The Lighthouse Boys


The Lighthouse Boys are an American Southern Gospel band from Bakersfield, California, and progenitors of "The Bakersfield Sound". The group began in 1974 by brothers Mark and Bill Underwood and Bill's brother in-law Steve Johnson. In 1976, the trio expanded from a vocal ensemble to a full band with the addition of Frank McNinch, Garry Miller, and Kenny Knight. The band recorded their self-titled debut album in the late 1970s and released it in 1980. The band has undergone many line-up changes throughout their recording and touring careers, but the core trio has remained at the helm during their history.

Career / Ministry

Founding and early years

Founded in 1974 in Bakersfield, California by Mark Underwood and Steve Johnson, who had been writing songs together since in 1973. By 1974 Mark’s older brother Bill Underwood joined and they began performing all around California.
In 1975 Mark attended a concert that was put on by the Jesus music band Amplified Version, Mark began to talk with them, and they convinced Mark that for The Lighthouse Boys to continue successfully they needed to get a sound system to take with them on the road. That same year a sound system was purchased. In 1976 The Lighthouse Boys became a full quartet when Frank McNinch joined on bass vocals to fill out the sound. They also added Garry Miller on bass guitar and Kenny Knight on drums to fill out the rest of the band.
In 1977 The Lighthouse Boys performed at The Blackwood Brothers and Gospelares Talent Show in Fresno, California at the Selland Arena. They also made an appearance on The Bakersfield, CA local broadcast of The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.
In 1978, the group began recording their first album. They entered Buck Owens' Recording Studio to record five of the songs that would go on that record. Jim Shaw who produced the album was later quoted as saying "They were fun sessions. I just remember they had a nice, gospel-flavored country sound and that we enjoyed working with The Lighthouse Boys"

The 80's

By 1980 The Lighthouse Boys finished and released their first album and went through a major member change. Steve took some time away after the departures of Frank, Garry and Kenny in 1979. With new members Tim Cantu, Dathan Fernandez, Ken Edwards, and Jon Edwards along with Mark and Bill the group had won their first award, recorded a live album at the "Western Desert Gospel Sing" on Memorial Day at The San Bernardino Fair Grounds in Victorville, CA. The Lighthouse Boys had become one of the top artists in the west.
In 1983 Mark, Steve and Bill joined up with a few other musicians to form "New Covenant" to perform and record while The Lighthouse Boys took on a very limited schedule. "New Covenant" recorded three songs, two of which were released on a Sampler LP for what was known as The WGA, on that LP was a re-recording of The Lighthouse Boys song "When The Saints of God are Called T'ward Heaven." In 1984 The Lighthouse Boys made another appearance in Bakersfield on the local broadcast of The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. Mark and Steve continued to write songs. The group continued to make appearances on local TV programs and various annual events, Mark spent some time with a group out of Taft, CA called "Sonrise." On Memorial Day 1987 The Lighthouse Boys made an appearance performing three sets over two stages at The Western Desert Gospel Reunion at the San Bernardino Fair Grounds in Victorville, CA. In July they entered the studio again to cut a new single that was originally planned to be given to Jimmy Swaggart, instead it sparked a desire to re-emerge on the road, this time joined on drums by Bill’s son Stephen Underwood.

The 90's

In 1989, Mark Underwood, Steve Johnson & Ken Edwards signed a one-year contract as writers with a publishing company. The Lighthouse Boys went into the studio to record 6 songs, but soon after the recording Ken Edwards took time away to help his father's radio station in Dry Prong, Louisiana. A young man by the name of Terry Mullin joined as lead singer. The Lighthouse Boys recorded backup vocals for soloist Debra Hoopiiaina on her album "Bought With A Price." In 1993 after Ken Edwards' return and a move down to bass vocals for Terry, The Lighthouse Boys released the previous six songs recorded from 1989 as a compilation album with five songs from their first album. In 1994, The Lighthouse Boys went back into the studio where they felt at home: Fat Tracks - formerly The Buck Owens Recording Studio. They joined the Western States Gospel Music Association and hit a North West US tour in the summer and released their third studio album “Golden Classics.” On December 31, 1994 while The Lighthouse Boys celebrated their 20th anniversary, the original quartet Mark Underwood, Steve Johnson, Bill Underwood and Frank McNinch reunited for one concert in which they performed five songs from their first album.
In 1995 The Lighthouse Boys released the radio single “Midnight Cry” through the Rick Hendrix Company. Between 1995-1997 they toured the North West and Southern parts of the United States. In October 1997 they made an afternoon showcase appearance at Suwannee River Jubilee held in Live Oak, Florida. The fans were so enthused by the performance The Lighthouse Boys were asked to perform on the evening show. The quartet also began performing annually at The Great Western Quartet Convention.
In 1998 Mark temporarily lost his voice, a young man by the name of Tim Williams had just stepped down as music minister at his home Church at Northland Assembly of God in Bakersfield, CA. Tim was originally joining to play keyboards, but because of Mark's vocal health, Mark continued playing keyboards and Tim took over singing Tenor.

2000’s

In March 2000, The Lighthouse Boys released “Golden Classics 2”. In October after 20 years with The Lighthouse Boys, Ken Edwards left the group. Terry Mullin and Tim Williams left as well to reform Golden State Quartet. In 2001, original member Steve Johnson stepped back in, Stephen Underwood moved from the Drums to Lead Vocalist and The Lighthouse Boys set back out on the road. In 2002, they met up with producer Mark Yeary and recorded the single “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” The song was recorded for a special compilation project called IAMM Volume 1. They also guest appeared on the album "I'll Be There" by Mark Yeary's sister "Cathy Hollowell."
In February 2004, the group celebrated their 30th anniversary. In the summer of that year, their keyboardist Mike Smith was found by his bike after falling asleep while driving home from work. He had run off the road in the hills outside of Santa Maria.
In October, Bill Underwood left the road to pastor a church. Mark brought up his son Joe Underwood to sing baritone, they continued with Stephen Underwood as a trio until they briefly shut down in December 2005.
In 2006 Mark, Steve, Bill & Stephen came back together to perform limited concert dates, their first concert back was the 2006 Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival at The Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. They again performed there in 2007. In 2008, The Lighthouse Boys went live again for the first time in four years with the addition of Tommy Smith; a veteran Bass Guitarist who had played with the likes of Bobby Durham, Brian Lonbeck, Mark Yeary and The Buckaroos.

2010's

In December 2009 Stephen Underwood returned to the Drums, and Ken Edwards stepped back in to sing lead. April 29, 2010, The Lighthouse Boys returned to the Great Western Fan Fest and released Midnight Cry: The Lighthouse Boys Essential Collection, a 20-song compilation celebrating the years from 1994-2000. On October 30, 2010 for the first time in 10 years, The Lighthouse Boys reunited the most popular version of the group with members Mark Underwood, Bill Underwood, Ken Edwards, Terry Mullin and Stephen Underwood for their entire set during the final 5th Saturday Sing of the year. Tim Williams also joined them on 2 songs.
In December 2012, Jimmy Woods joined The Lighthouse Boys on keyboards. The Lighthouse Boys returned to The Great Western Fan Fest in Visalia, CA with Tommy Smith singing Lead vocals.

40

In 2014, The Lighthouse Boys announced their 40th Anniversary. In May The Lighthouse Boys rejoined The Western States Gospel Music Association. In February 2015, The Lighthouse Boys released their single "From Heaven's Point of View" to digital music stores and to Radio through Patterson Music Promotions.
January 25, 2016, The Lighthouse Boys original drummer Kenny Knight passed away suddenly at age 52
In April 2016, "The Lighthouse Boys Ultimate Collection" featuring songs from every studio recording including 2 new songs.
In May 2016, Stephen Underwood officially stepped down from live performance, Randy Ivie filled in in June and joined officially as new Lead Singer in September.

Personnel (past and present)

Studio musicians

A list of Producers, Engineers and Musicians that The Lighthouse Boys have recorded with over the years.

Albums

YearAlbumMembers who performedRecord labelRecord producer
1980The Lighthouse BoysUnderwood, Johnson, Underwood, McNinch, Miller, KnightTLB RecordsJim Shaw, Mark Underwood
1993The Lighthouse BoysUnderwood, Johnson, Underwood, Edwards, UnderwoodTLB RecordsMark Underwood
1994Golden ClassicsUnderwood, Underwood, Edwards, Underwood, MullinTLB RecordsMark Underwood
2000Golden Classics 2Underwood, Underwood, Edwards, Underwood, Mullin, WilliamsTLB RecordsTim Williams, Sammy Lee
2003*The Lighthouse Boys - LiveUnderwood, Underwood, Cantu, Fernandez, Edwards, EdwardsTLB RecordsThe Lighthouse Boys
2003**After I Get To HeavenUnderwood, Underwood, Edwards, Underwood, Mullin, J JohnsonTLB RecordsMike Pillow, Mark Underwood
2005The Best of The Lighthouse Boys 1974-2004TLB RecordsStephen Underwood
2010Midnight Cry, The Essential CollectionUnderwood, Underwood, Edwards, Underwood, Mullin, Williams, J JohnsonTLB Records / Ultra EntertainmentStephen Underwood
2014Songs For Easter - Limited Edition Compilation EPUnderwood, Underwood, Edwards, Underwood, Mullin, Williams, J JohnsonTLB RecordsStephen Underwood
2016"The Lighthouse Boys Ultimate Collection"Underwood, Johnson, Underwood, McNinch, Miller, Knight, Edwards, Underwood, Mullin, Williams, Underwood, Hood, Smith, WoodsTLB RecordsStephen Underwood

*originally recorded May 26, 1980

**originally recorded from 1995-1997

Singles

Other Appearances