04 27  2009 by Kyle Boreing

What if….

Okay, here’s an interesting (and purely HYPOTHETICAL) possibility….

Gold City is now looking for a tenor singer. Their previous tenors have had a history of relying heavily on their nasal singing capabilities (and to Steve Ladd’s credit, he seemed to move away from that as he grew with GC), and they worked out well with the other singers in the group at the time.

Now, however, Gold City is relying heavily on Bruce Taliaferro and Danny Riley, who blend well together and have similar vocal qualities. While I’ve seen people expressing interest in seeing Jay Parrack come back, I don’t think that would be the right move for their sound right now.

Jump over to the current 5-piece Gaither Vocal Band. Bill is using Wes Hampton, basically, as a utility vocalist. Since the beginning of the year, Wes has been filling the gaps when David Phelps or Mark Lowry have not been available (and has show some amazing range while doing so), but there have been a LOT of people out there expressing concern that Wes will ultimately tire of being the fifth guy in a group of former members who already have built-in fan bases.

Granted, I can’t see Wes walking away from what is probably one of the better financial situations in gospel music, but even casual fans have taken notice that Bill is taking the Vocal Band out on their own tour for the first time since the Homecoming inception. Theories and rumors are running rampant that this has to do in part with driving more sales, and if that’s the case, perhaps all is not golden in the land of Gaither.

Wes has a vocal quality that blends very well with just about everybody. He’s got a wonderful range, and is not a nasal tenor singer. While not quite a POWER tenor, I think he has a wonderful sound that would fit in well with Bruce and Danny. Not only that, but he has youth, and if he came from the GVB, would bring a bunch of fans with him, I’m sure. From a logistics standpoint, Wes lives in Birmingham, Alabama, which is an hour away from Gold City’s headquarters in Gadsden. That’s a much easier commute than the three hours it takes to get to Nashville.

In short….what if Wes Hampton were to join Gold City???


Observations

13 Responses to “What if….”

  1. On April 28th, 2009 at 6:40 am
    quartet-man, said:

    Now, THAT is an interesting idea. I don’t see it happening, but interesting nonetheless. I do think that shows Wes’ skill in being able to fill in on what part is missing, not just in range, but in knowing the parts and being flexible.

  2. On April 28th, 2009 at 9:05 am
    More On Steve Ladd & Gold City « Burke’s Brainwork, said:

    [...] contemporary edge to his voice, and Kyle Boreing is I think going along those same lines with his thoughts about Wes Hampton. I’ll agree with that reasoning and suggest a name as well. Gold City [...]

  3. On April 28th, 2009 at 11:11 am
    Rebecca, said:

    I think it’s a great suggestion. But I wonder if it would really work? Maybe!

  4. On April 28th, 2009 at 11:14 am
    Steve Ladd resigns « Coomer Cove, said:

    [...] Wes Hampton – Kyle Boreing [...]

  5. On April 28th, 2009 at 11:14 am
    admin, said:

    I like Wes Burke’s suggestion of former Imperials tenor Jeremie Hudson.

  6. On April 28th, 2009 at 11:17 am
    Wes, said:

    Thanks David. Can you imagine Hudson tearing into “For The Sake Of My Heart”? Wow.

  7. On April 28th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
    Quaid, said:

    I’ve never heard Jermie Hudson, but it’d be interesting to hear Danny Funderburke’s inerpetation of “For The Sake Of My Heart”.

  8. On April 29th, 2009 at 12:36 am
    Nathan, said:

    How about Brent Mitchell or Jeremy Peace both of them would fit in well with GC.

  9. On April 29th, 2009 at 10:08 am
    GospelMusiFan, said:

    Kind of a inconsistent thought process going on here in the discussions on the various blogs.
    Everyone talking about contemporary sound vs the more traditional sound.
    Wes tends to have a more contemporary sound as the fan base of Gold City is accustomed to a more traditional sound.
    Wes is very young and relationships counts big time in the Hampton’s family.

  10. On April 29th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
    Memphis, said:

    There was a tenor who filled in when Jay left. From what I remember it was good. Who was that?

  11. On April 29th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
    Quaid, said:

    Memphis,
    That was Dan Keeton.

    I’ve also thought about him, along with Jermey Peace. Both would be very capable tenors for Gold City. But, in my opinion, Dan would sound more natural on the highest of Gold City’s matierial than Jermey. Dan seems to have more “umph” and power at the top.
    I can’t hear either of them singing “When Jesus Saves” though.
    humm……….what about Harold Reed, or Steve Warren?

  12. On April 29th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
    Grigs, said:

    Memphis,it was Dan Keeton

  13. On April 29th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
    admin, said:

    Yes, Dan Keeton would sound good with Gold City…or just about any other male quartet, for that matter.

    My first pick is still Jeremie Hudson, though.

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