White Heart

Description

The self-titled debut album by the American pop/rock band White Heart was released on Home Sweet Home Records in February 1983, distributed by Myrrh Records, a division of Word. The album was recorded by Jeff Balding at Gold Mine Studio in Nashville, Tennessee; with band members Dann Huff and Billy Smiley producing for Home Sweet Home. Mixed by Balding and Chris Christian at Gold Mine Studio. The album sold nearly 70,000 copies.

White Heart is Steve Green (vocals); Billy Smiley (keyboards, rhythm guitar, vocals); Mark Gersmehl (keyboards, synthesizer, vocals); Dann Huff (lead and rhythm guitar, vocals); Gary Lunn (bass); and David Huff (drums and percussion). “Black Is White” features Michael W. Smith on piano with background vocals provided by Greg Guidry.

Trivia: White Heart started with Billy Smiley writing some of the original songs and recording them with Dann Huff, who also had just joined the Bill Gaither Trio right after Smiley joined the Gaithers. The two were recording demos at Gaither Studios and then down in Nashville at Sound Stage Studios. When both had moved back to Nashville in 1981 – they asked Mark Gersmehl, who was living in Ft. Wayne at the time if he had any songs, and did he want to play keyboards for the band. He brought in “Hold On” and “He’s Returning” – a great anthem featuring the lead vocals of both Dann and Steve Green, who also joined the band along with bassist and friend Gary Lunn.

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/no/album/white-heart/4393700)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Hold On” – 3:37
A2. “You’re the One” – 3:56
A3. “Listen to the Lonely” – 3:47
A4. “He’s Returning” – 4:23
A5. “Carry On” – 3:56

Side Two
B1. “Guiding Light” – 3:40
B2. “Everyday” – 4:08
B3. “Nothing Can Take This Love” – 3:40
B4. “Black Is White” – 3:14
B5. “Go Down Ninevah” – 4:30

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP. Later re-issued on CD.

A full-page advertisement for White Heart’s self-titled debut album was featured in the February 1983 issue of CCM Magazine. (L-R: Gary Lunn, Steve Green, David Huff, Mark Gersmehl, Dann Huff, Billy Smiley)