The Hemphills

Southern Gospel singing group. Started by husband-and-wife duo Joel Hemphill and Labreeska Hemphill in 1967. The first group consisted of Joel Hemphill singing lead, wife Labreeska Hemphill singing alto, Joel's nephew Tim McKeithen singing baritone and his wife, Dixie McKeithen, singing soprano. Joel and Labreeska's children joined their parents on stage as Dixie and Tim left to start their own family and, later, begin their own family group, The McKeithens. Joey Hemphill began playing drums, and later sang vocals. Trent Hemphill started playing bass, but eventually became the group's pianist. Finally, Candy Hemphill sang her first solo on a Hemphills album in 1975, and she soon became the group's soprano. They received six Dove Awards during their career. The Hemphills traveled and performed as a family until they disbanded in 1990.