Kirk Talley
Encyclopedia
Kirk Talley is an American Southern Gospel
performer/songwriter
.
", The Cathedrals and the Talleys. He joined the Cathedrals in 1979 and with the lineup of Talley, Mark Trammell
, Glen Payne
, George Younce
, and Roger Bennett
. During his time with The Cathedrals, Talley wrote a number of songs. Talley wrote his first # 1 song "Step Into the Water". The song remained at the top of the charts for nine months. He then left in early 1984 to join his brother and sister in law, Roger and Debra, to form The Talleys.
While with "The Talleys", Talley wrote the song "He Is Here". The Talleys received the 1992 Dove Award for 'Song of the Year
' for this song. It was also nominated for the 34th annual Grammy Awards that same year.
and Canada
. Talley's first #1 as a soloist came from his project titled "I Speak to You", with the song "Joy On the Other Side of Jordan".
His next project, 'Serenade', produced two Top 10 charting songs, "Serenaded By Angels " & "If He Hung the Moon ", but also a string of awards for Talley at the 1996 National Quartet Convention
. The Gospel Voice magazine presented Talley with
3 Diamond Awards: Soloist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Song of the Year for "Serenaded By Angels". The Singing News
magazine presented him with the 1996 Fan awards for: Favorite Male Vocalist
, Favorite Songwriter
, and Song of the Year
again for "Serenaded By Angels".
attempt in 2003 after meeting Walbert Farmer over an internet chatroom. Farmer attempted to blackmail Talley with allegations that Talley lived an alternative lifestyle. Talley called the FBI and they collaborated to arrest Farmer. When Farmer agreed to meet with Talley, Farmer, 39, was arrested and sentenced to a prison term and a fine.
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
performer/songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
Early career
Born in Johnson City, TN, Talley began performing Southern Gospel Music in 1972. He was a member of the groups "The HoppersThe Hoppers
The Hoppers are a Southern Gospel group from North Carolina.The Hoppers are a family ensemble which first began performing together in 1957. They appeared at the inauguration ceremony for Ronald Reagan in 1981...
", The Cathedrals and the Talleys. He joined the Cathedrals in 1979 and with the lineup of Talley, Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell played bass and was a part-time vocalist for Kingsmen Quartet from 1979 until 1980, and he was the baritone vocalist and bass guitar with the Cathedral Quartet from 1980 through 1990. After leaving the Cathedrals, he sang with Greater Vision from 1990 through 1993 and with Gold City...
, Glen Payne
Glen Payne
Glen Payne served more than 50 years as a gospel music's singer. At age 17 in 1944, Glen joined the Stamps-Baxter Quartet. He was also a member of the Lester Stamps Quartet, The Stamps All-Stars, and The Stamps-Ozark Quartet...
, George Younce
George Younce
George Younce was an American bass singer, known for performing with Southern Gospel quartets, especially The Cathedrals.-Biography:...
, and Roger Bennett
Roger Bennett
Roger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
. During his time with The Cathedrals, Talley wrote a number of songs. Talley wrote his first # 1 song "Step Into the Water". The song remained at the top of the charts for nine months. He then left in early 1984 to join his brother and sister in law, Roger and Debra, to form The Talleys.
While with "The Talleys", Talley wrote the song "He Is Here". The Talleys received the 1992 Dove Award for 'Song of the Year
Dove Award for Song of the Year
The following is a list of recipients of the GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year:* 2011 "Sometimes I Cry" * 2010 "By Your Side" * 2009 "Give Me Your Eyes" * 2008 "East to West"...
' for this song. It was also nominated for the 34th annual Grammy Awards that same year.
Solo career
Talley began his solo career in 1993 and has performed across the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Talley's first #1 as a soloist came from his project titled "I Speak to You", with the song "Joy On the Other Side of Jordan".
His next project, 'Serenade', produced two Top 10 charting songs, "Serenaded By Angels " & "If He Hung the Moon ", but also a string of awards for Talley at the 1996 National Quartet Convention
National Quartet Convention
The National Quartet Convention is an annual gathering of Southern Gospel quartets and musicians. It is currently held at Freedom Hall on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.-History:...
. The Gospel Voice magazine presented Talley with
3 Diamond Awards: Soloist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Song of the Year for "Serenaded By Angels". The Singing News
Singing News
The Singing News is an American magazine which focuses on the Southern Gospel music industry....
magazine presented him with the 1996 Fan awards for: Favorite Male Vocalist
Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Male Singer
The Favorite Male Singer award is awarded yearly in the Singing News Fan Awards ceremony to honor the vocalist fans select as their favorite that year.-History:...
, Favorite Songwriter
Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Songwriter
The Favorite Songwriter award is given out during the annual Singing News Fan Awards to honor the fans' favorite songwriter who has written songs that have charted during the previous year on the Singing News Radio Airplay chart...
, and Song of the Year
Singing News Fan Awards for Song of the Year
The Song of the Year award is awarded yearly in the Singing News Fan Awards ceremony to honor the song Singing News magazine readers select as their favorite that year....
again for "Serenaded By Angels".
Extortion attempt
Talley was the subject of an extortionExtortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
attempt in 2003 after meeting Walbert Farmer over an internet chatroom. Farmer attempted to blackmail Talley with allegations that Talley lived an alternative lifestyle. Talley called the FBI and they collaborated to arrest Farmer. When Farmer agreed to meet with Talley, Farmer, 39, was arrested and sentenced to a prison term and a fine.