White Heart, also listed as Whiteheart, was an American contemporary Christian music and pop-rock band which formed in 1982. White Heart's discography includes thirteen albums, the most recent of which was released in 1997. Original members Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl worked with a continually changing cast of bandmates. In 1985, former roadie Rick Florian became the lead singer.
Michael W. Smith 2 is the second album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith. Released in February 1984, "I Am Sure" and "Hosanna" were released to Christian radio. Among the musicians who contributed to the recording, Dann Huff and Mike Brignardello went on to form the band Giant. Huff was also a founding member of the CCM band White Heart. The album would win him his first Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Male in 1985.
I Prefer the Moonlight is the twentieth studio album by American country music singer Kenny Rogers, released in 1987. The album was Rogers' final studio album for RCA Records. It peaked at number 18 on the US country charts and number 163 in the Billboard 200. It contained three top five singles: the title track, the Grammy-winning duet with Ronnie Milsap, "Make No Mistake, She's Mine" and "The Factory".
Be Yourself is the ninth solo album by American singer-songwriter Patti LaBelle. It was released by MCA Records on June 26, 1989 in the United States. Her second album with the company following her 1986 platinum album Winner in You, it features the single, "If You Asked Me To" which was also featured on the soundtrack to the James Bond movie, Licence to Kill (1989), and the R&B top ten Prince-written hit "Yo Mister." The album marked LaBelle's foray into new jack swing music with the tracks "I Got It Like That", produced by Full Force, and "Love 89", another Prince contribution.
Mark "Gersh" Gersmehl is a contemporary Christian musician who is best known as one of the founding members of the Christian rock group White Heart. He and guitarist Billy Smiley were the only two original members of the band to stay with White Heart from its conception in 1982 through its disbandment in 1998. Gersmehl played keyboards in the band, as well as occasionally singing lead vocals. He also contributed his songwriting skills, penning 15 of White Heart's 16 No. 1 hits. When the group disbanded in 1998, he began a solo career, releasing his first solo album in 2002.
Vital Signs is the second album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's first with vocalist Scott Douglas, who replaced Steve Green, released in 1984 on Home Sweet Home Records. By this time, Green had already started his solo recording career with the release of his self-titled debut album released the same year as White Heart's Vital Signs. The album features their first Christian radio number-one hit "We Are His Hands" featuring Green singing background vocals and part of the choir at the end of the song. Vital Signs peaked at number nine on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Hotline is the third album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's first with Gordon Kennedy on guitars and the last with both lead vocalist Scott Douglas and on the Home Sweet Home label. The first radio single "Jerusalem" features lead vocals from both Douglas and lead guitarist Kennedy and became a top five hit on Christian radio and was co-written with the Christian rock duo DeGarmo and Key. Hotline peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Emergency Broadcast is the fifth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's first with bass guitarist Tommy Sims and is the second album on the Sparrow Records label released in late 1987. The album track "No Taboo" features the vocals of Rick Florian, Mark Gersmehl, Gordon Kennedy and Sims. The album was produced by White Heart, with the executive producer being Randy Moore. Emergency Broadcast peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Freedom is the sixth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the last of the band's albums with Sparrow Records. Produced by Brown Bannister, it was also the last album for Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy and Chris McHugh, although McHugh returned as a session musician for Tales of Wonder (1992). With Bannister at the production helm and he is best known for producing Amy Grant's albums, he allowed the group to stretch musically and lyrically. It is considered one of White Heart's best albums in Christian rock with both Christian rock and Christian radio (AC/CHR) giving airplay on songs like "Over Me," "Invitation," "The River Will Flow," "Let the Kingdom Come" and "Eighth Wonder." Freedom peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Powerhouse is the seventh album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the first with Brian Wooten on guitars, Anthony Sallee on bass guitar and the first album on the Star Song label, and the band's only album with Mark Nemer on drums. It was released in late 1990. White Heart continues their arena rock sound from their previous album Freedom with the title song and "Independence Day" becoming hits on Christian Rock radio while their ballads like "Desert Rose" and "Lay It Down" were hits on Christian radio (AC/CHR) stations. Powerhouse peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
Tales of Wonder is the eighth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's first with Jon Knox as drummer. Chris McHugh played all drum tracks although Knox was the official drummer for the tour. It is their second album on Star Song Records released in 1992. The album is produced by White Heart founders Mark Gersmehl and Billy Smiley with Brown Bannister as a production consultant and who previously worked with them on their 1989 album Freedom. Every track on Tales of Wonder charted on both Christian Rock and Radio (AC/CHR) charts, except "Morningstar" and "Gabriella." A full-length track of "Morningstar" is heard on their 1994 compilation Nothing But the Best: Radio Classics. The album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. White Heart earned their second Grammy nomination, their first since 1984, for Best Rock Gospel Album for Tales of Wonder at the 35th Grammy Awards.
Highlands is the ninth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's last album with Star Song Records. The album was released and just coming off the singles that were from their Grammy nominated album Tales of Wonder (1992) as well as touring. Highlands was produced by White Heart founders Mark Gersmehl and Billy Smiley with Darrell A. Harris as executive producer. The first radio single "Once and for All" topped the Christian CHR/Pop chart and features members of the 1990's female Christian rock group Rachel Rachel near towards the end of the song. A music video was made for the album's third radio single "Heaven of My Heart". The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
Inside is the tenth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's only album with John Thorn on bass guitar and also the final album for both lead guitarist Brian Wooten and drummer Jon Knox. The band stylized its name as Whiteheart for this album. It is the first of two albums released on Curb Records. The album was produced by Ken Scott, whose producing and engineering credits include the Beatles, Elton John, Supertramp and David Bowie. Whiteheart's sound was scaled back from the arena rock from their previous releases to a more modern rock sound. Music videos were made for "Even the Hardest Heart" and "Inside".
Redemption is the eleventh and, to date, final studio album by the Christian rock band White Heart. It is their second and final album on Curb Records. Following the departures of lead guitarist Brian Wooten, bass guitarist John Thorn and drummer/percussionist Jon Knox and following up their 1995 album Inside, the group is now reduced to the trio of lead singer Rick Florian and White Heart founders Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl and has once again stylized as Whiteheart for this album. The trio has brought in studio musician friends to fill in the rhythm section and have made what critics are calling a redefining album. Redemption is produced by Smiley and Gersmehl with production assistance by Richie Biggs. The album debuted and peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
Heart and Soul is the second full-length studio album by singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. This album received a Grammy nomination in 1984, and contains songs written by Michael W. Smith. It featured music popular with CCM, as well as synthpop friendly songs, "I Belong to You", "Holy Holy", and "Hearts of Fire". The album features the songwriting skills of Brown and Debbie Bannister, Amy Grant, Gary Chapman, Michael W. Smith, as well as others. The music is a blend of contemporary pop, synthpop, and gospel music. Heart and Soul climbed to the top 10 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
Reckless is the thirteenth studio album by American country music singer Martina McBride. The album was released on April 29, 2016, by Nash Icon Records.
Songs from the Heart is the seventh studio album by Christian gospel singer Sandi Patti, released in 1984 on Impact Records. The album was nominated for Best Gospel Performance, Female at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards and won Inspirational Album at the 16th GMA Dove Awards in 1985. The track "Via Dolorosa" won Song of the Year at the Dove Awards the following year, going to its writers Billy Sprague and Niles Borop. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. The album has been certified Gold by the RIAA in 1987. In 1990, Songs from the Heart was re-issued on Word Records.
Le Voyage is the fourteenth studio album by Christian singer Sandi Patti, released in 1993 on Word Records. It's a concept album and it tells the story, done in a musical setting, featuring Patti as a character named Traveler, and she comes from a long line of Sojouners. It has been described as a modern retelling of Pilgrim's Progress featuring songs about traveling on a journey of faith. Le Voyage continues her inspirational sound but also adds some upbeat pop and adult contemporary sounds as well. Patti re-records a new version of "Unexpected Friends," originally from her 1990 album Another Time...Another Place and also features a duet with fellow Christian singer/songwriter and former Kansas lead singer John Elefante called "Home Will Find You." This would be the last album using her last name "Patti." Patti also released a companion book to go with the album. The album would top the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. In 1994, her music video for the first single "Hand On My Shoulder" won Short Form Music Video of the Year at the 25th GMA Dove Awards.
Side by Side is the 29th studio album by Christian music vocal group The Imperials, released in 1983 on DaySpring Records. It is the Imperials' first double album to feature each member taking a solo side. On lead singer Paul Smith's side, it features a duet between Smith and a new female CCM singer-songwriter named Leslie Phillips on the track "Make My Heart Your Home." Phillips had just released her debut album Beyond Saturday Night that same year. In 1984, the album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group at the 26th Grammy Awards and at the 15th GMA Dove Awards, the group won their final Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Side by Side peaked at number 10 on Billboard's Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Christmas is a 1988 compilation Christmas album released by Sparrow Records. It features CCM artists' interpretation of the best-known Christmas songs done in their genres like rock, pop, R&B and even mariachi. Christmas also contains an original composition called "Home for the Holidays" sung by participating artists on this album. American R&B singer Deniece Williams was nominated for a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance, Female for her rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear" at the 31st Grammy Awards. The album peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
