The Lighthouse Boys
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The Lighthouse Boys
Started in 1974 in Bakersfield, CA - The Lighthouse Boys began their musical ministry on the West Coast of the United States. Founding members “Mark Underwood” & “Steve Johnson” began writing songs in the back of an old pick up truck in 1973. By the following year Mark’s older brother “Bill Underwood” joined the duo to start up the group.
In 1977 The Lighthouse Singers (as they were called at that time) began recording their first album. The group entered “Buck Owens Recording Studio” with the buckaroos and started recording 5 of the songs that would go on that record.
By 1980 the group had changed their name to The Lighthouse Boys, finished and released their 1st album and went through a major member change that expanded the group’s line up to a full six member band. During the summer of ’80 the group had already won their first award, recorded their second album and had become the hottest thing in the west. By December the group was facing changes again and decided to take a break from the road.
During the early 80s Mark & Steve continued to write songs that would eventually re-define the group’s sound. The group began making appearances on local TV programs and various Annual Events. By 1987 the group entered the studio again and decided to re-emerge on the road, this time joined on drums by Bill’s son “Stephen Underwood.” The group quickly soared to the top of the west again. The group recorded a 6 song EP just titled “The Lighthouse Boys” in ’93. In 1994 The Lighthouse Boys released their 3rd full length album “Golden Classics,” the album brought their first radio single “Midnight Cry” which quickly soared to the top of play lists all over the country, in 1995 the band began touring the united states. By 1997 they signed a one project deal with Lamp Music and became the first California group to perform at Suwannee River Jubilee held in Live Oak, Florida. The quartet went on and performed at the Great Western Quartet Convention (a spin off event from the National Quartet Convention) from 1997-2001.
2004 brought the group’s 30th Anniversary. In 2005 the group released “The Best of The Lighthouse Boys 1974-2004” that featured 32 songs from all six albums and included the group’s single “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” The double CD also contained the previously unreleased track “Peace in the Valley” which was taken from early sessions of the “After I Get to Heaven” album.
[edit] Discography
- The Lighthouse Boys (TLB Records/independent - 1980) produced by Jim Shaw (Buck Owens)
- The Lighthouse Boys - EP (TLB Records/independent - 1993)
- Golden Classics (TLB Records/independent - 1994) radio single "Midnight Cry"
- After I Get To Heaven (Mountain Top/Lamp Music - 1997) NEVER RELEASED
- Golden Classics 2 (TLB Records/independent - 2000)
- The Lighthouse Boys LIVE (TLB Records/independent - 2003) recorded labor day 1980
- After I Get to Heaven (TLB Records/independent - 2003) limited release
- The Best of The Lighthouse Boys 1974-2004 (TLB Records/independent - 2005) double CD