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,[1] the group has traveled to over 65 countries, performed over 7,000 concerts, produced 200 television programs, and recorded over 200 albums.[2]
History
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 from their hospital duties and form a Christian group in 1971.[3] Jerry Leiske named the group Heritage Singers, based on Bible scripture equating saints with God's "heritage ... objects of His special care."[4] Jerry and Rita Leiske left a short time thereafter and returned to their home in Alberta, Canada to form their own singing group along the same model, although their daughter Jackie would return to the Heritage Singers a couple of times before she and fellow Heritage member Chris Willis left for good in 1992 and married sometime afterwards.
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.[5] Early accompanists included Bob Silverman on piano, Pete McLeod and Jeff Wood on guitar and bass.[6] In the 1970s the Heritage Singers collaborated with Ron Huff, who arranged many of their early albums with full orchestration.[7] During the early years of the group, one of Max's nephews, Terry Mace, ran the sound system for the group for one year in 1972 until Max's son Greg took over at the age of 13 in 1973; Greg Mace continues the run the sound system for the group to this day.
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.[1]
As their popularity grew (along with the television series "Heritage Singers Presents"), they formed a second group in September 1973, dubbed Heritage II,[8] (subsequently named New Creation)[9] to perform mostly at cities located in the eastern half of the United States;,[10] and a third group in 1995, dubbed Heritage Español, which toured South America singing Spanish versions of the group's signature songs.[11] 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."[1]
Throughout the 1980s, 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. Individual members have also been invited to sing at various services of theirs (mostly Tim Calhoun who currently lives in Loma Linda anyways).
Starting in 1985, the group collaborated with Art Mapa, a Philippine-born sound producer, arranger, guitarist, and composer, and eventually married Val Mace (-Mapa). Soon after, Turning Point Studio was created, where Heritage Singers albums have been recorded since.
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.[15] 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, with Val becoming the new director of the Heritage Singers.
Discography
Studio albums
List of albums with release dates and with record catalog numbers
Includes nine songs from five previous LPs (Happy, Thanks, Sing, Talking, I)
Includes one song from pianist Bob Silverman's solo LP, He's Everything to Me
Revelation Generation
Released: 1973
Chapel Records Catalog No. CPS738
Souvenir album (same content as "Faith to the People" but different cover art)
Includes nine songs from five previous LPs (Happy, Thanks, Sing, Talking, I)
Includes one song from pianist Bob Silverman's solo LP, He's Everything to Me
Step into the Sunshine
Released: 1973
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5228
Accompanied by The Sunshine Singers (kids)
We've Come this Far by Faith
Released: 1973
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5236
Let's Just Praise the Lord
Released: 1973
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5241
Jesus Is the Lighthouse
Released: 1974
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5254
God's Wonderful People
Released: 1975
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5270
Heritage 5-Year Souvenir Album
Released: 1975
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5272
Christmas with the Heritage Singers
Released: 1975
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5273 (also S1021)
What More Could He Do
Released: 1976
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5300
Thinking Back: 100 Year Old Gospel Favorites
Released: 1976
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5302
Something Special
Released: 1976
Heritage Records Catalog No. HS1027
With songs from albums by The Mace Brothers, Judy Morton-Meckstroth, Jim McDonald, Heritage Singers II
I Am Willing, Lord
Released: 1977
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5325
Companion songbook of choral arrangements published in 1983
Heaven Is for Kids (Vol. I)
Released: 1978
Heritage Records Catalog No. HS1035
Someone Is Praying for You
Released: 1979
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5372
Rise Again
Released: 1979
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5373
Heaven Is for Kids, Vol. II
Released: 1980
Chapel Records Catalog No. S7015
Best of 10 Years
Released: 1981
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5425
We're Just People
Released: 1981
Starglo Catalog No. S1044
A Touch of Country
Released: 1982
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2310
Just a Little More Time
Released: 1982
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5442
Spirit of Praise
Released: 1983
Chapel Records Catalog No. S2314
Companion songbook of choral arrangements published in 1984
From the Heart
Released: 1984
Chapel Records Catalog No. S2318
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Released: 1985
Chapel Records Catalog No. S2324
15 Year Anniversary
Released: 1986
Heritage Records Catalog No. 240
Right Now
Released: 1986
Image VII Catalog No. VII7810
Gospel Train
Released: 1988
Heritage Records Catalog No. C7035
Accompanied by Heritage Kids
No Compromise
Released: 1988
Heritage Records Catalog No. CD2347
What Is This?
Released: 1989
Heritage Records Catalog No. CD1004
Commissioned
Released: 1990
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5541
Songs You Remember Vol. I
Released: 1991
Heritage Records Catalog No. CD1006
Songs You Remember Vol. II
Released: 1991
Heritage Records Catalog No. CD1007
Songs You Remember Vol. III
Released: 1991
Heritage Records Catalog No. CD1008
Songs You Remember Vol. IV
Released: 1991
Heritage Records Catalog No. CD1009
Father of All
Released: 1992
Peacespeaker
Released: 1994
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5662
A Cappella
Released: 1994
You Are My Song
Released: 1995
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5671
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 1
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9601
Digitally remastered versions of Hymns We Remember and Come Along with the Heritage Singers
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 2
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9602
Digitally remastered versions of The King Is Coming and I Just Came to Talk to You Lord
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 3
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9603
Digitally remastered versions of Happy Side of Life and Thanks to Calvary
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 4
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9604
Digitally remastered versions of Sing-A-Long and Talking About the Love of God
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 5
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9605
Digitally remastered versions of We've Come This Far by Faith and Let's Just Praise the Lord
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 6
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9606
Digitally remastered versions of Jesus Is the Lighthouse and God's Wonderful People
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 7
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9607
Digitally remastered versions of What More Could He Do and Thinking Back
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 8
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9608
Digitally remastered versions of Someone Is Praying for You and I Am Willing, Lord
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 9
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9609
Digitally remastered versions of We're Just People and Just a Little More Time
Silver Anniversary Collection Vol. 10
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD9610
Digitally remastered versions of From the Heart and Right Now
Reflections of Christmas
Released: 1996
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDC5721
He Is Our Peace
Released: 1997
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5727
Heritage Country
Released: 1998
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5772
You Are Holy
Released: 1999
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5810
He Still Speaks
Released: 2000
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD5811
Someone Cares
Released: 2001
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2001
Because of Love
Released: 2002
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2002
Hymns of Gold
Released: 2002
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDG2002
Saved by Grace
Released: 2004
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2004
Renew Me
Released: 2005
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2005
Timeless Heirlooms
Released: 2006
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDC2006
A New Day
Released: 2006
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2006
A Quiet Place
Released: 2007
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDI2007
Instrumental version of A New Day except for some background vocals
No Greater Love
Released: 2007
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2007
Timeless Heirlooms II
Released: 2008
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDC2008
Forgiven
Released: 2008
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2008
Band name of Heritage Country
Be Free
Released: 2009
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2009
The People's Choice: 40th Anniversary Collection
Released: 2010
Triple CD
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2010
Restored
Released: 2012
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2012
Max & Lucy's Favorite Hymns Through the Years
Released: 2015
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDML2015
Includes one song from Max Mace's solo LP, Country Memories
The People's Choice: Volume 2
Released: 2015
Triple CD
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CDPC2015
Faithful
Released: 2019
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2020
Home for Christmas
Released: 2020
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2021
A Heritage Singers Tribute to Max Mace
Released: 2022
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2022
Testify
Released: 2024
Heritage Singers Catalog No. CD2024
Live albums
List of albums with release dates and with record catalog numbers
Title
Details
More Than Singing
Released: 1972
Chapel Records Catalog No. S5197
Includes one song each from Come Along With the Heritage Singers and Hymns We Remember
Includes seven songs from I Just Came to Talk With You Lord
Reunion
Released: 1979
Heritage Records Catalog No. S1042
Double album
Includes songs from Rise Again and Someone Is Praying for You
God Bless America Again
Released: 1981
Heritage Records Catalog No. S1045
Recorded at inauguration party for Ronald Reagan on January 20, 1981
Limited edition of 5,000 signed, numbered copies in red vinyl with personalized certificate
Includes 32-page booklet by Religious "Presidential" Inaugural Celebration...with Love (RPICWL)
Heritage Reunion Live: Celebrating 45 Years!
Released: 2016
Heritage Records Catalog No. CDHR2016
Triple CD
Videos
List of videos with release dates
Title
Details
Sydney Live Concert
Released: 1986
From Tahiti with Love
Released: 1987
Commissioned
Released: 1990
Tournee Brazil
Released: 1995
30th Anniversary Live Concert
Released: 2001
Heritage Singers Catalog No. DVD2001
Because of Love: The Session
Released: 2003
Simply Heritage: A Musical Journey
Released: 2004
Through the Years Vol. 1
Released: 2005
Heritage Singers Catalog No. DVD2005
An Evening at the Crystal Cathedral
Released: 2006
Heritage Singers Catalog No. DVDCC2006
Through the Years Vol. 2
Released: 2008
Heritage Singers Catalog No. DVD2008
Heritage Live, In Concert From Prague
Released: 2010
Heritage Singers Catalog No. DVDCZ2010
Heritage Reunion Live: Celebrating 45 Years!
Released: 2016
Heritage Singers Catalog Nos. DVDHR2016 (DVD) and BLUHR2016 (Blu-ray)
Recent members
Singers
Typically 7 to 10 singers perform at each concert, and the line-up varies depending on the location and availability. Currently serving members consist of:
^Mace, Max and Lucy Mace with Joanne Velting Mullin (2010). Beyond Our Dreams: The Heritage Singers Story. Walla Walla, WA: Color Press, Inc. ISBN978-0-615-37223-5. Pp. 4-5.
