Brian Free & Assurance

Although gospel singer Brian Free has issued several solo albums on his own, he is best-known for his work with his band, Brian Free & the Assurance. He got his start with the Gold City Quartet in 1980, and by 1993, split from the group and headed out on his own. The new group issued their self-titled a year later, which quickly led to the group racking up such impressive accolades and awards as the Singing News Fan Award for Album of the Year (their 1996 release 4 God So Loved) and Song of the Year (the title-track from 4 God So Loved) from the Southern Gospel Music Association, as they toured the U.S. and Northern Ireland, where they appeared on the Gaither Video Series. They also toured back home and on the TV stations TNN and TBN. In 1997, the Assurance performed on NBC's Today show, representing the National Quartet Convention. A year later, Free put the quartet on hiatus as he decided to focus on obtaining his ministerial license and ordination, but still found time to carry on as a solo artist (1999 saw the release of a self-titled solo release). 2001 was a busy year for Free, as he reunited the Assurance in time for the album Lovin' This Livin' for the Lord, as well as releasing another solo release on his own, Call of the Cross. The next year, So Close To Home (a collection of regional hymns and praise songs) and Timeless Hymns & Classics (an album of well known hymns) were the next additions to his collaborations with Assurance. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi