Career / Ministry
Founding and early years
Founded in 1974 in Bakersfield, California by Mark Underwood and Steve Johnson, who had been writing songs together since in 1973. Mark's older brother Bill Underwood would soon join and they began performing all around California. May 26, 1974, Mark Underwood was part of the Foothill High School 40 Voice Choir & Orchestra when they were booked to do a concert with the Jesus music band Amplified Version, Mark took the opportunity to talk with them, and they convinced Mark that for The Lighthouse Boys to continue successfully they needed to get a sound system to take with them on the road. That same year a sound system was purchased.
In March 1975, The Lighthouse Boys made their first TV appearance locally on the March of Dimes Telerama with Susan Raye, Billy Mize and many others, the Televised event took place between Los Angeles, CA and Bakersfield, CA.
In 1977 The Lighthouse Boys became a full quartet when Frank McNinch joined on bass vocals to fill out the sound. They also added Garry Miller on bass guitar and Kenny Knight on drums to fill out the rest of the band.
On April 29, 1978 The Lighthouse Boys performed on the talent show at the Gospelaires 17th Annual Homecoming at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California with The Blackwood Brothers and Voyagers Quartet. On June 30, 1978, The Lighthouse Boys entered Buck Owens' Recording Studio on North Chester in Bakersfield to record five of the songs that would go on their debut record. Jim Shaw who produced the album was later quoted as saying "They were fun sessions. I just remember they had a nice, gospel-flavored country sound and that we enjoyed working with The Lighthouse Boys" [5]
1979 The Lighthouse Boys were beginning to be promoted in the central valley and desert area quite a bit, however, change would happen again as Frank, Gary and Kenny left. Steve Johnson stepped away for a short time. Mark Underwood attended a Benny Hester Concert in Bakersfield, CA where he met two musicians who were cousins. Tim Cantu (Drummer) and Daythen Fernandez (Guitar). Steve Johnson returned and The Lighthouse Boys once again started to get very busy. Coy Edwards who built and founded a Bakersfield Radio Station that went on to become KHIS was the brother to Lois Gibbons a Gospel Music Promoter and Owner of a News Publication on the west coast called The Gospel Music Roundup, Coy took an interest in promoting The Lighthouse Boys in the central valley and Desert Area. The Coy Edwards Family and The Lighthouse Boys would do several concerts together, Coy's son Ken Edwards would often fill in on Bass Guitar. By the end of 1979, Ken Edwards and his brother Jon Edwards joined The Lighthouse Boys, Steve Johnson would soon step down for personal reasons.
The 80's
February 8, 1980 The Lighthouse Boys would take the stage with June Wade & The Country Congregation, The Edwards and Gary Felton for a benefit concert in Victorville, CA, it would be the first with the new six man line up before hitting a busier schedule. May 25, 1980 they made an appearance at the Western Desert Gospel Sing at the San Bernardino Fair Grounds in Victorville, CA, they recorded a live album that day, and performed on the same stage where then former Governor Ronald Regan was appearing as part of his campaign to become President of the United States. In June, they finally released their debut album. They stayed busy as they could purchasing a Bus and making appearances with several artists up and down the west, in September and October they made appearances at the Calico Ghost Town and in November at the Western States Quartet Convention in Upland, CA, The Lighthouse Boys won the "Californians Choice Awards for Best Band". The Lighthouse Boys had become one of the top artists in the west.
Towards the end of 1980, Ken and Jon Edwards left and Steve Johnson returned, by December Jerry Guyette, who Mark nick named "Germ" joined on Bass Guitar. By 1981 The Lighthouse Boys started going through a rotation in members, Tim McMahon joined as a vocalist. Then in 1982, Mark, Bill and Steve met Butch and Roxanne Hall, soon a Steel Guitarest by the name of LeeDon Essman came and made a proposal to start a mixed group, Mark, Steve and Bill with Butch and Roxan joined up with LeeDon and added Rick Stalnaker on Drums and called themselves New Covenant. New Covenant recorded three songs, two of which were released on a Sampler LP for what was known as The Western Gospel Association. However by September 1983, New Convenant was disbanding, Tim Cantu had returned to fill in on drums to finish out their commitments.
10
In 1984 The Lighthouse Boys regrouped with Mark Underwood, Steve Johnson (on bass vocals), Bill Underwood, Ken Edwards and Tim Cantu. They returned to the Kern County Fair with June Wade and The Country Congregation. The Lighthouse Boys also committed to a gospel benefit concert with the Raye Sisters and Susan Raye for the purpose of funding the Bakersfield Country Museum. They also made another local TV appearance in Bakersfield on the local broadcast of The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. Mark and Steve continued to write songs. The group continued to make appearances on local TV programs and various annual events, Mark spent some time with a group out of Taft, CA called "Sunrise." On Memorial Day 1987 The Lighthouse Boys made an appearance performing three sets over two stages at The High Desert Gospel Sing at the San Bernardino Fair Grounds in Victorville, CA. Shortly after, Steve Johnson stepped away. In July The Lighthouse Boys entered the studio again to cut a new single that was originally planned to be given to Jimmy Swaggart, instead it sparked a desire to re-emerge on the road, this time joined on drums by Bill's son Stephen Underwood. Questions were circulating if The Lighthouse Boys were going to hit the road again.
The 90's
In 1989, Mark Underwood, Bill Underwood, Ken Edwards and Stephen Underwood met at Ken Edward's house to make the discission that The Lighthouse Boys would be returning to the road. The Lighthouse Boys announced via the west coast publication that they were "On the Road Again." In 1989, Mark Underwood, Steve Johnson & Ken Edwards signed a one-year contract as writers with a publishing company. The Lighthouse Boys went into the studio to record 6 songs, but soon after the recording Ken Edwards took time away to help his father's radio station in Dry Prong, Louisiana. A young man by the name of Terry Mullin joined as lead singer. The Lighthouse Boys recorded backup vocals for soloist Debra Hoopiiaina on her album "Bought With A Price." In 1993 after Ken Edwards' return and a move down to bass vocals for Terry, The Lighthouse Boys released the previous six songs recorded from 1989 as a compilation album with five songs from their first album.
20
In 1994, The Lighthouse Boys went back into the studio where they felt at home: Fat Tracks - formerly Buck Owens Recording Studio. They joined the Western States Gospel Music Association and hit a Northwest US tour in the summer and released their third studio album, Golden Classics. On December 31, 1994 while The Lighthouse Boys celebrated their 20th anniversary, the original quartet Mark Underwood, Steve Johnson, Bill Underwood and Frank McNinch reunited for one concert in which they performed five songs from their first album.
In 1995 The Lighthouse Boys released the radio single "Midnight Cry" through the Rick Hendrix Company. Between 1995 and 1997 they toured the Northwest and Southern parts of the United States. In October 1997 they made an afternoon showcase appearance at Suwannee River Jubilee held in Live Oak, Florida. The fans were so enthused by the performance The Lighthouse Boys were asked to perform on the evening show. The quartet also began performing annually at The Great Western Quartet Convention (a "spin-off" event from the National Quartet Convention).
In 1998 Mark temporarily lost his voice, a young man by the name of Tim Williams had just stepped down as music minister at his home Church at Northland Assembly of God in Bakersfield, CA. Tim was originally joining to play keyboards, but because of Mark's vocal health, Mark continued playing keyboards and Tim took over singing Tenor.
2000's
In March 2000, The Lighthouse Boys released Golden Classics 2. In October after 20 years with The Lighthouse Boys, Ken Edwards left the group. Terry Mullin and Tim Williams left as well to reform Golden State Quartet. In 2001, original member Steve Johnson stepped back in, Stephen Underwood moved from the Drums to Lead Vocalist and The Lighthouse Boys set back out on the road. In 2002, they met up with producer Mark Yeary and recorded the single "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power." The song was recorded for a special compilation project called IAMM Volume 1. They also guest appeared on the album I'll Be There by Mark Yeary's sister, Cathy Hollowell.
30
In February 2004, the group celebrated their 30th anniversary. [5] In the summer of that year, their keyboardist Mike Smith was found by his bike after falling asleep while driving home from work. He had run off the road in the hills outside of Santa Maria.
In October, Bill Underwood left the road to pastor a church. Mark brought up his son Joe Underwood to sing baritone, they continued with Stephen Underwood as a trio until they briefly shut down in December 2005.
In 2006 Mark, Steve, Bill & Stephen came back together to perform limited concert dates, their first concert back was the 2006 Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival at The Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. They again performed there in 2007. In 2008, The Lighthouse Boys went live again for the first time in four years with the addition of Tommy Smith; a veteran Bass Guitarist who had played with the likes of Bobby Durham, Brian Lonbeck, Mark Yeary and The Buckaroos.
2010's
In December 2009 Stephen Underwood returned to the Drums, and Ken Edwards stepped back in to sing lead. April 29, 2010, The Lighthouse Boys returned to the Great Western Fan Fest and released Midnight Cry: The Lighthouse Boys Essential Collection, a 20-song compilation celebrating the years from 1994 to 2000. On October 30, 2010 for the first time in 10 years, The Lighthouse Boys reunited the most popular version of the group with members Mark Underwood, Bill Underwood, Ken Edwards, Terry Mullin and Stephen Underwood for their entire set during the final 5th Saturday Sing of the year. [6] Tim Williams also joined them on 2 songs.
In December 2012, Jimmy Woods (son of Bakersfield Country Music Legend, Bill Woods) joined The Lighthouse Boys on keyboards. The Lighthouse Boys returned to The Great Western Fan Fest in Visalia, CA with Tommy Smith singing Lead vocals.
40
In 2014, The Lighthouse Boys announced their 40th Anniversary. In May the Lighthouse Boys rejoined the Western States Gospel Music Association (WSGMA). In February 2015, The Lighthouse Boys released their single "From Heaven's Point of View" to digital music stores [7] [8] and to Radio through Patterson Music Promotions. [9]
January 25, 2016, The Lighthouse Boys original drummer Kenny Knight passed away suddenly at age 52 [10]
In April 2016, "The Lighthouse Boys Ultimate Collection" featuring songs from every studio recording including 2 new songs.
In May 2016, Stephen Underwood officially stepped down from live performance, Randy Ivie (formerly of Golden State Quartet) filled in in June and joined officially as new Lead Singer in September. In November 2018 just before Thanksgiving, it was announced on SGNScoops.com and The Lighthouse Boys OFficial Facebook Page that Original Founding Member Bill Underwood was taken to the Hospital, Bill had dealt with Heart issues since his quadruple bypass in December 2000. In February 2019 Bill received a Heart Transplant at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Las Angeles, CA, Bill would not return to The Lighthouse Boys except for a couple of songs during a handful of local Bakersfield performances, also in December 2018, Original and founding member Steve Johnson was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with Heart Failure, Steve only returned for a couple of performances but would not be able to return full time. Also in December 2018 The Lighthouse Boys announced on SGNscoops.com that Randy Ivie was leaving to restart his own trio again. The Lighthouse Boys and Stephen Underwood had already been in talks earlier in the year for Stephen's return. Mark and Stephen Underwood recruited Lee Hulbert to sing bass and Mike Tweedy to sing Baritone. The Lighthouse Boys would travel mainly California during this time.
2020's
In July 2021, Bill Underwood passed away at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, ten days after being diagnosed with Covid 19 (Delta).
In November 2021, Mark Underwood's son Joe Underwood returned to The Lighthouse Boys to sing baritone and brought his wife Kala Underwood, this would be the first time since 1980 that The Lighthouse Boys would be billed as having five vocals, also the first time since 1983 that The Lighthouse Boys had female vocal in the ilneup. In December 2021, it was announced that The Lighthouse Boys former Bass Player and Stephen Underwood's Best Friend had passed away from stage 4 Brain Cancer. The Lighthouse Boys parted ways with Mike Tweedy and continued on with an even more limited schedule. In May 2022 The Lighthouse Boys released their single "He'll Carry You" a song Mark Underwood wrote, a recording in the archive was found with Bill Underwood's vocal on it, The Lighthouse Boys enlisted the help of their friend Mike Cornell to help with the recording, Joseph Underwood replaced Bill's vocal with his own.
In September 2023, it was announced that Joe and Kala Underwood were stepping away, their own ministry and worship team was getting busier and it was requiring more of their time. The Lighthouse Boys brought back Mike Tweedy to sing baritone and began preparing for 2024, their 50th Anniversary Year.
50
January 2024, The Lighthouse Boys announced on their website and social media pages that they were officially kicking off their 50th Anniversary year and a Tour was in the works. In April 2024 The Lighthouse Boys announced their Summer/Fall National 50th Anniversary Tour, they also named Anchor Merchandising as the official company to market The Lighthouse Boys Apparel and other items. On May 4, 2024, at The Great Western Fan Festival at the Visalia Convention Center in Visalia, CA, The Lighthouse Boys were brought up on stage to be honored for their 50th Anniversary. Steve Johnson arrived in the evening and was seen in a wheelchair and was almost completely deaf, however with the help of Mark and Stephen, Steve walked up on stage for the event. Long time friends Larry Martin and Herb Henry presented the plaque.
