Tag: Billy Smiley

Billy Smiley – New Night – 1986

If you’re the kind of person who can judge a record by the album cover, then you’re on the money with this one.

Billy Smiley was part of White Heart and contributed to other cool projects, but this one is quite different. More of a 1980s jazz easy listening effort.

It’s all instrumental, lots of keyboards, and none of the sort of guitar riffs we expect from the wrote and sang on so many White Heart songs, and more recently, The Union of Sinners & Saints. Billy also produced a number of important CCM albums for other artists. This album seems to have been a vacation in a different place.

Interesting note on the cover art. I’m not sure, but maybe it went like this…
“What are we doing for the album cover?”
“Don’t worry I’ve got something, we’ll just change it around a bit.”
“Okay…”
Take a look here at Justo Almario’s jazz album, also released in 1985 on the same label, Meadowlark Records. Even the back cover is a dead match. The front has a little more variation but not much.

Tracklist
1 – All The Crying Eyes – 5:02
2 – Time Will Tell – 4:36
3 – Acappella In F Minor – 0:41
4 – Nouveau Nº. 1 – 5:10
5 – Spring In The Heart – 3:45
6 – The Awakening – 4:14
7 – Living With A Dream – 4:55
8 – Encounter – 4:06
9 – Image – 3:16
10 – Reflection – 3:05

Credits
Engineer [Second] – David Pierce
Engineer, Mixed By – Brent King, Jeff Balding, Mike Psanos
Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Synthesizer, Bass [Synth Bass] – Billy Smiley
Keyboards [Fairlight, Additional Keyboards] – Tommy Dorsey
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Programmed By [Linn Drum Programming] – Gary Lunn
Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Tommy Greer
Written-By, Producer – Billy Smiley

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – Word Music (UK)
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Recorded At – Master’s Touch
Recorded At – Studio 19, Nashville
Recorded At – Center Stage Studio
Mixed At – Gold Mine Studio
Mixed At – Master’s Touch
Mixed At – Center Stage Studio
Mastered At – Future Disc

Geoff Moore – Over The Edge – 1986

This is the second album from Geoff Moore and it’s a great Rock/Pop album with some excellent songs. The treat of the album is a rocking cover of Larry Norman’s “Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music”. The album is a collection of great CCM musicians including, Billy Smiley, Gary Lunn, Mark Gersmehl, and Dann Huff from Whiteheart. Dan Huff’s guitar work is easily recognizable and I think his influence is what makes the album lean more Rock than Pop.

Tracklist
1 – Tear Down The Walls – 3:55
2 – Marianne – 4:08
3 – Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music – 4:03
4 – Lost Or Found – 4:15
5 – Over The Edge – 3:52
6 – Make Up Your Mind – 4:18
7 – Love The One You Live In – 4:28
8 – Rock Steady Believers – 3:50
9 – Tough Love – 4:16
10 – Nothing But Holy – 3:34

Credits
Chuck Bentley – Songwriter
Thomas Dorsey – Keyboards
James Isaac Elliott – Songwriter
Mark Gersmehl – Songwriter, Keyboards
Dann Huff – Guitars
Gary Janney – Background Vocals
Phil Johnson – Songwriter
Bryan Kennedy – Background Vocals
Gordon Kennedy – Songwriter, Guitars, Background Vocals
Shelby Kennedy – Background Vocals
Brent King – Recorded, Mixed, Background Vocals
Gary Lunn – Bass
Marty McCall – Background Vocals
Chris McHugh – Drums
Terry McMillan – Percussion
Geoff Moore – Songwriter, Vocals
Phil Naish – Songwriter
Larry Norman – Songwriter
David Pierce – 2nd Engineer
Gary Pigg – Background Vocals
Mary Lynn Robbins – Recorded
Tom Roudy – Percussion
John Slick – Keyboards
Billy Smiley – Producer, Songwriter, Arranger, Keyboards, Background Vocals
James Stroud – Drums, Tamborine
Arlin Troyer – Background Vocals
Hank Williams – Mastered

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Power Discs
Copyright (c) – Power Discs
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – Center Stage Studio
Mixed At – Center Stage Studio
Mastered At – Mastermix
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
Published By – Word Music (2)
Published By – Glenwood Music Corp.
Published By – Straw Bed Music
Published By – Lifesong Music Press
Published By – Hall-Clement Publications
Published By – Yellow Jacket Music, Inc.
Published By – Laurel Press
Published By – Pamela Kay Music
Published By – Justin Time Music

White Heart – Emergency Broadcast – 1987

This 1987 release was kind of forgotten. The timing of the album lead many to treat it like a “filler” album. Personally I don’t get that feeling from this album and In fact the album did well on the charts with three singles. Montana Sky peaked at #3 with 16 weeks on the charts. Edge Of The Dream peaked at #13 with 10 weeks on the charts. Finally Somewhere In Between sat on the charts for 8 weeks peaking at #24. Overall a good effort from White Heart.

Tracklist
1 – Urban Renewal – 4:02
2 – Key To Our Survival – 4:19
3 – No Taboo – 4:45
4 – Montana Sky – 4:55
5 – Fashion Fades – 4:19
6 – More Sold Out – 4:41
7 – Somewhere In Between – 4:04
8 – Speed Of Sound – 3:03
9 – Lone Ranger – 4:07
10 – Edge Of The Dream – 4:34

Credits
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals – Tommy Sims
Drums, Percussion – Chris McHugh
Guitar, Vocals – Gordon Kennedy
Lead Vocals – Rick Florian
Vocals, Keyboards – Mark Gersmehl
Vocals, Rhythm Guitar – Billy Smiley

White Heart – Vital Signs – 1984

White Heart’s second album, Vital Signs was a masterpiece of finely produced songs. The band self-produced, with executive help from Chris Christian. The album was released on Chris Christian’s Home Sweet Home Records.

The opening song, “Sing Unto The Lamb” is a big sounding song that would qualify for a modern major Broadway number. The vocals stay true to this big performance sound all the way through the album, which is one of the things that made White Heart so popular. Standout tracks include the high energy “Carried Away” and power ballad “Let Your First Thought Be Love.”

The album was recorded in Nashville and attracted a who’s who of contributing artists. The closing song, “We Are His Hands” includes a choir with (among others) Bob Farrell (of Farrell and Farrell), Scott Wesley Brown, David Meece, Amy Grant, Steve Green, Russ Taff, Chris Christian and Kathy Troccoli. We Are His Hands was their first number one radio single.

Former lead singer, Scott Douglas went to prison in 1986. White Heart continued on with a new lead singer after this album, Rick Florian who was allegedly promoted from roadie to lead singer all at once. Florian remained in the lead post throughout the rest of White Heart’s existence.

Track Listing:
1 – Sing Unto The Lamb – 3:15
2 – Draw The Line – 4:38
3 – Walking In The Light – 3:56
4 – Carried Away (Safe On The Wings Of The Lord) – 4:19
5 – Quiet Love – 3:52
6 – Following The King – 4:05
7 – Let Your First Thought Be Love – 3:51
8 – Undercover – 3:54
9 – Vital Signs – 3:50
10 – We Are His Hands – 4:13

Credits:
Arranged By – Billy Smiley, Dann Huff, Mark Gersmehl
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Ronn Huff
Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt
Bass Guitar – Gary Lunn
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Bill Brunt, Mark Tucker
Design Concept [Vital Signs Concept] – Kent Hunter
Drums, Percussion – David Huff*
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Bill Deaton, Brent King, Mike Psanos
Engineer [Assistant] – Doug Sarrett
Executive-Producer – Chris Christian
Graphics [Vital Signs Logo] – Ken Wolgemuth, Ken Wolgemuth
Graphics [White Heart Logo] – Ellen Hodnett, Ellen Hodnett
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Billy Smiley
Producer – White Heart
Recorded By – Jeff Balding
Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Dann Huff
Strings – Carl Gorodetzky, Craig Nelson, Dennis Molchan, Gary Vanosdale, David Boyle*, Pam Vanosdale*, Phyllis Hiltz*, Roy Christensen, The Nashville String Machine, Walt Schwede*
Synthesizer, Piano, Vocals – Mark Gersmehl
Vocals – Scott Douglas

Twenty Twenty – (self titled) – 1985

This was the first album from Twenty Twenty before they changed their name to 20 Twenty.

Not much is written about Twenty Twenty so I know nothing about their background. The album is a well produced 80’s sound with good synth and guitar riffs. It’s a pleasant listen that will get some Classic Christian radio play.

Track Listing:
1 – You Are So True
2 – Security Code
3 – War Games
4 – His Fame
5 – Second Mile
6 – Love To Go
7 – He’s Still There
8 – Danger Zone
9 – You Can Know Them All
10 – World Premiere

Credits:
Backing Vocals – Marty McCall
Design, Art Direction – Paul Proctor
Drum Programming [Linn Drum Programming] – Gary Lunn
Drums – Greg Herrington
Drums [Simmons Drums] – Dennis Holt
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Allen Brown
Executive-Producer – Mary Lynn Robbins
Guitar – Roscoe Meek
Guitar [Additional] – Greg Jennings (tracks: A5, B3, B4)
Keyboards – Earnie Chaney
Keyboards [Additional] – Billy Smiley (tracks: B1, B3)
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Dean D. Dixon
Producer, Backing Vocals, Mixed By – Billy Smiley
Programmed By [Synclavier Programming] – Richard Head
Recorded By, Mixed By – Brent King
Soloist [2nd Keyboard Solo] – Mark Gersmehl (tracks: A1)
Synthesizer [Additional] – John Slick (tracks: A1, A2, A4, B1, B2), Mark Gersmehl (tracks: B3, B4)
Synthesizer [Synthesizer Bass] – Billy Smiley (tracks: B1)
Synthesizer [Synthesizer Tracs], Programmed By [Programming] – Shane Keister (tracks: A3, A5)
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Ron Collins (6)
Vocoder – Shane Keister (tracks: A3, A2, B3)

Randy Matthews – The Edge of Flight – 1990

This was the final album Randy Matthews released using his own name.

He did release an album in 2008 using the name Red Beard which was pirate oriented. Yes songs and stories about pirates. So essentially this was his last album and what an album it was.

I believe this was his best album ever. Again, we have a Bob Seger sound that at this point he has polished to be his own. The guitar work on this album is absolutely brilliant.

The album doesn’t credit any musicians so I can only assume it was Randy’s work. This is simply one of the greatest CCM rock albums ever released.

Track Listing:
1 – Man Of The Morning Sun – 5:34
2 – Defender Of The Faith – 5:18
3 – Beautiful Hands – 4:56
4 – Heart’s Still Beating – 4:08
5 – Sir – 4:33
6 – The Dream – 5:19
7 – China Sea – 4:33
8 – Ti Chapé – 4:52
9 – What A Good Lady – 4:46
10 – Make Believe – 5:26
11 – Lookin’ Back – 3:59
12 – Morning Sun (Reprise) – 1:43

Credits:
Art Direction – Diane Painter
Mastered By – Ken Love
Mixed By – Billy Smiley, Lee Groitzsch
Photography – Paul Vozdic
Producer – Billy Smiley
Recorded By – Lee Groitzsch

White Heart – (self titled) – 1982

This was White Heart’s introductory album. Formed in 1982 by two members of Bill Gaither’s group they decidedly recorded and performed a more upbeat style of music.

This album could not really be described as anything even vaguely close to Rock and Roll but it does have a pop feel but is still pretty easy listening. It did, however lay the groundwork for what would become a very well liked CCM band.

Track Listing:
1 – Hold On – 3:37
2 – You’re The One – 3:56
3 – Listen To The Lonely – 3:47
4 – He’s Returning – 4:23
5 – Carry On – 3:56
6 – Guiding Light – 3:40
7 – Everyday – 4:08
8 – Nothing Can Take This Love – 3:40
9 – Black Is White – 3:14
10 – Go Down Nineveh – 4:30

Credits:
Bass – Gary Lunn
Drums, Percussion – David Huff*
Executive Producer – Chris Christian
Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Dann Huff
Keyboards, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Billy Smiley
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Mark Gersmehl
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Steve Green (3)
Mixed By – Chris Christian, Jeff Balding
Producer – Billy Smiley, Dann Huff
Recorded By – Jeff Balding

20 Twenty – Altered – 1987

20 Twenty (or Twenty Twenty) were an 80’s CCM rock band that apparently gained some popularity in secular radio.

I have been unable to find out anything about them other than what I have documented here. They had 2 albums, this being the second.

They changed their name from Twenty Twenty to 20 Twenty this album. The album was produced by Billy Smiley from White Heart. Strangely the album contains a cover of Hold Your Head Up by Argent.

Track Listing:
1 – Fine Line – 3:31
2 – Get Altered – 3:30
3 – Can’t Run From You – 4:06
4 – For Heavens Sake – 4:43
5 – Eternity In Every Heart – 3:44
6 – Hold Your Head Up – 3:48
7 – Caught Up In Heaven – 3:49
8 – Find Your Way Back – 4:47
9 – Material Things – 3:52
10 – The Tears You’ve Cried – 3:19

Credits:
Ron Collins – lead vocals
Roscoe Meek – guitars
Earnie Chaney – keyboards
Gary McAnelly, Tommy Sims – bass
Greg Herrington – drums
Billy Smiley – synths
Rick Florian – backing vocals
Executive Producer – Bob MacKenzie
Producer – Billy Smiley

Margaret Becker – Never For Nothing – 1987

This is the introductory album from Margaret Becker.

While usually classified as easy listening I think it’s one notch closer to Rock & Roll though you won’t hear any screaming guitars. I do detect a Patty Smyth and Scandal sound but with less lead guitar riffs.

Track Listing:
1 – Fight For God – 4:02
2 – Standing On Top Of The World – 3:31
3 – Never For Nothing – 3:43
4 – Break The Silence – 3:32
5 – Sacred Fire – 4:32
6 – Love Was Waiting – 3:27
7 – What You Feel – 3:42
8 – Make It Right – 5:19
9 – Giants Will Fall – 4:09
10 – For The Love Of You – 4:24

Credits:
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Design – Stan Evenson Design*
Engineer – Brent King, Doug Sarrett, Jeff Balding, Joe Bellamy, Mike Psanos
Executive-Producer – Peter York
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – David Schober
Photography By – Steven A. Heller
Producer – Billy Smiley