on the road. He has made a few guest appearances and he may do that again in the future, but he has not changed his plans and is not coming back.
How committed is Gold City to keeping a group on the road that continues to set the standard of quality that all other groups must come up to?
"We are whole-heartedly committed to excellence and will settle for nothing less. We have a lot of great people on our side, our record company - New Haven Records with Ken Harding, and the crew at Becky Simmons Agency, we know that we are still on the right right track to keep the tradition of Gold City alive and well for a very long time," stated Daniel.
If an outstanding Pianist or Bass Singer wants to audition for Gold City, how would they go about that?
Riley replied, "We want to give attention to anyone who is talented and interested. If they are serious, E-mail - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and include a resume, picture and demo."
What does the future hold for Gold City?
Daniel's last statement was, "To be honest, I'm not real sure where God is leading us, but I know that i is going to be somewhere exciting and good for us. Every one of us who is a part of Gold City loves every aspect of what we do and look forward to where God is taking us."
Visit Gold City at http://www.goldcityqt.com
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 08/24/2009
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Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 9
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My thoughts & prayers are with you in this time of transition. I love Gold City & I always will. I know God has great things in store for all of you.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
Personally, I think Danny, with God's help, has done a great job keeping the group together. People don't know the trials these groups go through and I can't say that I know totally. So, of course, people feel like they can do it better and aren't afraid to say so when all they have to do is type...
I have been a fan for years..... and I am more a fan now than ever, probably. Keep on Keepin' on man!
This is not a well-written article but the news that Gold City will continue on despite the obstacles is noteworthy and appreciated.
Tony Partigianoni
http://www.ksgm.com/images/gospel.gif
Pure SGM & Quartet-Style Singing
http://www.ksgm.com
I wouldn't exactly say that it was an article, as in a news item, at all.... more like the transcript of a conversation..... what would you have done differently?
All the best to Daniel as he tries to keep GC going on into the future.
Only sad news here is that Tim isn't coming back on the road... :(
Thank you, Daniel, for being straight-forward with your answers. I encourage all of us to examine our motives for even thinking about posting gossip on message boards. As Daniel said, not only does it hurt the individual and group, I believe it grieves the Lord. Unfortunately, fans also expect whatever bass singer comes along to be as good as Tim Riley. And whoever Daniel hires probably gets a lot of grief from those who will never be satisfied with anybody but Tim. I love Tim, will always will, but folks, nobody can be another Tim. Let's trust Daniel's judgment and leading from the Lord -- whoever he hires and give the new guy our support. I'll continue to pray for Gold City and that you will keep listening for God's direction.
I agree whole heartedly that bloggers should be very careful about what they say. Their comments, intentional or not, can be degrading and discouraging which is the exact opposite of what a ministry needs to hear for encouragement. I've read a few of them and can not believe they would even bring the wives into it!
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