Gold City

This article is about the gospel group. For the community in the United States, see Gold City, Kentucky.

Gold City (formerly known as Gold City Quartet) is an American southern gospel quartet based in Gadsden, Alabama. Formed in 1980, the group was one of the most successful quartets through the 1980s and 1990s, charting ten number one hits in Singing News magazine and being host to many icons in the Christian music industry, including Brian Free, Ivan Parker, Mark Trammell, Mike LeFevre, and Tim Riley.

Gold City
Also known as	Gold City Quartet
Origin	Gadsden, Alabama, U.S.
Genres	Southern gospel, contemporary christian
Years active	1980–present
Labels	Heavy Weight Records Nugget Records Dawn Records Heartwarming Records Riversong Records Crystal Records Daywind Records New Haven Records Cathedral Records
Members	Chris Jenkins Josh Feemster Daniel Riley Jeff Chapman Terry Wooten
Past members	Bob Oliver Jerry Ritchie Ken Trussell Dallas Gilliand Harold McVey Brian Free Bill Crittendon Benny Blackburn Ivan Parker Mike LeFevre Steve Lacey Jay Parrack Mark Trammell David Hill Jonathan Wilburn Steve Ladd Bill Lawrence Aaron McCune Chris Cooper Josh Cobb Brent Mitchell Dan Keeton Robert Fulton Graig West Jerry Pelfrey Chip Pullen Thomas Nalley Scott Brand Cole Watson Tim Riley Chris West |Bruce Taliaferro
Website	goldcityministries.com

History

1980s

The Alabama-based Christian group was renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at midnight on New Year’s Day in 1980, composed of tenor Bob Oliver, lead Jerry Ritchie, baritone Ken Trussell, and bass Dallas Gilliland. Bass Tim Riley would replace Gilliland as the permanent bass singer in July of that same year. The group appeared on the main stage of the National Quartet Convention in October 1981. Pianist Garry Jones joined the group one month prior to the convention. In 1982, tenor Brian Free came on board and lead Ivan Parker joined in 1983. This group of men formed a consistent core that remained together until the end of 1993. Original owner Floyd Beck died in 1984, resulting in Tim Riley taking over ownership and the group's relocation to Gadsden, Alabama. Jeff Hullender joined the group in 1984 as the group's bass guitar player. Mike LeFevre joined in 1985 to sing the baritone part, replacing Jerry Ritchie.

1990s

Steve Lacey took over for LeFevre in 1992, and after the departure of Free, Jones, and Parker in 1993, Lacey switched to lead while Mark Trammell became baritone and Jay Parrack was named the new tenor. Lacey left to join the Kingdom Heirs the following year. David Hill became lead singer for a while; his departure led to the next consistent lineup for the group, which included Jonathan Wilburn singing lead, Mark Trammell singing baritone, and Jay Parrack as tenor with Riley at bass from 1996 until 2002. Over this period, the group developed a style that relied on heavy brass arrangements for their more driving songs.

2000s

Trammell left the group in 2002 to form his own Mark Trammell Trio. In 2004, the group saw the departure of Parrack at tenor in addition to the retirement of Tim Riley after 24 years. former Brian Free & Assurance bass singer Bill Lawrence replaced him as bass, while Riley's sons, drummer Doug and baritone Daniel, took over management of the group until Doug Riley died in an automobile accident in early 2006. By this point, the full Gold City band had been retired and replaced with accompanying tracks.

In March 2006, bass singer Bill Lawrence left the group. Tim filled in for several months while the search for a replacement was underway. Aaron McCune, who was bass singer with the Palmetto State Quartet at the time, joined Gold City in May 2006.

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.

In March 2008, lead singer Jonathan Wilburn left the group. Bruce Taliaferro, a Gadsden native who had filled in for Wilburn and Daniel Riley in the past, stepped in to fill the empty position. Gold City released their first recording with Taliaferro in July 2008. Also, August 2008 saw the Band of Gold return to the scene on a limited basis. The band consisted of pianist Josh Simpson, drummer Kevin Albertson, bass guitarist Taylor Barnes, and lead guitarist Daniel Addison.

On April 28, 2009, tenor, Steve Ladd, announced that he would be leaving Gold City. On June 17, 2009, it was announced that Chris Cooper would be filling the tenor position. It was announced in July 2009 that Josh Simpson would be leaving Gold City in August to go to college. His temporary replacement was Curtis Broadway who played on Band of Gold dates. Gold City Bus driver Jim Korn filled in on keys after the Band of Gold quit traveling with the group. It was announced on August 11. 2009 that Aaron McCune had departed Gold City and a replacement was being sought.

Later in December, it was announced that Chris Cooper left Gold City and a replacement would be found by the end of Christmas break. Over the Christmas break, it was announced that former Legacy Five tenor Josh Cobb would be joining the group, and former Ernie Haase & Signature Sound pianist Roy Webb would join as the pianist. It was also announced that Tim Riley would be committed to full-time traveling with Gold City.

2010s to present

Later in 2010, Roy Webb opted to leave the group to fully pursue a solo career. Josh Simpson filled in on the piano while a new pianist was found. After the National Quartet Convention, it was announced that Perry's pianist, Bryan Elliott, would be filling the piano bench. Months later, tenor singer, Josh Cobb was released from the group for logistical reasons. On October 29, Brent Mitchell was announced as tenor, to start officially November 11, 2010. Bruce Taliaferro announced his resignation the next month on December 18, 2010. Tim Riley would retire again in 2014 to be replaced by bass Chris West.

On January 28, 2020, Bruce Taliaferro announced his return to the group, after the resignation of lead singer Scott Brand. Bruce began singing with the group on February 21. On January 11, 2022, Taliaferro announced his second resignation from the group, effective immediately until his replacement by Gadsden native Cole Watson. Watson and seven year tenor Thomas Nalley were released by the quartet nine months later. In the fall of 2022, Gold City announced the third return of Bruce Taliaferro. On the same night he was re-introduced, they also announced Former Kingsmen Quartet tenor Chris Jenkins as their new tenor singer. Chris West departed the group in January 2023 and Jeff Chapman of the Kingdom Heirs was announced to be their full-time bass singer starting on April 20 after filling in at multiple shows.

On August 15, 2023, Josh Feemster replaced Bruce as the lead singer for Gold City after he departed the group earlier that month.

Members (past and present)

Line-ups

1980 (Under the Name "Gold City Quartet")	1980	1980–1981
Bob Oliver – tenor Jerry Ritchie – lead Ken Trussell – baritone Dallas Gilliland – bass	Bob Oliver – tenor Jerry Ritchie – lead Ken Trussell – baritone Harold McVey – bass	Bob Oliver – tenor Jerry Ritchie – lead Ken Trussell – baritone Tim Riley – bass
1981–1982	1982–1983	1983
Bob Oliver – tenor Jerry Ritchie – lead Ken Trussell – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Brian Free – tenor Jerry Ritchie – lead Ken Trussell – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Brian Free – tenor Bill Crittenton – lead Jerry Ritchie – baritone Tim Riley – bass
1983	1983–1984	1984–1986
Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Jerry Ritchie – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Benny Blackburn – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Jerry Ritchie – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Jerry Ritchie – baritone Tim Riley – bass
1986–1992 (Now simply known as "Gold City")	1992–1993	1993–1994
Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Mike LeFevre – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Steve Lacey – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Jay Parrack – tenor Steve Lacey – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass
1994–1996	1996–2002	2002–2004
Jay Parrack – tenor David Hill – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass
2004–2005	2005–2006	2006
Steve Ladd – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Steve Ladd – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Bill Lawrence – bass	Steve Ladd – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass
2006–2008	2008–2009	2009
Steve Ladd – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Aaron McCune – bass	Steve Ladd – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Aaron McCune – bass	Chris Cooper – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Aaron McCune – bass Curtis Broadway – piano
2009–2010	2010-2011	2011
Josh Cobb – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Roy Webb – piano	Brent Mitchell – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryan Elliott – piano	Brent Mitchell – tenor Craig West – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryan Elliott – piano
2011-2013	2013	2013-2015
Dan Keeton – tenor Craig West – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryan Elliott – piano	Dan Keeton – tenor Jerry Pelfrey – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryan Elliott – piano	Robert Fulton – tenor Jerry Pelfrey – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryan Elliott – piano
2015–2016	2016-2018	2018–2020
Robert Fulton – tenor Chip Pullen – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryan Elliott – piano	Thomas Nalley – tenor Chip Pullen – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Bryan Elliott – piano	Thomas Nalley – tenor Scott Brand – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Bryan Elliott – piano
2020	2020-2021	2021-2022
Thomas Nalley – tenor Scott Brand – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass G.W. Southard – piano	Thomas Nalley – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass G.W. Southard – piano	Thomas Nalley – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Terry Wooten – piano
2022	2022–2023	2023–present
Thomas Nalley – tenor Cole Watson – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Terry Wooten – piano	Chris Jenkins – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Terry Wooten – piano	Chris Jenkins – tenor Josh Feemster – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Jeff Chapman – bass Terry Wooten – piano

Musicians

Band of Gold

Piano

• Larry Goddard (1980) (switched to bass)
• John Reinhardt Jr (1980-1981)
• Garry Jones (1981-1994)
• Rodney LaShaum (1982-1983): (filled in for Garry for two years)
• David Brooks (1994-1995)
• Shane Jenkins (1995-1996)
• Randy Matthews (1996-1997)
• Byron Stewert (1997)
• Tim Parton (1997-1999)
• Channing Eleton (2000-2006)
• Josh Simpson (2005-2009)
• Curtis Broadway (2009)
• Roy Webb (2009-2010)
• Bryan Elliot (2010-2018)
• G.W. Southard (2018-2020)
• Terry Wooten (2021-present)

Drums

• Wayne Hussey (1980-1981)
• John Noski (1981-1987)
• Olan Witt (1982-1983) (filled in for John for two years)
• Corbett Harper (1984) (filled in for John)
• Doug Riley (1989-2005)
• Chris Williams (2021-2023)

Bass

• Cary Kirk (1980)
• Larry Goddard (1980-1981)
• Jeff Easter (1981-1982)
• Ken Bennett (1982-1984)
• Jeff Hullender (1984-1988)
• Barry Scott (1989)
• Mark Fain (1989-1995)
• Adam Borden (1995-2005)
• Russell Wise (2021-2023)

Lead Guitar

• David Holloway (1980-1982)
• Jerry Lloyd (1982-1984) (1985-1987)
• Daryll LeCroy (1984)
• Kelly Back (1984)
• Daryll LeCroy (1986-1993) (also on lead)
• David Creech (1992)

Sound Engineer

• Doug Riley (2005-2006)

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: Walking with Jesus
• 1984: Walk On
• 1985: Sing with the Angels
• 1986: Double Take: Live
• 1986: "Top Hits Volume 1"
• 1986: "Top Hits Volume 2"
• 1986: Your Favorite Hymns
• 1987: Movin’ Up
• 1987: Favorites Volume 1
• 1987: Favorites Volume 2
• 1987: Favorites Volume 3
• 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: Chartbreakers Volume 3
• 1990: Indiana Live
• 1991: Super 70s Gospel Hits Vol. 1
• 1991: Super 70s Gospel Hits Vol. 2
• 1991: Super 70s Gospel Hits Vol. 3
• 1991: 10 Year Celebration
• 1991: Answer the Call
• 1992: Pillars of Faith
• 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
• 1995: Standing in the Gap
• 1996: Having Fun
• 1996: Preparing the Way
• 1997: What a Great Lifestyle
• 1997: Home for the Holidays
• 1998: Within the Rock
• 1999: Signed, Sealed, Delivered
• 2000: Amazing Grace: A Hymn Collection
• 2000: 20th Anniversary Celebration: Vol. 1
• 2000: 20th Anniversary Celebration: Vol. 2
• 2000: Are You Ready?
• 2001: Pressed Down, Shaken Together, Running Over
• 2002: Camp Meetin'
• 2003: Walk the Talk
• 2003: A Gold City Christmas
• 2004: First Class
• 2005: Heaven
• 2006: Revival
• 2008: Moment Of Truth
• 2010: A Collection of Favorites Volume 1, Version 1
• 2011: A Collection of Favorites Volume 1, Version 2
• 2011: Somebody's Coming
• 2014: Hymn Revival
• 2016: Authentic
• 2017: "Treasures of Gold"
• 2018: "Hope for the Journey"
• 2021: "Once And For All - The Songs Of Doug Riley"
• 2024: "Right Now"

Compilations

• 1986: Gold City Gold
• 1990: Favorites Volume 4
• 1992: Masters of the Gospel
• 1992: Kings Gold
• 1993: Kings Gold 2
• 1994: Kings Gold 3
• 1996: Kings Gold 4
• 1998: The Collection
• 2000: Through the Years
• 2002: The Very Best of Gold City
• 2003: 24K Gold
• 2006: Gold City — Their Best
• 2009: 7 Hits

Appearances on the Gaither Homecoming videos

• 1998: Singin' With The Saints: "I'm Not Giving Up"
• 1999: Sweet, Sweet Spirit: "God's Building A Church"
• 2001: What A Time: "In Time, On Time, Every Time"

External links

• Official website
• Gold City Tribute & History Website
• Southern Gospel History: Gold City
• Official Gold City Quartet Fanpage on Facebook