The Talleys
The Talleys have become one of the most beloved and respected groups in Christian music. The east Tennessee family's unmistakable style of progressive southern gospel has kept them at the forefront of gospel music for many years. The hallmarks of the "Talley" sound are their lush arrangements, close-knit harmonies and powerful vocals.
The Talleys' top priority in concert is to lift up Christ in their music while presenting the message with class and excellence. Their professionalism is only superseded by their ability to connect with an audience through warmth and sincerity.
They have enjoyed 10 number one singles, with 2 streaks of consecutive chart-toppers. Their most awarded, recognizable and requested songs include the hits:
Searchin'
The Healer
I Love The Lord
The Answer Is Christ
Jesus Saves
His Life For Mine
The Debt
The Broken Ones
That's Enough
Life Goes On
In addition to these, they have received accolades for their hits "My Hope Is In The Lord," "Mountain Mover," "Orphans of God," "Testify," "The Promise," "He's Alive," and "Applause."
Their songs and recordings have received awards and nominations from the Dove Awards, Singing News Fan Awards, the Southern Gospel Music Guild Harmony Honors, the BMI Awards and SGN Music Awards. Each member of the Talleys has received individual honors for their work.
The Talleys perform over 100 concerts per year and their travels have taken them all over the world. Overseas tours have brought them to Norway, Northern Ireland, Italy and South Africa. They regularly appear on the National Quartet Convention stage, the Singing In The Sun and Gatlinburg Gathering. They have performed on numerous Gaither Homecoming videos and were fixtures on the Gaither Homecoming Concert Tour from 1999-2005. They have graced the most legendary stages in America including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry. The Talleys were featured guests on the Billy Graham Crusade and have appeared on television with Pastor John Hagee, Dr. Charles Stanley and Oral Roberts Ministries.
2011 begins a new chapter for the Talleys with the marriage of Lauren Talley to Brian Alvey. Brian joins the Talleys on stage to make the group a foursome for the first time, bringing a new excitement to their concerts with his impressive vocal skills and extensive musical abilities, playing multiple instruments on stage.
Roger, Debra, Lauren and Brian are involved in many endeavors individually and keep a busy traveling and recording schedule, but they are focused on one goal: sharing the message of Christ. Whether in a church sanctuary, on a concert stage or around the dinner table, their focus is God and family.
Individual Biographies:
ROGER TALLEY
Accomplished pianist, producer, arranger and singer Roger Talley has enjoyed over 35 successful years in gospel music that began in the Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee. Roger grew up on the family farm and when not working in the fields, was at the piano playing and singing with his siblings. After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in agricultural business, Roger received a phone call from Claude Hopper, which began Roger's gospel music career as the Hoppers' pianist and arranger for 10 years. In 1984 Roger, wife Debra and brother Kirk formed the Talleys, one of Christian music's most acclaimed and groundbreaking groups, with a tradition that continues today.
Roger's skills are to be credited for the Talleys' innovative arrangements and musical style. In addition to the Talleys' recordings, Roger has produced many artists such as Jake Hess, Ivan Parker, the Collingsworth Family, the Greenes, the Kingsmen, Sue Dodge, Tribute Quartet and the John Hagee Family. Roger has been awarded for his achievements in recording by the Southern Gospel Music Guild Harmony Honors in 2004 and the SGN Music Awards in 2007 as Producer of the Year. Roger co-owns the Summit Recording Studio in Morristown, Tennessee and is also a board member of Abraham Productions, which sponsors the Singing In The Sun, the Gatlinburg Gathering and numerous other marquee events in gospel music.
When not on stage or in the studio, Roger enjoys following all University of Tennessee sports teams and the Tennessee Titans. He can usually be found on his cell phone or with a crossword puzzle in hand.
DEBRA TALLEY
In gospel music circles, few names are respected and admired as much as Debra Talley. Born and raised in Clinton, Kentucky, Debra sang in church from an early age until she began traveling and singing full-time with the Song Masters Quartet in 1974. She performed on stage with the Hoppers from 1979-1982. Debra co-founded the Talleys in 1984 with husband Roger and brother-in-law Kirk Talley. She now shares the stage with Roger, daughter Lauren and son-in-law Brian Alvey. In her 37-year career, Debra has received 8 Singing News Fan Awards, 4 Southern Gospel Music Association awards, and numerous nominations for Female Vocalist and Alto of the Year.
Debra has been a vocal and performance instructor at the Steve Hurst School of Music for 17 years. She has also co-written several songs recorded by the Talley Trio and other artists, such as "Built On The Rock," "Travelin' Light," "Because Someone Prayed," and "I Still Believe." She has made guest appearances on many recordings including Mark Bishop's The Fields Of Love. She recorded "Somebody Bigger Than You and I" as a duet with the legendary Jake Hess on his last recording. Debra has been a featured vocalist on many Gaither Homecoming videos and concerts performing her signature song, "Thinkin' About Home." One of her greatest honors came when she was asked to perform the song at the funeral of gospel icon James Blackwood.
Debra's golden alto voice is one of the most recognized in the gospel music world and her warmth and humble personality have endeared her to audiences throughout her extensive career. She loves people and communicates the message of Christ in a loving and sincere way. Debra loves cooking, decorating and home improvement projects (she even has her own toolbox!). She is a very vocal supporter of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols and loves just spending time at home with family and friends.
LAUREN TALLEY ALVEY
Born into a rich musical heritage, Lauren Talley Alvey has become one of the most versatile artists in Christian music. This extremely talented young lady with a passion for ministry is not only an accomplished vocalist, but is also an author, producer/arranger, voice/performance coach and studio background singer.
From age 2, Lauren was a staple in the Talleys' concerts and grew up listening to many styles of music. She credits the Martins and CeCe Winans as her greatest influences in Christian music. By age 13, Lauren had developed her own unique style and today is an instantly recognizable voice in the gospel music world.
Along with performing on stage with the Talleys, Lauren has an extensive solo career and has recorded four solo albums. Her latest, Songs In The Night, accompanies her first book of the same title. Lauren has been honored with three Singing News Fan Awards, two SGN Music Awards and a Southern Gospel Music award for her individual work.
She has been a voice/performance coach for the Steve Hurst School of Music for 10 years and has worked with many up-and-coming artists including the Browns, the Beene Family, the Jody Brown Indian Family, New Desire and CS&K. Lauren also has performed background vocals for many artists including Paul Simon, Randy Travis, Jake Hess, Ivan Parker, the Collingsworth Family and Mark Bishop. Her collaborative efforts include duets with David Phelps, Jason Crabb and Mark Bishop. In 2001 Lauren appeared on an episode of the CBS drama "Touched By An Angel." She has appeared on many Gaither Homecoming videos and concerts alongside the Gaither Vocal Band, Guy Penrod, Mark Lowry, David Phelps and many other gospel music legends.
On June 25, 2011, Lauren married the love of her life, Brian Alvey, and is excited about the new opportunities God is placing in front of her to speak to audiences, teach her Songs In The Night Power Study and share that broken people can find hope in Jesus Christ. When she's not on the road, Lauren is in the kitchen cooking down-home Southern food for her husband or watching the University of Tennessee sports teams and the Indianapolis Colts.
BRIAN ALVEY
Indiana native Brian Alvey was raised in a pastor's home where music was central to the family. He began singing with his family at the age of 3 and by the age of 4, was playing drums in the family group as well. At 9 years old, after discovering Gold City and the Cathedrals, Brian was hooked on Southern Gospel music. "I would listen to Gold City and the Cathedrals' tapes for hours. It wore my parents out, but I couldn't get enough of it." From those days forward, it became Brian's goal to sing in the Southern Gospel industry.
Brian's musical skills include proficiency on drums, bass guitar, piano, electric and acoustic guitar and steel guitar. He has played piano and sung with Southern Sound, Beyond The Ashes and was the tenor for the award-winning Tribute Quartet. In 2009 Brian's talent was honored with a Singing News Fan Award Top Ten nomination for Horizon Individual of the Year. While with Tribute, Brian started to develop his songwriting. Brian, along with Tribute manager Gary Casto (co-writer of the Hoppers' "Grace Will Always Be Greater Than Sin"), wrote the group's first top 10 song, "That's Why I Love Him So," which was included in the Solid Gospel Top 10 most played songs of 2010.
On June 25, 2011, Brian married the former Lauren Talley and joined the Talleys on stage in September 2011. Brian has a powerful testimony and also enjoys speaking to youth groups and sharing his message with audiences nationwide. Brian has also been a voice and performance instructor at the Steve Hurst School Of Music for 4 years. When not traveling, Brian enjoys watching ESPN, Fox News and the History Channel. He enjoys singing background vocal sessions at Crossroads Music and playing on occasional instrumental sessions as well. His studio credits include Lauren Talley's Songs In The Night and Southern Sound's Through the Years. If there is an Indianapolis Colts or Tennessee Lady Vols game on, the Alvey house is watching and pizza is involved.
Quick Facts
10 Number One songs on the Singing News Radio Chart
Searchin' - 3 consecutive months
The Healer - 2 consecutive months
Jesus Saves - 2 consecutive months
Life Goes On
That's Enough
The Broken Ones
The Debt
His Life For Mine
I Love The Lord/Total Praise
The Answer is Christ
BMI Recorded Song of the Year - Testify
Singing News Fan Awards
Debra Talley - 11 Awards for Favorite Female Vocalist, Favorite Alto, and
Queen of Gospel Music
Lauren Talley - 3 Awards for Favorite Young Artist
Horizon Group of the Year 1997
Horizon Individual Nominee in 2009-Brian Alvey
Dove Award for 1991 Southern Gospel Song of the Year - He Is Here
SGN Music Awards
2005 Progressive Southern Album of the Year - Praise For The Ages
2006 Female Vocalist of the Year - Lauren Talley
2007 Album of the Year - Rise Again
2007 Trio of the Year
2007 Producer of the Year - Roger Talley
2007 Female Vocalist of the Year - Lauren Talley
2007 Song of the Year - Mountain Mover
2009 Producer of the Year - Roger Talley
Southern Gospel Music Guild Harmony Honors
2004 Creative Support Award - Roger Talley
2005 Song of the Year - His Life For Mine
2008 Trio of the Year