Heritage Singers

Heritage Singers
Background information
Origin	Placerville, California, United States
Genres	Gospel music, worship music, contemporary Christian
Years active	1971–present
Labels	Chapel Heritage
Members	Dave Bell Rob Burkey Tim Calhoun Marcelo Constanzo Melody Davis Tim Davis Garth Gabrial Cindy Haffner Shani Judd-Diehl Adriane Mace Greg Mace Lucy Mace Val Mace-Mapa Chloe Mallory-Mapa Art Mapa Austin Mapa Nino Ocampo Scott Reed Becki Trueblood-Craig Joel Umali Miguel Verazas
Website	heritagesingers.com

Early Logo of Heritage Singers, 1971

The Heritage Singers are an American gospel group founded by the late Max Mace and his wife Lucy, with their two children Valerie Ann and Gregory James. Based near Placerville, California, ^[1] the group has traveled to over 65 countries, performed over 7,000 concerts, produced 200 episodes for television programs, and recorded over 200 albums. ^[2]

History

After four years of performing with the Rose City Singers, a patriotic/folk singing group sponsored by Portland-based United Medical Laboratories, the Maces decided to resign from their hospital duties and form a Christian group in 1971. ^[3] Founding member Jerry Leiske named the group Heritage Singers, based on Bible scripture equating saints with God's "heritage ... objects of His special care." ^[4]

Jerry and Rita Leiske left a short time thereafter and returned to their home in Alberta, Canada to form their own singing group along the same model, although their daughter Jackie would return to the Heritage Singers a couple of times before she and fellow Heritage member Chris Willis left for good in 1992; they eventually married in 2014.^{[ citation needed ]}

The first year, they released two albums (Hymns We Remember and Come Along with the Heritage Singers), and performed their first public concert on June 4, 1971. ^[5] Original accompanists included Bob Silverman on piano and Gerald Allen on bass guitar. After a few months, Jeff Wood would replace Allen and Pete McLeod would join on guitar. ^[6] Even later on, the Heritage Singers collaborated with Ronn Huff, who arranged many of their early albums with full orchestration. ^[7] One of Max's nephews, Terry Mace, ran the sound system for the group for one year in 1972 until Max's son Greg took over at the age of 13 in 1973; he has been the group's sound tech since.^{[ citation needed ]}

Heritage Singers bought a touring bus (a former Greyhound PD-4501 Scenicruiser they named "Old Blue") from a lot in San Francisco, which remained in their service for 10 years.^{[ citation needed ]}

As their popularity grew (along with the television series "Heritage Singers Presents"), they formed a second group in September 1973, dubbed Heritage II, ^[8] (subsequently named New Creation) ^[9] to perform mostly at cities located in the eastern half of the United States;, ^[10] and a third group in 1995, dubbed Heritage Español, which toured South America singing Spanish versions of the group's signature songs. ^[11] Almost 300 people have performed as members of The Heritage Singers; however, the Mace family has remained at its core. As for the religious affiliation of its members, Max Mace has stated that while a majority of them are Seventh-day Adventists, that's not in itself a requirement. "They have to be a born-again Christian and receptive to the Adventist message." ^[1]

Throughout the 1980s, the group televised a program called "Keep on Singing" and was aired on Trinity Broadcasting Network. The programs are currently available on YouTube under the name "Heritage Singers Classics". Around the same time this program was aired, Heritage Singers began performing for Loma Linda University Church and have done so ever since. Individual members have also been invited to sing at various services of theirs.^{[ citation needed ]}

Starting in 1985, the group collaborated with Art Mapa, a Philippine-born sound producer, arranger, guitarist, and composer. Mapa would later marry the Maces' daughter Val. Soon after, Turning Point Studio was built on the Maces' expansive property near Placerville, CA that serves as the home base for the Heritage Singers. Their albums have been recorded there since.

Reunions

Celebratory reunion concerts have been held in 1979 (Swing Auditorium), 1986 (Anaheim Convention Center), 2001 (Ontario Convention Center), and 2005 (Crystal Cathedral). ^[12] A final 45th anniversary reunion was held at the Citizens Business Bank Arena on July 30, 2016, with 126 singers on stage. ^{[13] [14]}

Death of founder, Max Mace

Following a battle with cancer, Max Mace died at his home in Placerville, California on November 4, 2020, one day before his 83rd birthday. ^[15]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums with release dates and with record catalog numbers

Title	Details
Hymns We Remember	Released: 1971 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5188
Come Along with the Heritage Singers	Released: 1971 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5189
The King Is Coming	Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5193
Happy Side of Life	Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5205
Thanks to Calvary	Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5209
Sing-A-Long	Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5212
Talking About the Love of God	Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5219
I Just Came to Talk with You Lord	Released: 1973 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5222
Faith to the People	Released: 1973 Chapel Records Catalog No. CPS732 Souvenir album for sponsors of Faith For Today Includes nine songs from five previous LPs (Happy, Thanks, Sing, Talking, I) Includes one song from pianist Bob Silverman's solo LP, He's Everything to Me
Revelation Generation	Released: 1973 Chapel Records Catalog No. CPS738 Souvenir album (same content as "Faith to the People" but different cover art) Includes nine songs from five previous LPs (Happy, Thanks, Sing, Talking, I) Includes one song from pianist Bob Silverman's solo LP, He's Everything to Me
Step into the Sunshine	Released: 1973 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5228 Accompanied by The Sunshine Singers (kids)
We've Come this Far by Faith	Released: 1973 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5236
Let's Just Praise the Lord	Released: 1973 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5241
Jesus Is the Lighthouse	Released: 1974 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5254
God's Wonderful People	Released: 1975 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5270
Heritage 5-Year Souvenir Album	Released: 1975 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5272
Christmas with the Heritage Singers	Released: 1975 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5273 (also S1021)
What More Could He Do	Released: 1976 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5300
Thinking Back: 100 Year Old Gospel Favorites	Released: 1976 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5302
Something Special	Released: 1976 Heritage Records Catalog No. HS1027 With songs from albums by The Mace Brothers, Judy Morton-Meckstroth, Jim McDonald, Heritage Singers II
I Am Willing, Lord	Released: 1977 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5325 Companion songbook of choral arrangements published in 1983
Heaven Is for Kids (Vol. I)	Released: 1978 Heritage Records Catalog No. HS1035
Someone Is Praying for You	Released: 1979 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5372
Rise Again	Released: 1979 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5373
Heaven Is for Kids, Vol. II	Released: 1980 Chapel Records Catalog No. S7015
Best of 10 Years	Released: 1981 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5425
We're Just People	Released: 1981 Starglo Catalog No. S1044
A Touch of Country	Released: 1982 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2310
Just a Little More Time	Released: 1982 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5442
Spirit of Praise	Released: 1983 Chapel Records Catalog No. S2314 Companion songbook of choral arrangements published in 1984
From the Heart	Released: 1984 Chapel Records Catalog No. S2318
We Wish You a Merry Christmas	Released: 1985 Chapel Records Catalog No. S2324
15 Year Anniversary	Released: 1986 Heritage Records Catalog No. 240
Right Now	Released: 1986 Image VII Catalog No. VII7810
Gospel Train	Released: 1988 Heritage Records Catalog No. C7035 Accompanied by Heritage Kids
No Compromise	Released: 1988 Heritage Records Catalog No. CD2347
What Is This?	Released: 1989 Heritage Records Catalog No. CD1004
Commissioned	Released: 1990 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5541
Songs You Remember Vol. I	Released: 1991 Heritage Records Catalog No. CD1006
Songs You Remember Vol. II	Released: 1991 Heritage Records Catalog No. CD1007
Songs You Remember Vol. III	Released: 1991 Heritage Records Catalog No. CD1008
Songs You Remember Vol. IV	Released: 1991 Heritage Records Catalog No. CD1009
Father of All	Released: 1992
Peacespeaker	Released: 1994 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5662
A Cappella	Released: 1994
You Are My Song	Released: 1995 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5671
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 1	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9601 Digitally remastered versions of Hymns We Remember and Come Along with the Heritage Singers
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 2	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9602 Digitally remastered versions of The King Is Coming and I Just Came to Talk to You Lord
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 3	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9603 Digitally remastered versions of Happy Side of Life and Thanks to Calvary
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 4	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9604 Digitally remastered versions of Sing-A-Long and Talking About the Love of God
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 5	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9605 Digitally remastered versions of We've Come This Far by Faith and Let's Just Praise the Lord
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 6	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9606 Digitally remastered versions of Jesus Is the Lighthouse and God's Wonderful People
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 7	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9607 Digitally remastered versions of What More Could He Do and Thinking Back
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 8	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9608 Digitally remastered versions of Someone Is Praying for You and I Am Willing, Lord
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 9	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9609 Digitally remastered versions of We're Just People and Just a Little More Time
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 10	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9610 Digitally remastered versions of From the Heart and Right Now
Reflections of Christmas	Released: 1996 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDC5721
He Is Our Peace	Released: 1997 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5727
Heritage Country	Released: 1998 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5772
You Are Holy	Released: 1999 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5810
He Still Speaks	Released: 2000 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5811
Someone Cares	Released: 2001 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2001
Because of Love	Released: 2002 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2002
Hymns of Gold	Released: 2002 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDG2002
Saved by Grace	Released: 2004 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2004
Renew Me	Released: 2005 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2005
Timeless Heirlooms	Released: 2006 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDC2006
A New Day	Released: 2006 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2006
A Quiet Place	Released: 2007 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDI2007 Instrumental version of A New Day except for some background vocals
No Greater Love	Released: 2007 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2007
Timeless Heirlooms II	Released: 2008 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDC2008
Forgiven	Released: 2008 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2008 Band name of Heritage Country
Be Free	Released: 2009 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2009
The People's Choice: 40th Anniversary Collection	Released: 2010 Triple CD Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2010
Restored	Released: 2012 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2012
Max & Lucy's Favorite Hymns Through the Years	Released: 2015 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDML2015 Includes one song from Max Mace's solo LP, Country Memories
The People's Choice: Volume 2	Released: 2015 Triple CD Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDPC2015
Faithful	Released: 2019 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2020
Home for Christmas	Released: 2020 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2021
A Heritage Singers Tribute to Max Mace	Released: 2022 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2022
Testify	Released: 2024 Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2024

Live albums

List of albums with release dates and with record catalog numbers

Title	Details
More Than Singing	Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5197 Includes one song each from Come Along With the Heritage Singers and Hymns We Remember Includes seven songs from I Just Came to Talk With You Lord
Reunion	Released: 1979 Heritage Records Catalog No. S1042 Double album Includes songs from Rise Again and Someone Is Praying for You
God Bless America Again	Released: 1981 Heritage Records Catalog No. S1045 Recorded at inauguration party for Ronald Reagan on January 20, 1981 Limited edition of 5,000 signed, numbered copies in red vinyl with personalized certificate Includes 32-page booklet by Religious "Presidential" Inaugural Celebration...with Love (RPICWL)
Heritage Reunion Live: Celebrating 45 Years!	Released: 2016 Heritage Records Catalog No. CDHR2016 Triple CD

Videos

List of videos with release dates

Title	Details
Sydney Live Concert	Released: 1986
From Tahiti with Love	Released: 1987
Commissioned	Released: 1990
Tournee Brazil	Released: 1995
30th Anniversary Live Concert	Released: 2001 Heritage Singers Catalog No. DVD2001
Because of Love: The Session	Released: 2003
Simply Heritage: A Musical Journey	Released: 2004
Through the Years Vol. 1	Released: 2005 Heritage Singers Catalog No. DVD2005
An Evening at the Crystal Cathedral	Released: 2006 Heritage Singers Catalog No. DVDCC2006
Through the Years Vol. 2	Released: 2008 Heritage Singers Catalog No. DVD2008
Heritage Live, In Concert From Prague	Released: 2010 Heritage Singers Catalog No. DVDCZ2010
Heritage Reunion Live: Celebrating 45 Years!	Released: 2016 Heritage Singers Catalog Nos. DVDHR2016 (DVD) and BLUHR2016 (Blu-ray)

Recent members

Singers

Typically 7 to 10 singers perform at each concert, and the line-up varies depending on the location and availability. Currently serving members consist of:

• Dave Bell ^[16] (since 1982)
• Rob Burkey ^[17] (since 1989)
• Tim Calhoun ^[16] (since 1999)
• Marcelo Constanzo ^[18] (since 2000 in the main group; member of Heritage Español from 1995 to 2016)
• Melody Davis ^[19] (since early 1994)
• Tim Davis ^[20] (1989, since 1992; non-touring member since 2016)
• Garth Gabriel ^[21] (since 1982 in the main group; member of Heritage Singers II from 1973 to 1978)
• Cindy Haffner ^[16] (since late 1978)
• Frank John Sallis (since 1978 in the main group; member of Heritage Singers II from 1973 to 1978)
• Andrea Judd (since late 1997; non-touring member) º
• Marc Judd (since late 1997; non-touring member) º
• Shani Judd-Diehl ^[16] (since 1995) º
• Adriane Mace (since 1995; non-touring member since 2016)
• Val Mace-Mapa ^[16] (founding member)
• Chloe Mallory-Mapa ^[22] (since 2018)
• Scott Reed ^[23] (since late 1994) º
• Becki Trueblood-Craig ^[24] (since 1983)
• Miguel Verazas ^[16] (since 2012)

º denotes members of Faith First, a contemporary Christian singing group commonly associated with the Heritage Singers and the Voice of Prophecy.

Band

The recording musicians vary on each CD, and the live band does not perform at all of the concerts. Currently, the live band consists of:

• Art Mapa – guitars ^[25] (since 1985)
• Austin Mapa – drums/percussion ^[25] (since 2013)
• Nino Ocampo – bass ^[25] (since 2004)
• Joel Umali – keyboards ^[25] (since 1989)

Technical

• Tim Davis – vocal arranger and producer
• Greg Mace – sound engineer (founding member; singer from 1971 to 1985)
• Lucy Mace - tour manager (founding member; singer from 1971 to 1981)
• Art Mapa – music arranger, producer, programmer

References

1. Heibutzki, Ralph (September 5, 2013). "Singers spread a 'joyful' message". The Herald-Palladium . Retrieved October 27, 2018.
2. September 2010 Heritage Singers Newsletter
3. Mace, Max and Lucy Mace with Joanne Velting Mullin (2010). Beyond Our Dreams: The Heritage Singers Story. Walla Walla, WA: Color Press, Inc. ISBN   978-0-615-37223-5. Pp. 4-5.
4. "HS article by Linda O'Dell in Live It Loud Magazine, Nov/Dec 2015, p. 24". Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
5. The Heritage Singers Songbook - Favorites by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Alexandria, Indiana: Alexandria House. 1977. p. 6.
6. The Heritage Singers Songbook - Favorites by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Alexandria, Indiana: Alexandria House. 1977. p. 20.
7. The Heritage Singers Songbook - Favorites by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Alexandria, Indiana: Alexandria House. 1977. p. 24.
8. The Heritage Singers Songbook - Favorites by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Alexandria, Indiana: Alexandria House. 1977. p. 30.
9. The Heritage Singers Songbook - Favorites by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Alexandria, Indiana: Alexandria House. 1977. p. 48.
10. Mace et al., ibid., p. 23
11. Mace et al., ibid., p. 101
12. Mace et al., ibid., pp. 151, 155
13. Woods II, Wes (July 25, 2016). "ONTARIO: Heritage Singers stage a final reunion show". The Press-Enterprise.
14. Names of 126 singers are listed in the closing credits of the DVD published in November 2016 (catalog no. DVDHR2016).
15. "Max Mace, 82, Adventist Music Legend, Passes to His Rest | North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists". www.nadadventist.org. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
16. "Heritage Singers on Instagram". instagram.com. April 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.
17. "Timeline Photos - Heritage Singers - Facebook". facebook.com. August 12, 2017.
18. "Timeline Photos - Heritage Singers - Facebook". facebook.com. March 24, 2018.
19. "Heritage Singers on Instagram". instagram.com. November 24, 2018. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.
20. "Timeline Photos - Heritage Singers - Facebook". facebook.com. June 26, 2017.
21. "Timeline Photos - Heritage Singers - Facebook". facebook.com. September 23, 2017.
22. "Timeline Photos - Heritage Singers - Facebook". facebook.com. April 7, 2018.
23. "Timeline Photos - Heritage Singers - Facebook". facebook.com. October 14, 2017.
24. "Timeline Photos - Heritage Singers - Facebook". facebook.com. July 4, 2012.
25. "Heritage Singers on Instagram". instagram.com. September 29, 2018. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.

External links

• Official website
• Firsthand biography by Dan Shultz in 2009-2010
• Heritage Singers Classics programming schedule on LLBN
• Heritage Singers discography at AllMusic.com
• Heritage Singers discography at CrossRhythms.com
• Heritage Singers discography at Discogs.com