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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.

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