Gold City

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

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
Website	goldcityministries.com

Gold City 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. ^[1]

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 replaced 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 the group ownership being shared equally by Tim Riley, Ivan Parker, Garry Jones and Brian Free. During this transition, the group relocated to Gadsden, Alabama. Jeff Hullender joined the group in 1984 as 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. After the departure of Free 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 the 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. ^[2] On June 17, 2009, it was announced that Chris Cooper would fill 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. ^[3]

Later in December, it was announced that Chris Cooper had left Gold City. A replacement was found by the end of Christmas break. ^[4] Over the Christmas break, it was announced that former Legacy Five tenor Josh Cobb would join the group, and former Ernie Haase & Signature Sound pianist Roy Webb would join as the pianist. It was also announced that Tim Riley officially returned to Gold City. ^[5]

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 fill 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 on November 11, 2010. Bruce Taliaferro announced his resignation the next month on December 18, 2010. ^[6] Tim Riley stepped down as bass again in 2016 when the quartet found Chris West.

On January 28, 2020, Bruce Taliaferro announced his return to the group, after the resignation of lead singer Scott Brand. Taliaferro began singing with the group on February 21. ^[7] 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

On August 15, 2023, Josh Feemster replaced Taliaferro as the lead singer for Gold City after he departed the group earlier that month. ^[8] On April 27, 2025 former pianist Garry Jones died aged 62 after a brief battle with metastatic cancer.

Members (past and present)

Line-ups

January 1980 (Under the Name "Gold City Quartet")	May 1980	July 1980–1981
Bob Oliver – tenor Jerry Ritchie – lead Ken Trussell – baritone Dallas Gilliland – bass Larry Goodard – piano Cary Kirk – bass guitar Wayne Hussey – drums	Bob Oliver – tenor Jerry Ritchie – lead Ken Trussell – baritone Harold McVey – bass John Reinhardt Jr. – piano Larry Goodard – bass guitar Wayne Hussey – drums	Bob Oliver – tenor Jerry Ritchie – lead Ken Trussell – baritone Tim Riley – bass John Reinhardt Jr. – piano Larry Goodard – bass guitar David Holloway – guitars Wayne Hussey – drums
1981–1982	1982–1983	1983
Bob Oliver – tenor Jerry Ritchie – lead Ken Trussell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano Jeff Easter – bass guitar David Holloway, Jerry Lloyd – guitars John Noski – drums	Brian Free – tenor Jerry Ritchie – lead Ken Trussell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano Ken Burnett – bass guitar Jerry Lloyd – guitars Olan Witt – drums	Brian Free – tenor Bill Crittenton – lead Jerry Ritchie – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano Ken Bennett – bass guitar Jerry Lloyd – guitars John Noski – drums
1983	1983–1984	1984
Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Jerry Ritchie – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano Ken Bennett – bass guitar Jerry Lloyd – guitars John Noski – drums	Benny Blackburn – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Jerry Ritchie – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano Ken Bennett – bass guitar Jerry Lloyd – guitars John Noski – drums	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Jerry Ritchie – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano Ken Bennett – bass guitar Daryll LaCroy, Kelly Black – guitars Corbett Harper – drums
1984-1985	1985-1987 (Now simply known as "Gold City")	1987–1988
Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Jerry Ritchie – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano, producer Jeff Hullender – bass guitar Daryll LaCroy – guitars John Noski –drums	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Mike Leferve – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano, producer Jeff Hullender – bass guitar Daryll LaCroy, Jerry Lloyd – guitars John Noski – drums	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Mike LeFerve – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano, producer Jeff Hullender – bass guitar Daryll LaCroy – guitars
1989	1989–1992	1992–1994
Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Mike LeFerve – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano, producer Barry Scott – bass guitar Daryll LaCroy – guitars	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Mike LeFerve – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano, producer Mark Fain – bass guitar Daryll LaCroy – guitars Doug Riley – drums	Brian Free – tenor Ivan Parker – lead Steve Lacey – baritone Tim Riley – bass Garry Jones – piano, producer Mark Fain – bass guitar David Creech – guitars Doug Riley – drums
1994	1994–1995	1995–1996
Jay Parrack – tenor Steve Lacey – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass David Brooks – piano Mark Fain – bass guitar Doug Riley – drums	Jay Parrack – tenor David Hill – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass David Brooks – piano Mark Fain – bass guitar Doug Riley – drums	Jay Parrack – tenor David Hill – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Shane Jenkins – piano Adam Borden – bass guitar Doug Riley – drums
1996–1997	1997	1997–1999
Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Randy Matthews – piano Adam Borden – bass guitar Doug Riley – drums	Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Byron Stewart – piano Adam Borden – bass guitar Doug Riley – drums	Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Tim Parton – piano Adam Borden – bass guitar Doug Riley – drums
2000–2002	2002-2004	2004–2005
Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Mark Trammell – baritone Tim Riley – bass Channing Eleton – piano Adam Borden – bass guitar Doug Riley – drums	Jay Parrack – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Channing Eleton – piano Adam Borden – bass guitar Doug Riley – drums	Steve Ladd – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Bill Laurence – bass Channing Eleton – piano Adam Borden – bass guitar Doug Riley – drums
2005–2006	2006	2006–2008
Steve Ladd – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Bill Laurence – bass Josh Simpson – piano	Steve Ladd – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Josh Simpson – piano	Steve Ladd – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Aaron McCune – bass Josh Simpson – piano
2008–2009	2009	2009–2010
Steve Ladd – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Aaron McCune – bass Josh Simpson – piano Taylor Barnes – bass guitar Daniel Addison – guitars Kevin Albertson – drums	Chris Cooper – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Aaron McCune – bass Curtis Broadway – piano	Josh Cobb – tenor Jonathan Wilburn – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Roy Webb – piano
2010-2011	2011	2011-2013
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	Dan Keeton – tenor Craig West – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryan Elliott – piano
2013–2014	2014-2015	2015–2016
Robert Fulton – tenor Chip Pullen – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Tim Riley – bass Bryan Elliott – piano	Robert Fulton – tenor Chip Pullen – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Bryan Elliott – piano	Thomas Nalley – tenor Chip Pullen – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Bryan Elliott – piano
2016–2018	2018-2020	2020
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 G.W. Southard – piano	Thomas Nalley – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass G.W. Southard – piano
2021-2022	2022	2022-2023
Thomas Nalley – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Terry Wooten – piano Russell Wise – bass guitar Chris Williams – drums	Thomas Nalley – tenor Cole Watson – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Terry Wooten – piano Russell Wise – bass guitar Chris Williams – drums	Chris Jenkins – tenor Bruce Taliaferro – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Chris West – bass Terry Wooten – piano Russell Wise – bass guitar Chris Williams – drums
2023–present
Chris Jenkins – tenor Josh Feemster – lead Daniel Riley – baritone Jeff Chapman – bass Terry Wooten – piano Taylor Barnes – bass guitar Joel Stapleton – drums

Sound engineer

• Daniel Riley (2000–2002)
• Doug Riley (2005-2006, his death)

Group owner

• Floyd Beck (1980–1984, his death)
• Tim Riley (1984–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
• 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"

References

1. "Southern Gospel History - Gold City". www.sghistory.com.
2. Staff. "Steve Ladd Resigns From Gold City - SingingNews.com". Singing News. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
3. Riley, Danny. "Gold City Seeking New Bass Singer - SingingNews.com". Singing News. Archived from the original on December 25, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
4. Staff. "Gold City Announces Change - SingingNews.com". Singing News. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
5. Staff. "Gold City Announces Exciting Changes!!! - SingingNews.com". Singing News. Archived from the original on December 27, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
6. Staff. "Gold City Announces New Tenor - SingingNews.com". Singing News. Archived from the original on November 2, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
7. Staff (January 28, 2020). "Gold City Welcomes Back Lead Vocalist". Singing News Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
8. "Facebook". www.facebook.com.

External links

• Official website
• Gold City tribute & history website
• Southern Gospel History: Gold City
• Official Gold City Quartet fanpage on Facebook