David Phelps

• Genre: CCM

About

First there were years of singing with the Gaithers, then an extreme makeover so he could appeal to a hipper crowd (though that should hardly matter, since the Gaither Vocal Band does maintain a surprisingly upward position on the Billboard charts for an old fashioned southern gospel outfit), then an almost unrecognizable injection of radio-pop into his show-stopping gospel style, and you have the irresistible David Phelps embarking on a new and promising solo journey. One thing (the best thing) remains: a voice that cracks the heavens and makes the sun shine. While his following might not know what to make of the light pop fare, the contemporized style can't mask his vocal strengths. A new fan base, unfamiliar with his golden Gaither days, will only know there's a new pop personality with tight, exuberant tunes.

- Amy Bartlett