Group Members

(Partial List)

Tenor
Jim Hill (1947-1963)
Al Harkins (1963)
Dean Hickman (1963-1967)

Lead
Harold Patrick (1947-1955) (Also pianist)
Danny Gaither (1963-1966)

Baritone
John Conley (1947)
Pat Duncan (1947-1967)

Bass
Clarence Claxon (1947-1967)

Piano
Harold Patrick (1947-1955, 1957-1967 (Also sang lead from 1947-1955)

Jim Hill And The Golden Keys Quartet (1947-1967)

History

The Golden Keys Quartet was a long-standing "weekend" quartet. This group from Portsmouth, Ohio was formed in 1945. They were originally known as the Campmeeting Boys. The original members were Jim Hill, Harold Patrick, and John Conley. In 1947, a fourth member was added to the group and they became known as the Golden Keys Quartet. The quartet was a very popular group in and around the Ohio area for many years.

First tenor Jim Hill and second tenor Harold Patrick were soon joined by baritone Pat Duncan and bass Clarence Claxon. Harold Patrick also played the piano for the quartet. This personnel began to expand their music outside their home area and become well known in the gospel music circles. Except for a short time that Hill spent with the Ambassadors Quartet, this lineup remained intact for many years.

The Golden Keys Quartet soon grew from a local part-time group to one that became quite active in the gospel music field. They were one of few part-time groups invited to perform at the National Quartet Convention. Their vocal arrangements were not extremely challenging, but the emotion with which they presented their songs made them a very exciting group from the stage.

Jim Hill, manager of the quartet, grew up in Portsmouth, Ohio. Jim studied opera and auditioned with the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and the Metropolitan Opera Company. However, his background in church music prevailed, and he continued in his quest to perform gospel music.

The Golden Keys Quartet continued with the same personnel for several years. This led to an outstanding vocal blend and a great working relationship. Their programs often showcased the exciting tenor vocals of Jim Hill on sacred classics such as "The Ninety and Nine," "I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked," "God Bless America" and "The Stranger of Galilee."

The group performed many top gospel songs of the day, but their real forte was performing the new compositions of Jim Hill. Jim Hill wrote the gospel music classic, "What a Day That Will Be" in the early 1950s. It was first presented by the Golden Keys Quartet and first recorded by the Homeland Harmony Quartet. Jim is a very humble man and at first didn't realize the impact of this great song. It became one of the most requested songs by the Golden Keys Quartet. Soon many other professional gospel quartets added the song to their programs. The Speer Family had a very popular arrangement of the song and Ben Speer eventually published it. It will forever be associated with Jim Hill.

The Golden Keys Quartet not only furthered the writing career of Jim Hill, but they also were responsible for bringing the songs of then fledgling songwriter Bill Gaither to the gospel music community. The Golden Keys Quartet often performed in concert with the early version of the Bill Gaither Trio consisting of Bill and his siblings, Danny and Mary Ann. This association led the Golden Keys Quartet to introducing many new Gaither compositions on their albums and concert appearances.

Not only did the Golden Keys Quartet appreciate the writing abilities of Bill, but they also recognized the vocal talents of Bill's younger brother, Danny. After Danny Gaither graduated from college, he moved to the Portsmouth area to begin his teaching career. Recognizing this nearby talent, Harold Patrick relinquished his role as lead singer for the Golden Keys Quartet and Danny Gaither moved into this position which he held until 1966. With Patrick able to concentrate on the piano and Gaither's Hess-like vocals, the Golden Keys Quartet continued to polish their sound and continued to be in demand by the gospel quartet circuit.

The popularity of the Golden Keys Quartet may have eventually led to their disbandment. All of the members had full time jobs, but the requests for bookings continued to come in. Although they were in great demand, it still wasn't enough for the group to become a full-time quartet. However, Jim Hill felt the calling to full time gospel music, and accepted the call from Doyle Blackwood to join the "New" Stamps Quartet in 1962. Jim's dynamic vocal talent led the Stamps to even greater heights in the gospel music community. It has been said that the Stamps first Skylite recording with Jim Hill, "What a Day That Will Be," was by far the biggest selling album at the 1963 National Quartet Convention when it was first released for sale.

Jim Hill continued his career with the Stamps Quartet for several years before joining Hovie Lister and the Statesmen Quartet as lead singer. He brought several of his top songs to the Statesmen Quartet. They soon became some of the most requested songs on the Statesmen Quartet programs.

Jim was replaced in the Golden Keys Quartet first by Al Harkins and later by Dean Hickman. Danny Gaither left the group in 1966 and Harold Patrick again resumed double duty as pianist and lead vocalist with the quartet before the Golden Keys Quartet retired their name. After the Golden Keys Quartet disbanded, Harold Patrick joined the Gospel Harmony Boys as pianist and played for them for several years. He also was a member of other groups including the Sentries and the Guardians.

Bill Gaither has often given the Golden Keys Quartet credit for bringing his songs to the gospel music forefront. One of the first Gaither songs ever produced on sheet music featured a picture of the Golden Keys Quartet on the cover page. The Golden Keys Quartet introduced several Gaither songs such as "I'm in Love with Jesus," "Have You Had a Gethsemane," "I've Been to Calvary," "Old Fashioned Meeting," and "Lovest Thou Me" to the gospel singing world.

Discography


hi-res
1960 The Ninety And Nine (Skylite Records/SRLP/SSLP-5984): The Ninety And Nine; I Found The Answer; Love Is Why; I've Been To Calvary; The Joy In Serving The Lord; Until Then; The Unclouded Day; I'd Rather Have Jesus; His Name Is Wonderful; Jesus Is Leading Me; I'm In Love With Jesus; God Bless You, Go With God (Jim Hill, Harold Patrick, Pat Duncan, Clarence Claxon).

hi-res
1963 Wonderful, Marvelous, Yet True (Key Records/LP-ST 11): How Long Has It Been; What A Precious Friend Is He; Heaven Our Home; Lovest Thou Me; The Old Fashioned Meeting; Nobody; One Of These Days; Just A Little Talk With Jesus; Wonderful, Marvelous, Yet True; The Miracles Of His Love; He Hides Me Behind The Cross; Lord, I'm Coming Home (Jim Hill, Danny Gaither, Pat Duncan, Clarence Claxon, Harold Patrick).

hi-res
1964 God Bless America (Key Records/LP-ST 12): With A Song In My Heart; Sweet Jesus; Some Morning Fair; Closer To Thee; God Bless America; Battle Hymn Of The Republic; Over Jordan's Tide; The Old Gospel Ship; Oh What A Love; You'll Never Walk Alone; I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked (Jim Hill, Danny Gaither, Pat Duncan, Clarence Claxon, Harold Patrick).

hi-res
1965 Our Changing World (Custom Records): It's In Your Hands; Are You Ready To Go; When Jesus Breaks The Morn; Dear Jesus Abide With Me; The Only Way Home; After Awhile; He Touched Me; When He Set Me Free; Without The Love Of God; I've Been Born Again; Sweeter Than The Day Before; I'm Coming (Dean Hickman, Danny Gaither, Pat Duncan, Clarence Claxon, Harold Patrick)

hi-res
1966 God's Grace (Key Records/LPM-70): No One But Jesus Knows; Blow Your Trumpet Gabriel; I Sought The Lord; His Grace Reaches Me; The Day He Died For Me; When They All Get Together With The Lord; Come Hold My Hand; Open Your Heart; Who Am I; Faith Unlocks The Door; You Sho Do Need Him Now; The Haven Of Rest (Dean Hickman, Harold Patrick, Pat Duncan, Clarence Claxon).

hi-res
1967 The Golden Keys Sing (Key Records/GKSP-101): In God's Tomorrow; I'm Bound For The Promised Land; In The Upper Room; Have You Had A Gethsemane; I'll Praise His Name; The Haven Of Rest; A Man Called Jesus; Noah Found Grace; Rainbow Of Love; Come All Ye Children; He Filled My Life With Ecstasy; Joy Unspeakable Joy (Dean Hickman, Harold Patrick, Pat Duncan, Clarence Claxon).

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