Lee Young was dismissed 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 and Larnelle Harris was hired. This group cut the New Point Of View album before Mohr left.
At this point the "New Gaither Vocal Band' dropped the "new" part of their name. Bill Gaither dropped to the lowest part (although they didn't call it Bass at the time), Gary McSpadden was moved down to baritone and Michael English was hired as 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 left. He was replaced by Imperials alumnus, Jim Murray. They cut one album (Wings) before Gary McSpadden left to devote more time to his solo career. Mark Lowry was 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. First planned to perhaps be their final album, their gospel roots project Homecoming, in 1991, caused most Southern Gospel fans to welcome the Vocal Band with open arms. A follow-up recording called Southern Classics cemented their relationship with fans.
Jim Murray left and was replaced by Terry Franklin whose tenor voice was heard on the aforementioned, Southern Classics. Michael English left to pursue a popular solo career. He was replaced by Buddy Mullins. Terry Franklin soon left and was replaced by another Imperials alumnus, Jonathan Pierce. Strengthened by the popularity of the Homecoming video series, the Vocal Band added Guy Penrod at lead and after Pierce's departure, David Phelps was added at tenor. After Lowry’s departure, The Imperials alumnus Russ Taff sang baritone for a couple of years. When Taff returned to solo work, Marshall Hall was his replacement. Wes Hampton succeeded Phelps in 2005.
During the 1990s and into the first few years of the 21st century, the Gaither Vocal Band mastered the art of mixing classic Southern Gospel with Country and Inspirational styles. This gave the group a broad fan base that reached beyond the typical do.
In 2009 Marshall Hall and Guy Penrod left the group. Instead of just replacing them, Bill decided to make the group a five-man band -- bringing back some crowd favorites: Michael English, Mark Lowry, and David Phelps.
Complete List of Group Past Members:
* Bill Gaither, Baritone (1980-84); Bass (1984-present)
* Lee Young, Bass (1980-1982)
* Steve Green, Tenor (1980-1983)
* Gary McSpadden, Lead (1980-1984); Baritone (1984-88)
* Jon Mohr, Bass (1982-1984)
* Larnelle Harris, Tenor (1983-1987)
* Michael English, Lead (1985-1994, 2009-present)
* Lemuel Miller, Tenor (1987)
* Jim Murray, Tenor (1987-1992)
* Mark Lowry, Baritone (1988-2001, 2009-present)
* Terry Franklin, Tenor (1992-1994)
* Buddy Mullins, Lead (1994-1995)
* Jonathan Pierce, Tenor (1994-1997)
* Guy Penrod, Lead (1995-2009)
* David Phelps, Tenor (1997-2005, 2009-present)
* Russ Taff, Baritone (2001-2004)
* Marshall Hall, Baritone (2004-2009)
* Wes Hampton, Tenor (2005-present)
Discography
* The New Gaither Vocal Band (1981) - Benson
* ''Passin' The Faith Along (1983) - Benson
* New Point of View (1984) - Benson
* One X 1 (1986) - Word Nashville
* Wings (1988) - Star Song
* The Best from the Beginning (1989) - Benson
* A Few Good Men (1990) - Star Song
* Homecoming (1991) - Star Song
* Peace of the Rock (1993) - Star Song
* Southern Classics (1993) - Benson
* Testify (1994) King is Coming (1994) - Chapel
* ''Can't Stop Talkin' About Him (1995)
* Southern Classics: Volume II (1996) - Chapel
* Back Home in Indiana (1997) - Spring Hill
* ''Lovin' God & Lovin' Each Other (1997) - Spring Hill
* Still the Greatest Story Ever Told (1998) - Spring Hill
* God is Good (1999) - Spring Hill
* Classic Moments from the Gaither Vocal Band - Volume 1 (1999) - Benson
* Classic Moments from the Gaither Vocal Band - Volume 2 (1999) - Benson
* I Do Believe (2000) - Spring Hill
* Everything Good (2002) - Spring House
* A Cappella (2003) - Gaither Music Group
* Best of the Gaither Vocal Band (2004) - Gaither Music Group
* Give it Away (2006) - Gaither Music Group
*Together Signature Sound and Gaither Vocal Band (2007) - Gaither Music Group
*Lovin' Life (2008) - Gaither Music Group
*Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style (2008)
*Gaither Vocal Band Reunion - Volumes One & Two (January 2009)
Clean
Gaither Vocal Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sank up to my knees in the mud
The preacher man took me under
Beneath that cleansing flood
There was something in the water
There was power in the blood
For the first time in my life I felt clean.
Clean, I felt clean
There was something in the water
There was power in the blood
For the first time in my life I felt clean
I just could not forget it
It would not let me be
The past was there to haunt me
It had its chains on me
Then the preacher man took me under
Beneath that cleansing flood
For the first time in my life I felt clean
Repeat Oh the blood of Jesus
Oh the blood of Jesus
Oh the blood of Jesus
That washes white as snow
Clean, I felt clean
Clean, I felt clean
Clean, I felt clean
Clean, I felt clean
The song "Clean" by Gaither Vocal Band is a gospel tune that talks about the power of redemption and the transformative experience of being cleansed from one's sins. The song paints a vivid picture of a man who stepped into a river, sank up to his knees in mud, and was later taken under by a "preacher man" beneath the cleansing flood. According to the lyrics, there was something in the water and power in the blood, and for the first time in his life, the man felt clean. He repeats this word several times, emphasizing the depth of his emotional experience.
The second verse talks about the past haunting the man, with chains that were holding him back. The preacher man takes him under once again, and for the second time, he feels clean. As the song comes to a close, the chorus repeats again, with a declaration about the blood of Jesus washing white as snow.
Overall, the song presents a powerful message about the power of redemption and the transformative experience of being cleansed from one's sins. It's a reminder that no matter how much we might have strayed from the path, we can still receive forgiveness and start anew.
Line by Line Meaning
I stepped into the river
I went into the water
Sank up to my knees in the mud
I sank in the mud until it reached my knees
The preacher man took me under
The preacher submerged me in the water
Beneath that cleansing flood
Under the water that cleanses
There was something in the water
There was a special quality in the water
There was power in the blood
The blood had a powerful effect
For the first time in my life I felt clean.
I experienced cleanliness for the first time in my life.
I just could not forget it
I couldn't stop thinking about it.
It would not let me be
It wouldn't leave me alone.
The past was there to haunt me
My past was still affecting me.
It had its chains on me
It had a strong hold on me.
Repeat Oh the blood of Jesus
Repeat the phrase 'Oh the blood of Jesus'
That washes white as snow
That cleanses completely.
Clean, I felt clean
I felt clean.
Clean, I felt clean
I felt clean.
Clean, I felt clean
I felt clean.
Clean, I felt clean
I felt clean.
Contributed by Jayce C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@esdrasrodrigues2808
I stepped into the river,
Sank up to my knees in the mud
Beneath that cleansing flood
There was something about the water
There was power in the blood
For the firs time in my life, i felt clean
Chorus:
Clean, i felt clean
Clean, i felt clean
There was something in the water
There was power in the blood
For the first time in my life, i felt clean
I just could not forget it
It would not let me be
You see the past was there to haunt me
It had it's preacher man took me under
Beneath that cleansing flood
For the first time in my life, i felt clean
Chorus
Oh, the blood of jesus (3x)
That washes withe and clean, i felt clean
Clean, i felt clean (3x)
@lotte5173
God washed me clean....and it was a drastic cleaning.
Thank You, God.....I love You!!
@pattidavis2995
DAVID JUST AMAZES ME WITH THE RANGE OF HIS VOICE.. SO SOFT AND GENTLE BUT CAN HIT THE HIGH NOTE WIT NO PROBLEM .
GOD HAS TRULY BLESSED THIS MAN AND THANK GOD HE USES IT FOR THE SPREADING OF GODS WORD. REST OF THE GUYS ARE GREAT TOO;
@sallyhoward1763
In 1975, or thereabouts, I had my first encounter with the living Christ. I was working at my desk at home on a volunteer project, not thinking about Jesus at all. Then He came in a vision - no face or form - just wholly Him, a holy presence! I knew it was Jesus - AND I NEVER FELT AS CLEAN AS I FELT AT THAT MOMENT! Clean! Clean! even without the mud and water, which I would not have minded either! CLEAN! CLEAN!! CLEAN!!! Praising God! Hallelujah! Sally Howard
@ginasuperczynski3899
David Phelps is an amazing vocalist. He's so anointed when he sings. LOVE IT!!!
@ramosnich
Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
❤️❤️❤️
@debbieforhim7800
I'm wondering how Kevin is playing such delicate notes with bare hands in COLD weather! LOVE this group and miss David being a part of it! :(
@lisaoehlers7403
I love David's countenance in this one. LOVE it! He looks so relaxed and happy to be singing with his friends about our sweet Jesus <3
@redladylove2012
That's exactly how you feel after you've been baptized! There's no greater feeling like it!!!
@aaronbirch6388
Just heard this song for the first time. I had to play it about 7 or 8 times over. What can you say? Just simple, beautiful music and rich melody by arguably the best version of GVB.
@ritamoon4724
This song touched my heart the first time I heard it. When I sit at my workstation in the morning the first thing I do is listen to this song.