Greater Vision is an AmericanSouthern gospel musictrio founded in 1990. It is one of Southern gospel's most popular trios and have been noted for their prolonged commercial and musicals success spanning over two decades. As of 2017, the group is made up of Gerald Wolfe, Rodney Griffin, Chris Allman and Jon Epley. Over the last several years, this trio has consistently been named Southern gospel's top male trio, winning The Singing News Awards, Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and have placed numerous top songs on the Southern Gospel Charts and Radio.
Group history
The group formed in December 1990 when Mark Trammell left the Cathedral Quartet and teamed with Cathedrals alum Gerald Wolfe in forming the group. They recruited tenor Chris Allman. The group quickly became a success. Their first project, On A Journey, propelled them into seemingly overnight popularity. The group followed up with the albums You Can Have A Song, 20 Inspirational Favorites and Serving A Risen Savior, were all released on the Riversong/Benson Music Group label and was well received among fans and industry.
Personnel changes
In 1993, Mark Trammell departed for Gold City and was replaced by Dixie Melody Boys baritone singer and bass guitarist Rodney Griffin. Allman left in late 1995 to attend seminary studies and was replaced by Jason Waldroup. This lineup of Wolfe, Griffin, and Waldroup stayed intact for 13 years and was both immensely popular and successful. Waldroup's smooth tenor and Griffin's strong baritone and songwriting ability launched the group into the forefront of the gospel music scene. 1997's When I See The Cross became the group's highest charting project. The group had also left the Riversong label and signed with Daywind Records. In 1999, the group recorded with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and released Far Beyond This Place. The Griffin penned "My Name is Lazarus" became on perhaps their most iconic song, reaching number one song on the Southern Gospel Charts. The Group also released He's Still Waiting By The Well off their 2000 project Perfect Candidate. In 2008, Waldroup decided to leave to pursue a seminary education. In May, Jacob Kitson was announced as the new tenor. Kitson’s stay was short-lived. In 2010, Chris Allman returned after an almost fifteen-year absence, thus coming back full circle to the almost original blend and sound.
Second-Half quartet
In 2014, Greater Vision and The Mark Trammell Quartet appeared the same night at an event in Marion, Illinois. By combining the two groups during the second half of the concert, the moniker "Second Half Quartet" was formed. The act combines the singers in a style of quartet music that is rare in its field. In 2015, Gerald Wolfe, Mark Trammell, Pat Barker, Rodney Griffin and Chris Allman took home a variety of awards at Gospel Music's premier award show, The Singing News Fan Awards. Mark Trammell was voted Favorite Baritone of the Year by fans, becoming the first Gospel singer to win such an award in four separate decades; Pat Barker took home the Favorite New Soloist award; Greater Vision's song, “For All He’s Done,” was voted Song of the Year and once again, Rodney Griffin was the recipient of the Favorite Songwriter Award.
Current lineup
In 2017, the group added Kentucky native Jon Epley to the group to sing Baritone. This change was needed after Wolfe had developed vocal and neck muscle problems that were affecting his voice. Feeling it was necessary to make this change to ensure the continued success of the group, Wolfe took over as full-time emcee and piano player while Griffin moved into the lead slot and continued on the bass guitar, while Allman remained at tenor.
