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)
DAY BY DAY
Gaither Vocal Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing good for me He'll deny
The longer I know Him, the better I can show Him
I couldn't stop now if I tried
It gets sweeter as the days go by
It gets sweeter as the moments fly
His love is richer, deeper, fuller, sweeter
Oh, the moment He saved my His good grace He gave me
He place His love down deep in my heart
There's great joy in knowing with Him I am going
And never more from Him to depart
It gets sweeter as the days go by
It gets sweeter as the moments fly
His love is richer, deeper, fuller, sweeter
Sweeter, sweeter, sweeter as the days go by
It gets sweeter as the days go by
It gets sweeter as the moments fly
His love is richer, deeper, fuller, sweeter
Sweeter, sweeter, sweeter as the days go by
Sweeter, sweeter, sweeter as the days go by
The song "Sweeter As The Years Go By" by Gaither Vocal Band is a testament to how our love and trust in God can grow stronger as we live each day. The lyrics describe a personal relationship with God that gets sweeter as time goes by. The more the singer trusts God, the deeper their love for Him becomes. The lyrics express a deep gratitude for all the good things that God has done for the singer and the promise that nothing good will be denied.
The song acknowledges the great gift of salvation and the grace of God that has been placed in the singer's heart. The lyrics also speak of the joy that comes from knowing that they will never be separated from God. This is a powerful statement of faith that encourages listeners to hold fast to God's love and to continually walk in His grace.
In summary, "Sweeter As The Years Go By" is a reminder that our relationship with God is constantly evolving and becoming richer with each passing day. The song serves as an encouragement to all who hear it to continue to trust in God and to experience the sweetness of His love in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
The more I trust Him, the more I love Him
As I place greater faith in Him, my love for Him grows stronger
Nothing good for me He'll deny
He will not withhold any good thing from me
The longer I know Him, the better I can show Him
As my knowledge of Him deepens, my ability to demonstrate His character improves
I couldn't stop now if I tried
My devotion to Him is unwavering and cannot be stopped
It gets sweeter as the days go by
My experience of Him becomes more enjoyable over time
It gets sweeter as the moments fly
Even in the midst of life's fleeting moments, His sweetness is still experienced
His love is richer, deeper, fuller, sweeter
His love is all-encompassing and continually grows in richness and depth
Sweeter, sweeter, sweeter as the days go by
The sweetness of His love increases day by day
Oh, the moment He saved my His good grace He gave me
At the moment of my salvation, He bestowed His unmerited favor upon me
He place His love down deep in my heart
He embedded His love deeply within me
There's great joy in knowing with Him I am going
The knowledge that I am journeying with Him brings great joy
And never more from Him to depart
I will never again be separated from Him
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SMITH, STOKES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stanhenslee7478
My wife and I were in the audience that night in Jacksonville. That was the first gospel music concert we ever attended. 40+ years later I still vividly remember how much I was thrilled at hearing the GVB before it was even called the GVB. My love for gospel music, especially southern gospel, was born that night and was has never ceased to grow. I am truly blessed because of it.
@betajeyaraj2183
Gary McSpadden went to heaven 2 months ago. Must have experienced all that he sang here! Wonderful.
@Kingspian
My Grandfather just passed away on May 13, 2022. Ohh man this song gave me such a great joy!! Thank
You!!
@djgrant8761
Thank you Stuart Hamblen.
@stevenwalden4309
What a great morning that will be when we see Jesus!!
@louannpage6790
Hallelujah 👏👏👏
@tylerjustice5656
Larnelle Harris is just incredible
@courtneyolson8028
My daddy used to sing this to me every day when he got me up.
@ilvahertzler6571
Listen to that piano!!!!!!!
@ritaeh8794
This was fantastic, so exciting to see them all together. Bill Gaither must be so proud of all these extremely talented people that he worked with through the years.