Song:How Many Times (Seventy Times Seven)
Album:The Early Years
The 80s CCM band White Heart probably would have been more successful if they had been able to maintain a stable lineup. In the 80s they were the number two CCM rock band after Petra. White Heart was formed in 1982. Guitarist Billy Smiley and keyboard player Mark Gersmehl were members of the New Gaither Vocal Band. It was a steady gig but they got tired of being in the background. So they formed White Heart with other members of the Gaither band like lead singer Steve Green, bassist Gary Lunn, guitarist Dann Huff and his drummer brother David Huff. They were to be a CCM version of Toto. They signed with Home Sweet Home Records. After their debut album, Green left for a successful solo career and was replaced by Scott Douglas. After the 1984 album Vital Signs, Dann Huff left to become a studio musician and producer. David Huff left to tour with Michael W. Smith. They were replaced by Gordon Kennedy and Chris McHugh. Then Douglas was arrested for sexual assault and sentenced to prison. That should have killed the band especially in the Christian market. Roadie Rick Florian was made the new lead singer and for the 1986 album Don't Wait For The Movie, they signed with Sparrow Records. Gary Lunn was replaced by Tommy Sims. Sparrow did a much better job of promoting White Heart. So this was their most successful period. They also brought in Amy Grant's producer Brown Bannister. McHugh, Kennedy and Sims all left. White Heart continued to have success in the early 90s with Star Song Records. After three albums, they signed with Curb Records in an attempt to cross over to mainstream. After that was unsuccessful, White Heart split up in 1997. Gersmehl released a solo album in 2002 and he continues to tour. Smiley has produced Clay Aiken and other CCM acts. Florian is a real estate agent who still does music part time. This comp covers White Heart's Sparrow years. Here's White Heart performing How Many Times (Seventy Times Seven) in 1986.
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