I know that no tuning was used during the Michael English/Terry Franklin era, because it wasn’t around yet. (technically, it was… but not the Antares black box that began being used a couple of years later)

Some mentioned other GVB singers doing the parts. Here’s a story that may interest you. I recall picking up some 2 inch tapes at either Quad or Sound Stage studio when Southern Classics was being recorded. I peeked my head in the door and heard Terry Franklin doing the baritone AND lead on one of the choruses. He had already put his tenor down on tape. Don’t know if he did this on other songs, but during that era he must have been used a lot in this way because of the history of the GVB doing this, English did many of the parts during the Murray era.

Another time, I was second engineering a country session in one of the rooms at Quad and dropped in where the GVB was doing vocals for their Piece Of The Rock record. Franklin was there with some female producer and an engineer and was doing extensive vocals on choruses and BGVs.

There may be some recordings that managed to slip through with Penrod singing the baritone part, there have been accompaniment track(s) where that was noticeable. However, Mark’s voice was very noticeable on many others too.

Sure, David stood out on some places. That is not to say that he couldn’t or didn’t blend. I liked the power harmony like that. As far as true blend, I suppose Franklin, English, Lowry and Bill were the best. Steve Green might come in second, but I never liked that sound as much as with Phelps, Harris or Murray. There certainly were times when these singers could blend well when it counted (unison parts), but then their unique voices added to the distinct sound of the group. I like that kind of group. Four unique voices being lumped together for a unique sound of all of their differences in a melting pot. With some of the combinations the sound was too vanilla or bland even though the blend was better. However, on the other end of the spectrum, it drives me nuts on unison parts when they SHOULD sound like one voice, and one person’s voice sticks out like a sore thumb.

Count On Me is one of my favorite Guy leads. Others include I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary, The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference and I’ll Worship Only At The Feet Of Jesus.

Mike & Guy probably put all the parts down as “guide vocals”, then replaced them later with the appropriate singers. I would surmise each member was in the stack, not just Mike or Guy.

Ok, maybe with the exception of Bill. He may not have been in the stack much. :0

There are many things I can say about Russ. Charismatic, energetic, passionate, soulful etc. I love some of his work with the Imperials, his solo work, and even some with the Gaither Vocal Band. But what I cannot say about him is that he blended better than any other baritone. He might have been the worse at that. His unique voice stood out and wasn’t a good fit for the Vocal Band for the most part unless he had lead and it was a song that fit him. I think we must have different definitions of blend. Blend is not necessarily having the best solo voice or most powerful voice although those with both CAN perhaps blend.

When it comes to a blending baritone, Lowry was probably the best they ever had. McSpadden or Gaither would probably be next. Marshall would probably be after these three, and Taff last. Did I forget any baritones they had?

Frankly, the imperfection is what makes it. I hear a little bit of tuning on the vocals (meaning that it has been somewhat pitch-corrected) but very little. As opposed to the usual hard-tuning that’s currently done on every Southern Gospel record, this is refreshing to listen to.

That was my preference but, after that, I have thoroughly enjoyed every combination of voices in the GVB. Bill Gaither is an excellent teacher and has worked out beautiful harmony throughout the years up to and including the present combination of Wes, Marshal, Guy and Bill. And, as a present substitute, Jason Crabb is fantastic filling in for Guy.

We have been so blessed by Bill Gaither. Not only have we enjoyed the GVB, but all of the Homecoming artists who sing their hearts out for the Lord and for our listening pleasure. The talent is overwhelming…with such sweet spirits. Hearts have been touched and lives have been changed forever by the Homecoming concerts, videos, dvd’s and cd’s. If only you could read the and/or hear the thousands of testimonies.

I do, however, realize that that performance was an exception by that point and not the rule.

I also realize that I may be missing the point of this discussion a bit. :]