“Brian not only brings an impressive vocal ability to the group, but will add a new excitement to the stage with his proficiency on bass guitar, piano, electric and acoustic guitar and steel guitar. We look forward to showcasing his many talents on stage, but what we love most is his testimony, his heart for ministry and the impact he will have on listeners,” says Roger Talley.

Brian is an Indiana native and was raised in a pastor’s home. He has previously played piano and sung with Southern Sound, Beyond the Ashes and Tribute Quartet. Brian co-wrote Tribute’s first top 10 single, “That’s Why I Love Him So,” and was a 2009 Top 10 nominee for Horizon Individual of the Year.

More information can be found at www.talleytrio.com.

Daniel: I heard you mentioned earlier this week that Brian Alvey will be joining the group. Is this true?

Roger: We’ve known for a long time that Brian is an extremely talented individual. He has been working with us for the past year, behind the scenes, doing marketing and promotion, and helping with a lot of things that we’re involved in. Now that he and Lauren are married, we’ve decided that we’re going to take advantage of his talents and have him join us in the road, on stage. We feel that he has real calling to share not only singing and playing, but through his songwriting and his speaking ability as well. We’re going to be having him fill a wide variety of roles.

Daniel: With four people on stage, will you continue to go by the Talley Trio?

Roger: We will just be The Talleys. Some songs will be trios, and some will be four-part, but it will not just be the Talley Trio.

Daniel: Brian is a tenor singer; will you be singing bass?

Roger: Now, obviously, I’m not going not to suddenly become a bass singer. There are a lot of parts that I can sing, but bass is not one of them! So don’t look for a traditional quartet sound.

Daniel: Could you tell us a little about Brian’s background in Southern Gospel?

Roger: He has sung with Southern Sound, Beyond the Ashes, and Tribute Quartet. He has played instruments on stage with Southern Sound and Tribute Quartet, and written several songs for Tribute Quartet, including the hit single “That’s Why I Love Him So.”

Daniel: Will Brian be playing instruments on stage with the Talleys?

Roger: Yes. He plays a wide variety of instruments, including piano, bass, and acoustic and electric guitars, and we’ll be doing more live music with him playing some. On some songs, we’ll do four-part harmony, and different trios on others. We’ll just have a much bigger variety on stage.

Daniel: And for the question everyone’s wondering, by this point: When will he start?

Roger: We have had a rehearsal or two already. We’re working on some of the songs that we are currently singing. We hope to be ready to debut this new sound by September 1st. This fall, we will begin work on a new recording with the four of us.

We are excited about what he will bring to our team.

For those seeking a unique addition of live singing to your collection, I’d recommend He’s Alive. The project simply offers something different from current live recordings. Its connection with the listener makes the recording become more alive whether or not he/she is listening to the cd or watching the dvd.

You can read the whole review here.

A highlight from Ben:

My wife and I used to be big fans of Extreme Home Makeover. We’d record it on Sunday nights and watch it after church. I don’t even know how many times we’d both break down and cry hearing these folks who had come through such adversity as they told their stories. Then the Extreme crew would come in and build them a mansion far beyond what they could have ever imagined. And the best part is the big reveal. The family drives up (in a limousine, no less) and are received by this huge crowd of people who are wildly cheering and holding up “welcome home” signs. They’re excited because they have already seen the house. They know what’s in store for these precious people who have been through so much loss, so much hurt, so much tragedy.

Isn’t that picture a shadow of what’s to come when we enter into eternity? The heartache will be behind us. The tears will by long dried. Our faith is no longer needed. Because we are finally seeing heaven. Finally strolling on golden pavement. Finally beholding Jesus. And there’s an multitude who have gone before us. And they’re beside themselves to welcome us home… with deafening applause.

How could I not write that song?

And from Lee:

I LOVE what they did with this song. I hope it ministers to a lot of people. I hope it comforts people who have lost loved ones. I hope it challenges people to live lives worthy of hearing “Well done…” when they finally see Jesus face to face.

The full interview is here. Stories and Songs is available now; the Crossroads Soundtrack Series version arrives next month.

The song was co-written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, ten years ago . . . to the day. They finished writing the song on January 31, 2001, and didn’t have a clue the impact the song would have in other genres and, now, Southern Gospel. Co-writer Townend stated:

I think one of the reasons the song is so popular is that it can stir up our emotions . . . but the emotion is not the central feature of the song. Because the lyrics stay fixed on the unchanging truths of our salvation, it not only provokes emotion, but engenders faith, strengthening our spirits, not just stirring up our souls.

It’s on Lauren’s Songs in the Night album, which you can preview and purchase here. It is also one of the featured February releases in the Crossroads soundtrack series, coming soon! The soundtrack can be pre-ordered here.

Brian Alvey sang tenor with Tribute Quartet until earlier this year; he currently works in the Talley Trio office, in marketing and promotions. Lauren will continue to perform with the Talley Trio.

The wedding date has not yet been set.

Congratulations, Lauren!