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Apr 13, 2016 · Former Heritage Singer Joanne (Velting) Mullin, and co-author of the Heritage Singers’ story, Beyond Our Dreams, published in 2010, asked the group’s founders, Max and Lucy Mace, for their comments about this milestone, and what it means for the future of the Heritage ministry.
- Overview
- History
- Reunions
- Death of founder, Max Mace
- Recent Members
- External Links
The Heritage Singers are an American gospel group founded by the late Max Mace and his wife Lucy, with their two children Valerie Ann and Gregory James. Based near Placerville, California, the group has traveled to over 65 countries, performed over 7,000 concerts, produced 200 television programs, and recorded over 200 albums.
After four years of performing with the Rose City Singers, a patriotic/folk singing group sponsored by Portland-based United Medical Laboratories, the Maces decided to resign and form a Christian group in 1971. Jerry Leiske named the group based on Bible scripture equating saints with God's "heritage ... objects of His special care."
The first year, they released two albums (Hymns We Remember and Come Along with the Heritage Singers), and performed their first public concert on June 4, 1971. Early accompanists included Bob Silverman on piano and Pete McLeod and Jeff Wood on guitars. In 1974 the Heritage Singers collaborated with Ron Huff, who arranged their first albums with full orchestration.
Heritage Singers bought a touring bus (a former Greyhound PD-4501 Scenicruiser they named "Old Blue") from a lot in San Francisco, which remained in their service for 10 years.
As their popularity grew (along with the television series "Heritage Singers Presents"), they formed a second group in September 1974, dubbed Heritage II, (subsequently named New Creation) to perform mostly at cities located in the eastern half of the United States;, and a third group, Heritage Singers en Español, which tours South America singing Spanish versions of the group's signature songs. More than 250 people have performed as members of The Heritage Singers; however, the Mace family has remained at its core. As for the religious affiliation of its members, Max Mace has stated that while a majority of them are Seventh-day Adventists, that's not in itself a requirement. "They have to be a born-again Christian and receptive to the Adventist message."
In the mid-1980's, the group televised a program called "Keep on Singing" and was aired on Trinity Broadcasting Network. It was uploaded on YouTube some time later and was called "Heritage Singers Classics". Around the same time this program was aired, Heritage Singers began performing for Loma Linda University Church and have done so ever since. Until recently, since the COVID-19 Pandemic, they have not been invited back as a whole group, but individual members have been invited to sing at various services of theirs (mostly Tim Calhoun who currently lives in Loma Linda anyways). Max Mace's nephew, Doug Mace, is also Director of Middle School Ministries there. However, the whole group has made its return for the Max Mace memorial service and their 50th Anniversary concert and currently plan to continue the tradition.
In 1985, the group collaborated with Art Mapa, a sound producer, arranger, guitarist, and composer, and eventually married Val Mace (-Mapa). Soon after, Turning Point Studio was created, where Heritage Singers albums were recorded thereafter.
Celebratory reunion concerts have been held in 1979 (Swing Auditorium), 1986 (Anaheim Convention Center), 2001 (Ontario Convention Center), and 2005 (Crystal Cathedral). A final 45th anniversary reunion was held at the Citizens Business Bank Arena on July 30, 2016, with 126 singers on stage.
Following a bout with cancer, Max Mace died at his home in Placerville, California on November 4, 2020, one day shy of his 83rd birthday. At his memorial service held by the Loma Linda University Church, Max's daughter, Val Mace-Mapa, and her family have vowed to continue the forward-thinking path that Max and Lucy began.
Singers
Typically 7 to 10 singers perform at each concert, and the line-up varies depending on the location and availability.
•Denar Almonte
•Ted Atwood
•Dave Bell
•Rob Burkey
•Official Website
•An X Post to Heritage Singers & Kelly Clarkson
•An X Post to Heritage Singers & Jennifer Hudson
•Firsthand biography by Dan Shultz in 2009-2010
•Heritage Singers Classics programming schedule on LLBN
•Heritage Singers discography at AllMusic.com
Founded in 1970 by Max and Lucy Mace, the Heritage Singers, a pioneering self-supporting Seventh-day Adventist gospel music ensemble and now the longest running group of its type, has flourished for four continuous decades.
The Heritage Singers are an American gospel group founded by the late Max Mace and his wife Lucy, with their two children Valerie Ann and Gregory James. Based near Placerville, California, the group has traveled to over 65 countries, performed over 7,000 concerts, produced 200 television...
Jul 16, 2011 · In the 80’s and much of the 90’s Monty Jackson was the face of the Heritage Singers. He was the person we (at least those of us in the South Pacific) paid good money to go and watch. He was the reason we bought the tapes, the cassettes and eventually the CD’s and DVD’s.
Nov 7, 2020 · In 1971, Mace and his wife, Lucy, who survives, formed the Heritage Singers, devoted to Christian music. Both Seventh-day Adventists, the Maces wanted to bring contemporary harmonies to their fellow believers.
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The Heritage Singers are an American Christian gospel singing group which was founded in 1971 by Max and Lucy Mace. This talented vocal group is based in Placerville, California.
