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.