Acappella

Acappella is an all-male contemporary Christian vocal group founded in 1982 by Keith Lancaster, who has been the singer, songwriter, and producer throughout the group's history. The group only consists of vocalists who sing in a cappella style without instrumental accompaniment. Acappella'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, All That I Need, and Set Me Free. Media exposure included television appearances, while the song "More Precious Than Gold" became the centerpiece of a Sony Camcorder television commercial and was broadcast across the USA. 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 more than three decades, Acappella has returned to its roots, utilizing an extensive host of alumni vocalists to fill current concerts. Acappella's worldwide impact was recognized with the group's 2007 induction into the Christian Music Hall of Fame. Acappella changed its format in June 2014 (formally announced in August 2014). Acappella is not limited to one combination of singers. In fact, every concert features a special lineup drawn from veteran concert music ministers who have sung with Acappella across the years. It is not uncommon for a concert to feature vocalists ranging in ages in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, drawing from Acappella's vast catalog of original songs. Those who participate in concerts since the new format have included Rodney Britt, Wes McKinzie, Gary Evans, Ken McAlpin, Robert C. Guy, Robin Brannon, Duane Adams, Wayburn Dean, Anthony Lancaster, Zac George, Nic Dunbar, Barry Wilson, George Pendergrass, Steve Maxwell, Sean Samuel, Keith Lancaster, Gary Moyers, Matt Sammons, Jabbarri Jones, Matt Nunnally, Kevin Schaffer, Zachary Wilson and AVB alumni Aaron Herman, Brishan Hatcher, and Jeremy Swindle. 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. He later left the group to take the role of Worship Leader at Amarillo South Church. Duane currently lives in Odessa, Texas. James "JJ" Blevins – JJ was briefly in Acappella in early 2008. He is a graduate of Adventures in Missions (AIM) and has worked with congregations across the country. He is currently a House Parent at Fair Haven Children's Home in Missouri. Robin Brannon – Robin sang baritone for Acappella and was famous for his vocal percussion skills and incomparable energy on stage. He appeared on the Radiance and Find Your Way albums. He now serves as the Worship and Community Engagement Minister for The Church of Christ at White Station in Memphis, TN. Allen Brantley – Allen appeared on Radiance and Find Your Way in addition to assisting on Keith Lancaster's Praise & Harmony projects. He lives in Alabama with his wife Kim (one of Keith's daughters) and sings with the Lancaster Family. Allen also currently serves as Worship Pastor and Executive Director of Programming for Church Unlimited in Birmingham, AL. Rodney Britt – Rodney delivers sermons for the Pine Tree Church of Christ in Longview, Texas. He also sings bass for The Sounds of Glory. Don Connel – Don sang tenor in Acappella in the spring of 2002. He also participated in the 20th Anniversary Reunion. He works for an advertising and marketing company in Abilene, Texas. After his time with Acappella, he sang with Fishers of Men and Cornerstone. Cornerstone produced 2 CD's: Standing on the Rock and Everywhere. Don leads worship for the Oldham Lane church of Christ in Abilene, TX. Wayburn Dean – Continues to sing and record and currently works with Inside Prison Ministries. Nic Dunbar – Nic serves as the worship minister at the West Houston Church of Christ in Houston, Texas. Gary Evans – Now in Lubbock, Texas (his hometown), he helps lead worship at South Plains Church of Christ and works as a developer for World Bible School. Zac George – Zac currently serves as Worship and Outreach Minister at West Side Church of Christ in Russellville, Arkansas. Tom Graham – Robert Guy – Robert appeared on Acappella En Espanol, Hymns For All The World, Beyond A Doubt and Act of God. Randy Hatchett – Randy sang with "His Image Quartet" and appeared on Til He Comes, Heaven's Gonna Shine and Made in His Image. Randy currently is an elder at the Jackson Park Church of Christ in Nashville, TN. Malcolm Himes – Jordan House – Jordan works full time in the Bible department for Greater Atlanta Christian School. He has also been the worship minister for the Campus Church in Norcross, GA since September 2015. Jabbarri Jones – Jabbarri is the worship minister for the Singing Oaks Church of Christ in Denton, Texas. Anthony Lancaster – Anthony is the worship minister for the Madison Church of Christ in Madison, Tennessee. Keith Lancaster – Keith continues as producer for Acappella. In addition, he conducts Praise & Harmony workshops around the world. He is currently the worship minister at the Cullman Church of Christ in Cullman, Alabama. Jeff Martin – Jeff attended Abliene Christian University prior to joining Acappella. He sang in ACU's A Cappella chorus with bass Ron McCommas and future AVB member Dave Fletcher. He was the high tenor on the Perfect Peace album. Jeff worked in ministry nearly 30 years. He released a solo project, "Dance Before The Lord", in 1998. His family moved to Eagle River, Alaska, in 2007, to serve at Riverside Community Church. He died on August 13, 2017 at the age of 58. Tim Martin – Tim currently lives in Comanche, Texas and works with Hospice. He has done humanitarian aid work in Russia, Croatia, New Orleans (after Katrina) and Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and is a first responder for the Desdemona Volunteer Fire Department. Tim is still singing Cowboy, Gospel, Bluegrass with a band he formed called "Spirit of the West" and recently has teamed up with Glenn Murray to form 'Martin and Murray' – keeping the Cowboy tradition alive and focusing on Cowboy Poetry Gatherings. Steve Maxwell – Steve serves as Worship Minister at North Atlanta Church of Christ in Atlanta, GA. Previously he has served as College and Young Adults Minister at CrossPoint Church of Christ in Florence, Alabama. Ken McAlpin – Ken serves as worship minister at Campbell Church of Christ in Campbell, California. In addition, he is now a member of the a cappella group Sweet Deliverance. Ron McCommas – Business performance advisor at Insperity. Wes McKinzie – Assistant professor of business at Oklahoma Christian University. Gary Miller – Gary sang bass for Vocal Union for many years before and after his membership in Acappella. He