The Hemphills, a gospel singing family band that started out with the husband-wife duo of Joel and Labreeska Hemphill (1940-2015), were core members of modern Southern Gospel scene of the 1960s and '70s. Like their contemporaries such as Bill Gaither, Laverne Tripp and the Rambos, the Hemphills are known as prolific songwriters, penning countless songs of praise that went straight into the white gospel canon. They started out as a duo, then expanded into a full band in the late 1960s... in the 'Seventies the Hemphills became true family band when they were joined by their children, notably Cindy Hemphill, who became a featured vocalist and also recorded some solo work. For country music twangfans, the Hemphills offer a peppy, distinctly countrified sound, an often bouncy, uptempo style and rough-edged, rural sincerity that clearly echoes the earnest fundamentalism of the Louvin Brothers. If you're skirting the edges of the old country-gospel scene, wary of the more "churchy" sounding artists, the Hemphills may have a few nuggets you'd enjoy. Here's a quick look at their work...
The Hemphills "The Country Gospel Style Of Joel And Labreeska" (Canaan Records, 1967-?) (LP)
The Hemphills "In Gospel Country" (Canaan Records, 1968-?) (LP)
The Hemphills "Take Us Home With You" (Canaan Records, 1969-?) (LP)
This edition of the group included Joel Hemphill, LaBreeska Hemphill, Tim McKeithen, Dixie McKeithen, and Bill Tharp.
The Hemphills "Old Brush Arbor Days" (Canaan Records, 1970-?) (LP)*
With Joel and LaBreeska, Joey Hemphill, Tim McKeithen, Dixie McKeithen, Bill Tharp, and David Robbins...
The Hemphills "Make Mine Gospel" (Canaan Records, 1972-?) (LP)
The Hemphills "Sweet Zion's Song" (Canaan Records, 1972-?) (LP)
The Hemphills "In Action" (Heart Warming Records, 1973-?) (LP)
The Hemphills "Ready To Leave" (Canaan Records, 1974-?) (LP)
The Hemphills "Sing The Glory Down" (Canaan Records, 1974-?) (LP)
The Hemphills "...One Live Family" (Heart Warming Records, 1975) (LP)
The Hemphills "Without A Doubt" (Heart Warming Records, 1976) (LP)
The Hemphills "In God's Sunshine" (Heart Warming Records, 1977) (LP)
The Hemphills "Home Cookin' " (Heart Warming Records, 1979) (LP)
The Hemphills "Workin' " (Heart Warming Records, 1980) (LP)
The Hemphills "Good Things" (Heart Warming Records, 1981) (LP)
The Hemphills "Louisiana Live" (Heart Warming Records, 1983) (LP)
The Hemphills "Together" (Heart Warming Records, 1984) (LP)
The Hemphills "Excited" (Heart Warming Records, 1985) (LP)
The Hemphills "I Can Smile" (Riversong Records, 1986) (LP)
The Hemphills "Revival" (Riversong Records, 1987) (cassette)
The Hemphills "Celebration" (Homeland Records, 1989) (cassette)
The Hemphills "Walking In The Light" (Trumpet Call Music, 2003)
