Glad (band)
Encyclopedia
GLAD is one of the pioneers of Christian pop/rock and a cappella
music, having formed as a progressive rock group in 1972 and discovered a large audience for their a cappella music in 1988. Today, with over 1.5 million albums sold, they continue to perform concerts and release occasional recordings. As Contemporary Christian Music (CCM Magazine
) described it, "GLAD's elegant vocals helped set them apart from other pioneers of Contemporary Christian music
. That vocal sound has since evolved into a complex, self-sustaining life form of its own..." The GLAD sound is known for its tight harmonies and intricate arrangements with classical and jazz overtones. Some of their hits over the years have included "Be Ye Glad," "Maker of My Heart," "God is My Rock," "The Easter Song," "You Put This Love in My Heart," and "Color Outside the Lines."
in Philadelphia) were Bob Kauflin (keyboards, vocals), T. Coble (bass, vocals), John Bolles (guitar, vocals), and Brad Currie (drums). The group's name was chosen from a poll taken at a shopping mall. Playing over 200 dates annually at college campuses, churches and concert halls throughout the United States, GLAD released their first two albums on Myrrh Records
: GLAD (1978) and Beyond a Star (1980). Brothers Wayne Scott Farley (guitar, vocals) and Mark Farley (drums) briefly joined the group to record the latter album, Beyond a Star.
In 1981, the groups signed with Benson Records
(on their Greentree label) and began releasing albums with different inflections: Captured in Time (1982) was markedly jazzy, Champion of Love (1985) was big and brassy, and Who Do You Love? (1987) offered driving synth rock.
"The Reason" (on Beyond a Star) was their first a cappella song, which they subsequently re-recorded for their watershed 1988 album, The Acapella Project. That album was released with some trepidation because there was no track record in the genre for the Christian market, but it proved tremendously popular (selling over 400,000 copies), and received a Dove Award nomination and a Billboard
Critic's Choice Award. Since that time, GLAD has alternated a cappella recordings with more subdued Adult Contemporary albums, the notable exception being 1995's lively Color Outside the Lines, co-produced by industry veterans Mark Baldwin and Joe Hogue for Light Records
.
GLAD made a venture into the mainstream later that year with A Cappella Gershwin (featuring arrangements by the legendary Gene Puerling
), which helped introduce their music to a wider audience. The Charleston Gazette
wrote, "GLAD has long been Christian pop music's most sophisticated ensemble... The singing, built around Ed Nalle's uncanny high tenor, has the elegance and sophistication the source material demands."
To date the group has produced twenty-three albums and performed thousands of concerts; additionally, since 1985 they have helped to secure sponsors for thousands of needy children in Third World
nations through Compassion International
and trips to countries such as Haiti
, Mexico
, Ecuador
, Kenya
, Brazil
and Indonesia
.
GLAD's current lineup includes Nalle and longtime members Chris Davis (a musician with a background in classical and electric guitar, plus session work in the Northwest) and John Gates (an experienced studio percussionist who backed Gladys Knight & the Pips
, Frankie and the Knockouts, and others), plus alternating keyboardists Paul Langford and Don Pardoe. Kauflin and Don Hart are the group's primary a cappella arrangers. Recently, the group has released recordings inspired by the writings of John Piper
and the worship music of Sovereign Grace Ministries
(formerly PDI).
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
music, having formed as a progressive rock group in 1972 and discovered a large audience for their a cappella music in 1988. Today, with over 1.5 million albums sold, they continue to perform concerts and release occasional recordings. As Contemporary Christian Music (CCM Magazine
CCM Magazine
CCM Magazine was a monthly magazine published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. It was first published in July 1978, and it has always been a Christian music magazine. On January 16, 2008, Salem announced that the April 2008 issue would be the final printed issue of the...
) described it, "GLAD's elegant vocals helped set them apart from other pioneers of Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
. That vocal sound has since evolved into a complex, self-sustaining life form of its own..." The GLAD sound is known for its tight harmonies and intricate arrangements with classical and jazz overtones. Some of their hits over the years have included "Be Ye Glad," "Maker of My Heart," "God is My Rock," "The Easter Song," "You Put This Love in My Heart," and "Color Outside the Lines."
History
GLAD formed on the campus of West Chester State University of Pennsylvania when singer Ed Nalle auditioned for a new Christian band. Nalle along with Bob Kauflin would write and produce much of GLAD's early material in addition to his role as lead vocalist. The other members (from Temple UniversityTemple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
in Philadelphia) were Bob Kauflin (keyboards, vocals), T. Coble (bass, vocals), John Bolles (guitar, vocals), and Brad Currie (drums). The group's name was chosen from a poll taken at a shopping mall. Playing over 200 dates annually at college campuses, churches and concert halls throughout the United States, GLAD released their first two albums on Myrrh Records
Myrrh Records
Myrrh Records, also known as Myrrh Worship, is a Christian music record label. According to Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, the label was instrumental in developing a popular following for Contemporary Christian music as the label that first published music by Barry McGuire, 2nd Chapter of...
: GLAD (1978) and Beyond a Star (1980). Brothers Wayne Scott Farley (guitar, vocals) and Mark Farley (drums) briefly joined the group to record the latter album, Beyond a Star.
In 1981, the groups signed with Benson Records
Benson Records
Benson Records was founded by Bob Benson & John T. Benson, beginning as the John T. Benson Music Publishing Company in 1902. The record label started out as Heart Warming Records and would come to house labels such as Impact Records, Greentree Records, RiverSong, StarSong and Home Sweet Home...
(on their Greentree label) and began releasing albums with different inflections: Captured in Time (1982) was markedly jazzy, Champion of Love (1985) was big and brassy, and Who Do You Love? (1987) offered driving synth rock.
"The Reason" (on Beyond a Star) was their first a cappella song, which they subsequently re-recorded for their watershed 1988 album, The Acapella Project. That album was released with some trepidation because there was no track record in the genre for the Christian market, but it proved tremendously popular (selling over 400,000 copies), and received a Dove Award nomination and a Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Critic's Choice Award. Since that time, GLAD has alternated a cappella recordings with more subdued Adult Contemporary albums, the notable exception being 1995's lively Color Outside the Lines, co-produced by industry veterans Mark Baldwin and Joe Hogue for Light Records
Light Records
Light Records was a gospel record label founded in 1966 by Ralph Carmichael as a joint venture with the Waco, Texas-based Word Records.-History:...
.
GLAD made a venture into the mainstream later that year with A Cappella Gershwin (featuring arrangements by the legendary Gene Puerling
Gene Puerling
Eugene Thomas Puerling was a vocal performer and vocal arranger. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Puerling created and led the vocal groups The Hi-Lo's and The Singers Unlimited...
), which helped introduce their music to a wider audience. The Charleston Gazette
The Charleston Gazette
The Charleston Gazette is a five-day morning newspaper in Charleston, West Virginia. It is published Monday through Friday mornings. On Saturday and Sunday mornings the combined Charleston Gazette-Mail is published, which is, more or less, similar to the Gazette.The Gazette was established in...
wrote, "GLAD has long been Christian pop music's most sophisticated ensemble... The singing, built around Ed Nalle's uncanny high tenor, has the elegance and sophistication the source material demands."
To date the group has produced twenty-three albums and performed thousands of concerts; additionally, since 1985 they have helped to secure sponsors for thousands of needy children in Third World
Third World
The term Third World arose during the Cold War to define countries that remained non-aligned with either capitalism and NATO , or communism and the Soviet Union...
nations through Compassion International
Compassion International
Compassion International is a Christian child sponsorship organization dedicated to the long-term development of children living in poverty around the world. Compassion International, headquartered in Colorado Springs, functions in 26 countries such as Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Haiti, Kenya, and...
and trips to countries such as Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
.
GLAD's current lineup includes Nalle and longtime members Chris Davis (a musician with a background in classical and electric guitar, plus session work in the Northwest) and John Gates (an experienced studio percussionist who backed Gladys Knight & the Pips
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Gladys Knight & The Pips were an R&B/soul family musical act from Atlanta, Georgia, active from 1953 to 1989. The group was best known for their string of hit singles on Motown's "Soul" record label and Buddah Records from 1967 to 1975, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Midnight...
, Frankie and the Knockouts, and others), plus alternating keyboardists Paul Langford and Don Pardoe. Kauflin and Don Hart are the group's primary a cappella arrangers. Recently, the group has released recordings inspired by the writings of John Piper
John Piper (theologian)
John Stephen Piper is a Christian preacher and author, currently serving as Pastor for Preaching and Vision of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota...
and the worship music of Sovereign Grace Ministries
Sovereign Grace Ministries
Sovereign Grace Ministries is a group of Reformed, neocharismatic, Evangelical, restorationist, Christian churches primarily located in North America. It has been described as an apostolic network...
(formerly PDI).
Studio albums
- Receive the Glory (A Cappella Project IV) (2005)
- God Of All Comfort (2003)
- Pure and Holy Passion (2002)
- Voices of Christmas (2000)
- A Cappella Worship 2 (1999)
- A Cappella Worship (1998)
- The A Cappella Project III (1996)
- A Cappella Gershwin (1995)
- Color Outside The Lines (1995)
- Acapella Hymns (1993)
- Floodgates (1992)
- The Symphony Project (1991)
- An Acapella Christmas (1991)
- The Acapella Project II (1990)
- Romans (1989)
- The Acapella Project (1988)
- Who Do You Love? (1987)
- Champion of Love (1985)
- No Less Than All (1983)
- Captured in Time (1982)
- Beyond a Star (1980)
- GLAD (1978)
Compilation albums
- Simply GLAD (2005)
- Signature Songs (2000) (includes "I Find Your Love Again" and "Always")
- GLAD: Collector's Series (2 x disc set, 1998) (includes "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty")
- GLAD: Right Price (1995)
- The Acapella Collection (1991) (includes "Prelude 19")
- GLAD: Radio Anthology (1987)
Other album appearances
- Kenny RogersKenny RogersKenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
: The Gift (1996) (background vocals on "Sweet Little Jesus Boy") - No Compromise: Remembering the Music of Keith GreenKeith GreenKeith Gordon Green was an American gospel singer, songwriter, musician, and Contemporary Christian Music artist originally from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York. Beyond his music, Green is best known for his strong devotion to Christian evangelism and challenging others to the same...
(1993) ("How Can They Live Without Jesus?") - Master Pieces: Classic Christian Songs Made New (1992) ("Rise Again")
- Generation 2 Generation (1992) ("A Simple Song of Praise" featuring the Children of Compassion)
- The Stingers: My Home Isn't In This World (1989) ("Psalm 113; 1-3")
- Scott Wesley BrownScott Wesley BrownScott Wesley Brown is an American CCM singer and songwriter.Brown recorded for Sparrow Records for much of his career, recording more than 20 albums; his songs have been covered by Petra, Pat Boone, Bruce Carroll, Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, and others...
: Songs and Stories (1977) (Instruments and background vocals)
Trivia
- GLAD's harmonies often take advantage of the eleventhEleventhIn music or music theory an eleventh is the note eleven scale degrees from the root of a chord and also the interval between the root and the eleventh....
and major ninthNinthIn music, a ninth is a compound interval consisting of an octave plus a second.Like the second, the interval of a ninth is classified as a dissonance in common practice tonality. Since a ninth is a larger than a second, its sonority level is considered less dense.-Major ninth:A major ninth is a...
chords. - Their a cappella arrangements typically have four to eleven parts.
- They have published several SATBSATBIn music, SATB is an initialism for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, defining the voices required by a chorus or choir to perform a particular musical work...
-adapted songbooks, accompaniment tracks, and original Studio Series Charts. - In 1987, GLAD established the 21st Street Recording studio with JDK Music (whose clients include Disney World, Bell Atlantic, and The Learning Channel) in Purcellville, Virginia.
- The group performed at the 2002 EasterEasterEaster is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
sunrise serviceSunrise serviceSunrise service is a worship service on Easter. It takes the place of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran tradition of the Easter Vigil, and is practised mainly by Protestant churches...
at the Lincoln MemorialLincoln MemorialThe Lincoln Memorial is an American memorial built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The architect was Henry Bacon, the sculptor of the main statue was Daniel Chester French, and the painter of the interior...
in Washington, DC. - Debby BooneDebby BooneDeborah Anne Boone is an American singer and stage actress. She is best known for her 1977 hit, "You Light Up My Life," which spent a then record ten weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and led to her winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist the following year...
recorded Bob Kauflin's [Sing] "A New Song" (featured on Beyond a Star and The Acapella Project II) on her 1980 album With My Song. She also recorded Michael Kelly Blanchard's "Be Ye Glad" on her 1987 album Friends for Life. - Kauflin recorded an all-piano instrumental album, Heroic Piano (1988).
- GLAD backed up some of Scott Wesley Brown's early recordings.
- GLAD members have assisted on several Sovereign Grace Music albums.
- Kauflin also recorded a 1992 Integrity! MusicIntegrity MediaIntegrity Media is a privately held media communications company that publishes and distributes Christian music, films and related materials. The corporate offices are located in Mobile, Alabama, with subsidiary offices in Tennessee and foreign offices in Singapore, South Africa and the United...
album called "Chosen Treasure". - Kauflin and Nalle contributed production and vocals to the People of Destiny "Arise and Worship II" CD in 1989.
External links
- Official homepage
- MySpace
- "Primarily A Cappella"
- RARB review of "A Cappella Gershwin"
- RARB review of "The A Cappella Project III
- RARB review of "A Cappella Worship: The Highest Glory"
- mp3: "Variations on a Hymn" (1983)
- Interview with Bob Kauflin and Don Nalle
- One-Way.org with OOP early samples
- Read about Glad's involvement with Compassion and the children they sponsor.