# Heritage Singers

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 episodes for television programs, and recorded over 200 albums.

## 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. Founding member Jerry Leiske named the group Heritage Singers, based on Bible scripture equating saints with God's "heritage ... objects of His special care."
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; they eventually married in 2014.
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. Original accompanists included Bob Silverman on piano and Gerald Allen on bass guitar. After a few months, Jeff Wood would replace Allen and Pete McLeod would join on guitar. Even later on, the Heritage Singers collaborated with Ronn Huff, who arranged many of their early albums with full orchestration. 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; he has been the group's sound tech since.
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, they formed a second group in September 1973, 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 in 1995, dubbed Heritage Español, which toured South America singing Spanish versions of the group's signature songs. Almost 300 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."
Throughout the 1980s, the group televised a program called "Keep on Singing" and was aired on Trinity Broadcasting Network. The programs are currently available on YouTube under the name "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.
Starting in 1985, the group collaborated with Art Mapa, a Philippine-born sound producer, arranger, guitarist, and composer. Mapa would later marry the Maces' daughter Val. Soon after, Turning Point Studio was built on the Maces' expansive property near Placerville, CA that serves as the home base for the Heritage Singers. Their albums have been recorded there since.

## Reunions

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.

## Death of founder, Max Mace

Following a battle with cancer, Max Mace died at his home in Placerville, California on November 4, 2020, one day before his 83rd birthday.

## Discography
### Studio albums

List of albums with release dates and with record catalog numbers :
| Title | Details |
| Hymns We Remember | Released: 1971 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5188 |
| Come Along with the Heritage Singers | Released: 1971 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5189 |
| The King Is Coming | Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5193 |
| Happy Side of Life | Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5205 |
| Thanks to Calvary | Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5209 |
| Sing-A-Long | Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5212 |
| Talking About the Love of God | Released: 1972 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5219 |
| I Just Came to Talk with You Lord | Released: 1973 Chapel Records Catalog No. S5222 |
| Faith to the People | Released: 1973 Chapel Records Catalog No. CPS732 Souvenir album for sponsors of Faith For Today 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:
* Dave Bell (since 1982)
* Rob Burkey (since 1989)
* Tim Calhoun (since 1999)
* Marcelo Constanzo (since 2000 in the main group; member of Heritage Español from 1995 to 2016)
* Melody Davis (since early 1994)
* Tim Davis (1989, since 1992; non-touring member since 2016)
* Garth Gabriel (since 1982 in the main group; member of Heritage Singers II from 1973 to 1978)
* Cindy Haffner (1978 - 1986, since 2001)
* Frank John Sallis (since 1978 in the main group; member of Heritage Singers II from 1973 to 1978)
* Andrea Judd (since late 1997; non-touring member) º
* Marc Judd (since late 1997; non-touring member) º
* Shani Judd-Diehl (since 1995) º
* Adriane Mace (since 1995; non-touring member since 2016)
* Val Mace-Mapa (founding member)
* Chloe Mallory-Mapa (since 2018)
* Scott Reed (since late 1994) º
* Becki Trueblood-Craig (since 1983)
* Miguel Verazas (since 2012)
º denotes members of Faith First, a contemporary Christian singing group commonly associated with the Heritage Singers and the Voice of Prophecy.
Band
The recording musicians vary on each CD, and the live band does not perform at all of the concerts. Currently, the live band consists of:
* Art Mapa – guitars (since 1985)
* Austin Mapa – drums/percussion (since 2013)
* Nino Ocampo – bass (since 2004)
* Joel Umali – keyboards (since 1989)
Technical
* Tim Davis – vocal arranger and producer
* Greg Mace – sound engineer (founding member; singer from 1971 to 1985)
* Lucy Mace - tour manager (founding member; singer from 1971 to 1981)
* Art Mapa – music arranger, producer, programmer