After going through a big couple of years of transitions, Gold City recently took home 3 SGN Music Awards, solidifying the group's place as one of the few prominent groups in the industry. How do you view your place in the industry and awards like this after so many years of success?
We just want to sing. We never really worry about our place in the industry. We ask God to take us each weekend and use us for His glory. As long as He makes a way for us, we will be out here. I must admit that we love awards and are blown away every time we receive one. It let's us know that people enjoy what we do. But the best award we receive is when someone tells us how God used our music to lift them up when they were in a valley, or that they were saved as a result of our music. A young man emailed me recently and shared that he had been a Christian for most of his life, but had in recent years fallen away from God. He ended up being mixed up in some pretty bad stuff in his personal life, all while playing the roll of a Christian. He came to one of our concerts and heard the song “If He was willing to die for me, I'm willing to live for Him,” and it got his attention. Stories like that are the awards that we think about when it is time to leave our families each week. Our motivation is not to earn a certain position in the industry, but to be used by God to change lives. That's what it's all about.
How have crowds and fans responded to Steve and Bill? What challenges have they faced having to fill such big shoes left by their predecessors?
They love them! There are many challenges to deal with when you're stepping in to such big shoes. Everybody is watching you like a hawk to see if you can get the job done. It is a lot of pressure for a while. These guys knew when they came on board that there were going to be challenges, but they have both stepped up and are getting the job done. They are not trying to be their predecessors, they are simply being themselves. Our fans have embraced them and made them feel at home here.
You just released Heaven - explain the process that went into recording this project. Why did you choose the song you did? What songs are having the greatest impact to listeners, fans, and your audience?
When we started talking about doing this project, we decided that we would all pick songs that we had been itching to sing. Some of them are songs that Gold City has recorded in the past; some of them are songs that we remember from our childhood. We came up with so many; it was hard to narrow it down to ten. We always enjoy new material, so we were anxious to get this project done so we could start performing these songs on stage. There is one I picked that I recorded when I sang with Tony Gore and Majesty called “Never Alone”. I remember how much people were blessed and encouraged back then so I had to do this song again. This song is having a great impact; so many people are going through storms in their lives and are discouraged. They come to us after our concerts with big tears in their eyes and share testimonies of how God spoke to them through this and other songs. Steve sings a song, called “Without a Word,” that people are responding to very well. Bill sings an old song, “I'm Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger” and absolutely does a great job on it. I've never heard it done the way he sings it. We went back and got an old GC song called “Still Small Voice,” it was one of Gerald Crabb's fist major cuts back in the 80's when we recorded it the first time. Jonathan sings it and people love it. It has a great message, but it also has a groove to it that makes it fun to sing. Doug did a great job producing this project.
Daniel & Holly just had a new addition to the family. How has this changed your view of ministry, life on the road, and parenthood?
It has changed everything. That first time I had to leave after she was born just about killed me. If it weren't for the calling God has placed on my life to sing this music, I am not sure I would be able to do it. It has always been tough to leave my wife, but now it is twice as hard. It has also made me realize more how much my dad sacrificed all those years as he traveled. I know that I will miss a lot of things just like he did, but if God can use me to impact peoples lives, it will be worth it.
So now with the release of a new album and video, what's up next for Gold City?
Our plans are to continue doing what God has called us to do, sing. He knows what is around the corner, and we will continue to trust him. As long as God continues to bless us, and bless people through our music, we will continue to burn the roads up spreading the joy of the Lord.
What has God been teaching Gold City lately?
Wow, what a question. I think He has been teaching us to trust Him. With all the changes we have faced in the last few years, we have had to place all our trust in Him. There are uncertain days in our future. The industry is changing. We are in a position to trust Him or worry about everything all the time. I believe He will take care of us, He always has.
Catch Gold City online at http://www.goldcityqt.com . Don't forget to catch their performance at the 6th Annual Gospel Music Fan Festival on Thursday, July 28 at River of Life in Smyna, TN.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 07/17/2005
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Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 11
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GCM Recording
New Haven Films
When you are talking about Gold City, everyone knows that you are talking about the cream of the crop in Southern Gospel Music. I found it very interesting to see the evolvement of this great quartet. Believe it or not, Gold City did not just start out one day as a great quartet. As you watch this video, you can see the maturing of this group, moving from change to change. Some changes were major, and some changes were subtle, but every change made a permanent change for the better.
This video is most interesting because you see the changes as various group members sing on different songs. While the sound of every Gold City group has been above par, the progression can be seen as each group sings, up to the present group.
All of the songs on the video are Gold City Classics, starting with “In My Robe Of White, and “John Saw”, covering several number one songs, and including their “Song of the Year” “The Rose A Lamb”. There are a couple of my favorite Gold City songs on this video, including, “Under Control”, “I’m Not Giving Up”, “When He Calls” and “It’s Still The Cross.”
Also included on this video is the new concept video in the form of “The Patriotic Medley” This one moving video is worth the price of the video in itself. It is very moving, especially in these troubling times.
I think that it would be nice if every group who has been in the industry for ten years or so, would make a biographical video so we could all see how they have evolved.
Rating: *****
Deon Unthank
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/ Written: 10/15/2002
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This is a very good video. I loved going back and listening to Brian singing "John Saw" and Ivan singing "Midnight Cry". I also like listening to what people in the industry had to say about Gold City! I think every Gold City fan should buy this video!
I met Gold City during the "poor" days.Even then they were the best.They are now and always will be THE BEST quartet that has ever been.They are not stuck on themselves and they treat "fans" as friends that means a lot to me. I love Tim Riley like I do my Daddy,he is the best.
An interesting video. Many good songs, and Gold City are one of the best groups. The only minus is that there are no menu and everything is in one track.
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