The Archers (musical group)

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The Archers is one of the earliest Christian contemporary Christian groups in America. They were originally brothers Tim and Steve Archer, Nancye Short and Billy Rush Masters. After the Masters and Short departed in 1977, sister Janice Archer joined. They enjoy a longer long life than most pioneering CCM artists, recording a graphic hit in the decade of the 1970s, '80s and' 90s. Their hits include, "Jesus Is The Answer", "Little Flowers", "Not Enough", "Fresh Surrender", "Stand Up!", And "Heaven In Your Eyes". Former Maranatha! Music painter and pioneer CCM Erick Nelson defines the role of The Archers in the development of contemporary Christian music as representing half of the convergence: traditional vocal groups such as The Archers got hipper while hippie rock groups (like Maranatha bands)) got more mellow - eventually both expose a polished commercial voice that will be identified as contemporary Christian music stereotypes.

Video The Archers (musical group)

Initial years

Growing children of a pastor in San Joaquin Valley in northern California, Tim and Steve Archer began singing in their father's church during their childhood. Eventually they branched out to other churches in the San Francisco Bay Area. In the mid-1960s they spent their summer vacations with their older sister, Gary, as a trio of gospels, "The Archer Bros." This is a very important period in the evolution of the group for what eventually came to be known as contemporary Christian music, as this was the first time they began to combine their own electric accompaniment, a rare introduction to evangelical Christian music at the time. In 1966, Tim and Steve entered the talent search contest and ranked second nationally. In 1967 with both Tim and Gary playing guitar, they started evolution towards a more contemporary sound. Shortly (with Gary moving into artist management), they took on additional personnel, drummer Fred Satterfied and guitarist and songwriter Billy Rush Masters and Steve Smart later added Nancye Short's vocalist after Smart's departure, taking the name of The Archers.

Maps The Archers (musical group)

Jesus Music

In 1971, they performed at churches and festivals of Jesus throughout Southern California with other Christian artists, and came to the attention of Andrae Crouch and Light Records chief Ralph Carmichael. With Masters writing many early songs, including Fresh Surrender, the group collaborated on new vocal and sound settings, previously unheard of among evangelicals beginning to emerge. As Jesus' music began to gain a strong foothold in North America, they came into contact with Pat Boone, eventually touring with him. In the spring of 1972, they went to TTG Studios in Hollywood, California to record their first album, Any Day Now , with Gary producing for their independent "Karisma Rekaman" label. This release coincides with the group's performance at EXPLO '72 in Dallas, Texas with more than a quarter of a million people attending. Masters wrote most of the songs for the album including "God Love", "Put On Jesus", and "For Me, For You". The album also includes two songs written by their friend, Andrae Crouch, entitled "Will not be Long" and "Jesus is the Answer". Both "God's Love" and "Jesus Are the Answer" become Number One in the United States and Canada.

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Nashville

In 1973, J.T. Benson Company of Nashville, Tennessee purchased Charisma who rewrote the album on the Impact Records trail as The Archers . At this time The Archers includes full support bands with Tim Jacquette (bass), Tim Johnson (keyboard) and Tim Short (drums) who have all played on the first album and in previous concerts. With an increased national profile, the group continues to expand their schedule, appearing in larger churches and concert venues nationally and Canada. In 1974, they recorded their second and final album for Impact, Keep That Singin Love Song with Bob MacKenzie's production. Nancye Short contributed greatly to the project, writing and writing alongside "Children", "Truth, Peace and Joy", and "He Love's You". Dannie Lee Stutzman, leader of the Jesus band, Danny Lee and The Children of Truth , wrote other songs including "Keep Singing That Love Song" and Number One hit "Little Flowers". Andrae Crouch donated a special song for the project, "She Writes Me Away." The album received critical acclaim and was broadcasted, laying the groundwork for moving to Ralph Carmichael's Light Records.

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Year light

In 1975, they appeared at almost every significant Jesus festival in the US and Canada, and completed an extensive European tour. In June of that year they released their first Light album, The Archers: Things We Deeply Feel . The album produced a number of chart hits including Masters', "Givers of Life" and "Music", Andrae Crouches "Your God Has Been Good For Me", "I Am With Jesus", and CCM Number One hit, "It's Not Enough". The song was later closed by a number of other artists. As their profile grows the group's album sales increase and they start rolling out larger venues, including the main stage show on Disneyland's "Night of Joy". In late 1976, after returning from a South African tour, they entered the studio again in collaboration with the Elvis Presley TCB Band arranger and alumni Larry Muhoberac to record their second LP for Light. With the departure of Billy Masters and Nancye Short (who participated in background vocals), Janice Archer took over the role of the female lead. The group reappears with the look and sound that changed dramatically in the 1977 GMA Dove Award, Fresh Surrender . The album, their best selling for that date, produced seven back-to-back hits, including, Masters title and "I Need You" and Short's, "I'm Gonna Rise", "Make Me An Instrument", and "With Every Breath I Take ". Both Tim and Steve made their first attempt at composing, co-writing soul singles, "Water Into Wine" and Steve's "Sanctified Life." In 1978 brought a new lineup to appear in the White House for President Jimmy Carter. Back in the studio later that year, the group returned to work with Muhoberac, this time as a co-producer (with John Guess), for the critically acclaimed Stand Up. Tim and Steve re-donated the song with two ten hit songs, Steve's song title, and Tim "Pickin 'Up The Pieces". Other songs include "Mool Paradise", Kelly Willard's, "Blame It On One I Love", "Living In Your Love" (later covered by TG Shepard), and "Only His Love".

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Live

In 1980, The Archers released their only live album, , which was recorded simultaneously in one of America's first mega-churches, "Melodyland Christian Center" in Southern California. Rick Riso, formerly of the CCM group, "Messenger", wrote the title song and they performed a decade of previous hits. Another highpoint career came in 1981, when they performed at the Grammy Awards in 1980, winning the Grammy for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for their contributions to Reba Rambo and Dony McGuire's The Lord's Prayer. They sang on the air again next year, nominated in the same category for Spreadin 'Like Wildfire , also produced by McGuire. In 1982, with the opening of Bryan Duncan, they were the first Contemporary Christian band to appear at Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. The performance is sold out. The anniversary of their first decade as a recording artist also brought the release of The Archers: At They Very Best compilation of their most popular Light tracks. Billboard Magazine reviewed the release that says, "The collection of popular songs Archer 'in the last decade proves their versatility, including mainstream pop music, light jazz and the near-choir settings. Retrospectively find some songs that hold back over the years, including 'Not To Be Enough', 'Taking A Lot of Soothing Music Music' and 'Make Me an Instrument' are popular. "In 1984, The Archers released their last album to Light Records now struggling, All Systems Are Go , which became the catalyst - along with their previous Grammy win - for their 1985 television show by name on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). After five years of recording, with each doing a solo project (as well as performing a few Archer performances a year) in 1991, the group returned to the studio for, Colors of Your Love, this time on the Reunion label. Their last project as a group, the CD was typical in all of his songs with the exception of "Music (All Around The World)" written by an outside author. However, the project resulted in a CCM hits with the title track and "Be Our Guest". Archers toured support through 1994, when they broke up. In 1992 at the Canyon Hills Assembly of God in Bakersfield, California at a concert during the "Colors of Your Love" tour, Gary Archer was in the audience and asked to perform on stage to perform with Tim and Steve, "The Archer Bros." some songs together.

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Personnel

The Archers retained the full touring band for the first fifteen years of their careers. The band's core touring and recording of their bands included lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboard, bass and drums. Archer's team played rhythm guitar and Billy Rush Masters played the lead role. Nancye Short plays the piano as well. In a genre known for poor record production standards, they are known for creating well-produced albums. They use top musicians, which is true with the tour and recording of the band which includes some of the most notable in the history of West Coast recordings. Although personnel changes took place in the band's tour, a number of members remained for a long time and some went to leading careers. Here are some of the more prominent group members.

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The History of Archers

The tour band

• Kelly Willard - piano, vocal background (1975): (Continuing success as composer, Praise & worship service)
• Phil Kristianson - keyboard, composer (1975-1980): (Later with Amy Grant, Promise Keepers)
• Fred Satterfield - drum (1970): (First drummer, then with The Oakridge Boys)
• Paul Bahn - drums, percussion (1976-1980): (Then with Donna Summer)
• Tony Sena - guitar (1976-1981): One of several band members on tour also recorded with the group.
• "Jake" Jaquette - Fender bass (1971-1980, 1982): The main bass throughout their careers. (Recorder engineer, producer, recorded and toured with The Archers, recorded with Steve Archer)
• And Cutrona - keyboard, vibraphone, Marimba (1978-1980, 1991): (Recorded and toured with The Archers)
• Alex Drizos - Bass guitar (1980-1986): Replaces Team Jaquette (1980) as the main bassist working (touring) album , Spreads Like Wild Flames >, and All Systems Are Go . He was also a bassist on the Archer TV show on the TBN network (1984). Recorded with and is the main Bassist/Vocalist directly with Steve Archer and through the album Through His Love Eyes to Stay Here . (1983-1989): (Later appeared with Dave Mason (current), Donna Summer, and Eddie Money.Also worked with Pat Boone, Benny Hester, Phil Keaggy, Edgar Winter, and Ambrosia.)

Recording band alumni

Includes partial list of artist recording credit Ben Benay - guitar: Joe Cocker, Kinky Friedman, Steely Dan, Donna Summer

Jay Graydon - guitar: Ray Charles, Cheap Trick, Steely Dan, Hall & amp; Oasi

Lee Ritenour "Captain Fingers" - guitar: Fourplay, Pink Floyd, Steely Dan

Dean Park - guitar: America, Crosby, Stills & amp; Nash, Steely Dan, Neil Diamond Glen Campbell

Team May - guitar: Ray Charles, Charlie Daniels, Debbie Harry, Whitney Houston

Thom Rottella - guitar: Donna Summer, Cher

Fred Tackett - guitar: Little Feat, Bob Dylan, Wallflowers, Rod Stewart Glen Campbell

David Hungate - bass: Bryan Adams, Gladys Knight, Dolly Parton, Toto

Wilton Felder - bass: The Crusaders

Renie Press - bass: Neil Diamond, (Plays exclusively for Diamond except for some exceptions)

Billy Preston - keyboard: The Beatles

Larry Muhoberac - keyboards: Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Tanya Tucker, Seals & amp; Crofts

Jim Gordon - drums: Eric Clapton, Derek & amp; Dominos, George Harrison, (co-wrote "Layla" with Eric Clapton)

Jim Keltner - drums: Bob Dylan, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan

Blaine Things - drums: Destroying Crew, Crosby, Stills & amp; Nash, Beach Boys

Leeland Sklar-bass

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Discography

Album released in North America

• 1972 Every Day Now (Charisma)
• 1973 The Archers (Impact/Benson)
• 1974 Keep Singin 'That Love Song (Impact/Benson)
• 1975 The Very Things We Feel (Light Records)
• 1977 Fresh Delivery (Light Note) - Dove's nomination was reissued on CD 2008/iTunes 2012
• 1979 Stand Up! (Light Note) reissued on CD 2011/iTunes 2012
• 1980 Celebrate - Live (Light Record) - In concert
• 1981 Spread Like a Wildfire (Songbird/MCA) - Grammy nomination, Grammy performance
• 1984 All Systems Entered (Light Note)
• 1991 Your Love Color (Reunion/Word)

Compilation (Biggest Hits)

• 1979 In the Beginning (Greentree/Benson)
• 1982 When They're Very Best (Light Note)
• 1984 Golden Classics (Light Note)
• 1992 Second Time Around (Gulfstar/Diadem)

Contribution

• 1980 Our Lord's Prayer (Light Note) - Grammy Award, Grammy Performance * reissued on iTunes in 2010
• 1983 Here Comes The King (Brentwood) - Christmas Album

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Steve Archer's solo discography

• 1982 Solo (Home Sweet Home/Benson)
• 1983 Through His Love Eyes (Home Sweet Home/Word) - # 1 on the Contemporary Christian Music chart
• 1985 Action (Home Sweet Home/Word) - "Safe" reached # 2, number 4 Song of the Year
• 1987 Off Page (Home Sweet Home/Word) - two Top 5 songs
• 1988 Hits (Home Sweet Home/Word) - compilation album
• 1994 Contemporary Christian Gold - Through His Eyes (Home Sweet Home/Diadem)
• 1998 Stay Here (Kle-Toi Record)
• 1999 The Best of Steve Archer (Brentwood) - compilation album
• 2005 Call This Grace (Note Tag)

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References

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External links

• TimArcherMusic.com
• TheBeginningsConcert.com
• SteveArcher.com
• The Archers.us
• Light Record Record
• Live Artist
• Cut Edge Ultimate Christian Music Discography

Source of the article : Wikipedia