The Gaither Vocal Band includes Mark Lowry, Michael English, David Phelps, Wes Hampton and Bill Gaither.

Seven-time Grammy Award-winner Bill Gaither will host an evening of music, laughter and inspiration featuring the Gaither Vocal Band on Friday night, Nov. 8, in Memorial Auditorium.

Gaither Vocal Band is comprised of Mark Lowry, Michael English, David Phelps, Wes Hampton and Bill Gaither, an ensemble within the larger Gaither Homecoming singers who perform on the Gaither Homecoming Tour. Founded by Gaither, Vocal Band performances mingle the humor of Mark Lowery between arrangements of gospel classics and new songs.

Sixteen men have, at one time or another, served as a member of the Gaither Vocal Band over three decades. Always at the heart of the group is its goal of bringing the gospel to people from all walks of life.

Named ASCAP's Songwriters of the Century, Bill and Gloria Gaither have written more than 700 gospel songs throughout their multi-decade career, including standards "He Touched Me," "Because He Lives" and "There's Just Something About That Name."

Since 1992, when Gaither began recording his Homecoming series, almost every volume has gone gold or platinum with a total of almost 100 million in sales. The Homecoming programs appear regularly on television networks around the world.