Guy Penrod(born July 2, 1963) is an Americangospelsinger. He is known for his work as the lead singer of theGaither Vocal Band,a position he held from 1995 to 2009.
Guy Penrod | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | July 2, 1963 Texas,U.S. |
| Origin | Lynchburg, Virginia,U.S. |
| Genres | Christian,Southern gospel |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Member of | Gaither Vocal Band |
| Website | guypenrod |
Career
editPenrod is a graduate ofLiberty University.Starting in the 1980s, he worked as a studio singer, backing up voices such asCarman,Steve Green,Amy Grant,Michael W. Smith,Garth Brooks,Shania Twain,James Ingram,andPhillips, Craig & Dean.[1]He was also a member of the Christ Church Choir (as was another future Gaither Vocal Band member,Jonathan Pierce). During his years in the studio, he metBill Gaitherfor the first time. He also made regular appearances onTNN'sMusic City Tonightas a background singer in the mid-1990s. In 1989 Penrod contributed a couple of tracks as lead vocal on a Brentwood cassette (C-5103N) titled "Following The Sun – Island Music For Believers".
Penrod also performed briefly with the Stamps Quartet in 1987, while employed at Opryland.[2]
After accepting the position with the Gaither Vocal Band in 1994, Penrod became internationally known for his powerful vocals and broad singing range. He has performed inGaither Homecomingconcerts all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as in Europe, Australia, and Africa. In 1999, he performed a duet with theCathedral Quartet's lead singerGlen Payneon theirFarewell Celebrationvideo.
Penrod performed for the grand opening ofJerry Falwell's newThomas Road Baptist Churchnew 6,000 seat sanctuary.
His album,The Best of Guy Penrod,reached No. 92 on theBillboard200on August 6, 2005. The DVD release was certified platinum by the RIAA.[3]
The Gaither Vocal Band's 2006 release was entitledGive It Away,followed byLovin' Lifein 2008. Penrod won a Grammy Award for his work on the "Lovin Life" project.
In a press release on January 13, 2009, Bill Gaither announced that Penrod would be leaving the Gaither Vocal Band and starting a solo career.[4]
In August 2009, Penrod released his debut solo album,Breathe Deep,on the Servant Records label. Produced by veteran country music producer and studio musician Brent Rowan, the album consists of positive country music with Christian undertones.
Penrod was inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2011.[3]
Penrod's sophomore solo albumHymnsdebuted at No. 1 on the Nielsen SoundScan Southern Gospel retail chart and became the top-selling southern gospel album of 2012.Hymnssold over 100,000 units.[5]
In 2012, Penrod became the new host ofGospel Music Showcase,a popularDaystar Television Networkprogram that focuses onsouthern gospelmusic. It can be seen every Saturday.[6]The show has been awarded an Emmy.[7]
Penrod won "Soloist of the Year" from the National Quartet Convention in 2013.[8]
Penrod released his third solo project titledWorshipin May 2014. In September 2014, Penrod released his first solo Christmas project entitled "Christmas." It became the No. 2 album in Cracker Barrel stores with 30,000 units sold, second only to Blake Shelton.[9]Also in 2014, Penrod was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside the Gaither Vocal Band.[3]
Penrod released his first solo DVD entitledLive: Hymns & Worshipin January 2016. The Project was filmed atThomas Road Baptist Church.The release debuted at No. 1 on theBillboardchart for music videos sold upon its release.[10]The album debuted at #2 on the "Billboard" chart for contemporary Christian music.[11]
Penrod was a featured performer at the Faith Freedom & Future Inaugural Ball hosted by theFamily Research Council,following the January 2017 inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, DC.[12]
In March 2017, Penrod returned with an album entitledClassics.The album was a new solo recording of popular songs he performed during his tenure with the Gaither Vocal Band.[13]
Penrod has often appeared on the stage of the "Grand Ole Opry" as a guest artist.[3]
Penrod reached back into the well of beloved hymns with his 7th solo release.Blessed Assurancewas released in February 2018. The album includes Penrod singing twelve newly recorded hymns featuring his signature country sound.
Personal life
editPenrod and his wife, Angie (Clark), have eight children—seven boys and a girl. All of their children are home schooled.[14]
Discography
editSolo
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christian | US | US Country | ||
| The Best of Guy Penrod |
|
4 | 92 | — |
| Breathe Deep |
|
7 | 108 | 41 |
| Hymns |
|
5 | 85 | — |
| Worship |
|
11 | 197 | — |
| Christmas |
|
13 | — | — |
| Live: Hymns & Worship |
|
2 | 167 | — |
| Classics |
|
— | — | — |
| Blessed Assurance |
|
24 | — | — |
| "—" denotes unknown or no chart status | ||||
With the Gaither Vocal Band
edit- 1995:Southern Classics,Vol. 2
- 1997:Loving God & Loving Each Other
- 1998:Still The Greatest Story Ever Told
- 1999:God Is Good
- 2000:I Do Believe
- 2002:Everything Good
- 2003:A Cappella
- 2004:The Best Of The GVB
- 2006:Give It Away
- 2007:Together,feat.Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
- 2008:Lovin' Life
- 2008:Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style
- 2009:Reunion,Vol. 1 & 2
- 2019:Reunion
Singles
edit| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Knowing What I Know About Heaven" | Breathe Deep |
Music videos
edit| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Knowing What I Know About Heaven" | Steven Goldmann |
References
edit- ^"Guy Penrod".Gaither Music. July 2, 1963.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
- ^"Stamps Quartet: Curtain Calls & Encores".Absolutelygospel.com.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
- ^abcd"Grammy Award Winner GUY PENROD Releases a Collection of Classics".Gaither Music. March 20, 2017.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
- ^"NEWS | Gaither Music".Gaither.com. Archived fromthe originalon February 5, 2009.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
- ^"Singing News Magazine – The Printed Voice of Southern Gospel".Singingnews.com. August 15, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon September 13, 2016.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
- ^"Gospel Music Showcase with Guy Penrod".RetrievedJanuary 7,2013.
- ^"Guy Penrod – Daystar Television Guest Guide".Daystar.com.March 4, 2015.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
- ^"NQC Music Awards – NQC".Natqc.com.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
- ^SGN Scoops."SGN Scoops Digital".Sgnscoops.com.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
- ^"Music Video Sales".Billboard.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
- ^"Music Album Sales".Billboard.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
- ^"Guy Penrod to be Featured at Inaugural Celebration".Archived fromthe originalon January 19, 2017.RetrievedMarch 16,2017.
- ^"Guy Penrod Returns with New Album Classics".October 2, 2014.
- ^Zeitner, Wayne."Guy Penrod: A Man Among Men".Salem Publishing.
- ^Guy Penrod —Live: Hymns & Worship
- ^"Classics – Guy Penrod | Releases".AllMusic. March 10, 2017.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.