Hey everybody. Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page! Here, you will find, well, frequently asked questions.
If there's something you've always wanted to know about the Gaither Vocal Band, life on the road, life at home with the family, or for the two or three of you have a quetion about me, this is the place to ask!
If you have a question, please click here, and type "FAQ" into the subject line. Or, you can just send an email (with "FAQ" in the subject line) to weshamptonfaq@aol.com. Once I've had a chance to sit down and look through some of these questions, I will start answering them and then start posting those questions and answers on this page, along with the name of the person who asked the question.
From what you've shared, it was a memorable experience to be part of the Gaither Vocal Band reunion. How did you contain yourself from constantly asking questions to all the pros, especially your biggest musical influence, Steve Green? Did you get to share with Him a lot? Carlos Santiago
It was an amazing feeling being in the same room with all of my biggest musical influences. I found myself not wanting to bother anyone, so I tried to be as respectful of their time and space as I could. I did get to spend some time with Steve during lunch, as well as in the dressing room with the other guys. I did get to share some about myself, which was pretty surreal. Steve is such a genuine and kind person. On top of that, he’s an amazing singer. That’s what I love so much about him. He’s so much more than just an incredible singer.
I know you love to cook. Do you like the Food Network? If so, what are your favorite shows? Would you like to have a food show or at least have a guest spot on one of the shows? Do you ever cook for the guys on the road? Patti from Ponca City, Oklahoma
Yes, I LOVE the Food Network.
My favorite show is “Good Eats.”
I just love Alton Brown.
He’s my culinary hero. I
also love “Throwdown with Bobby Flay,” “Paula’s Home Cooking,” and “Everyday
Italian” (among a few others).
Andrea and I just finished watching “The Next Food Network Star” and
just loved it.
I would love to have a guest spot on one of those shows, especially “Paula’s
Home Cooking.” That would be a blast.
I have cooked for the guys while in the studio a couple of times and have taken
a couple different cakes on the road.
They are extra friendly to me when they see me walk on the bus with
dessert!
Does the GVB group talk during the summer break or even get to see each other? Erica
Marsh and I talk once every couple of weeks, and Guy and I talk about onceevery three weeks. We still liketo keep in touch but also know how busy things are with the families. I will see the guys in a couple ofweeks at the GVB reunion video taping, so I’m very much looking forward to that. Usually, we have about two and half months off in the summer and really don’t see each other, unless we are in the studio recording.
Will you have a Kevin Williams video clip any time soon? Also, my sister wonders why Marsh Hall always wears a pink/purple/and the likes shirt :D With what do you edit your clips? Which camera do you have? Joni
Unfortunately, I won’t have any Kevin Williams video clips any time soon,mainly because we’re off until mid August. I will do my best to get some video of him once we startback, okay? He’s awesome…and, bythe way, yes he is always funny.
Marsh, like me, is a creature of habit. Hey, he likes his purple shirts! We both kind of get in a rut of wearing the same thing sometimes; mainly because we can’t fit a ton of clothes on the bus. J
I have been editing my video clips with Windows Movie Maker, which came on my laptop a few years ago. My most recent video of the ultrasound (and all future videos) was/will be done on a MacBook Pro. I video everything with a Canon SD 850 IS. It is a fantastic ultra compact digital camera that is very affordable…I love it. Now, if I could just get that sponsorship from Canon and Apple…
Is it true that there are more videos to be released from the Nashville homecoming tapings last year? Do you know when they'll be out? Also, on the "Together" CD, with the song "Oh What a Time,” did you use the same recording of Guy Penrod's solo that was on the "I Do Believe" CD? Matthew Atkins
Yes, it is true. I believe those videos will come out sometime in the new year. We did a LOT of recording those two days, that’s for sure.
On “Oh, What I Time,” Guy actually went back into the studio and re-sang his lead. He wanted a little different feel than what was on “I Do Believe.”
I see that the GVB will be doing a reunion video this summer. Are you at liberty to say who will not be able to make it for the video shoot? Also, any plans for a solo cd? Kyle
Hey Kyle. At this point, I am still not able to reveal who will be there and who will not be there…sorry about that!
Right now, I do not have plans on doing a solo CD, but that is an option that will always be open. I really want to make sure that when I do decide to record a solo CD that God makes it clear to me that that’s what I’m supposed to do. Thanks!
Do you sing a lot at your house or do you ever sing your kids to sleep? Have your kids shown any interest in music and do you ever try to teach them GVB songs? Katie Brennan
Barrett and Hudson LOVE to sing and they both love music, so Andrea and I couldn’t be happier. We are always singing something at the house. They both match pitch very well, so I’m looking forward to singing with them one day, even if it’s just at home. They both love the GVB and SSQ. I hate to say it (not really!), but they may prefer Ernie, Doug, Ryan, and Tim (SSQ)!
What has been the most surprising thing you have learned about being a professional singer in the time that you have been a part of the Vocal Band? Also, when is/was the anniversary of your joining the group?
Lydia Tucker, Pensacola
I guess the most surprising thing about being in the GVB is how laid back it is. I didn’t expect things to be so “loose” as far as how we record, how we rehearse, and what we do when we’re not on stage. It’s really a ton of fun, which is what I expected it to be!
I first auditioned with the GVB in May 2005, so I guess you can say it’s been a little over three years now. Wow, I can’t believe it’s already been that long…
I noticed that you said you guys don't actually rehearse much. Does that mean each one of you learns his part at home? Do you have scores for all the songs that you guys sing or do you listen to previously recorded songs? Josh
You’re right…we really don’t rehearse much. Usually, before a tour starts up, we will take a day or two to refresh and polish up on some things, as well as learn a new song or two. We almost always just start singing and filling in the parts by ear, then Bill will stop when he hears something he wants to change. At that point, that’s when we’ll really start “wood-shedding” parts.
We usually do not have scores for our parts, except for this new Christmas record we just finished. We actually read parts while we were recording our individual parts.
My observation is that musicians often get married to other musicians. I was wondering, can Andrea sing well as well? Linah (RSA)
Andrea and I actually met through singing groups while in college at Trevecca Nazarene University. She was in a mixed group and I was in an all male quartet. She still sings at church on the praise teams and does solos occasionally. I love her voice. She’s an alto.
Do any of you on the bus ever get roped in to help out and tame or style Bill's hair? Caroline
Fortunately, we don’t get roped into this task very often…I guess it’s morelike a trial than a task. UsuallySheri Easter does his hair (when Gloria isn’t with us), but on the GVB/SSQ“only” dates, it can be scary. Iknow that Ernie has done his hair on more than one occasion…I don’t plan onvolunteering any time soon!
When will you be coming out with a solo CD? Ann Lloyd, Knoxville, TN
Unfortunately, I do not have plans on putting out a solo CD any time in thenear future. With the schedule asbusy as it is, I just honestly don’t have the time. Plus, I really want to focus on just the GVB for now. If God opens the right doors for me todo a solo CD, I will gladly walk through it!
If you were "the boss", what are some things that you wouldincorporate into the show with GVB? Is there anything that you have suggestedthat Bill over-ruled you on? Ienjoyed seeing your solo concert in B'ham. You and Andrea have beautifulvoices!! Are there any plans to teach the kiddos to sing? Jennifer, Birmingham, AL
Hmmm…I honestly really love how the show is right now. I guess if I could do more GVB/SSQ onlydates, that would be the one change I would make. I love the regular Homecoming dates, please don’t get mewrong, but the two group dates are even more fun.
So glad you were able to make the B’ham solo concert…thanks! Well, both Barrett and Hudson havegreat pitch, so we are very fortunate to have at least that much going forthem. We would love it if they are(years down the road) still in love with music as they are now.
How much rehearsal does Bill require of you guys? I know that he gives you guys a plethora of material to cover, but you are at the skill level where it probably doesn’t take much time for you to learn them. Is it a situation where you learn it for the studio and then you practice when you can or when you know you’re going to have to perform certain songs for certain functions? Bernie Joyner
We actually don’t rehearse much. We usually will get together at the end of the summer before the fall tour for a whole day or two to take time to refresh some material as well as learn some new stuff. As far as the studio goes, we usually have an idea of what the song is supposed to sound like before we go in, but usually we will just go in their and put down our parts and see what works and doesn’t work. When we rehearse a certain song, Bill expects us to know it…he could call that song that weekend in a concert or four months down the road…with him you never know!
How do you manage to get rest in with such a busy schedule?
Carlos Santiago,
During the week, we actually have a lot of time at home with our families. We usually leave on a Friday morning and get back late Saturday night to Nashville, so we are gone a lot of the time just for a couple of days. Sometimes we’ll have a Thursday night concert, so we’ll leave Thursday morning, making it a three day “work day.”
I hope this is not to personal, but do you guys (GVB) ever argue? Damien
To be totally honest with you, we really don’t argue. We are on the road with each other a ton, as well as in the studio together, so you would think we would argue every once in a while. We just don’t. We are very diplomatic as a group, so I think that helps tremendously. I just love those guys.
Do you feel that you've gotten better as a singer from a technical standpoint since joining the Vocal Band? Does it help to be around other professionals consistently? Does Bill coach you guys? Cameron
I do think I’ve improved a good bit since joining the GVB. As with every member (in my opinion), it takes a little time to find a place in the group, and then once that place is found, the new member usually always develops and grows as an individual artist as well. So, I’ve always had grace for new GVB members, especially since I’m one now (even though it’s been three years now, which I just can’t believe!).
It definitely helps to be around other professionals. It pushes me to step up my game and to strive to be better and better at what I do, as well as the other guys.
Bill is an excellent coach. It’s what he does best.
Which one of you had the privilege of making those great background sound effects on "Build an
Guy is the one responsible for those “crazy man” yells, as I call them. An interesting story about those…when we mixed the CD down, I was adamant that those yells NOT be on the recording. I didn’t like them or didn’t want them. But, Guy and Bill loved them and trumped me, and I guess we all know how that turned out!
Wes, which of the four of you happens to be the "book worm" in the group? James Nugent
I would have to say that Bill is the biggest book worm of the group, followed by Guy. Marsh and I don’t do a ton of reading. But, I do enjoy a great book every now and then.
Will the Gaither Vocal Band ever make a praise and worship CD?
I would LOVE for the GVB to do a praise and worship record. There are no plans at this time, but that can change any day. That’s a great idea that I hope we use one day!
I was wondering, is the GVB on myspace? I see multiple profiles for you guys, and I know that not all are actually run by any of the GVB's members, so I wanted to know from you if any of them are real, and which one?
I know that if the GVB DOES have a profile on myspace, it is not set up or run by any of us. I have seen a couple of fan sites, but I know that there is not an official GVB profile on myspace. Thanks!
Do you have any tips on meeting you as well as the rest of the Vocal Band?
It really depends on what type of venue and what type of concert it is. If it’s just GVB and SSQ, we usually always go out to the table afterward to meet folks. If it’s a normal homecoming concert, I know that Marsh and I are always down at the stage afterward. We just step off the front and start meeting people. We love it! As for Guy and Bill, it’s a crapshoot. Sometimes they’re out and sometimes they’re not. Hope to meet you!
On the Together video, during "Heaven's Joy Awaits", it looks like Ernie almost falls off the stage. Did he really almost fall, or was he just playing around? Also, was the "intro" to that song (the baritones doing "boom-booms", y'all saying "yes, sir" in falsetto voices, etc.) scripted? How much of y'all's comedy is scripted, anyway?
Will the GVB reunion be all of the former and current members of the GVB (19, if I've counted right) or just most of them? If it's just most of them, when can we find out who's on it and who's not? Haley Miller
Ernie is quite a character (as you know!) and loves to “ham” things up whenever he can. That said, he loves to mess with the choir and freak people out by pretending to almost fall of the front of the stage whenever he can.
The intro to “Heaven’s Joy” is scripted. It really just happened one night and it has stuck ever since. That kind of stuff happens all the time and ends up becoming part of the normal routine.
As of now, all but two former GVB members have said “yes.” I don’t think they’ve been able to contact one of them, and the other has not given a definitive answer yet. I’m not sure if I am at liberty to share who will be there and who will not, but I will do so once I know for sure! J
I noticed that on one of the photos of you in the studio, on gaither.com, you were wearing a "Red" Inspi (Red) T-Shirt. Are you a fan of Bono and U2? Caroline,
My wife, Andrea, actually got that shirt for me a couple years ago and I love it. I think U2 and Bono are absolutely amazing, but my brother-in-law, Darren, is the true, die-hard U2 fan. He may be the biggest U2/Bono fan in the world, actually…no, I’m not kidding. He knows every song they’ve ever recorded and can tell you when it was recorded and what album it’s on. We both actually went to go see the U2 3D movie that came out this year and loved it..
What has been your most special moment on stage singing?
I would have to say singing “I Bowed On My Knees” with the GVB and Michael English in the
When will the new gaither's pond movie be coming out? Hannah Zumwalt
I’m not sure when the new Gaither’s Pond will be out. I know they are working on it right now, but it just takes so stinkin’ long to make! I recorded my part for it over two and a half years ago!
I sing in a small group at my church and wondered if there is an accompaniment track available for Swing Down Chariot? I’ve looked all over the internet and cannot find any information Don
I’m not sure when the accompaniment tracks will be available, but keep checking at www.gaither.com. Once they are available for purchase, they will be there for sure. Sorry about that!
Given a chance to compile your quartet of the GVB, which members would you put together from the current group and the old members?
Viwe Nciya (
That’s a very difficult question, but I would have to say (besides the guys in our current group), that I probably loved the sound of Michael, Terry, and Mark the most. This particular group is special to me because they were the first group I really heard when I was first introduced to the GVB. They sang so incredibly well as a unit.
When ya'll are in concert, ya'll wear those earpieces in your ears. What is the purpose of wearing those?
D.J. Plunk,
Those are called in-ear monitors. We use them so that we can have our own custom mix of vocals and track. Rory is the one who runs our in-ears every concert. They enable us to hear much better than if we just relied on the floor wedge monitors.
What is the highest note in your vocal range and how old were you when you were first able to hit it?
I never sing anything higher than a D in concert (the end of “Baptism of Jesse Taylor”), so I never really warm up past that, except for head voice stuff like on “Journey to the Sky” or “I’ll Tell it Wherever I Go.” I guess I first started realizing my vocal range when I was about thirteen when my voice started changing.
Will you guys going to record a live concert for the new CD, Lovin’ Life?
Hopefully, we will be recording a video to accompany the new CD. I have not heard anything as of this time, but I sure hope it becomes a reality!
I was wondering how Bill chooses the concert cities that you all visit? Is it by population or maybe by merchandise sales in a particular area? Victoria, Somerset, KY
Good question. To be honest, I’m not sure! I think he, along with the promoter, along with Barry, our CEO, look to see where we haven’t been in a while, along with places that always have good turnouts, crowd-wise. But, that’s just my guess.
Has your college education, majoring in Psychology, helped you a lot in your Christian walk? Has it helped you understand yourself and other people better? Maybe this is a question for Andrea? Caroline
I’ve actually never thought about that…I would say that it has not helped me much in my Christian walk, just because most of the information I learned was stored in my short term memory! I memorized a lot of stuff, but unfortunately, I don’t remember much of anything! Since I didn’t do any post-graduate work in Psychology, it all kind of dissolved. I would say that it has helped me understand other people to some extent. But, I have really learned the most having a therapist as my wife. She has so much insight into people that I just don’t initially see. I guess it could be her amazing gift of discernment…really!
What is your favorite hymn? Also, what kind of microphones do you use? Adele Kruger,
My all time favorite hymn is “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” I have always loved that hymn.
We use Audio Technica microphones, the Artist Elite ones.
Who is the messiest on the bus? What are those bunks on the bus really like to sleep in? What event has been the most exciting for you and the guys since you joined the GVB? Are you getting recognized now by strangers? Do you guys have some late night talks, while driving in the bus? Jennifer Isaak
Bill is the messiest! The bunks are actually like really comfortable coffins. I just lie down on my back, cross my arms, and put a rose in my mouth. The bunks on our previous bus were not so great, but these are awesome!
I would say the last Billy Graham crusade was pretty exciting. That, and the crowds in
I don’t get recognized much by strangers, but I don’t mind anonymity one bit. I always love meeting new people and am amazed when someone recognizes me when I’m out at the store, putting gas in my car, etc.
We always have good talks on the bus. Some of the best ones take place on the bus. I love it.
I know you grew up listening to gospel, but I was wondering if you have any other favorite genres? Did you buy the Gaither Productions DVDs before you joined the GVB? If so, do you still buy them and which is your favorite? Do you listen to the recent GVB albums outside of work? What is your favorite song by Steve Green? Does Andrea listen to the same kind of music you do? Thanks for listening to God's call! Rachel Derhammer, Bath, PA
I love all kinds of music. I love
I never bought any videos growing up, but they really didn't start making them until my late highschool/early college years.
I actually had every GVB CD that was released while I grew up listening to them. If I had to name a favorite, it would be Southern Classics, Volume 1 and Volume 2.
My favorite Steve Green song is “God and God Alone.”
Andrea loves all kinds of music as well. We both really share the same tastes in music. Thanks for asking!
Will the GVB be coming to sing here in Brasil? Elane
There has been talk of the GVB coming to
Do you ever go hang out with Ernie? If so, what do you do for fun?
I don’t get to hang out with Ernie much, unfortunately. Ernie and his wife, Lisa, will usually have a meal with Andrea and me on the Gaither cruises. We love spending time with them.
I was wondering if you ever took voice lessons? Do you think voice lessons are necessary to be successful? Summer,
I never took voice lessons on a consistent basis, but I did take voice one semester in college. It was for opera, which was quite interesting! Also, I have taken about four lessons with a guy named Brett Manning who lives in
While I think taking voice lessons is a really great idea, they are not necessary to be successful. But, I would recommend getting a foundation vocally so that you know what you are doing as far as technique goes. I’ve seen bad technique destroy some really great voices.
Was there ever a time in your singing life where you weren't classified as maybe, the” best?” Like people didn't look at you as like an amazing singer? Or were you always known for your great voice, such as now?
Julie
Am I classified as the best???!! Seriously, I have never considered myself an amazing singer. I’ve always loved singing and have acknowledged that I have a gift, but there are so many incredible singers (i.e. Guy, Marsh, Steve Green, Terry Franklin, Larnelle, Michael English, Phelps…well okay, you get the point) out there that I just never thought of myself as being the “best.” When singing next to such fantastic singers like Guy and Marsh, I often think, “why am I singing?!”
I wanted to know if you had a cd out of just you, before you started working with the Gaither Vocal Band? Also, what do you do in your free time? Abby, KY
I did not have a solo CD out before the GVB, just some stuff I had recorded at my church (which, you can probably still order from www.brookhills.org). The CD’s were called “Whosoever” and “Rain Down.”
In my free time, I usually am trying out some new recipe, exercising, playing with my boys, running errands with Andrea, or relaxing on my back porch. Also, my wife and I love watching several TV shows, so once the boys go down for the night, that’s usually how we spend our time together.