Kirk Talley
| Kirk Talley | |
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| File:KirkTalley.jpg
Kirk Talley at Video Shoot
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| Background information | |
| Born | June 9, 1958 |
| Origin | Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Gospel Music, Southern Gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Christian Music singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Singing, Piano |
| Years active | 1972–present |
Kirk Lewis Talley (born June 9, 1958), is an American Southern Gospel performer/songwriter. Talley is best known for his time as a tenor singer with the legendary Gospel Quartet The Cathedrals and also the family group The Hoppers, along with a very successful solo career as a singer and songwriter.
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Early career
Born in Johnson City, TN, Talley was raised in Bulls Gap, Tennessee and graduated from Bulls Gap High School in 1976. Shortly thereafter, he began performing Southern Gospel Music in 1972. He was a member of the groups "The Hoppers", The Cathedrals and the Talleys.[1] He joined the Cathedrals in 1979 and with the lineup of Talley, Mark Trammell, Glen Payne, George Younce, and Roger Bennett. During his time with The Cathedrals, Talley wrote a number of songs. Talley wrote his first # 1 song "Step Into the Water". The song remained at the top of the charts for nine months.[2] He then left in early 1984 to join his brother and sister in law, Roger and Debra, to form The Talleys.
While with "The Talleys", Talley wrote the song "He Is Here".[3] The Talleys received the 1992 Dove Award for 'Song of the Year' for this song. It was also nominated for the 34th annual Grammy Awards that same year.[4]
Solo career
Talley began his solo career in 1993 and has performed across the United States and Canada. Talley's first #1 as a soloist came from his project titled "I Speak to You", with the song "Joy On the Other Side of Jordan".[5]
His next project, 'Serenade', produced two Top 10 charting songs, "Serenaded By Angels [6]" & "If He Hung the Moon [7]", but also a string of awards for Talley at the 1996 National Quartet Convention. The Gospel Voice magazine presented Talley with 3 Diamond Awards: Soloist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Song of the Year for "Serenaded By Angels". The Singing News magazine presented him with the 1996 Fan awards for: Favorite Male Vocalist, Favorite Songwriter, and Song of the Year again for "Serenaded By Angels".[8]
Extortion attempt
Talley was the subject of an extortion attempt in 2003. Talley randomly met Walbert Farmer, a convicted felon, over an internet chatroom. Farmer attempted to blackmail Talley with allegations that Talley was an active and practicing homosexual and threatened to inform the public, Talley's record company, and other influential Gospel music artists and institutions if Talley did not pay him. Talley refused to do so, and contacted the FBI and they collaborated to arrest Farmer. When Farmer agreed to meet with Talley, Farmer, 39, was arrested and sentenced to a prison term and a fine.[9][10][11]
Personal Life
Talley still performs Gospel music at various churches, albeit sparingly. His main work is in Sales and Merchandising for Dillard's. Talley is the brother of Roger Talley, brother in law of Debra Talley, and uncle to Lauren Talley. The three comprise the group The Talley Trio. Kirk sings with them from time to time as his schedule allows. He is an avid Tennessee Volunteers Football fan.
