Tim Riley & Gold City – What’s Happening Now, Feature Article

Oct

2004

Tim Riley & Gold City – What’s Happening Now

Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites

[29] Comments

Take possibly the best quartet in Southern Gospel Music today, mix in some creative changes, and you get a great story to read about. There are several changes happening with Gold City, but for now let’s just discuss what’s happening with owner and bass singer, Tim Riley. Tim is an exciting story all by himself. Arguably the best bass singer in SGM today, his career has spanned over 35 years of professional singing.

Tim actually started sing with the Future Farmers of America Quartet in high school. Wouldn’t you like to hear some of that singing? He went on to sing with the Dixie Echoes in 1966. He was with them about a month when he was called to serve his country in Viet Nam, where he served as a medic for thirteen months. He then came home and finished out his tour of duty at Fort McClellan in Anniston, AL. In 1970, he returned to the Dixie Echoes until June 10, 1973. In 1974 Tim, along with friends Jack Toney, Larry Beck, and Jim Hefner, formed The Southmen. This had to be one terrific sounding group. Tim sang with them until 1979, and then in July of 1980 he joined Gold City. Once he joined Gold City, he stayed there until this very day.

One of the most popular versions of Gold City was Brian Free, Ivan Parker, Mike LeFevre, and Tim Riley, with Garry Jones at the piano. Mike left in 1991 and that seemed to have spurned a series of changes. After Mike left, Steve Lacey joined at Baritone. Then Brian and Ivan left which let Steve move up to Lead, Jay Parrack went to Tenor and Mark Trammel came into the Baritone position. Steve left and David Hill came to the Lead spot, but David’s tenure was short and Jonathan Wilburn took over the Lead for good. The only other change of the top three was when Mark left and Daniel Riley took over the Baritone spot.

It was hard to get any information out of Tim about his accolades, but I did find out that Tim did win the Marvin Norcross Award. If you know of more, fill us in.

Tim had been thinking of going into a semi-retirement situation. He started having knee problems several years ago. He tried living through the problem, but to no avail. He tried taking all the shots to help with the knee situation, but they didn’t do much. Finally he took same time off to have knee replacement. Finally some success and Tim found that he could do some other things while he was recuperating. During this time, Bill Lawrence, previously with Brian Free and Assurance, was found to be a more than adequate Bass to fill in for Tim.

While having time off the road, Tim had time to think about other things that he might have wanted to do in times past, but didn’t have the time. Let me assure you, to stop singing permanently is not one of them. Tim is going to slow down, but he is not ready to give it up permanently. Tim will perform periodic dates along with Bill Lawrence. Just to set the record straight, Tim is leaving the road on a full time basis because of his health problems. He found that when he was not eating and sleeping right, it presented other problems for him. But, Tim is not leaving singing or Gold City.

To put another question to rest, Tim has no plans at present to record a solo CD. However, all things are subject to change, so who knows what will happen in the future?

One of the things that Tim is really getting involved in is the Gold City Ministries. This is a ministry supported by Gold City and does a lot of missionary work in Costa Rica and the Philippians, in addition to several home missions’ projects.

Make no mistake though; Tim Riley is still the owner and the Boss. Tim says that he does not miss the road, but he really misses the people. Daniel Riley says that singing with his Dad on the road has been a dream come true. Daniel adds that he had looked forward all of his life to singing with his Dad on stage, and now he has lived it.

Since Tim will not be the focal point of Gold City, I asked Daniel, who now serves as the Road Manager, if anything was going to change with Gold City. His answer? No, nothing is going to change. He said that he feels Gold City has always been one of the trend setters, and they will continue to be so. Daniel feels that it is important for them to just be themselves. After all, he doesn’t feel the Lord is finished with them yet. They have a Bible study every week on the bus and feel that they are seeking God’s will and way for their future.

Even with the changes, Gold City hasn’t missed a beat, so if they are close, go see them, you will not be disappointed.

Be reading next month when we talk about new Bass singer Bill Lawrence and new Tenor Steve Ladd.

Reader Comments

I sang bass in a part-time mixed Southern Gospel group for 5 years and I was able to learn to sing bass by listening to Tim Riley....of course, when you own every single Gold City CD or cassette, it helps!!! I started singing bass when I was 16 years old and my constant prayer for 5 years straight was that God would grant me the opportunity to see Gold City and the ability to just talk with Tim for even 5 seconds.

Shortly before I left the group, God answered my prayer as Gold City came to Springfield, MO on the 4th of July at James River Assembly's annual 4th of July celebration. During the first intermission, I eventually got the nerves to walk up and talk to him and of course, he spotted me and could tell I was nervous. All I did was shake his hand and tell him how much of a blessing that he had been for me. And I was surprised in his reaction. For those that have never met Tim, he is truly one of the most humble men I have ever talked to.

I then proceeded to talk to him about a 'situation' I was in where the Lord had been tugging at my heart to leave the group in order to spend more time on the weekends at home with my wife and projects going on in my home church. I had admitted to Tim that I had been fighting this for months now and I really wasn't sure what to do. Tim didn't put him arm around my shoulder and give me one of those 'sir, it's gonna be okay' kinds of pep talks. Instead, right there at the Gold City table, in front of all those people.....he began to pray with me that God would bring peace to the situation and that he would remove all the things that Satan was trying to do in order to confuse my mind. After he prayed for me, he looked at me and told me just remember that God doesn't tell us to do things for no reasons at all.....everything that God sets forth has a plan and a purpose.

For the first time in MANY months, I had felt such a peace come over my life, I started crying. I finally knew that indeed God was leading me to do that, so I did just that. And I'm glad I did. Our church has been growing in leaps and bounds and God is just blessing all over.

I don't know if Tim had started to have thoughts about the semi-retirement thing three years ago or not but I am so thankful that even during a valley in my life, God was still loving and caring enough to grant me my prayer. Everything in life has a plan and a purpose.....who knew that I had to go to the valley to find the answer!!!

God bless you Tim!!

Commented by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/10/2004

I started to follow Gold City years ago, when i first saw them at Westview HS in Martin,Tn.. I was just blowed away then and the song that stuck with me was Midnight Cry. They have truly been a blessing in my life and I will really miss Tim being up there doing his usual outstanding job as bass, but just as things went on, when Mike,Ivan, Brian, and all the rest that have come and gone, I am sure that this will not stop Gold City from remaining at the top in southern gospel music. We must remember that GOD works good thru all things and Gold City has always been a prime example. GOD Bless.

Commented by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/11/2004

WOW! That's the only word that I could think of after hearing for the first time. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I heard them live for the first time in Jackson, TN. They are, in my opinion, the "greatest quartet on the road today".

Tim has ALWAYS impressed me with his vocal ability, and unmatched clarity on those low notes. A bass singer myself, I try to closely listen to each note...pronunciation, volume, every detail...he's my hero.

Tim talks in a video about how he idolized the quartets of his younger days, and I'm just like him. ANYWHERE I can go to hear Gold City, I go. I did have the opportunity to see Tim at NQC this year and sing my favorite song, "Under Control". Just like I did when I met him the first time and told him that with the mess my life was in, I didn't know where I would be now had I not heard his powerful assuring voice sing "Under Control" and "A Strong Hand Guiding Me"....I cried.

I cried when I told him that, and he hugged me and he wispered in my ear that "There's nothing that can come before us that with God we cannot conquer. God does has everything 'Under Control'." I watched at NQC as my hero stepped on stage as those familiar notes started to play and I thought to myself, I'm sure he doesn't remember me...although we've met many times, but I wish he only knew how much of an impact he's had over me and encouraging me in my walk with God.

We all love him, anyone that's ever heard that deep voice speak prayer and encouragement over you knows what I feel. I miss him very much already, but it's for the better.

I did hear the 'new' Gold City, and everyone is right, they haven't missed a beat. They're still just as impressive as ever. My prayers are with you all!!

Commented by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/11/2004

My fiance and I have had the privilege of hearing this wonderful quartet in concert twice and we were both shocked when we found out that Tim was coming off the road, but we do understand and respect his decision to take care of his health. God Bless Tim and ALL of Gold City.

Commented by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/12/2004

I was first introduced to this wounderful group back in 1989. My husband was playing a CD at the time. I really enjoyed the message and was really blessed by the music. We started attending church and I got saved shortly after. We now have 2 children and my daughter loves Tim Riley. She is always saying when are they coming back. You will be greatly missed. We hope to see you back in Charleston, SC soon. We will be praying for you and All of Gold City. We have not missed a concert here in Charleston. God will bless you all.

Commented by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/12/2004

My husband and I have been fans for only a short period of time. We saw them first on a Gathers Homecoming program and they sang I'm Not Giving Up.From that point on everytime Gold City was near we were there always on the second row. The first time was in Crossville, TN. That was about 6 yrs. ago. we even spent our honeymoon at one of the homecomings in Gasden and our anniversary there each year until this year. We will not only miss Tim but Jay will always be missed.[I to am from Smackover,AR.] We are hoping to see the new group real soon. May god bless each and every one of you as you strive to do his will. You will always be in our prayers. Thanks for stoping the rumors.

Commented by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/16/2004

I have been a fan of Gold City ever since I first heard their recording "Movin' Up" on the radio in 1988. Then in 1989 I saw them in person on stage for the first time and I was never the same since. Tim, Ivan, Brian, Mike, Garry (Taco), Doug and Mark were the group then. I heard records of the original group of Tim, Jerry Ritchie, Ken Trussel and Bob Oliver. They truly have a heritage in Gospel Music. It will be hard to get used to Gold City without Tim singing bass full-time, but he is wise to come off the road to take care of his health even though I'm sure he will feel lost for a while. Bill Lawerence is a bass singer like Tim. I saw him perform with Brian Free on Gospel Music Southern Style on TV. When Brian left, they found another terrific tenor in former Kingsmen tenor Johnny Parrack's son Jay. Now that Jay has moved on, they have another terrific tenor in Steve Ladd.
God Bless, and Long Live Gold City.

Commented by Phil McCaulley On 10/16/2004

A QUESTION ~~~ARE THE RILEYS OF GOODMAN,MS. POSSIBLY YOUR RELATIVES? THE RESEMBLENCE IS SO ESTABLISHED.BEARD AND ALL. MAYBE CUZ ,PHILLIP

Commented by PHILLIP DAVID RILEY On 10/30/2004

well i can tell you this i think tim riley is the greatest bass singer ever
i have known tim i gess all my life and he is first class. he will be truley missed.
he has truley made southern gosple music what it is today

Commented by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/31/2004

I will miss Tim Riley on bass because he is the best I have ever heard, having been around gospel quartet music for 72 years. I can relate to Tim's problems, since I too have to hobble up steps to sing. Using Gold City's performance tracks just last night in church, I thrilled singing "their" songs..Gold City will always be the best no matter who fills a spot, they strive for perfect harmony, as we all should. God Bless!

Commented by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 11/01/2004

Page 2 of 3 Comment Pages < 1 2 3 >

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member? All comments must be made with a valid email address. Comments with invalid email addresses are subject to removal.

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: