Acappella Vocal Band
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Acapella Vocal Band, (All Vocal Band or AVB), was a vocal group put together by Keith Lancaster in 1986 to augment Acappella, which at the time had only two members and used overdubs for recording, but still needed a full vocal ensemble for live concerts.[1] AVB's popularity and ministry quickly grew, prompting Lancaster to launch AVB as a full time touring group in 1988. AVB went through various changes in style and lineups until they disbanded in 2000.
In addition to their early duties as Acappella's opening act and backup group, AVB concertized and recorded as an independent ensemble. Many of their recordings, which included Give Me Light (1987) and Steppin' On A Cloud (1988), were later re-released on the The Early Years CD. In June 1988, with Acappella's expansion to a quartet, AVB branched off to tour on their own under the Acappella Ministries umbrella. Both groups underwent a shift in musical style during this period. Whereas previously they had covered traditional hymns, praise songs and contemporary Christian pop music., both Acappella and AVB recorded and performed primarily original music, much of which was composed by Lancaster, Acappella forged ahead with an adult-contemporary sound while AVB targeted the youth market.
With Song In My Soul (1989), AVB made a major shift toward contemporary pop, rock and R&B sounds, though still entirely produced [[a cappella|a cappella], or without instruments. On What's Your Tag Say? The shift toward slick hip-hop and R&B was even greater, with a strong lyrical focus on the youth market and extensive choreography incorporated into their live concerts[1]. By the time Celebrate And Party became popular, the transformation to an almost perfect a cappella mimicry of the New Jack Swing style had been achieved, with a sound similar to Take 6, Boyz II Men, and Tony! Toni! Toné!. The song U & Me & God Make 5 followed in 1993, producing a hit on the CCM charts with a cover of Mr. Mister's "Kyrie". The AVB lineup of John K. Green, Brishan Hatcher, Wes McKinzie, Max Plaster and Steve Reischl also recorded AVB's Spanish project, Caminando en la Luz (1994), and "greatest hits" compilation, The Road (1995).
After a brief hiatus, AVB returned with a different lineup for Way of Life and yet another lineup and sound for Real. Although the group is now defunct, more than 20 former members reunited in Nashville for a concert in July 2009.
Previous Members
- Todd Austin - Nashville, TN.
- Chad Bahr - Graphic designer in Plato, MN. View his portfolio.
- Shannon Beasley - Teaches English at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR. Songwriter for Sunshine On My Shoulders Music. Official Website. - Sunshine On My Shoulders Music.
- Luke Brown - Singer/songwriter in Nashville, TN. Official Website.
- Tony Brown - Worship minister @ Grace Harbor Church in Rogers, AR. Official Website.
- Dale Cal - Works for government in Nashville, TN.
- Dale Carpenter - Worship minister @ Highland Park Christian Church in Tulsa, OK.
- Terry Cheatham - Counselor; Also serves as worship minister @ Western Hills Church of Christ in Nashville, TN.
- Todd Dunaway - Nashville, TN. Also sang bass for Watershed Worship.
- Danny Elliott - Police officer in Tulsa, OK.
- Dave Fletcher - Works for Microsoft in Seattle, WA.
- George Gee - Florence, AL.
- John K. Green - Singer/songwriter/producer in Los Angeles, CA.
- Josh Harrison - Director of production for Premier Companies in Franklin, TN.
- Brishan Hatcher - Worship minister @ Highland Church of Christ in Memphis, TN Official Website.
- Aaron Herman - Worship minister @ Church of the King in Mandeville, LA.
- Chris Lindsey - Worship minister @ Rochester Church of Christ in Rochester Hills, MI. Also sang with Watershed Worship.
- Wes McKinzie - Associate director of marketing services @ Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City, OK.
- Andrew McNeal
- Max Plaster - St. Louis, MO.
- Brian Randolph - Nashville, TN.
- Steve Reischl
- Kevin Schaffer - Worship minister @ Central Church of Christ in Amarillo, TX.
- Jay Smith - Teacher, songwriter and salesman in Atlanta, GA [1]
- Tim Storms - Featured performer @ Pierce Arrow Theater in Branson, MO.
- Jeremy Swindle - Student minister @ Cross Point Church of Christ in Florence, AL.
- Bret Testerman - Worship minister @ Metro Church in Winter Springs, FL.
Group Formations
| Todd Dunaway | Tony Brown | Chad Bahr | Chris Lindsey | Jeremy Swindle | Real (1999) |
| Josh Harrison | Luke Brown | Brishan Hatcher | Aaron Herman | Andrew McNeal | Way of Life (1996) |
| Tim Storms | Kevin Schaffer | Brishan Hatcher | Aaron Herman | ||
| Wes McKinzie | Max Plaster | Brishan Hatcher | John K. Green | Steve Reischl | U & Me & God Make 5 (1993), The Land Of Five video (1994), Caminando En La Luz (1994), The Road (1995) |
| Wes McKinzie | Max Plaster | Brishan Hatcher | John K. Green | Brian Randolph | Celebrate & Party (1992), AVB Video Party (1992) |
| Wes McKinzie | Max Plaster | Jay Smith | George Gee | A Savior Is Born re-release (1990) - with Acappella, What's Your Tag Say (1990) | |
| Wes McKinzie | Max Plaster | Jay Smith | Bret Testerman | A Savior Is Born (1989) - with Acappella | |
| Wes McKinzie | Danny Elliott | Jay Smith | Bret Testerman | Terry Cheatham | Song In My Soul (1989), Song In My Soul video (1989) |
| Todd Austin | Shannon Beasley | Jay Smith | Bret Testerman | Terry Cheatham | Steppin' On A Cloud (1988) |
| Dale Cal | Dale Carpenter | Jay Smith | Bret Testerman | Terry Cheatham | |
| Dale Cal | Dale Carpenter | Jay Smith | David Fletcher | Terry Cheatham | Give Me Light (1987) |
Discography
The labels are taken from the original releases; many of the albums have been re-released with new distributors.
- Give Me Light (1987, Clifty Records)
- Steppin' On A Cloud (1988, Clifty Records)
- Song In My Soul (1989, Clifty Records)
- A Savior Is Born! (1989, Clifty Records, with Acappella)
- What's Your Tag Say? (1991, Word)
- Celebrate And Party (1992, Word)
- U And Me And God Make 5 (1993, Word)
- Caminando en la Luz (1994, Word)
- The Road (1995, The Acappella Company)
- Way Of Life (1996, The Acappella Company)
- Real (1999, The Acappella Company)
- The Early Years (2002, The Acappella Company)
AVB also appeared on numerous other recording projects for the Acappella Company (Acappella Series, Acappella Praise and Worship, Acappella Scripture Songs, Keith Lancaster solo projects) and made three video projects, Song In My Soul (1989), Video Party (1993) and The Land of Five (1994).