About Gold City

The discovery of gold in Dahlonega, Georgia in 1828 set off the first major gold rush in America. It also inspired the name for Gold City, one of Christian music's best-known and well-loved entertainers. Gold City continues the tradition set forth by the group's founders in 1980 with the release of their new album "Moment of Truth."

The latest CD is the first project the new configuration of singers has recorded together. It reflects the varied influences the men have had in their lives, including gospel, country and blues, while maintaining what Gold City fans have come to expect from the award-winning quartet: -- modern, relevant songs with tight four-part harmonies that lift and inspire the listener.

"I'm not interested in reinventing the wheel," says group leader Daniel Riley. "The truth of the matter is that this group is younger, we have different tastes; without completely reinventing the music we've done through the years, we're trying to put our own twist into what Gold City has always been. We don't plan on changing the style of the group completely, but we want to break the old mold and make a new one that we are more comfortable in."

Daniel took over the southern gospel group from his father, Tim Riley, when he retired just a few years ago. Daniel has brought together a stellar group of singers and entertainers in Gold City's current structure: Steve Ladd, tenor; Bruce Taliaferro, lead; Aaron McCune, bass; and Daniel on baritone. They have a full-time pianist, Josh Simpson, and carry a full band on select dates.

Daniel's father joined the group, then based in Dahlonega, Georgia, as its bass singer back in the summer of 1980. That was when Floyd Beck evolved a group from Mississippi called the Christianairs into Gold City, taking the name from a quartet his father had led back in the 40s. After Beck died in 1984, Tim moved everyone to his hometown, Gadsden, Alabama, where it continues to be based.

The group has had major success over the years with many of its members going on to solo careers or starting other groups. Among those were Brian Free, Mike Lefevre, Ivan Parker, Mark Trammell, Jonathan Wilburn, Jay Parrack and others. Each specific group of men has spread the gospel through the music they recorded and performed.

"Our taste leans toward the modern country sound, so of course the new album does sound a little more country," Daniel says. "Our last album, "Revival," had that flair to it. Gold City has always been somewhat progressive, always pushed the envelope to a degree, and we are still doing that. We strive to be different than everybody else out there, because the only way to be successful is to find a way to be unique. I think we have accomplished that in our sound."

The group strives to reach a younger audience without alienating their longtime loyal fans, which Daniel admits is tough to do. "We're trying to do what we enjoy doing the best we can do it. Church music has changed, Christian music in general has changed, so right now it's sort of a weird atmosphere as to what people want. You have to balance what people want with what you enjoy performing, because if you're singing a style you don't enjoy, you won't be around very long."

Daniel says he see more and more young people coming out to Gold City concerts, but he also sees some of the fans who have been with the group for years. "In concerts we do our newer songs but still incorporate our hit songs from the 80s and 90s, giving people a mix of what they want. I definitely don't want to alienate people who have brought us to table. They come to hear the songs that are 20+ years old, and if they want to hear those songs we will do them. We still enjoy singing them too."

The quartet has had numerous number one radio hits over the years, making songs like "Midnight Cry," "It's Still The Cross," "He Said," "I'm Not Giving Up," "Calvary Conquers It All," "Show Me The Cross," "There Rose a Lamb," "Preach The Word," and most recently, "I Cast My Bread Upon The Water" classics in Southern Gospel circles.

"The most important thing for Gold City throughout the years is that the group has kept the Lord first, and we are no different today," Daniel stresses. "We seek to honor Him in our music and in our lives. I believe that's why Gold City is still here, because we do put Him first in all the music and make Him number one on our priority list."

Recording the new album was bittersweet for Daniel. It's only the second album the quartet has made since his brother, Doug, was killed in an automobile accident in 2006 while on his way to the studio where the group was recording.

"For a short time my brother and I got to work together as partners in the group, and we shared the same vision for Gold City," Daniel says. "A part of me wants to make sure I carry it (group) on for his memory. It's a great honor to be able to do that."

As they were preparing to record the new album, Daniel went to Nashville several times to meet with publishers and listen to songs with the group's producer, Michael Sikes. After picking between 100 and 150 songs, Danny and Sikes, along with label head Ken Harding, narrowed the list down to about 25 songs.

"At that point it becomes extremely tough because I will take them back to the guys and see what hits them. You can't deliver a song effectively if it doesn't have meaning for you so it's important to me that the other guys in the group like the songs we record."

Daniel says one of the songs he sings, "What Children Believe," really hit close to home for him. "I have a three-year-old little girl so I hear a lot of truth in it. Even though it's not necessarily a gospel song, it has a gospel message. It hits me in the heart."

When Daniel played "For The Sake Of My Heart" for Steve, the tenor singer wasn't really enthused about it. "I kept playing it and hoping it would hit him like it did me, but it didn't. I finally said 'Steve, trust me. Let's cut the track on the song, and then if you don't like it we'll scratch it.' Sometimes it's hard to hear past a song demo to the clear message it conveys. We created a track that fully compliments the message of the song, and at that point it hit him hard. He immediately fell in love with it."

The songs on the album carry out the ministry of Gold City and what group members believe to be the gospel they are singing about, which is helping others. Daniel explains: "I feel like our ministry is in edifying the body, encouraging the church, because the way things are right now it's very stressful for people. We want our concerts and our music to be a place where they can come to be blessed and lifted up. At the same time we want to be an encouragement to the other people who do what we do, the up and coming groups that are struggling, to encourage them and help them if we can do that."

Daniel says he feels like this group is one that will take Gold City on to its next level of success. "I'm thankful to have guys that are talented but more importantly, have character. I feel like God put it together for sure because you can look back and see how He orchestrated the coming together of this group of men. I am totally at peace with the people who are here."