Gold City

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

The Gold City Quartet
Gold City in 2010
Background information
Origin	Dahlonega, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Southern gospel
Years active	1980–present
Members	Thomas Nalley Bruce Taliaferro Daniel Riley Chris West GW Southard
Website	goldcityqt.com

Gold City is an American southern gospel quartet, based in Gadsden, Alabama.

History

Early years

The Mississippi-based Christianairs were renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at midnight on New Year’s Eve, 1980, with bass Dallas Gilliland, tenor Bob Oliver, lead singer Jerry Ritchie, and baritone Ken Trussell. The group's owner was initially Floyd Beck, who sold the quartet to Tim Riley, Ivan Parker, Brian Free, and Garry Jones. 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. 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.

The 1990s

Steve Lacey took over for LeFevre in 1992, and after the departure of Free, Jones, and Parker in 1993, Lacey (baritone) took over lead duties while Mark Trammell became baritone and Jay Parrack was named the new tenor. Lacey left to join The Kingdom Heirs. 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. Over the years, the group developed a style that relied on heavy brass arrangements for their more driving songs.

Recent history

The last few years have brought a period of change and transition to the 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 on the morning of January 31, 2006 to continue work on a recording.

In March 2006, bass singer Bill Lawrence (who had been handpicked by former bass Tim Riley) 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 Mr. 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.

Later in 2010, however, 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.

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.

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	1984–1985
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
1985–1986	1986–1987 (Now simply known as "Gold City")	1987–1988
Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Jerry Ritchie – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry "Taco" Jones – piano	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Mike LeFevre – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Mike LeFevre – baritone Tim Riley – bass
1988–1990	1990–1991	1991–1993
Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Mike LeFevre – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Mike LeFevre – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Steve Lacey – baritone Tim Riley – bass
1994	1994–1995	1995
Jay Parrack – tenor Steve Lacey – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Jay Parrack – tenor David Hill – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass	Jay Parrack – tenor David Hill – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass David Brooks – piano
1995–1996	1996–1997	1997
Jay Parrack – tenor David Hill – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Shane Jenkins – piano	Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Randy Matthews – piano	Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryon Stewert – piano
1997–1999	1999–2002	2002–2004
Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Tim Parton – piano	Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Channing Eleton – piano	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 Josh Simpson – piano
2006–2008	2008–2009	2009
Steve Ladd – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Aaron McCune – bass Josh Simpson – piano	Steve Ladd – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Aaron McCune – bass Josh Simpson – piano	Steve Ladd – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Aaron McCune – bass
2009–2010	2010	2010–2011
Chris Cooper – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Aaron McCune – bass Curtis Broadway – piano	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
2011	2011–2013	2013
Brent Mitchell – tenor Craig West – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryan Elliott – piano	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
2013–2015	2015-2016	2016–2018
Robert Fulton – tenor Jerry Pelfrey – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryan Elliott – piano	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
2018–2020	2020	2020–present
Thomas Nalley – tenor Scott Brand – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Bryan Elliott – piano	Thomas Nalley – tenor Scott Brand – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass GW Southard – piano	Thomas Nalley – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass GW Southard – piano

Musicians

• Larry Goddard, pianist (1980); bassist (1980–82)
• David Holloway, steel guitarist (1980–82)
• Wayne Hussey, drummer (1980–82)
• Cary Kirk, bassist (1980)
• John Reinhardt JR, pianist (1980–81)
• Garry Jones (1981–82, 1983–94)
• Jeff Easter, bassist (1981–82)
• Jerry Lloyd, steel guitarist (1982–1984,1985–86)
• John Noski, drummer (1982,1983–87)
• Ken Bennett, bassist (1982–84)
• Rodney LaShaum, pianist (1982–83)
• Olan Witt, drummer (1982–83)
• Daryll LeCroy, steel guitarist (1984)
• Kelly Back, guitarist (1984)
• Corbett Harper, drummer (1984)
• Jeff Hullender, bassist (1984–88)
• Daryll LeCroy, steel/lead guitarist (1986–1993)
• Doug Riley, drummer (1989–2005); sound engineer (2005–06)
• Barry Scott, bassist (1989)
• Mark Fain, bassist (1989–95)
• David Brooks, pianist (1994–95)
• Adam Borden, bassist (1995–2005)
• Shane Jenkins, pianist (1995–96)
• Randy Matthews, pianist (1996–97)
• Byron Stewert, pianist (1997)
• Tim Parton, pianist (1997–99)
• Channing Eleton, pianist (2000–06)
• Josh Simpson, pianist (2005–09)
• Curtis Broadway, pianist (2009)
• Roy Webb, pianist (2009–10)
• Bryan Elliot, pianist (2010–18)
• GW Southard, pianist (2018–present)

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"

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

External links

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