The Crownsmen

The Crownsmen
Origin United States
Genres Southern Gospel Contemporary Christian
Years active 1970—present
Labels Manna Records

The Crownsmen is an American Christian band.

The early years

Formed in the early 1970s by Dan Hunter, The original vocal line up was Dan (Bass), Ted Hunter (Dan’s son, Baritone), Jim Davis (Lead) and Randy Price (Tenor). Dan acted as manager while young Ted Hunter spearheaded the musical direction of the group. Their first album “Sounds of Reality” was released in 1972 on a local Southern California indie label “Love Inc.” The album featured the original studio version of The Crownsmen’s most requested song “Heaven”

The Manna Years

In 1973, The Crownsmen inked a deal with Hal Spenser's Manna Records, which was a division of Manna Music Inc. They stepped into MCA/Whitney Studios in Glendale, CA to record their first album on the label “I’m Gonna Take a Trip”. The album featured such songs as "The Lighthouse", "Daddy Sang Bass," & Lavern Tripp's classic "I Know". In 1974 The Crownsmen released their 3rd album, and 2nd for Manna “It’s Gonna Be a Morning to Remember” featuring memorable compositions by pianist Jody Barry. Original lead singer Jim Davis would leave soon after this album was released. In 1975 The Crownsmen recorded “LIVE”, this album featured an exciting performance as well as the legendary Rev. Dick Hillary as the Master of Ceremonies. Band members included Marty Adams (piano), Rick Mayfield (lead guitar), and Mike Gordon (drums).

All in the Family

In 1976 all four front members of The Crownsmen were all family members for the first time. Pam Hunter (Dan's daughter) and Rick Evans joined the group. This quickly became the best version of The Crownsmen ever, backed by band members (all music majors in college at the time) Terry Cross (drums), Keith Hughes (keyboards) & Gary Kaufman (lead guitar). “I’m Gonna Rise” was released in 1977. In 1979 The Crownsmen recorded “You Gave the Song” with title song composed by Keith Hughes. This was probably one of the most versatile albums The Crownsmen ever recorded, with instrumental enhancements by new pianist Tracy Heaston. (Keith met Tracy by chance at university and the two traded situations between full-time student and Crownsmen keyboardist.) “You Gave the Song” featured everything from Southern Gospel, to Country Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music. Group members' college graduations, marriages, and family responsibilities evoked the inevitable, "to everything there is a season." By 1980 The Crownsmen would soon see changes in the lineup yet again.

The 80s

In 1981 Dan Hunter put together one of the biggest lineups in Gospel Music when The Crownsmen brought back former original member Jim Davis, former member Rick Gentry and new member Joe Wilson, who was the pastor for the Rock of Faith church in Ontario, California, which at that time was called Liberty Christian center. Dan brought in musicians to form a full Live band. The Crownsmen for the first time expanded to 10 members (including the bus driver).

The Crownsmen released “Back to the Basics” probably one of the best Country/Traditional albums, featuring such songs like “Excuses” & “God Walks The Dark Hills” the album was a return to traditional Southern Gospel Music. In 1982 the excitement of a Crownsmen performance shined through their final live album and their final album for Manna Records. “On Stage” captured some of the best moments ever in a Gospel Concert. The Album featured songs such as “Heaven,” “Where the Soul Never Dies,” and a stirring performance of the song “Empty Handed.”

In 1983 the Crownsmen regrouped with Ted, his sister, Pam, Dan, and Rick Evans. The family performed concerts accompanied by Rick Balentine on keyboards and Jeff Olson on drums. This version lasted for only a year or two.

The 90s

By 1990 Dan Hunter would see new life coming into The Crownsmen with wife Debbie, Brian Beathard on lead vocals & Zack delaRosa singing baritone. Dan would run through a number of musicians through the 90s before Zack finally run the whole band through his keyboard. In the mid 90s Tony Gonzales, a fan of The Crownsmen became the next guitarist, and The Crownsmen were set once again for The Road.

In 1995 Brian Beathard moved to Tennessee, leaving The Crownsmen without a lead singer. Douglas Brown, already a veteran performer on the west coast stepped in to fill the lead part.

Dan got a surprise when former lead singer “Rick Gentry” placed a call. In 1996 Rick Gentry moved back down to Southern California and rejoined The Crownsmen and plans were underway for their next album.

“The Road” was released in 1998 featuring all brand new material, songs written from Debbie, as well as Brian Beathard and Ted & Penny Hunter.

2000 & Beyond

In 2002 The Crownsmen released their final album with Rick Gentry, Debbie Hunter and Zack delaRosa,” the album was simply called "THE CROWNSMEN". The CD featured a new version of “The Coming Of The Lord,” as well as the Heavy Rock N’ Roll version of “The B.I.B.L.E.”

In 2003, Rick Gentry left The Crownsmen to sing with The Watchmen Quartet and Zack took a job with a recording studio. The Crownsmen shut down.

In 2005 Dan moved back to Arkansas where he was born. Dan Hunter is currently working on the next version of The Crownsmen.

Ted Hunter formed a new music ministry with Penny, his wife of 30 years. Still in demand as a highly respected musician, Ted is often called upon to assist other ministries in the area of music.

Tracy Heaston has become an award winning pianist at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN and the Echo Hollow Jubilee Show in Branson, MO.

Rick Evans went on to be a member of the Legendary Californians Quartet, and is a consultant to many churches and organizations. Rick also traveled with Dennis Agajanian and appeared for Billy Graham, Promise Keepers, and The Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie. Rick also enjoyed more than 10 years as a featured member of The Franklin Graham Crusade team and in 2005 he became a member of gospel music’s famous foursome, The Imperials (The Classic Imperials)

Randy Price became a member of The Legendary Californians Quartet. He then went on to form his own group called Sweet Water in the 80s before becoming a member of The Songfellows Quartet in the 90s.

Both Jim Davis & Joe Wilson died sometime in the 90s

Douglas Brown died 4-13-2006

Keith Hughes won a national piano scholarship competition and completed a classical concert tour of the U.S. and Canada before soloing at Carnegie Hall. He became a conceptual writer in the creative development of projects for The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., FOX Entertainment, and Universal Studios.

Rick Balentine is an award winning composer and producer in Los Angeles composing music for many clients including Coke, Chevrolet, GMC, JC Penny and Budweiser as well as composing orchestral music for music libraries. He owns SCORE LA <media> recording studios in Van Nuys California, a fully equipped 5.1 music production facility and is currently working on composing music for video games.

Vocal Members

Band members

Discography

References

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