Acappella

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Acappella is an all-male Contemporary Christian vocal group founded in 1982 by Keith Lancaster, who has variously played the role of singer, songwriter and producer throughout the group's history. Believing in the awesome versatility and flexibility of the human voice, Acappella can fill a large concert hall with beautiful, intricate music without instrumental accompaniment.

Acappella's current lineup is Robin Brannon, Zac George, Anthony Lancaster (son of founding member Keith Lancaster), Wes McKinzie and Zach Wilson. Past members have included Lancaster, Duane Adams, Allen Brantley, Rodney Britt, Wayburn Dean, Nic Dunbar, Gary Evans, Robert Guy, Jordan House, Ken McAlpin, Gary Miller, Gary Moyers, Matt Nunnally, George Pendergrass, Steve Reischl, Sean Samuel, Steve Maxwell, Kevin Schaffer, Rob Smith, JJ Blevins, and Barry Wilson.

History

Acapella's fan base steadily grew through the 1980s as the group experienced many lineup changes and constantly experimented with fresh new sounds. The landmark album, Sweet Fellowship (1988), ushered in one of the most significant developments in the group's membership and style. Lancaster stepped out of the group as lead singer to focus on the role of producer and manager. The group continued to change after that, developing a unique sound that has been mimicked by countless groups around the world.

Signed to Word Records in 1990 (and later to Epic Records), Acappella's popularity soared with releases such as Rescue, We Have Seen His Glory and Set Me Free. Media exposure included many television appearances, while the song "More Precious Than Gold" became the centerpiece of a Sony Camcorder television commercial and was broadcast extensively nationwide. Hymns For All The World helped to increase the group's exposure internationally. Acappella has toured extensively around the world, singing in Africa, Australia, Canada, China, Europe, Jamaica, Japan, South America and the Caribbean in addition to thousands of concerts in the United States.

In 1986, Lancaster launched a spinoff group called Acappella Vocal Band (AVB). AVB originally opened and sang backup for Acappella, then branched off to tour on its own under the Acappella Ministries umbrella from 1988 to 2000.

After exploring various musical styles over nearly three decades, Acappella has returned to its roots with the sound that started it all, strengthened by the addition of a fifth vocalist. Acappella's 2009 album, Find Your Way, is a mix of strong harmony and sound biblical lyrics. Featuring Acappella's trademark strong bass and soaring tenor, Find your Way marks a triumphant return for the quintet after their 2006 release, Radiance. Acappella's worldwide impact was recognized with the group's 2007 induction into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.

Membership

Current members

• Robin Brannon – Baritone/Vocal Percussion
• Zac George – 2nd Tenor/Baritone/Vocal Percussion
• Anthony Lancaster – Baritone
• Wes McKinzie – Bass
• Zach Wilson – 1st Tenor

Group formations

Previous members

• Duane Adams – Duane is one of the most versatile singers that has sung with Acappella. He joined the group as the bass and recorded on Growing Up In The Lord, He Leadeth Me, Rescue, We Have Seen His Glory, and Set Me Free. After Set Me Free was released, baritone Wayburn Dean left the group and Duane took his part. As the baritone, Duane's vocals can be heard on Acappella En Espanol, Hymns For All The World, Beyond A Doubt, and back to sing bass in "Let's Show And Tell" on Act of God.
• James "JJ" Blevins - JJ was briefly in Acappella in early 2008, but did tour while with the group. He is a graduate of Adventures in Missions (AiM) and has worked with churches from New York to Oklahoma to Texas—all over. He has been a youth minister, but is currently a minister at Cedar Vale church of Christ and lives in Cedar Vale, Kansas with his wife Ashley.
• Allen Brantley – Allen appeared on Radiance and Find Your Way in addition to assisting on Keith Lancaster's Praise & Harmony projects. He lives in Goodlettsville, TN, with his wife Kim (one of Keith's daughters) and does production and recording work in the area.
• Rodney Britt – Rodney currently serves as preaching minister at the Ocean Springs Church of Christ in Ocean Springs, MS. He also currently sings bass for The Sounds of Glory.
• Don Connel - Don toured as tenor in the Spring of 2002 and for the 20th Anniversary Reunion. He works as a youth probation officer in Abilene, Texas.
• Wayburn Dean – Official Website.
• Nic Dunbar – Was the evangelism minister at the Airport Freeway Church of Christ in Euless, TX.
• Gary Evans – Now in Lubbock, TX (his hometown), he helps lead worship at South Plains Church of Christ and works as a network administrator at Smooth Fusion, a web development company.
• Robert Guy – Robert appeared on Acappella En Espanol, Hymns For All The World, Beyond A Doubt and Act of God.
• Jordan House – Jordan works with the Otter Creek Church of Christ with the children's ministry in Nashville, TN.
• Keith Lancaster – Keith lives in Goodlettsville, TN, and continues as producer for Acappella. Keith Lancaster's Blog In addition, he conducts Praise & Harmony workshops around the world website.
• Jeff Martin – Jeff serves as Minister of Magnification at Crossroads Church in Portland, OR.
• Steve Maxwell – Steve serves as College/Young Adult Minister at Crosspoint Church of Christ in Florence, AL.
• Ken McAlpin – Ken serves as worship minister at Campbell Church of Christ in Campbell, CA. In addition, he is now a member of the a cappella group Sweet Deliverance.
• Gary Miller – Gary sings bass for Vocal Union. He also runs his own music production company, Gary Miller Ministries.
• Gary Moyers – "Mo" currently hosts the Pitch Pipecast, a podcast dedicated to news, reviews and interviews about a cappella Christian music. Additionally, he holds a position with Moyers Sound Solutions and Studio 84. The Moyer family lives in the Lubbock, TX area.
• Matt Nunnally – Matt sang 1st tenor on Heaven And Earth. He currently sings tenor for First Day.
• George Pendergrass – George serves as Director of Multicultural Enrichment at Abilene Christian University.
• Greg Pittman
• Steve Reischl – Steve sang lead on Beyond A Doubt and Act of God. His most popular song was "If There Were No God." After leaving Acappella, he spent time performing with the Contemporary Christian band, Newsong. He is currently pursuing a solo career.
• Matt Sammons - Matt sang tenor in the Spring of 2005 and on an Acappella Cruise. He works as a professional piano man in Little Rock, AR.
• Sean Samuel – Works with Disney in Orlando, FL.
• Kevin Schaffer – Official Website. Kevin is the 1st tenor on the Act of God, All That I Need, Hymns For All The Ages, and Live From Paris albums. His most famous lead was "Walking That Line." He currently works with Central Church of Christ in Amarillo, TX.^[1]
• Bill Spencer
• Tim Storms - Sings in Branson, MO.
• Tim Tripp – Family minister at Northeast Church of Christ in Cincinnati, OH.
• Barry Wilson – Milton Hershey Foundation in Hershey, PA.
• Gary Yeager

Discography

The labels are taken from each of the albums' original releases; many of these albums have been re-released under new distributors. Lyrics to each of these albums along with scripture references and other relevant information can be found at Acadisc.com.

• Perfect Peace (1984, Clifty Records)
• Travelin' Shoes (1985, Clifty Records)
• Conquerors (1986, Clifty Records)
• Better Than Life (1987, Clifty Records)
• While the Ages Roll On (1987, Clifty Records)
• Sweet Fellowship (1988, Clifty Records)
• Growing Up In The Lord (1989, Clifty Records)
• He Leadeth Me (1990, Acappella Music Group)
• Rescue (1990, Word)
• We Have Seen His Glory (1991, Word)
• Set Me Free (1993, Word)
• Acappella En Espanol (1994, Word)
• Gold (1994, Word)
• Platinum (1994, Word)
• Hymns For All The World (1994, Word)
• Beyond A Doubt (1995, Word)
• Act of God (1997, Word)
• The Collection (1998, Diamante)
• All That I Need (1999, Diamante)
• Hymns For All The Ages (2001, The Acappella Company)
• Live From Paris (2002, The Acappella Company)
• Heaven And Earth (2004, The Acappella Company)
• Radiance (2006, The Acappella Company)
• Find Your Way (2009, The Acappella Company)

Before the group was named Acappella, it was briefly named "His Image"; the records released under that name are:

• Til He Comes (1982, Clifty Records)
• Heaven's Gonna Shine (1983, Clifty Records)
• Made In His Image (1984, Clifty Records)

In addition to projects recorded under the Acappella name, the group collaborated with AVB, Keith Lancaster and other artists on numerous "Acappella Series", "Acappella Scripture Songs" and "Acappella Praise & Worship" albums in the 1990s. These projects include:

• Acappella Southern (1990, Word)
• Acappella America (1992, Word)
• Acappella Christmas (1992, Word)
• Acappella Country (1992, Word)
• Acappella Spirituals (1993, Word)
• Acappella Carols (1993, Word) - Originally released as A Savior Is Born (1989-cassette; 1990-CD)
• The Parables of Jesus (1993, Word)
• Acappella Ladies (1994, Word)
• Acappella Resurrection (1994, Word)
• Acappella Gospel (1994, Word)
• Acappella Classycal (1994, Word)
• The Book of James (1994, Word)
• In His Presence (1994, The Acappella Company)
• Heaven Is In My Heart (1994, The Acappella Company)
• In God We Trust (1995, The Acappella Company)
• Communion (1995, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Wedding 1 (1995, Word)
• Acappella Spirituals 2 (1995, Word)
• Acappella Classics (1995, Word)
• Acappella Favorites (1995, Word)
• Heroes of Faith (1995, The Acappella Company)
• Exalt Him (1996, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Praise Service (1996, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Jazz (1996, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Wedding 2 (1996, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Classics 2 (1996, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Melodies (1996, The Acappella Company)

Compilations of Acappella, AVB, Keith Lancaster and other Acappella Company songs include:

• Hear It In Our Voice (1994, Word)
• Hear It In Our Voice II (1994, Word)
• Acappella Favorites (1995, Word)
• Hear It In Our Voice III (1995, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Wedding Longplay (1999, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Spirituals Longplay (1999, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Family Christmas (1999, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Gospel Longplay (2000, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Classics Longplay (2000, The Acappella Company)
• Acappella Word of God Longplay (2000, The Acappella Company)

References

External links

• Acappella Official Website
• Official Website of The Acappella Company
• Official Shoutlife.com Friends site
• Acadisc.com - Official Lyrics Site of Acappella and the Christian a cappella sub-genre
• Official Brazilian Website
• A Cappella S.O.U.N.D.S ~ Singapore a cappella music scene
• Acappella discography at MusicBrainz
• Acappella partners with Compassion to help bring children out of poverty