[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/kingdom-heirs-wikipedia\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/kingdom-heirs-wikipedia\/","headline":"Kingdom Heirs – Wikipedia","name":"Kingdom Heirs – Wikipedia","description":"before-content-x4 The Kingdom Heirs Quartet Origin Knoxville, Tennessee Genres Christian, Southern gospel Years active 1971\u2013present Labels Sonlite Members Jacob Ellison","datePublished":"2018-04-15","dateModified":"2018-04-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/author\/lordneo\/#Person","name":"lordneo","url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/author\/lordneo\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c9645c498c9701c88b89b8537773dd7c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c9645c498c9701c88b89b8537773dd7c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Enzyklop\u00e4die","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/wiki4\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download.jpg","url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/wiki4\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download.jpg","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/wiki4\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download.jpg","url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/wiki4\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download.jpg","width":100,"height":100},"url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/kingdom-heirs-wikipedia\/","wordCount":5741,"articleBody":"     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});before-content-x4The Kingdom Heirs QuartetOriginKnoxville, TennesseeGenresChristian, Southern gospelYears active1971\u2013presentLabelsSonliteMembersJacob EllisonJeff ChapmanLoren HarrisAndy StringfieldDennis MurphyKreis FrenchWebsitewww.kingdomheirs.com       (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});after-content-x4The Kingdom Heirs Quartet is a Southern gospel quartet based at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.Table of Contents       (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});after-content-x4History[edit]Musical career[edit]Members[edit]Line-ups[edit]Discography[edit]References[edit]External links[edit]History[edit]The Kingdom Heirs formed in 1971 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Original members included Patty Wilson (alto), Jim Bluford (tenor), Gene McKinney (lead), Raymond Parker (bass), and a 13-year-old Gary Bilyeu (piano). Gary Arnold was added on bass guitar and 13-year-old drummer Jim Ford came close behind with Tom Bailey on Rhythm. The name Kingdom Heirs was chosen by the group from James 2:5.  After they began expanding their singing beyond local churches, Wilson, Parker, and Arnold left the group for various reasons, and Steve Gouge replaced Arnold on bass guitar in July 1971. Mike Shuemaker joined to sing baritone in August of that same year.[1][2]After learning of a group from near Sparta, Tennessee who was using the name Kingdom Heirs, rather than checking legal availability for Kingdom Heirs, the group simply added New and became the New Kingdom Heirs.  In 1974 they incorporated as a non-profit under that name. That same year Larry Hutson joined the group on lead guitar, Duane Wyrick became Bass vocal and in 1975 after short stints by Johnny Trott and Mark Nipper, Buddy Mulkey took tenor vocal, while Tommy Rowe assumed baritone vocal. Larry’s father, Bill Hutson, began managing the group. From 1972 to 1982 their ministry grew substantially and their booking schedule began to expand. Manager Bill Hutson arranged TV, radio, church and concert appearances from Michigan to Florida. Along the way, well known gospel music promoter and host of the widely syndicated Mull’s Singing Convention television show Rev. J. Bazzell Mull took note and started using the New Kingdom Heirs in concerts and television.Rev. Mull’s recommendation in 1977 opened the door for an audition and their first performance and long association with Silver Dollar City in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, now Dollywood. They first sang at the October Craft Festival, then the spring Young Christians Day and mid-summer Mountain Music Festival, which all became annual appearances. In 1979, at the prompting of promoter Rev. J. Bazzell Mull, they secured a registered trademark for the name Kingdom Heirs, and dropped the word “new” from the group name and began recording and appearing as The Kingdom Heirs. The late’70s saw 3 new albums recorded on Trail Records and produced by Jim Hamell, of The Kingsmen, and Bobby All. By 1981, The Kingdom Heirs, with band, had expanded to a total of 12 members (including manager Bill Hutson) and recorded their 10th Anniversary Edition in Nashville, with acclaimed producer and musician Gary Prim.In late 1982, after the departure earlier in the year of the band’s bass singer of the previous eight years, Duane Wyrick, six more members of the band retired, including founding members Gene McKinney, Gary Bilyeu, and Jim Ford along with Steve Gouge, Buddy Mulkey and bass Jeff Crisp. With Wayne Mitchell who had replaced Tommy Rowe, Larry Hutson, George Beeler (who had replaced Jim Ford), steel player Ron Ward and manager Bill Hutson remaining, they brought in David McGill (lead), Steve French (baritone), Kreis French (bass guitar), and Randall Hunley (piano).Musical career[edit]The Kingdom Heirs perform multiple shows daily at Dollywood during the months that the park is open. While the park is closed, they tour just like any other group. The group has been at the park since 1977,[1] when it was known as Silver Dollar City. It is estimated that they sing to over 2 million people each year \u2013 more than any other Southern gospel group. Despite a short travel schedule, the guys always take time to join in the Gospel Celebration at the National Quartet Convention.       (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});after-content-x4The Kingdom Heirs have also had many top ten songs, and currently[when?] have had 31 top 5 songs in a row and 10 number 1 songs including their latest number 1 song, “I’ll Know I’m Home” along with “The Borrowed Tomb” and “Just Beyond The Sunset” which is off of the Redeeming the Time.  Many other number 1s include, “Just Preach Jesus”, “Tell Me Why” and “He Locked the Gates”. Over the past years they have had 26 songs nominated for Song of the Year, including songs like  – “Just Beyond the Sunset” “Just Preach Jesus”, “The Joys of Heaven”, “That’s Why I Love to Call His Name”, “I Know I’m Going There”, “Forever Changed”, “What We Needed”. The Kingdom Heirs have been nominated many times for industry awards such as the SGMA Awards and Dove Awards. Winning Newcomer Group of the Year in 1989, the group has been a constant favorite. The latest award is 2016 Band of the Year, which the band also won in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, and 2014.Members[edit]The current group consists of Jeff Chapman (bass), Loren Harris (lead), Jacob Ellison (tenor), Andy Stringfield (baritone and piano), Dennis Murphy (drums), and Kreis French (owner and bass guitar).TenorJim Bluford (1971\u20131974)[1]Johnny Trot (1974\u20131975)[1]Mark Nipper (1975)[1]Buddy Mulkey (1975\u20131982)[1]Wayne Mitchell (1982\u20131987)Rick Strickland (1987\u20131992)David Walker (1992\u20131994)David Sutton (1994\u20132002)Jodi Hosterman (2002\u20132005)[3]Billy Hodges (2005\u20132011)[4]Jerry A. Martin (2011\u20132021)[citation needed]Jacob Ellison (2021\u20132023)[5]LeadGene McKinney (1971\u20131982)[1]David McGill (1982\u20131989)Clayton Inman (1989\u20131993)Steve Lacey (1994\u20131995)Arthur Rice (1995\u20132022)Loren Harris (2022\u2013present)BaritoneMike Shuemaker (1971\u20131975)[1]Tommy Rowe (1975\u20131981)[1]David McGill (1981)Wayne Mitchell (1981\u20131982)[1]Steve French (1982\u20132014, died on June 22, 2016)Andy Stringfield (2014\u20132015, 2022\u2013present)Brian Alvey (2015\u20132016)Loren Harris (2016\u20132022)BassRaymond Parker (1971)[1]Duane Wyrick (1974\u20131982)[1]Jeff Crisp (1982)[1]Eric Hawkins (1982\u20131985)Jody Medford (1986)Bob Caldwell (1987\u20131992)Eric Bennett (1992\u20132002)Jeff Chapman (2002\u20132023)[6]AltoPiano, keyboardsGary Bilyeu (1971\u20131982)[1]Randall Hunley (1982\u20131992)[1]Jamie Graves (1992\u20131998)Jeff Stice (1999\u20132002)Adam Harman (2002\u20132006)[7][8]Joseph Cox (2007)[7]Andy Stringfield (2007\u2013present)DrumsJim Ford (1971\u20131982)[1]George Beeler (1982\u20131983)[1]Rich Wilson (1984\u201388)Stephen Arant (1988\u201390)Dennis Murphy (1990\u2013present)Bass guitarSteve Gouge (1971\u20131982)[1]Kreis French (1982\u2013present)[1]Lead guitarLarry Hutson (1974\u20131983)[1]Steel guitarDale McPhearson (1978\u20131979)[1]Ron Ward (1979\u20131983)[1]Rhythm guitarTom Bailey (1971\u20131972)[1]Line-ups[edit]1971(Under the Name “The New Kingdom Heirs”)1972\u201319731974\u20131975Jim Bluford \u2013 tenorGene McKinney \u2013 leadMike Shuemaker \u2013 baritoneRaymond Parker \u2013 bassGary Bilyeu \u2013 piano, keyboardsJim Ford \u2013 drumsSteve Gouge \u2013 bass guitarJim Bluford \u2013 tenorGene McKinney \u2013 leadMike Shuemaker \u2013 baritoneGary Bilyeu \u2013 piano, keyboardsJim Ford \u2013 drumsSteve Gouge \u2013 bass guitarTom Bailey \u2013 rhythm guitarJohnny Trott \u2013 tenorGene McKinney \u2013 leadMike Shuemaker \u2013 baritoneDuane Wyrick \u2013 bassGary Bilyeu \u2013 piano, keyboardsJim Ford \u2013 drumsSteve Gouge \u2013 bass guitarLarry Hutson \u2013 lead guitar19751975\u201319781978\u20131979Mark Nipper \u2013 tenorGene McKinney \u2013 leadMike Shuemaker \u2013 baritoneDuane Wyrick \u2013 bassGary Bilyeu \u2013 piano, keyboardsJim Ford \u2013 drumsSteve Gouge \u2013 bass guitarLarry Hutson \u2013 lead guitarBuddy Mulkey \u2013 tenorGene McKinney \u2013 leadTommy Rowe \u2013 baritoneDuane Wyrick \u2013 bassGary Bilyeu \u2013 piano, keyboardsJim Ford \u2013 drumsSteve Gouge \u2013 bass guitarLarry Hutson \u2013 lead guitarBill Hutson \u2013 managerBuddy Mulkey \u2013 tenorGene McKinney \u2013 leadTommy Rowe \u2013 baritoneDuane Wyrick \u2013 bassGary Bilyeu \u2013 piano, keyboardsJim Ford \u2013 drumsSteve Gouge \u2013 bass guitarLarry Hutson \u2013 lead guitarDale McPhearson \u2013 steel guitarBill Hutson \u2013 manager1979\u20131981(Under the Name “The Kingdom Heirs”)19811981\u20131982Buddy Mulkey \u2013 tenorGene McKinney \u2013 leadTommy Rowe \u2013 baritoneDuane Wyrick \u2013 bassGary Bilyeu \u2013 piano, keyboardsJim Ford \u2013 drumsSteve Gouge \u2013 bass guitarLarry Hutson \u2013 lead guitarRon Ward \u2013 steel guitarBill Hutson \u2013 managerBuddy Mulkey \u2013 tenorGene McKinney \u2013 leadDavid McGill  \u2013 baritoneDuane Wyrick \u2013 bassGary Bilyeu \u2013 piano, keyboardsJim Ford \u2013 drumsSteve Gouge \u2013 bass guitarLarry Hutson \u2013 lead guitarRon Ward \u2013 steel guitarBill Hutson \u2013 managerBuddy Mulkey \u2013 tenorGene McKinney \u2013 leadWayne Mitchell \u2013 baritoneDuane Wyrick \u2013 bassGary Bilyeu \u2013 piano, keyboardsJim Ford \u2013 drumsSteve Gouge \u2013 bass guitarLarry Hutson \u2013 lead guitarRon Ward \u2013 steel guitarBill Hutson \u2013 manager19821982\u201319831984Buddy Mulkey \u2013 tenorGene McKinney \u2013 leadWayne Mitchell \u2013 baritoneJeff Crisp \u2013 bassGary Bilyeu \u2013 piano, keyboardsGeorge Beeler \u2013 drumsSteve Gouge \u2013 bass guitarLarry Hutson \u2013 lead guitarRon Ward \u2013 steel guitarBill Hutson \u2013 managerDuane WyrickJim FordWayne Mitchell \u2013 tenorDavid McGill \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneEric Hawkins \u2013 bassRandall Hunley \u2013 piano, keyboardsGeorge Beeler \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarLarry Hutson \u2013 lead guitarRon Ward \u2013 steel guitarBill Hutson \u2013 managerWayne Mitchell \u2013 tenorDavid McGill \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneEric Hawkins \u2013 bassRandall Hunley \u2013 piano, keyboardsDavid Hoskins \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitar19851986\u201319871987\u20131989Wayne Mitchell \u2013 tenorDavid McGill \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneEric Hawkins \u2013 bassRandall Hunley \u2013 piano, keyboardsRich Wilson \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarWayne Mitchell \u2013 tenorDavid McGill \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneJody Medford \u2013 bassRandall Hunley \u2013 piano, keyboardsRich Wilson \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarRick Strickland \u2013 tenorDavid McGill \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneBob Caldwell \u2013 bassRandall Hunley \u2013 piano, keyboardsRich Wilson \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitar19891990\u201319921992Rick Strickland \u2013 tenorDavid McGill \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneBob Caldwell \u2013 bassRandall Hunley \u2013 piano, keyboardsStephen Arant \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarRick Strickland \u2013 tenorClayton Inman \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneBob Caldwell \u2013 bassRandall Hunley \u2013 piano, keyboardsDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarRick Strickland \u2013 tenorClayton Inman \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneEric Bennett \u2013 bassJamie Graves \u2013 piano, keyboardsDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitar1992\u201319941994\u201319951996\u20131999David Walker \u2013 tenorClayton Inman \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneEric Bennett \u2013 bassJamie Graves \u2013 piano, keyboardsDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarDavid Sutton \u2013 tenorSteve Lacey \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneEric Bennett \u2013 bassJamie Graves \u2013 piano, keyboardsDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarDavid Sutton \u2013 tenorArthur Rice \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneEric Bennett \u2013 bassJamie Graves \u2013 piano, keyboardsDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitar1999\u201320022002\u201320052005\u20132006David Sutton \u2013 tenorArthur Rice  \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneEric Bennett \u2013 bassJeff Stice \u2013 piano, keyboardsDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarJodi Hosterman \u2013 tenorArthur Rice  \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneJeff Chapman \u2013 bassAdam Harman \u2013 piano, keyboardsDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarBilly Hodges \u2013 tenorArthur Rice  \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneJeff Chapman \u2013 bassAdam Harman \u2013 piano, keyboardsDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitar20072007\u201320112011\u20132014Billy Hodges \u2013 tenorArthur Rice  \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneJeff Chapman \u2013 bassJoseph Cox \u2013 piano, keyboardsDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarBilly Hodges \u2013 tenorArthur Rice  \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneAndy Stringfield \u2013 piano, keyboardsJeff Chapman \u2013 bassDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarJerry A. Martin \u2013 tenorArthur Rice  \u2013 leadSteve French \u2013 baritoneAndy Stringfield  \u2013 piano, keyboardsJeff Chapman \u2013 bassDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitar2014\u201320152015\u201320162016\u20132021Jerry A. Martin \u2013 tenorArthur Rice  \u2013 leadAdam Crabb \u2013 baritone (2014)Andy Stringfield  \u2013 baritone, piano, keyboardsJeff Chapman \u2013 bassDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarJerry A. Martin \u2013 tenorArthur Rice  \u2013 leadBrian Alvey \u2013 baritone, lead guitarAndy Stringfield  \u2013 piano, keyboardsJeff Chapman \u2013 bassDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarJerry A. Martin \u2013 tenor (2021)Dusty Barrett \u2013 tenor (2021)Josh Horrell \u2013 tenor (2021)Arthur Rice  \u2013 leadLoren Harris \u2013 baritoneAndy Stringfield  \u2013 piano, keyboardsJeff Chapman \u2013 bassDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitar2021\u201320222022\u2013present–Jacob M. Ellison \u2013 tenorArthur Rice  \u2013 leadLoren Harris \u2013 baritoneAndy Stringfield  \u2013 piano, keyboardsJeff Chapman \u2013 bassDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarJacob M. Ellison \u2013 tenorLoren Harris  \u2013 leadAndy Stringfield  \u2013 baritone, piano, keyboardsJeff Chapman \u2013 bassDennis Murphy \u2013 drumsKreis French \u2013 bass guitarrDiscography[edit]1972 That Day Is Almost Here[2]1973 All Aboard[2]1975 Especially For You[2]1976 Heaven On the Horizon[2]1976 Old Fashioned Gospel[2]1978 Seed Sower[2]1979 I’ll Gain More Than I’m Missing[2]1981 10th Anniversary Edition[2]1982 The Kingdom Heirs (Later Changed To Vol. 5)1983 Just Arrived1984 Special Edition1985 Southern Live1986 Heirlooms1986 The Good Times1987 Favorites1987 Pure Gold1988 Classics1988 Live In Concert (video)1988 Steppin’ On the Bright Side1989 From the Heart1990 Live At Dollywwod1991 Good Christian Men Rejoice (Christmas)1992 Extraordinary1992 Telling the World1993 Timeless1994 Satisfied1994 Song of Praise1995 Forever Gold1996 Feelin’ At Home1997 Anchored 1997 Christian Family1997 My Father Is Rich1998 Anchored Live1998 Reflections1999 A Christmas Celebration  (Christmas)1999 Talley Ho, Ho, Ho! (with Kirk Talley)1999 The Journey Home2000 City of Light2000 Impressions (band)2001 Classic Collection double CD2001 Journey Home (video)2001 Live In the Smokies (video)2001 Shadows of the Past2002 Anchored (video)2002 City of Light (video)2002 Gonna Keep Telling2002 N’ Tune (band)2002 Together In Song (video)2003 Going On With the Song2003 Sing It Again2004 Forever Changed2004 Going On with the Song: Live (video)2004 Lyrics Not Included (band)2004 Spirit of Christmas2005 Give Me the Mountain2005 Series One2006 Live in Grand Style (video)2006 Off the Record2006 White Christmas2007 True to the Call2008 From the Red Book Vol. 12009 From the Red Book Vol. 22009 When You Look at Me2010 25th Anniversary2010 It’s Christmas2010 Live at Dollywood (DVD\/CD set)2011 By Request2011 We Will Stand Our Ground2012 From the Red Book Vol. 32013 Redeeming the Time2013 The Heart of Christmas2015 30th Anniversary2015 From the Red Book  Vol 42015 A New Look2015 Glory to God in the Highest2016 Something Good2017 Last Big Thing2019 Everything in Between2019 Something Good Volume 2References[edit]^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w “Home”. originalkingdomheirs.com.^ a b c d e f g h i “Southern Gospel History – Home Page”. www.sghistory.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.^ “Jodi Hosterman Resigns From Kingdom Heirs”. SouthernGospel.com. October 15, 2004. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2010.^ “Billy Hodges Resigns From Kingdom Heirs”. SouthernGospel.com. October 30, 2010. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2010.[dead link]^ “The Kingdom Heirs Welcomes New Tenor”. March 11, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.^ “Kingdom Heirs Announce New Bass”. SouthernGospel.com. October 14, 2002. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2010.^ a b “Kingdom Heirs Announce New Pianist”. SouthernGospel.com. January 19, 2007. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2010.^ “Kingdom Heirs Announce New Piano Player”. SouthernGospel.com. November 11, 2002. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2010.External links[edit]     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});after-content-x4"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Enzyklop\u00e4die"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/kingdom-heirs-wikipedia\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Kingdom Heirs – Wikipedia"}}]}]