Kirk Talley was introduced to Southern Gospel when he joined the Hoppers in the mid-1970s. He sang with them until joining the Cathedrals in 1979. He stayed with the Cathedrals for about four years, leaving in 1983 to found the Talleys (with his brother Roger and sister-in-law Debra). By 1992, Roger and Debra wanted to come off the road to devote more time to raising their daughter, Lauren Talley, and Kirk launched a solo career.

Kirk is also a songwriter; he wrote "Step Into the Water," a #1 hit for the Cathedrals, and "He is Here" for the Talleys; the latter song received a 1991 Dove Award for Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year. His other honors include numerous Singing News Fan Awards, including Favorite Tenor (1983, 1984), Favorite Male Singer (1983, 1996, 1998), Favorite Songwriter (1987, 1996, 1997), and Favorite Soloist (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000).