Whiteheart, a Christian rock outfit, came together in 1982 when singer Steve Green joined forces with guitarist Dann Huff, bassist Gary Lunn, keyboardists Mark Gersmehl and Billy Smiley, and drummer David Huff, most of whom had previously played in Bill Gaither’s ensemble. Their debut arrived as a self-titled album on the Home Sweet Home imprint, after which Green departed and Scott Douglas stepped in as lead vocalist for the 1984 follow-up Vital Signs. A subsequent guitar change replaced Dann Huff with Gordon Kennedy just before the 1985 release Hotline. David Huff and Douglas both exited shortly after that record, prompting the arrival of vocalist Rick Florian and drummer Chris McHugh in time for 1986’s Don’t Wait for the Movie, which marked the final Whiteheart project to include Gary Lunn.
Bassist Tommy Sims joined for 1987’s Emergency Broadcast, leaving only Gersmehl and Smiley as original members. The 1989 album Freedom emerged without further personnel shifts, yet Kennedy, Sims, and McHugh soon moved on, making way for guitarist Brian Wooten, bassist Anthony Sallee, and drummer Mark Nemer ahead of 1990’s Powerhouse. Nemer left not long afterward, and although McHugh returned to play on most of 1992’s Tales of Wonder, Jon Knox ultimately took the drum chair. The 1993 set Highlands retained that same configuration, but Sallee departed before 1995’s Inside, which was recorded with replacement bassist John Thorn. By the time Redemption appeared in 1997, Whiteheart officially comprised Gersmehl, Smiley, and Florian, supplemented by additional studio musicians.
