Southern Gospel History

Herb Henry

Herb Henry (February 3, 1947 - )

Also known as Herb A Henry and Herbert A Henry.

Biography

Herb Henry was born in Oakdale, California in 1947, the son of Luther and Lola Henry. His parents ran a market in Riverbank, California when Henry was growing up. After graduating from Oakdale High School, Henry attended college at Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State. While still attending school, Henry joined the Premiers Quartet to play piano in 1965. He also filled in at times singing baritone before leaving the group in 1974 to become a minister.

For the next few years, he pastored churches in Texas, but after marrying Nancy Meek, the couple eventually relocated to Ceres, California. In 1986, he became pastor at Richland Faith Assembly Of God, a position he would hold for the next 35 years. He soon enlisted his wife Nancy as well as his children Angela, Chris, and Amanda to sing for services. The group was called The Herb Henry Family, but also eventually became known as "California's First Family Of Gospel Music." Henry also formed The Richland Trio, an all-male group.

As the family group and the trio began performing, Henry was encouraged to begin promoting gospel concerts which he did starting in 1989. His church created Richland Ministries to oversee the gospel concert events. That same year, as Henry was buying advertising time to promote his concerts, the leadership at radio station KCBC 770 AM encouraged him to launch his own radio show. What began as a one-hour show eventually increased to 90 minutes and later became a two-hour fixture on Sunday afternoons. His son Chris became his co-host for the radio show. Henry's concerts soon grew to the point that thousands were attending his biggest events.

Henry also contributed a monthly column to Singing News magazine titled "Out West" for several years.

In 2021 at the age of 71, Henry retired as pastor of Richland Faith, ceased promoting major concert events, and scaled down his family group's touring schedule. He continued his radio show.

Awards

SGMA Hall Of Fame (2024)

Discography

Songwriter's Résumé

(Partial List)

Carry On
The Cross Has Captured My Heart
Tower Of Strength
When My Daddy Prayed