The Mississippi based Christianairs were renamed Gold Ci… Read Full Bio ↴Early Years
The Mississippi based Christianairs were renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to begin the year 1980 with Dallas Gilliland singing bass, tenor Bob Oliver, lead singer Jerry Ritchie, and baritone Ken Trussell. The group owner was initially Floyd Beck. Bass singer Tim Riley would replace Gilliland as the permanent bass singer in July of that same year after the group's relocation to Gadsden, Alabama. The group was an instant success in the industry, appearing on the main stage of the National Quartet Convention in October 1981. By 1982, tenor Brian Free, lead Ivan Parker, and pianist Garry Jones had joined Riley to form a consistent nucleus that remained together until the mid-1990s. Their recordings of upbeat tunes like “I Think I’ll Read It Again” and inspirational songs like “No Other Word For Grace But Amazing” and “Midnight Cry” catapulted the group into the upper ranks of Southern Gospel. The last recording by this popular lineup was the critically acclaimed Acapella Gold (1993).
The 1990s
After the departure of Free, Jones and Parker, baritone, Steve Lacey took over lead duties, while Mark Trammell became baritone, and Jay Parrack became tenor. Lacey left to join The Kingdom Heirs. David Hill became lead singer for a while. His departure lead to the next consistent lineup for the group which included Jonathan Wilburn singing lead, Mark Trammell singing baritone, and Jay Parrack on tenor. Over the years, the group developed a trademark style that relied on brass heavy arrangements for their more driving songs and moving lyrics for their inspirational anthems.
Recent History
The last few years have brought a period of change and transition to this legendary quartet. Many personnel changes in the front line, as well as the breakup of the Band of Gold have given a new look, as well as a new sound to the group. The most notable, and tragic change occurred in 2006, when Doug Riley, who co-managed Gold City (in addition to playing drums before taking over running the sound when the group streamlined their operations),was killed in an auto accident on the way to the recording studio early in the morning of January 31, after not being able to sleep.
In March 2006, bass singer Bill Lawrence (who had been hand picked by former bass, Tim Riley) left the group. Tim Riley filled in for several months while the search for a replacement was underway. Aaron McCune, who at the time was the bass singer with the Palmetto State Quartet, joined Gold City in May 2006. McCune brings to Gold City the trademark smoothness and deep range that has long been a standard for this quartet.
In February 2007, it was announced that the group had returned to The Beckie Simmons Agency from The Harper Agency. Beckie Simmons, while at Century II and her own agency, has handled the quartet's bookings for the majority of its existence.
Full Gold City Discography
* 1981 First Day In Heaven
* 1981 We Believe
* 1981 Sing Golden Nuggets
* 1981 Songs Of Days Gone By
* 1982 I've Got A Feeling
* 1982 Gold City: Live
* 1983 I Think I’ll Read It Again
* 1983 Hymns Sung By The Gold City Quartet
* 1983 Higher Than The Moon
* 1984 or 1984 Walking With Jesus
* 1984 Walk On
* 1985 Sing With The Angels
* 1986 Gold City Gold
* 1986 Double Take: Live
* 1986 Your Favorite Hymns
* 1986 Top Hits Volume 1
* 1986 Top Hits Volume 2
* 1987 Favorites Volume 1
* 1987 Favorites Volume 2
* 1987 Favorites Volume 3
* 1987 Movin’ Up
* 1988 Portrait
* 1988 Voices Of Christmas
* 1989 Chartbreakers Volume 1
* 1989 Chartbreakers Volume 2
* 1989 Favorite Hymns Volume 2
* 1989 Goin’ Home
* 1990 Windows of Home
* 1990 Instrumentals Volume 1
* 1990 Indiana Live
* 1990 Favorites Volume 4
* 1990 Chart Breakers Volume 3
* 1991 Super 70’s Gospel Hits Vol. 1
* 1991 Super 70’s Gospel Hits Vol. 2
* 1991 Super 70’s Gospel Hits Vol. 3
* 1991 10 Year Celebration
* 1991 Answer The Call
* 1992 Kings Gold
* 1992 Masters of the Gospel
* 1992 Pillars of Faith
* 1993 Kings Gold 2
* 1993 Acapella Gold
* 1993 Requested Hymns Volume 1
* 1993 Requested Hymns Volume 2
* 1993 Requested Hymns Volume 3
* 1994 Renewed
* 1994 Lord Do It Again
* 1994 Classics
* 1994 Kings Gold 3
* 1995 Standing In The Gap
* 1996 Kings Gold 4
* 1996 Having Fun
* 1996 Preparing The Way
* 1997 What A Great Lifestyle
* 1997 Home For The Holidays
* 1998 The Collection
* 1998 Within The Rock
* 1999 Signed, Sealed, Delivered
* 1999 Amazing Grace: A Hymn Collection
* 2000 20th Anniversary Celebration: Vol. 1
* 2000 20th Anniversary Celebration: Vol. 2
* 2000 Are You Ready?
* 2000 Through The Years
* 2001 Pressed Down, Shaken Together, Running Over
* 2002 The Very Best of Gold City
* 2002 Camp Meetin'
* 2003 Walk the Talk
* 2003 24K Gold
* 2003 Pillars of Faith/Acapella (Double Album Reissue)
* 2003 A Gold City Christmas
* 2004 First Class
* 2005 Heaven
* 2006 Gold City - Their Best
* 2006 Revival
* 2007 Classics Volume 2 (unofficial title, upcoming release featuring new cuts of Gold City standards
* 2008 Moment of Truth
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Gold City Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That glorious song of old
From Angels playing near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth could will two men
From Heaven's all-gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
And I hear them singing
Sing, I do hear them singing
The first Noel the Angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay, they keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
The song "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" by Gold City speaks of the beautiful moment when the angels descended upon the earth at midnight and sang a glorious song. The lyrics portray the image of the angels playing their harps of gold near the earth, filling the world with a divine melody that brought peace and stillness to the earth below. The lyrics further suggest that the song carried a message of peace on earth "from Heaven's all-gracious King."
The second stanza of the song speaks of the first Noel, when the angels revealed the message of the birth of Jesus Christ to the poor shepherds in the field. The lyrics mention how the shepherds were "keeping their sheep on a cold winter's night that was so deep." Through this song, Gold City reminds us of the beautiful story of the birth of Christ and how it was revealed to mankind through the angels.
Overall, "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" is a beautiful and inspiring song that reminds us of the miraculous birth of Christ and the angels' message of peace and hope that came with it.
Line by Line Meaning
It came upon the midnight clear
The beautiful and divine song appeared in the middle of a clear and quiet night
That glorious song of old
A joyful and holy melody from ancient times
From Angels playing near the earth
Angels, who were close to the earth, played music
To touch their harps of gold
They played the harp, an instrument made of gold, with their divine touch
Peace on the earth could will two men
Two people can create peace on earth with their willpower
From Heaven's all-gracious King
This will comes from a merciful king from heaven
The world in solemn stillness lay
The world is silent and calm
To hear the Angels sing
The purpose of this stillness is to listen to the joyous singing of the angels
And I hear them singing
I can hear the angels singing
Sing, I do hear them singing
I hear them singing with no doubt
The first Noel the Angel did say
The first Christmas message was delivered by an angel who said 'Noel'
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
The angel delivered the message to some impoverished shepherds who were resting in the fields
In fields where they lay, they keeping their sheep
They were guarding their sheep while lying in the fields
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
On a winter night that was exceptionally cold and dark
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRUCE MILLER, TRADITIONAL (WRITER UNKNOWN)
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind