 Gold City (first publicity photo - 1980)Back row: Larry Goddard (bass guitar/piano), Ken Trussell (baritone) and David Holloway (steel) Second row: Tim Riley (bass), John Reinhardt Jr (piano), and Wayne Hussey (drums) In front: Jerry Ritchie (lead) and Bob Oliver (tenor) (photo submitted by Bob Oliver) |
 Gold City (1998)L-R: Daniel Riley (sound), Jay Parrack (tenor), Adam Borden (bass guitar), Tim Riley (bass), Mark Trammell (baritone), Jonathan Wilburn (lead), Doug Riley (drums), and Tim Parton (piano) |
Members
Tenor
Bob Oliver (1980-1982)
Brian Free (1982-1983, 1984-1993)
Benny Blackburn (1983-1984)
Jay Parrack? (1994-2004)
Steve Ladd? (2004-2009)
Chris Cooper (2009)
Joshua Cobb (2009-Present)
Lead
Jerry Ritchie (1980-1983); switched to Baritone
Bill Crittendon? (1983)
Ivan Parker (1983-1993)
Steve Lacey? (1994); switched from Baritone
David Hill? (1994-1996)
Jonathan Wilburn? (1996-2008)
Bruce Taliaferro? (2008-Present)
Baritone
Ken Trussell? (1980-1983)
Jerry Ritchie (1983-1985); switched from Lead
Mike LeFevre? (1985-1992)
Steve Lacey? (1992-1993); switched to Lead
Mark Trammell (1994-2002)
Daniel Riley? (2002-Present)
Bass
Dallas Gilliland? (1980)
Harold McVey? (1980)
Tim Riley (1980-2004, 2006, 2009-Present)
Bill Lawrence? (2004-06)
Aaron McCune (2006-2009)
Piano
Larry Goddard? (1980); switched to Bass Guitar
John Reinhart Jr? (1980-1981)
Garry Jones (1981-1994)
David Brooks (1994-1995)
Shake Jenkins? (1995-1996)
Randy Matthews? (1996-1997)
Byron Stewart? (1997)
Tim Parton (1997-1999)
Channing Eleton? (1999-2005)
Josh Simpson? (2005-2009)
Roy Webb (2009-Present)
Other Musicians
David Holloway?: Steel Guitar (1980-1981)
Wayne Hussey?: Drums (1980-1981)
Cary Kirk?: Bass Guitar (1980)
Larry Goddard?: Bass Player (1980-1981); switched from Pianist
Jeff Easter?: Bass Player (1981-1982)
Jerry Lloyd?: Steel Guitar (1981-1984, 1985-1987)
John Noski?: Drums (1981-1987)
Ken Bennett: Bass Guitar (1982-1984)
Kelly Black: Guitar (1984-1985)
Darryl LaCroy?: Steel Guitar (1984-1985)
Jeff Hullender?: Bass Guitar (1984-1988)
Doug Riley: Drums (1989-2005); switched to Sound Engineer (2005-2006)
Barry Scott?: Bass Guitar (1989)
Mark Fain?: Bass Guitar (1989-1995)
Adam Borden: Bass Guitar (1995-2005)
|
 Gold City (date?)L-R: Lizzy Burt, Felton Burt, Vera Nix Anderson, Floyd Dowdy and Roy Beck (Floyd Beck's father) (photo submitted by Bob Oliver) The Christianairs adopted the name "Gold City" in 1980, which is where the modern Gold City's history begins. The Gold City of 1980 was operated by a man named Floyd Beck, who did not perform with the group. Some fans are probably aware that the group's relocation to Dahlonega, GA (a city known for its gold mines) was an inspiration for the new name. Most probably don't realize, however, that there was another inspiration. Beck's father, Roy, had been part of a local church group called "Gold City" many years before. This photo is of that group. |
 Floyd Beck (1981)Gold City's founder, Floyd Beck at a rodeo/concert in Pensacola, FL (photo submitted by Bob Oliver) |
Gold City (1980-Present)
History
The Mississippi-based Christianairs were renamed Gold City at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to begin the year 1980 with Dallas Gilliland singing bass, Bob Oliver at tenor, Jerry Ritchie on lead, and Ken Trussell filling the baritone slot. Floyd Beck owned the group initially. Tim Riley would replace Gilliland as the permanent bass singer in July of 1980 after the group relocated to Georgia. Harold McVay would fill in for approximately three months until the transition from Gilliland to Riley was complete.
Gold City was an instant success in the industry, appearing on the main stage of the National Quartet Convention in October 1981. Long-time pianist Garry Jones joined just one month before their first appearance at the Quartet Convention. Brian Free replaced Bob Oliver as tenor in the Spring of 1982. Ivan Parker joined in early 1983 singing lead (Jerry Ritchie switched to baritone). Group owner Floyd Beck passed away in 1984. Tim Riley took over control of the group in December 1985 and moved the group from Georgia to Alabama. With this move, Jerry Ritchie left the quartet and Mike LeFevre replaced him as baritone. Their recordings of upbeat tunes like "In My Robe Of White", “I Think I’ll Read It Again” and "John Saw" along with inspirational songs like “No Other Word For Grace But Amazing” and “Midnight Cry” catapulted the group to the upper ranks of Southern Gospel. The last recording by this popular lineup was the critically acclaimed Acapella Gold (1993).
After the departure of Free, Jones, LeFevre and Parker, the next consistent lineup for the group would include Jonathan Wilburn at lead, Mark Trammell on baritone, and Jay Parrack singing tenor. This formation of Gold City was together from 1996 to 2002. During the 1990s, Gold City developed a trademark style that relied on brass heavy arrangements for their more driving songs and moving lyrics for their inspirational anthems. After Tim Riley’s retirement, his sons Doug (drums) and Danny (baritone) managed Gold City on the road. A significant change for the group occurred in 2005. Gold City had traveled with a band (dubbed the "Band Of Gold") for the bulk of their history, but scaled back to using a piano player and accompaniment tracks in 2005. Doug Riley was killed in a tragic automobile accident on January 31, 2006. After a 12-year tenure, lead singer Jonathan Wilburn left the road in 2008. Daniel Riley continues to travel with the group singing baritone along with Bruce Taliaferro (lead), Steve Ladd (tenor), Aaron McCune (bass), and Josh Simpson (piano).
Gold City has had nine number one songs on the Singing News? chart. These include “I Think I’ll Read It Again” (April-June, 1984), “John Saw” (April-July, 1985), “When I Get Carried Away” (June-September, 1987), “Midnight Cry” (January-June, 1988), “Gettin’ Ready To Leave This World” (February 1990), “One Scarred Hand” (November 1991), “I’m Not Giving Up” (February 1996), “In Time, On Time, Every Time” (February 1999), and “He Said” (March-April, 2000).
Awards
Singing News Fan Awards:
Favorite Group (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993)
Favorite Traditional Male Quartet (2000, 2001, 2003)
Album of the Year (1989 - Movin' Up; 1991 - Windows Of Home; 1993 & 1994 - Pillars Of Faith; 2001 - Are You Ready)
Song of the Year (1987 - When I Get Carried Away; 1988 - Midnight Cry; 1993 - There Rose A Lamb)
Favorite Band (1998, 2000)
Favorite Video (1988 - Moving Up To Gloryland; 1989 - Movin' Up; 1992 - KingsGold with the Kingsmen Quartet)
Discography
Due to the large number of projects recorded by Gold City, the discography section has been divided into separate pages by decade. Please click on one of the links below to access the decade you wish to view.
1980s 1990s 2000s
Videos
Gold City Videos
Tags
