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)
More Than Ever
Gaither Vocal Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believed that the Lord’s way was best.
I would read in His Word how He mothered the bird
And grieved when it fell from it's nest.
How I felt His delight when I chose to do right,
And I prayed I would not make Him sad.
We would meet on the way in the cool of the day,
What a pure sweet communion we had.
CHORUS:
Oh, but now more than ever I cherish the cross.
More than ever I sit at His feet.
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true,
And He is so precious to me.
The road I have traveled has sometimes been steep,
Through wild jagged places of life.
Sometimes I’ve stumbled and fallen so hard
That the stones cut my soul like a knife.
But the staff of my Shepherd would reach out for me
And lift me to cool pastures green.
With oil of the spirit anointing my wounds,
There I’d rest by the clear healing stream.
CHORUS
Is Love’s Old Sweet Story too good to be true?
Do you find all this hard to believe?
Has the cruel world we live in so battered your heart
That the hurt child inside you can’t grieve?
I can’t say I blame you.
I’ve been where you are.
But all I can say is
It’s true!
You’re wanted,
You’re precious,
You’re the love of His heart,
And the old rugged cross was for you.
CHORUS
The Gaither Vocal Band's song "More Than Ever" is a testament of the journey of faith and trust in the Lord. The lyrics depict the process of maturing in faith, from a fresh and childlike trust to a deeper and more profound understanding of the significance of the cross of Jesus. The first verse speaks of the innocence of a young faith, believing in the Lord's love for all creatures, the delight of doing right, and the purity of communion with God. The chorus echoes the message of the song, emphasizing the profound value of the cross to the singer, who cherishes it and loves to sit at the feet of Jesus. The second verse depicts the struggle of the journey, the steep and jagged places where one may stumble and fall, causing wounds that cut like a knife. Yet, through all the hardships, the Lord remains faithful, offering His staff as a guide to lead the way to green pastures and a healing stream. The final verse addresses those who may struggle to believe in the Lord's love and mercy, whose hearts have been battered by the cruelties of the world. The singer acknowledges the pain and doubt but declares the truth of God's love, the fact that everyone is wanted, precious, loved by God, and that the cross is the ultimate proof of the depth of His love.
Line by Line Meaning
When I started my journey in fresh childlike trust
At the beginning of my spiritual journey, I was full of innocence and faith.
I believed that the Lord’s way was best.
I trusted that God's plan was perfect.
I would read in His Word how He mothered the bird
I learned from reading the Bible that God cares for even the smallest creatures.
And grieved when it fell from it's nest.
God mourns with us when we experience pain and loss.
How I felt His delight when I chose to do right,
I experienced God's joy when I made the right choices.
And I prayed I would not make Him sad.
I wanted to please God and not disappoint Him.
We would meet on the way in the cool of the day,
I had close communion with God in my everyday life.
What a pure sweet communion we had.
Our relationship was characterized by purity and sweetness.
Oh, but now more than ever I cherish the cross.
As time has passed, I have come to value the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross more deeply.
More than ever I sit at His feet.
I desire to spend more time in the presence of God.
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true,
The experiences I have gone through have confirmed that God is faithful.
And He is so precious to me.
God is supremely valuable and dear to me.
The road I have traveled has sometimes been steep,
My journey with God has not always been easy.
Through wild jagged places of life.
I have faced difficult and challenging circumstances.
Sometimes I’ve stumbled and fallen so hard
I have made mistakes and struggled with sin.
That the stones cut my soul like a knife.
The consequences of my actions have caused me emotional pain.
But the staff of my Shepherd would reach out for me
God has always been there to guide and support me.
And lift me to cool pastures green.
God has provided refreshment and rest for my weary soul.
With oil of the spirit anointing my wounds,
The Holy Spirit has brought healing to my brokenness.
There I’d rest by the clear healing stream.
I have found comfort and restoration in God's presence.
Is Love’s Old Sweet Story too good to be true?
Do you doubt that God's love is real and true?
Do you find all this hard to believe?
Are you struggling to accept God's love?
Has the cruel world we live in so battered your heart
Have you been deeply wounded by the hardships of life?
That the hurt child inside you can’t grieve?
Are you unable to express your pain and grief?
I can’t say I blame you.
I understand why you might struggle with these doubts and fears.
I’ve been where you are.
I have also experienced doubt and pain.
But all I can say is
However, I can tell you that
It’s true!
God's love is real and true!
You’re wanted,
You are valued and loved by God.
You’re precious,
You are highly esteemed and treasured by God.
You’re the love of His heart,
God's affection for you is deep and sincere.
And the old rugged cross was for you.
Jesus died on the cross for your sins and salvation.
Contributed by Bailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@charlerasmus2635
When I started my journey in fresh
child like trust, I believed that the Lord's way was best. I would read
in his word how he mothered the bird, and grieved when it fell from its
nest.
How I felt His delight when I chose to do right, and prayed I would not make him sad.
We would meet on the way in the cool of the day.
What a pure sweet communion we had.
Chorus:
Oh, But now more than ever I cherish the Cross. More than ever I sit at His feet.
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true, and He is so precious to me.
Oh, the road I have travelled has sometimes been steep, through the wild, jagged places of life.
And sometimes I've stumbled and fallen so hard that the stones cut my soul like a knife,
But the staff of my shepherd would reach out for me and lift me to cool pastures green.
Oil of the Spirit anointing my wounds, there I'd rest by the clear, healing stream.
(Repeat Chorus)
Is love's old sweet story too good to be true? Do you find all this hard to believe?
Has the cruel world we live in so battered your heart, that the hurt child inside you can't grieve?
I can't say I blame you I've been where you are, and all I can say is, "It's true!"
You're wanted, you're precious,you're the love of His heart, and the old rugged cross was for you.
(Repeat Chorus x2)
Ending:
Oh, he is so precious to me...yes! He is so precious to me.
@TheFoodman21
I think one thing displayed here that's extremely underrated about David's singing is how personal, interpretive and sincere his singing is. Especially in his early days. The high notes are phenomenal but mannn he knows how to convey a message. It's a work of art and so beautiful. Bravo!
@daryltracy7949
Right?!
@ThaisCampos-rw3rp
@Daryl Tracy ❤❤❤q
@lindacrossno9529
I dont think they realized just what they got with David. However it did not take long until he was the `home run maker' of so many of their hit songs. The talent David has is stronger now than ever as he continues to blow our minds with his vocal ability and skills of communicating the message of each song he sings. He is the best singer of my time.
@JoaoLucas-ls9tt
i cant stop sing this 2:45 " You're wanted. You're precious. You're the love of His heart, and the old rugged cross was for you."
@nicoleparkins7650
I agree
@lee31097
I love this song, and those words are so awesome.
@pennylovell9630
Same for me. I need to hear those words over and over because I frequently feel unloved and unwanted
@OnePiece-iu1pg
@Penny Lovell he loves us
@peacebe9518
@@pennylovell9630yes oh yes