Take possibly the best quartet in Southern Gospel Music today, mix in some creative changes, and you get a great story to read about. There are several changes happening with Gold City, but for now let’s just discuss what’s happening with owner and bass singer, Tim Riley. Tim is an exciting story all by himself. Arguably the best bass singer in SGM today, his career has spanned over 35 years of professional singing.
Tim actually started sing with the Future Farmers of America Quartet in high school. Wouldn’t you like to hear some of that singing? He went on to sing with the Dixie Echoes in 1966. He was with them about a month when he was called to serve his country in Viet Nam, where he served as a medic for thirteen months. He then came home and finished out his tour of duty at Fort McClellan in Anniston, AL. In 1970, he returned to the Dixie Echoes until June 10, 1973. In 1974 Tim, along with friends Jack Toney, Larry Beck, and Jim Hefner, formed The Southmen. This had to be one terrific sounding group. Tim sang with them until 1979, and then in July of 1980 he joined Gold City. Once he joined Gold City, he stayed there until this very day.
One of the most popular versions of Gold City was Brian Free, Ivan Parker, Mike LeFevre, and Tim Riley, with Garry Jones at the piano. Mike left in 1991 and that seemed to have spurned a series of changes. After Mike left, Steve Lacey joined at Baritone. Then Brian and Ivan left which let Steve move up to Lead, Jay Parrack went to Tenor and Mark Trammel came into the Baritone position. Steve left and David Hill came to the Lead spot, but David’s tenure was short and Jonathan Wilburn took over the Lead for good. The only other change of the top three was when Mark left and Daniel Riley took over the Baritone spot.
It was hard to get any information out of Tim about his accolades, but I did find out that Tim did win the Marvin Norcross Award. If you know of more, fill us in.
Tim had been thinking of going into a semi-retirement situation. He started having knee problems several years ago. He tried living through the problem, but to no avail. He tried taking all the shots to help with the knee situation, but they didn’t do much. Finally he took same time off to have knee replacement. Finally some success and Tim found that he could do some other things while he was recuperating. During this time, Bill Lawrence, previously with Brian Free and Assurance, was found to be a more than adequate Bass to fill in for Tim.
While having time off the road, Tim had time to think about other things that he might have wanted to do in times past, but didn’t have the time. Let me assure you, to stop singing permanently is not one of them. Tim is going to slow down, but he is not ready to give it up permanently. Tim will perform periodic dates along with Bill Lawrence. Just to set the record straight, Tim is leaving the road on a full time basis because of his health problems. He found that when he was not eating and sleeping right, it presented other problems for him. But, Tim is not leaving singing or Gold City.
To put another question to rest, Tim has no plans at present to record a solo CD. However, all things are subject to change, so who knows what will happen in the future?
One of the things that Tim is really getting involved in is the Gold City Ministries. This is a ministry supported by Gold City and does a lot of missionary work in Costa Rica and the Philippians, in addition to several home missions’ projects.
Make no mistake though; Tim Riley is still the owner and the Boss. Tim says that he does not miss the road, but he really misses the people. Daniel Riley says that singing with his Dad on the road has been a dream come true. Daniel adds that he had looked forward all of his life to singing with his Dad on stage, and now he has lived it.
Since Tim will not be the focal point of Gold City, I asked Daniel, who now serves as the Road Manager, if anything was going to change with Gold City. His answer? No, nothing is going to change. He said that he feels Gold City has always been one of the trend setters, and they will continue to be so. Daniel feels that it is important for them to just be themselves. After all, he doesn’t feel the Lord is finished with them yet. They have a Bible study every week on the bus and feel that they are seeking God’s will and way for their future.
Even with the changes, Gold City hasn’t missed a beat, so if they are close, go see them, you will not be disappointed.
Be reading next month when we talk about new Bass singer Bill Lawrence and new Tenor Steve Ladd.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 10/01/2004
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Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 29
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One has to admit that Gold City has always performed and presented southern gospel with spirit and professionalism. I wish them the very best in whatever the future holds for them.
Thanks so much for a great article that puts rumors to rest. I'm so glad that Tim is going to be able to do things he wants to & to get his health straightened out. I know GC will do just fine.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
I had the pleasure of meeting the members of Gold City at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky last month. I must say that their new bass singer Bill Lawrence did a wonderful job "filling in" for Tim Riley. The quality of their music is outstanding, and I have to agree that Gold City is among the best quartets in Southern Gospel Music today.
I just heard Gold City this morning,and plan to hear them tonight.They did a good job and are totally "First Class".
I have loved Gold City since I was 14 years old, I am now 32 and nothing has changed! I will miss Tim tremendously, but I understand. I love the new song "About the Cross" it makes chills go up and down my spine! Steve Ladd does a great job with that song, even though I have never met you before..Good Luck Guys, I will be praying for you.
I heard them last night and the first set of the concert they sang every song on their new album,and then did some other songs on the second set.
I attended a GC concert on 9/23 and i'm here to tell you that these boys haven't missed a beat! Steve Ladd is a great tenor and he blends very well w/them. I've heard people compare his voice to Brian Free, but Steve has a unique sound all his own. Folks, if you haven't seen Bill Lawrence lately you won't recognize him. He's dropped a BUNCH of weight and got himself a Tim Riley style haircut. Reminds me of Tim from about 15 yrs. ago. He is a great bass singer. If i didn't have to work the next morning i'd have followed them up the road to the next gig!
Gold City is my favorite group.I grew up listening to them since I was 10 years old. I am 21 now. I still listen this group. I have met this group several times. This group is a very awesome group. I am really sad to hear that tim is coming off the road but I understand. I am glad that Tim is not giving up his group up yet. I am excited about the future of Gold City. Keep it up, Gold City and u are in my prayers!! to Tim,U really do a great job with Gold City and keep them on the road today. May God guide u guys on the road! Gold City, Number one quartet!
Southern Gospel just doesn't get any better than Gold City. I'm relatively new to this musical ministry, but, thanks to my hubby, am now a big fan of both Southern Gospel, and Gold City. I was disappointed when I heard that Tim Riley was cutting back, but hubby and I saw Gold City with both Tim and Bill in Silisbury, NC, and the night was purely spiritual magic. Tim will be missed, of course, but both Bill and Steve are doing a wonderful job. If you do not already have it, "First Class" is a must! May God continue to bless Gold City and Southern Gospel!
Gold City has always been a good measuring stick
I sang bass in a part-time mixed Southern Gospel group for 5 years and I was able to learn to sing bass by listening to Tim Riley....of course, when you own every single Gold City CD or cassette, it helps!!! I started singing bass when I was 16 years old and my constant prayer for 5 years straight was that God would grant me the opportunity to see Gold City and the ability to just talk with Tim for even 5 seconds.
I started to follow Gold City years ago, when i first saw them at Westview HS in Martin,Tn.. I was just blowed away then and the song that stuck with me was Midnight Cry. They have truly been a blessing in my life and I will really miss Tim being up there doing his usual outstanding job as bass, but just as things went on, when Mike,Ivan, Brian, and all the rest that have come and gone, I am sure that this will not stop Gold City from remaining at the top in southern gospel music. We must remember that GOD works good thru all things and Gold City has always been a prime example. GOD Bless.
WOW! That's the only word that I could think of after hearing for the first time. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I heard them live for the first time in Jackson, TN. They are, in my opinion, the "greatest quartet on the road today".
My fiance and I have had the privilege of hearing this wonderful quartet in concert twice and we were both shocked when we found out that Tim was coming off the road, but we do understand and respect his decision to take care of his health. God Bless Tim and ALL of Gold City.
I was first introduced to this wounderful group back in 1989. My husband was playing a CD at the time. I really enjoyed the message and was really blessed by the music. We started attending church and I got saved shortly after. We now have 2 children and my daughter loves Tim Riley. She is always saying when are they coming back. You will be greatly missed. We hope to see you back in Charleston, SC soon. We will be praying for you and All of Gold City. We have not missed a concert here in Charleston. God will bless you all.
My husband and I have been fans for only a short period of time. We saw them first on a Gathers Homecoming program and they sang I'm Not Giving Up.From that point on everytime Gold City was near we were there always on the second row. The first time was in Crossville, TN. That was about 6 yrs. ago. we even spent our honeymoon at one of the homecomings in Gasden and our anniversary there each year until this year. We will not only miss Tim but Jay will always be missed.[I to am from Smackover,AR.] We are hoping to see the new group real soon. May god bless each and every one of you as you strive to do his will. You will always be in our prayers. Thanks for stoping the rumors.
I have been a fan of Gold City ever since I first heard their recording "Movin' Up" on the radio in 1988. Then in 1989 I saw them in person on stage for the first time and I was never the same since. Tim, Ivan, Brian, Mike, Garry (Taco), Doug and Mark were the group then. I heard records of the original group of Tim, Jerry Ritchie, Ken Trussel and Bob Oliver. They truly have a heritage in Gospel Music. It will be hard to get used to Gold City without Tim singing bass full-time, but he is wise to come off the road to take care of his health even though I'm sure he will feel lost for a while. Bill Lawerence is a bass singer like Tim. I saw him perform with Brian Free on Gospel Music Southern Style on TV. When Brian left, they found another terrific tenor in former Kingsmen tenor Johnny Parrack's son Jay. Now that Jay has moved on, they have another terrific tenor in Steve Ladd.
A QUESTION ~~~ARE THE RILEYS OF GOODMAN,MS. POSSIBLY YOUR RELATIVES? THE RESEMBLENCE IS SO ESTABLISHED.BEARD AND ALL. MAYBE CUZ ,PHILLIP
well i can tell you this i think tim riley is the greatest bass singer ever
I will miss Tim Riley on bass because he is the best I have ever heard, having been around gospel quartet music for 72 years. I can relate to Tim's problems, since I too have to hobble up steps to sing. Using Gold City's performance tracks just last night in church, I thrilled singing "their" songs..Gold City will always be the best no matter who fills a spot, they strive for perfect harmony, as we all should. God Bless!
I've grown up with gold city since i was twelve yrs old and gave my heart to christ
I heard gold city here in nashville two times without tim riley and i was less than impressed bill lawrence smiles a lot but is not even close to tim riley im sure he is a wonderful guy but a replacement for tim he is not i did not enjoy the show at all
i saw gold city twice with steve ladd and bill lawrence and i think they are awesome bill is a awesome bass and steve is a great fit for those high notes i think gold city still is the best quartet out there i was very impressed when i heard them
Dear Gold City, I just wanted you all to know that I really miss Tim Riley performing with Gold City. For some reason you all just won't be the same without Tim Riley! If you all ever come back to Oklahoma Please bring Tim Riley!!
I would like to purchase the print
A friend of mine showed me a copy of a poster he bought at one of your concerts and the image was titled "A Man of Sorrow" and depicted Jesus praying and was supposedly made in 1929. I would like more information on this poster and information on how I might acquire one by mail. Is this possible?
I served in the Air Guard with Tim before Gold City came into play and he sang on sunday morning with a couple of other guys in the unit. This gave military chapel services a new meaning. Tim's the best.
how did you become this great bass singer what were the things you did to get your voice that low im 17 and i cant hit a low f and i want to sing lower then that. i would love to now how you did that thank you Mackenzie Perfetta
I saw Gold City this past December in
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