David Phelps (musician)
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David Phelps |
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David Phelps is an American Christian vocalist, songwriter and vocal arranger, who is most known for his stint as tenor and soloist in the Gaither Vocal Band,[1] with which he performed for 8 years. During and after his time with the Vocal Band, David has released several solo albums, including three Christmas collections. David has appeared on Extreme Makeover Home Edition for the Woodhouse family
Biography
Singer/songwriter David Norris Phelps was born on October 21, 1969, in Texas to Gene and Mary Ella Phelps. Gene is a former accountant/banker who currently teaches business and finance at a college in Houston. Mary Ella is a retired English Professor. He has two older sisters, Sherri Proctor (who sings backup vocals for him when he tours) and Kari Lee (a professional trumpeter who tours with the Chicago-based Millar Brass Ensemble.)
He grew up in Tomball, Texas near Houston and graduated from Tomball High School in 1988. He attended Baylor University, (where he directed the Baylor Religious Hour Choir) graduating in 1992 with a degree in music and vocal performance.
David is a lyric tenor as a trademark of his large range, especially his ability to sing in a high tessitura for sustained periods. Live recordings, whether by himself or with the Gaithers, indicate he has more than a three octave full voice range. In the first verse of "Just As I Am," off of the album "Revelation," David sings an E2. This is attested by live performances. During a performance of "When God Dips His Love In My Heart," he ably sings an F5, full voice, and sustains it for a significant period of time. During his time with the Gaither Vocal Band, his high tessitura was employed often. He was introduced to Bill Gaither by Mark Lowry, who was (and is now again) the baritone in the group. Lowry brought Gaither a tape of Phelps. During a performance of "Let Freedom Ring," he ably sings an C#5 in full voice. In Studio his highest note ever is a Db6 the Soprano High D flat.[citation needed]An example of this is found on the Gaither Vocal Band recording of the song "Let Freedom Ring" (originally recorded on their "God is Good" CD).
David is once again, since approximately January 13, 2009, part of the Gaither Vocal Band. He is sharing the tenor part with Wes Hampton.
Personal life
David's wife is Lori Purtle Phelps (also born on October 21, 1969); together the two have four children: Callie Noelle (born 1995), Maggie Beth (born 1997), David Grant (born 2000) and Coby Daniel (born 2004). Callie, Maggie Beth and Grant can be seen on the Gaither Homecoming videos "Christmas in the Country" and "A Time for Joy." The Phelps Family currently resides south of Nashville, Tennessee.[citation needed]
Discography
Solo Albums
| Year | Album | Peak chart position | Record Label | Record Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Journey to Grace | |||
| 2000 | Joy, Joy | Springhill Music | ||
| 2001 | David Phelps | Phil Naish | ||
| 2004 | Revelation | 7 | Word | Regie Hamm, Chris Harris |
| 2005 | Life is a Church | 9 | Greg Bieck | |
| 2006 | Legacy of Love [LIVE] | 28 | ||
| 2007 | No More Night: David Phelps Live in Birmingham | Jim Chaffee, Rudy Landa | ||
| 2007 | One Wintry Night | 23 | Monroe Jones | |
| 2008 | The Voice | 15 | Monroe Jones | |
| 2008 | O Holy Night [LIVE] | 4 |
Compilations
- 2009: The Best of David Phelps (Word)
With the Gaither Vocal Band
- 1998: Still the Greatest Story Ever Told
- 1999: God Is Good
- 2001: I Do Believe
- 2002: Everything Good
- 2003: A Capella (producer/arranger)
- 2004: Best of the Gaither Vocal Band
- 2009: Reunion Vol. 1 & 2 (LIVE)
- 2009: Reunited
- 2010: Better Day [LIVE]
- 2010: Greatly Blessed
Appearances on other albums
- 1998: In My Life, Larry Gatlin (Spring House)
- 1999: Within Old Pages, Walt Mills (Homeland Records)
- 2000: Lordsong, Lordsong (Daywind)
- 2001: Lauren Talley, Lauren Talley (Horizon) "The Prayer" (duet)
Video
Solo
- 2006: Legacy of Love [LIVE]
- 2007: No More Night: David Phelps Live in Birmingham
With the Gaither Vocal Band
- 1998: Hawaiian Homecoming
- 2001: I Do Believe
- 2003: Australian Homecoming
- 2009: Reunion Volumes 1 & 2
- 2010: Reunited
- 2010: Better Day
Gaither Homecoming Video solo performances
- 1998: Kennedy Center Homecoming "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
- 1998: All Day Singin' at the Dome "I'll Fly Away"
- 1998: Atlanta Homecoming "What a Meeting in the Air", "Jesus Saves"
- 2000: Good News "I'm Free", "What A Meeting in the Air"
- 2001: A Billy Graham Music Homecoming - Volume 2 "It is Well with My Soul"
- 2001: Mark Lowry On Broadway "A Whole New World" (with Sandi Patty)
- 2002: Freedom Band "Worthy the Lamb"
- 2002: I'll Fly Away "I'll Fly Away", "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"
- 2002: God Bless America "The End of the Beginning", "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
- 2003: Heaven "No More Night", "What a Day That Will Be"
- 2004: A Tribute to Jake Hess "Sweeter as the Days Go By"
- 2004: Passin' the Faith Along "I Can't Even Walk"
- 2005: So Glad "Bein' Happy"
- 2006: Harmony in the Heartland "The Lifeboat"
- 2007: How Great Thou Art "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood"
- 2008: Rock of Ages "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"
- 2011: The Best of David Phelps
References
- ^ Bush, John. "Biography: Gaither Vocal Band". AMG. Retrieved 6 May 2010.