Wild Choir

Wild Choir
Genres Country rock
Years active 1985 – 1987
Labels RCA Nashville
Associated acts Gail Davies, Great Plains
Members Larry Chaney
Denny Dadmun-Bixby
Gail Davies
Bob Mummert
Pete Pendras

Wild Choir was an American country music band, originally formed in 1985 and founded by country artist Gail Davies and her guitarist Pete Pendras. Davies thought of the idea upon returning from a trip to London, England in 1985.[1] Upon speaking with RCA executive Joe Galante, the band signed a recording contract with RCA Nashville.[2] Along with a self-titled studio album, the band released three singles in 1986. Although the lead single, "Safe in the Arms of Love", did not chart, it would later become a major hit for both Michelle Wright and Martina McBride in 1995 respectively.[2] Two singles from the album followed, the highest-charting being "Heart to Heart", which reached number forty on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Wild Choir's singles received major criticism from country music radio. Many stations found the recordings to be too closely associated with rock music, believing it would not respond well with listeners. Although they did not achieve major chart success, Wild Choir has been cited as the forerunner of today's Americana movement and has influenced other country bands, including Highway 101 and Foster & Lloyd.[2]

After breaking up, Gail Davies signed with MCA Records and produced an album with label head, Jimmy Bowen. She then proceeded to form her own record label - Little Chickadee Productions. Guitarist Larry Chaney went on to work with Edwin McCain. Pete Pendras teamed up with Neil Andersson from the Northwest band The Wailers to record several albums. Drummer Bob Mummert became a hired gun for artists like Foster & Lloyd, Sweethearts of The Rodeo and Reba McIntire and is currently on tour with bluegrass artists Dailey and Vincent. Denny Dadmun-Bixby joined a country group Great Plains and appeared as a background vocalist on Suzy Bogguss' 1998 album Nobody Love, Nobody Gets Hurt.

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with no available chart positions
Title Album details
Wild Choir

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak
chart
positions		 Album
US Country
[3]
"Next Time" 1986 51 Wild Choir
"Heart to Heart" 40
"Safe in the Arms of Love" —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

Year Title Director
1986 "Safe in the Arms of Love" David Hogan[4]

References

  1. ↑ Dennis, Paul W. "Forgotten Artists: Gail Davies". Engine 145. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Gail Davies -- Wild Choir". Gail Davies. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  3. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 462. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  4. ↑ "Gail Davies - Wild Choir". Gail Davies' official website. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
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