Gold City
| The Gold City Quartet | |
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Gold City performing in Irvington, Alabama in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Dahlonega, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | Southern gospel |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Website | goldcityqt |
| Members |
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Gold City is an American southern gospel quartet, based in Gadsden, Alabama.
The Mississippi-based Christianairs were renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to begin the year 1980 with bass Dallas Gilliland, tenor Bob Oliver, lead singer Jerry Ritchie, and baritone Ken Trussell. The group's owner was initially Floyd Beck, who sold the quartet to Tim Riley, Ivan Parker, Brian Free, and Garry Jones. Bass Tim Riley would replace Gilliland as the permanent bass singer in July of that same year. The group was an instant success in the industry, appearing on the main stage of the National Quartet Convention in October 1981. Pianist Garry Jones joined the group one month prior to the convention. In 1982, tenor Brian Free came on board and lead Ivan Parker joined in 1983. These men had joined Riley to form a consistent nucleus that remained together until the end of 1993. Jeff Hullender joined the group in 1984 as the groups bass guitar player. Mike LeFevre joined in 1985 to sing the baritone part, replacing Jerry Ritchie.
Steve Lacey took over for LeFevre in 1992 and after the departure of Free, Jones and Parker in 1993, Steve Lacey (baritone) took over lead duties while Mark Trammell became baritone and Jay Parrack was named the new tenor. Lacey left to join The Kingdom Heirs. David Hill became lead singer for a while; his departure led to the next consistent lineup for the group, which included Jonathan Wilburn singing lead, Mark Trammell singing baritone, and Jay Parrack as tenor. Over the years, the group developed a trademark style that relied on heavy brass arrangements for their more driving songs, and moving lyrics for their inspirational anthems.
The last few years have brought a period of change and transition to this legendary quartet. Many personnel changes in the front line, as well as the breakup of the Band of Gold, have given a new look as well as a new sound to the group. The most notable and tragic change occurred in 2006, when Doug Riley, who co-managed Gold City in addition to playing drums (before taking over running the sound when the group streamlined their operations), was killed in an auto accident on the way to the recording studio early on the morning of January 31, 2006 to continue work on a recording.
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