A Cappella Company

During its 20 years of existence, Acappella has quietly gone about building a reputation of unparalleled excellence as the premier all-vocal group of the Christian music industry. CCM Update perhaps defined them best as "four-charming, thoughtful artists - these five talented gents are 'the franchise'." Part of this success is due to their compelling on-stage presence in well over 100 concerts a year. They have encountered sell-out crowds all over the United States, Canada, Brazil, Europe, Australia, South Africa, China and Jamaica, as well as the French West Indies.

Millions of people worldwide have been exposed to the unique music of Acappella through national television appearances, and by hearing them as the "voice" of Sony Camcorder commercials. Most Acappella fans, however, know them from albums that have won them the reputation for "superb quality." These albums include We Have Seen His Glory, Rescue, and Acappella Hymns For all the World which Release Magazine praised for "flawless vocals". The publication added further that "this foursome has vocal harmonies down to a science - no, make that an art." Recordings

A Cappella Harmony Quartet (AHQ)

The first thing you notice about A Cappella Harmony Quartet is that they love God and say they "wish to lift Him up in everything we do." A group whose repertoire has been known to cross boundaries from Southern Gospel and Barbershop to Spirituals and Contemporary Christian, these four very enthusiastic young men love what they do, and it shows. AHQ started in the spring of 1995, the spontaneous result of four guys with a desire to harmonize. Originally starting with the occasional singing gig at their church, other invitations began trickling in. They combined that with persistent practice, leading to their 1996 debut CD, Let Me Tell You 'Bout Heaven.

Flash-forward a decade, and AHQ has released five albums (the latter of which are still available and carried by Primarily A Cappella). Their second effort, Upon This Truth, was released in 1998, Hymns and Favorites in 1999, Lookin‚ Up in 2002, and Purpose in 1995. At any given moment, you're likely to see AHQ on tour supporting their church's mission, a favorite cause for the group. Recordings

Chapter 6

Emerging from a college course, Chapter 6 became the premiere jazz a cappella ensemble at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, winning the national college a cappella competition in 2001. Making their professional debut a few months later, this group from the Chicago area has received numerous awards and recognition for their technique, performance, and unique, original arrangements.

Three-time Chicago Regional Harmony Sweepstakes Grand Champions - their first title in 2000 distinguishing them as the youngest group ever to qualify for the national finals - Chapter 6 went on to win the prestigious Grand Champion title at the 2004 National Harmony Sweepstakes. Other special honors have been awarded by such notable organizations as the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, the National Association for Campus Activities, and the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities. Most recently, Chapter 6 was chosen "Performing Group of the Year" at the 2005 A.P.C.A. National Convention. Chapter 6 continues touring diverse venues, enthusiastically received by audiences across the U.S. Their extensive touring schedule includes numerous college campuses and high schools-performances often linked with a master class, clinic, or rehearsal led by the uniquely equipped and qualified members of the group. The group's versatility and appeal knows no bounds, capturing audiences of all ages and musical tastes. Recordings

First Call

First Call's Marty McCall was the front man for a band called Fireworks when he met Bonnie Keen, who was trained in musical theatre. They and Melodie Tunney met as Nashville studio singers, singing backup for other singers and to record jingles for commercials. The three struck up a friendship, and also saw the benefit in marketing themselves as a ready-made trio for back-up vocals and other studio recordings. The trio's name comes from the fact that they were considered the "first call" by music producers, first choice to call for studio work. Thanks to their jazz-influenced sound, First Call was often billed as a "Christian Manhattan Transfer." Recordings

Gaither Vocal Band

The Gather Vocal Band got their start in January, 1981, at a Bill Gaither Trio concert in Florida's Jacksonville Coliseum. Bill, fellow Trio member Gary McSpadden, and backup singers Steve Green and Lee Young had been singing around the piano backstage for fun as they would often do, revisiting the four-part harmony songs of the southern gospel vocal groups that had inspired Bill to sing and write songs in the first place. But this night the backstage jam sounded particularly incredible, Bill remembered. "Why don't we have some fun?" Gaither asked as the group readied its return. "Let's tell the audience that we're premiering a new group tonight, and see how they respond."

And so began the Gaither Vocal Band. They debuted that night with the southern gospel classic "Your First Day in Heaven," and although it wasn‚t a southern gospel crowd, the response was so wild they had to sing it a second time. But the Gaither Vocal Band wasn‚t purely southern gospel; indeed, the band's name was chosen in part because it didn't lock them into any specific configuration in what was then a changing Christian music scene. Recordings

Glad

Three decades into an impressive Contemporary Christian career, GLAD goes from strength to strength. As Contemporary Christian Music magazine said in the early Œ90s, "Nearly two decades ago, GLAD's elegant vocals helped set them apart from other pioneers of contemporary Christian music. That vocal sound has since evolved into a complex, self-sustaining life form of it's own..." For those of us in the field of a cappella, it is the vocals the magazine mentions that are the primary interest in GLAD. That's not the whole story, however. You see, they really are a progressive Christian rock band. They got together on the campus of West Chester State University, near Philadelphia, in the early l970's. Early on the predilection toward complex vocals with classical and jazz overtones began to distinguish the band.

GLAD made its first two recordings on the Myrr/Word label between 1978 and 1980. "The Reason" was the first song on which they experimented with an a cappella sound. It was originally on their second album, Beyond A Star (now out of print), but can be found on the Acappella Project CD (yes, they really spelled it that way). From l980 to the watershed album (Acapella Project) in 1988, they would add an a cappella cut to each album. When they recorded an all-a cappella album it was released with some trepidation, for there really was no track record in the field of Christian music to suggest success. They were amazed by the sale of more than 300,000 copies. Since that time, GLAD has alternated recording as a band and as an a cappella group with increasing success, which is particularly in evidence when we hear new groups obviously influenced by this important group. Plus, as a band, they must be considered one of the pioneers of the contemporary Christian music scene. Recordings

Go Fish

Go Fish is a Christian singing group with a sound that rings with variety and creativity. Go Fish‚s Jamie Statema had an epiphany as a sixth grader, when a performance by the Christian band Found Free led him to devote himself to Jesus Christ - he went on to found a group that sings for the Lord, and uses their music as a ministry. Their name is a reflection of that: Go Fish derives from a Bible passage in which Jesus declares that some of his disciples who were fisherman will now fish for souls.

The group was founded by Statema in 1993, with his intent that the group would offer something different musically from the rest of what was out there. Go Fish started as an a cappella group, using nothing but vocals and percussion. "A cappella with an attitude" is what they called their style. After an extensive musical journey and experimentation with other styles, the group has narrowed their focus - they specialize in vocals and harmony, with some instrumentation. Recordings

Haven Quartet

The Haven Quartet, a four-man Christian vocal group, began in 1934 as the musical arm of the Haven of Rest radio broadcast ministry. Radio was a medium in its infancy, and Christian broadcasting in particular was a new, uncharted territory. The Haven of Rest program, titled after the old gospel hymn of the same name, and replete with nautical references, was broadcast live, Mondays through Fridays, originally from the studio of pioneering radio station KFI in Los Angeles. As the broadcast became better known, it began being aired over a larger and larger network of radio stations in the US and Canada from its own distinctive ship-like studio in Hollywood, complete with portholes and decks. The Haven Quartet would sing 4-5 songs live over the air during each dayºs broadcast, either a cappella or with organ accompaniment.

By the 1950's, the group had begun pre recording the broadcast music in library fashion, and due to popular demand, began issuing recordings of their music to their listeners and the general public. Today, after 65 years of musical excellence, the Haven Quartet continues to record their trademark treatments of traditional hymns and gospel songs, as well as contemporary Christian music. Fresh, creative, arrangements, a bright, clean vocal sound, and impassioned lead vocals from each of the four quartet members: these are the hallmarks of the Haven Quartet. Recordings

King's Herald

The internationally acclaimed King's Heralds quartet brings to the stage a seventy-year heritage in gospel music.  Founded in Keene, Texas in 1927 by four young college students, the group has come to be recognized world-wide for their blend and musical expertise.  This “trans-denominational” group has toured not only the United States, but the islands of the Caribbean, all of Latin America, the South pacific, Australia, the Orient and Africa.  Among their audiences have been heads of state, king’s, presidents, governors, ambassadors and other dignitaries. Regular television guests on the “Praise The Lord Show” on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the quartet also appears on the “It Is Written” telecast with Mark Finley.  Their own radio program, “The Sound Of Praise” received top honors – a "Silver Angel Award" – as "Best International Broadcast" from Excellence In Media. The King's Heralds quartet has shared their music before the Christian Booksellers Association, the National Association of Evangelicals, the National Association of Religious Broadcasters, the Protestant Health and Welfare Association, the Greater Pittsburgh Charismatic Conference and the Baptist World Alliance.

The quartet is the first Christian gospel group from the West to tour The People’s Republic of China since 1949, singing for the "First Invitational Symposium on the Christian Church in China" sponsored by the US/China Education Foundation.  In 2001 the King's Heralds presented 19 concerts in the Republic of Cuba with the Spanish Christian Radio Broadcast “La Voz de la Esperanza”. Recordings

No Better Cause

No Better Cause is a five-man pop/rock/funk/Christian a cappella group (vocal band, if you will) out of the heartland of America, Lincoln, Nebraska. The band has been in existence since April 2002, but their sound brags a combined vocal experience beyond their youthful age. No Better Cause has received several awards, winning various state talent competitions. In 2003 and 2005, the group won an award for "Best Original Song" at the Rocky Mountain National Harmony Sweepstakes in Denver with songs “The Run” by Lucas Kellison and “Times Like These” by Nate Kellison. And, in 2004, No Better Cause took home the runner-up prize at the same competition for "Best Vocal Group".

No Better Cause has toured all over the Midwest to states including Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Montana, and more. The group is receiving regular radio air-play on stations all over the country, and is even receiving regular play on internet stations broadcasting worldwide. Recordings

Praise-apella

Praise-Apella is a Cleveland, OH based 6 person contemporary Christian vocal band that sings for the praise of God's glory! The group imitates instrumentation through their gift of voice without the use of tracks or other audio technology. A band without instruments! They have toured and performed with the following national artists: The Katinas, Natalie Grant, Zoe Girl, Tammy Trent, George Rowe, Kristy Starling, Hawk Nelson and Jme Medina . They are also affiliated with Cleveland's largest Christian radio station 95.5 The Fish and well-known radio personalities, Len Howser, Brooke Taylor & Mark Rein. In fact, they have performed numerous times on the air as well as recorded a jingle for the station. Praise-Apella was called together when bass vocalist, Ryan Fischer was filled with a musical vision to worship God. In his prayers and quest to fulfill this vision, the Lord brought each new singer together as if putting the final pieces of a puzzle in place. The voices that make up Praise-Apella today is literally a sign of how God can work mysteriously yet wonderfully to bless our lives! Recordings

Reprise

Reprise was conceived as a five-part group dedicated primarily to classical and jazz arrangments of sacred music; however, they couldn't find a low bass that could handle their arrangments. They remained a quartet through the Christmas season, singing local gigs and trying to nail down a full repertoire. Tenor Tim Workman had sung barbershop since age 4-although never in the Society-and had long been a big fan of Acoustix and Bluegrass Student Union. He and bass Tad Harris had competed in last year's collegiate contest with Trademark (4th place), and they kicked around the idea of inserting barbershop into their repertoire.

Lead Joel Gillespie was game to try, but bari Rex Kocherhans initially was not. He'd been exposed to some barbershop before, and it hadn't been performed particularly well. After getting past the initial resistance, the quartet learned an Acoustix arrangement and immediately knew they had something special. They decided to try to compete in Nashville, and upon going there and hearing a lot of great barbershop, their enthusiasm for barbershop was redoubled again. Reprise then went on to win gold medals the Collegiate Barbershop Finals. Recordings

Sweet Deliverance

Sweet Deliverance has been singing Christian a cappella for over 30 years. Members have changed over the years but the tradition of tight harmonies and praise to our Lord has not. This semi-professional group is based in the San Francisco bay area and tours primarily in California. Originally, Sweet Deliverance began in 1976 at Oklahoma Christian by 4 young men, one of whom was Kevin Allsup. Kevin, the group’s originator, grew up in Manteca, California, where they became based in 1977. By 1978 and 3 new members later, Bob Allsup, who is Kevin’s younger brother, began singing bass for them at age 18.

Their newest member is David’s younger brother, Stephen Morgan. Both David and Stephen have an extensive singing background, as they have been singing a cappella music in their own family group for many years. Now, with six men and a new recording, they are lifting their voices for God’s glory, in full force. Looking back, it is obvious that God has seen them through good times and bad, and they know that it is He who has given them the voices to praise Him. They continue to offer Him their lives, their songs, and their voices for the encouragement and the uplifting of Christ’s church. Recordings

Take 6

Back in 1980, Claude McKnight formed an a cappella quartet, The Gentlemen's Estate Quartet, at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, where he was a freshman. He auditioned fellow students for the hobby group. The Gentlemen were rehearsing in a campus bathroom, getting ready for a performance, when Mark Kibble walked by and heard them singing. He joined the harmonizing, adding a fifth part, and ended up singing with them onstage that very night. Mark later invited Mervyn Warren to join the group, and the sound of Take 6 was born. Although the sonic structure was now firmly in place, the name was not; the group performed under the moniker "Alliance."

The group performed in local churches and on campus over the next years, with members changing due to college's inevitable comings and goings. In 1985, the lower half of the group (bass, baritone, and second tenor) left upon graduating. At that time, Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, and David Thomas joined.

The group was signed to Warner Brothers, Nashville in 1987, and quickly changed its name to "Take 6" after a name search revealed that "Alliance" was already being used. Their eponymous debut album, released in 1988, won them two Grammy Awards and resulted in top ten appearances on both the Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts. Take 6's swinging, harmony-rich gospel sound attracted a flurry of attention, and the group went on to record or appear with a number of luminaries, including Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder. In 1991 Mervyn Warren left the group to pursue a career as a producer, and Joey Kibble, Mark's younger brother, was invited to round out the vocal lineup. Recordings

Undivided

Undivided MG is a Southern California Gospel a cappella sextet. The members of Undivided are young adults that come from different Latin American countries: Panama, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. Undivided MG was born one year and one-half ago in the choir room of the groupÕs local church. Most of Undivided MG members had sung before in quartets, quintets, and even sextets, which has given them a thorough knowledge of harmony and performance. Undivided MG uses their voices to praise God in different styles, however, the group is well known in the area for their Latin a cappella sound. Recently, Undivided MG competed in the Los Angeles Regional Harmony Sweepstakes A cappella Festival and was awarded second place in the competition. Recordings

Vocal Union

Utilizing close harmonies and traditional "old-time" gospel treatment of songs, The Vocal Union has brought audiences to their feet in Tulsa, Nashville, Cincinnati, many other cities from Texas to Ohio to Alabama -and points in between. Family Bookstore managers expressed enthusiasm for the power of The Vocal Union's singing when VU performed at their annual convention in Grand Rapids, MI, along with Bryan Duncan, Cindy Morgan, Amy Morris, John Elefante, and others. In fact, The Vocal Union received three standing ovations and were asked to perform an encore at the end of the entire show! VU has more recently appeared on stage with the Kingsmen Quartet, 'Nharmony, and The Cumberland Boys. Calling on years of singing and recording experience as well as a rich heritage of Southern Gospel roots, The Vocal Union's members bring a cappella musical expertise, enthusiasm, and deep feeling to their performances. Recordings