Rick L Evans
Rick Evans with The Imperials | |
|---|---|
 (l to r) Evans, Smith, Will, and Morales | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Pasadena, California, United States |
| Genres | Christian, contemporary Christian, gospel, southern gospel |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | Manna Music, Word Records, Hall Of Fame Music Group, Maranatha Music |
| Members | Rick Evans Paul Smith Dave Will Armond Morales |
| Website | www |
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 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (January 2012) |
Group History
Rick Evans (born February 16th, 1959, in Pasadena, California) performs as lead singer with fellow members of the chart-topping American 4 time GRAMMY Award winning Christian singing group The Imperials and as a soloist.
Raised in southern California, Rick began writing his own songs at age 14 and was the leader of his own group at South Hills High School.
In 1976 Rick Evans became a member of The Crownsmen, a semi national/local Southern California music group. This quickly became the best version of The Crownsmen, backed by band members (all music majors in college at the time) Terry Cross (drums), Keith Hughes (keyboards) and Gary Kaufman (lead guitar). I’m Gonna Rise was released in 1977. In 1979 The Crownsmen recorded You Gave the Song with title song composed by Keith Hughes. This was probably one of the most versatile albums The Crownsmen ever recorded, with instrumental enhancements by new pianist Tracy Heaston. (Keith met Tracy by chance at university and the two traded situations between full-time student and Crownsmen keyboardist.) You Gave the Song featured everything from Southern Gospel, to Country Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music. Group members' college graduations, marriages, and family responsibilities evoked the inevitable, to everything there is a season.
By 1980 The Crownsmen had seen their better years and Rick became a member of the Legendary Californians Quartet. Although the group never formally broke up, they have not toured since the early 1990s and remain friends to this day.
In 1992 Rick became associated with Dennis Agajanian and through the years 1992–2005 was a featured guest on many national and international platforms including Billy Graham, Promise Keepers, Pastor Chuck Smith, The Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie, and 10 years as a featured member of The Franklin Graham Crusade team.
In 2004 Rick made a trip to Hawaii to speak with retired owner of The Imperials, Mr. Armond Morales. Their conversation culminated in a reunion of the group. Mr. Morales left Hawaii and joined Rick, Dave Will (former member and Grammy award winning singer) and Jim Murray (former member, and owner, and GRAMMY award winning singer) to reform gospel music’s famous foursome, The Imperials (now called The Classic Imperials. The Imperials (now The "Classic" Imperials) are an American Christian music group that has been around for over 50 years. Originating as a southern gospel quartet, the innovative group would become pioneers of contemporary Christian music in the 1960s. There have been many changes for the band in membership and musical styles over the years. They would go on to win four GRAMMY's, and be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
This celebrated reunion of The Imperials produced a new recording project in 2010 (Still Standing -- Their first in almost 20 years with former GRAMMY Award winning Lead singer and writer Paul Smith, who rejoined the group in 2009) and they continue to tour with Rick Evans, one original member (Armond Morales) and two former members, David Will and Paul Smith, all three who were part of the GRAMMY award winning team.
In addition to Rick’s earned degree in human development, he is also the President of his own company Impact Inc. The company started in 2000, and is a church consulting and counseling organization, whose mission it is to reach his generation with a life-changing message of hope.
In 2005 Evans became the President of Living In Faith. He works with His wife Debra Evans to reach women around the world with a message of reconciliation and restoration through their Faith.
In 2011 Rick Evans accepted the position of Executive Pastor for Pathways Community Church and continues to accelerate in his career, through personal appearances, radio and television, his work as a speaker/teacher, and cultural communicator worldwide.
Evans continues in his solo career and still performs as acting G.M. with The Imperials AKA The "Classic" Imperials.
Evans is an alumnus of Hope University and carries his degree in Human Development.
References