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)
Mary Did You Know?
Gaither Vocal Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God
Mary did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb
Mary did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the great I am
The song "Mary Did You Know?" by Gaither Vocal Band is a Christmas classic that reflects on the remarkable life of Jesus Christ. The song poses a series of rhetorical questions to Mary, the mother of Jesus, asking her if she knew about the incredible things her son would accomplish. The first verse asks if she knew that her baby boy would one day walk on water and save the souls of many. The second verse asks if she knew about the miraculous healings he would perform, and if she knew that her baby boy is the Lord of creation who would one day rule the nations. The final verse reminds Mary that the baby she is holding in her arms is in fact the great I am - the eternal God.
This song is both a tribute to Mary's faith in God and a celebration of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. The powerful message of the song reminds us of the importance of faith, hope, and love, and how they can transform our lives. Furthermore, it also highlights how the birth of Jesus transformed the world and continues to shape our lives today. The song's meaningful lyrics and beautiful melody make it a classic Christmas hymn that has touched the hearts of people all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Mary did you know
Have you ever thought about these things, Mary?
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Your son will have the power to do miraculous things. He will even walk on water.
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Your son will be the savior of all sons and daughters. He will lead them to salvation.
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
Through your son's birth, you will be reborn and given a chance to start anew.
This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you
The same baby that you brought into this world will become your savior and deliver you from all troubles.
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Your son will not only have the power to do miraculous things, but he will use this power to heal people, even the blind.
That your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?
Your son's power will also be able to calm the raging storm and bring peace to those in trouble.
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
Your son has not only walked on this earth, but he has also walked where even the angels walk.
And when you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God
Through your son, you have kissed the divine face of God Himself.
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again
Your son's power will be so great that he will bring sight to the blind, the ability to hear to the deaf, and even bring the dead back to life.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb
Your son's power will also be able to make the lame walk, the mute able to speak, and all will sing praises of the Lamb (Jesus).
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Your son, Jesus, is the Lord and master of all things created.
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Your son, Jesus, will one day rule over all nations on earth, as the true and rightful king.
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
Your very own son is the perfect Lamb, the perfect sacrifice, and the one and only way to obtain true salvation and eternal life in heaven.
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am
The child you are holding, asleep in your arms, is none other than the great I am, the very embodiment of God on earth.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Buddy Greene, Mark Lowry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@saundrabuck1039
By far, one of the greatest songs ever written
@Ladybug12150
Mark Lowry has given us such a GIFT in this song !!!!
@davidmaikranz4039
AND IT WILL LIVE IN MY HEART FOREVER. THANK YOU LADYBUG.
@gelwood99
This song never fails to make me cry! The complexity of it and the thought of Mary as she holds the Baby close. Oh, Mary, did you know? Did you feel the Power, as you held Him close? The absolute Joy that will be when we see His true Face in Heaven!
@cricketlee4278
Gail Elwood
I know right? I cry ever single time too!
I try to imagine it and I truly don’t know what my emotion will be! It’s all so exciting and overwhelming all rolled together! This is one of my favorite songs!
@katherinejones3057
I so love how Mark sings with his heart. Every emotion felt and expressed. I love the hug between him and Bill at the end also.It feels like Bill recognise how much of himself he put into it.
Thats what I love about watching the GVB and various videos...the love and harmony between all...and not just musically. Its like a real family.
To God be the glory..and blessings to Bill for what he started so many years ago...how many lives it blesses.
@jacquelinegarrett6052
Katherine Jones ... very well spoken!!!
@davidmaikranz4039
THAT IS THE MARK OF A REAL SINGER THAT DOES.. FEEL WHAT HE IS SINGING ABOUT. THANK YOU KATHRINE JONES. . Every emotion felt and expressed
@suem5213
Mary did you know is one of my favorite songs. Mark you hit a home run with this song. Can you imagine being the mother of Jesus, watching him grow and then being crucified? Kissing his face knowing He was Good Himself. Praise you God for your Holiness and for loving such a sinner. I'll love you for all eternity.
@bruceanderson4112
Not only is he singing he’s preaching