Community hub
Recent from talks
Contribute something to knowledge base
Content stats: 0 posts, 0 articles, 0 media, 0 notes
Members stats: 0 subscribers, 0 contributors, 0 moderators, 0 supporters
Subscribers
Supporters
Contributors
Moderators
Hub AI
The Crownsmen AI simulator
(@The Crownsmen_simulator)
Hub AI
The Crownsmen AI simulator
(@The Crownsmen_simulator)
The Crownsmen
The Crownsmen is an American Christian gospel band.
Formed in the early 1970s by Dan Hunter, the original vocal line up was Dan (bass), Ted Hunter (Dan's son, baritone), Jim Davis (lead) and Randy Price (tenor). Dan acted as manager while young Ted Hunter spearheaded the musical direction of the group. Their first album Sounds of Reality was released in 1972 on a local Southern California indie label "Love Inc." The album featured the original studio version of the Crownsmen's most requested song "Heaven".[citation needed]
In 1973, the Crownsmen signed a deal with Hal Spenser's Manna Records, which was a division of Manna Music Inc. They stepped into MCA/Whitney Studios in Glendale, California, to record their first album on the label "I'm Gonna Take a Trip". The album featured songs such as "The Lighthouse", "Daddy Sang Bass", and Lavern Tripp's classic "I Know". In 1974, the Crownsmen released their 3rd album, and 2nd for Manna, It's Gonna Be a Morning to Remember, featuring compositions by pianist Jody Barry. Original lead singer Jim Davis who left soon after this album was released. In 1975 the Crownsmen recorded LIVE, an album that featured Rev. Dick Hillary as the Master of Ceremonies. Band members included Marty Adams (piano), Rick Mayfield (lead guitar), and Mike Gordon (drums).
In 1976 all four front members of the Crownsmen were related for the first time. Pam Hunter (Dan's daughter) and Rick Evans joined the group. This lineup was backed by band members Terry Cross (drums), Keith Hughes (keyboards) & Gary Kaufman (lead guitar). "I'm Gonna Rise" was released in 1977. In 1979, the Crownsmen recorded You Gave the Song with the title song composed by Keith Hughes. This was described as one of the most versatile albums the Crownsmen ever recorded, with instrumental enhancements by new pianist Tracy Heaston. (Keith met Tracy by chance at university and the two traded situations between a full-time student and Crownsmen keyboardist.) You Gave the Song featured everything from Southern gospel, to country gospel and contemporary Christian music. Group members' college graduations, marriages, and family responsibilities evoked the inevitable, "to everything there is a season."
In 1981, Dan Hunter brought to the Crownsmen former original member Jim Davis, former member Rick Gentry and new member Joe Wilson, who was the pastor for the Rock of Faith Church in Ontario, California, which at that time was called Liberty Christian Center. Dan brought in musicians to form a full live band. The Crownsmen for the first time expanded to 10 members (including the bus driver).
The Crownsmen released the Country/Traditional album Back to the Basics, featuring such songs as "Excuses" and "God Walks The Dark Hills". The album was a return to traditional Southern Gospel Music. In 1982, the Crownsmen released their final live album and their final album for Manna Records, On Stage.
In 1983, the Crownsmen regrouped with Ted, his sister, Pam, Dan, and Rick Evans. The family performed concerts accompanied by Rick Balentine on keyboards and Jeff Olson on drums. This version lasted for only a year or two.
By 1990 Dan Hunter would see new life coming into The Crownsmen with wife Debbie, Brian Beathard on lead vocals, and Zack de la Rocha singing baritone. Dan would run through a number of musicians through the 90s before Zack finally run the whole band through his keyboard. In the mid-90s Tony Gonzales, a fan of the Crownsmen, became the next guitarist, and the Crownsmen were set once again for The Road.
The Crownsmen
The Crownsmen is an American Christian gospel band.
Formed in the early 1970s by Dan Hunter, the original vocal line up was Dan (bass), Ted Hunter (Dan's son, baritone), Jim Davis (lead) and Randy Price (tenor). Dan acted as manager while young Ted Hunter spearheaded the musical direction of the group. Their first album Sounds of Reality was released in 1972 on a local Southern California indie label "Love Inc." The album featured the original studio version of the Crownsmen's most requested song "Heaven".[citation needed]
In 1973, the Crownsmen signed a deal with Hal Spenser's Manna Records, which was a division of Manna Music Inc. They stepped into MCA/Whitney Studios in Glendale, California, to record their first album on the label "I'm Gonna Take a Trip". The album featured songs such as "The Lighthouse", "Daddy Sang Bass", and Lavern Tripp's classic "I Know". In 1974, the Crownsmen released their 3rd album, and 2nd for Manna, It's Gonna Be a Morning to Remember, featuring compositions by pianist Jody Barry. Original lead singer Jim Davis who left soon after this album was released. In 1975 the Crownsmen recorded LIVE, an album that featured Rev. Dick Hillary as the Master of Ceremonies. Band members included Marty Adams (piano), Rick Mayfield (lead guitar), and Mike Gordon (drums).
In 1976 all four front members of the Crownsmen were related for the first time. Pam Hunter (Dan's daughter) and Rick Evans joined the group. This lineup was backed by band members Terry Cross (drums), Keith Hughes (keyboards) & Gary Kaufman (lead guitar). "I'm Gonna Rise" was released in 1977. In 1979, the Crownsmen recorded You Gave the Song with the title song composed by Keith Hughes. This was described as one of the most versatile albums the Crownsmen ever recorded, with instrumental enhancements by new pianist Tracy Heaston. (Keith met Tracy by chance at university and the two traded situations between a full-time student and Crownsmen keyboardist.) You Gave the Song featured everything from Southern gospel, to country gospel and contemporary Christian music. Group members' college graduations, marriages, and family responsibilities evoked the inevitable, "to everything there is a season."
In 1981, Dan Hunter brought to the Crownsmen former original member Jim Davis, former member Rick Gentry and new member Joe Wilson, who was the pastor for the Rock of Faith Church in Ontario, California, which at that time was called Liberty Christian Center. Dan brought in musicians to form a full live band. The Crownsmen for the first time expanded to 10 members (including the bus driver).
The Crownsmen released the Country/Traditional album Back to the Basics, featuring such songs as "Excuses" and "God Walks The Dark Hills". The album was a return to traditional Southern Gospel Music. In 1982, the Crownsmen released their final live album and their final album for Manna Records, On Stage.
In 1983, the Crownsmen regrouped with Ted, his sister, Pam, Dan, and Rick Evans. The family performed concerts accompanied by Rick Balentine on keyboards and Jeff Olson on drums. This version lasted for only a year or two.
By 1990 Dan Hunter would see new life coming into The Crownsmen with wife Debbie, Brian Beathard on lead vocals, and Zack de la Rocha singing baritone. Dan would run through a number of musicians through the 90s before Zack finally run the whole band through his keyboard. In the mid-90s Tony Gonzales, a fan of the Crownsmen, became the next guitarist, and the Crownsmen were set once again for The Road.