The Archers

The Archers were one of America’s earliest Contemporary Christian music groups. They were originally brothers Tim and Steve Archer, Nancye Short and Billy Rush Masters.

After Masters and Short departed in 1977, sister Janice Archer joined. They enjoyed greater longevity than most of the pioneering CCM artists, recording chart hits in the decades of the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s.

Their hits included, “Jesus Is The Answer”, “Little Flowers”, “It Wouldn’t Be Enough”, “Fresh Surrender”, “Stand Up!”, and “Heaven In Your Eyes”.

Former Maranatha! Music artist and CCM pioneer Erick Nelson defined The Archers’ role in the development of contemporary Christian music as representing one-half of a convergence: traditional vocal groups like The Archers got hipper while the hippie rock groups (like the Maranatha bands) got more mellow—eventually both evinced the polished, commercial sound that would be identified as stereotypical contemporary Christian music.

Selected Discography

All Systems Are Go

Light Records 1984

Tracks:

All Systems Are Go!, What's It Gonna Take, Heaven In Your Eyes, Get Ready Get Right, My Hope, Walk Like He Walks, Winnin Again, Don't Let It & Every Good And Perfect Gift.

Musicians on the All Systems Are Go: Tim Archer, Steve Archer, Janice Archer Cruse, Herb Jamerson, James Jamison Jr., Lee Kicks, Joe Lala, John Andrew Schreiner, Bob Somma & Albert Wing.

Spreadin´Like Wildfire

MCA Songbird 1981

Tracks: Spreadin' Like Wildfire, I Never Knew Love, Sooner Of Later, Back In Your Arms, Everyday, Runnin' Too Long, Care, Nothing Can Separate Us, Merry-Go-Round & Never Say Goodbye.

Musicians on the Spreadin´Like Wildfire album: Janice Archer Cruse, Steve Archer, Tim Archer, Alex Acuna, Roger Bissell, Hadley Hockensmith, Bill Kenner, Abraham Laboriel, Larrie Londin, Dony McGuire, Shane Keister, Tony Sena, Shelly Kurland Strings, Buddy Skipper, Dennis Solee & George Tidwell.

Celebrate

Light Records 1980

Tracks: Celebrate, Wonderful To Feel Your Love, Where Could I Go, Lord Keep Your Lovin Hand On Me, Sunshine On A Cloudy Day, I'm Gonna Rise, It Wouldn't Be Enough, Waitin Anticipatin', Fresh Surrender, Stand Up & Celebrate (Reprise).

Musicians on the Celebrate album: Janice Archer Cruse, Steve Archer, Tim Archer, Paul Bahn, Sandra Couch, Dan Cutrona, Charles Davis, Michael Fickling, Larry Hall, Gary Herbig, Tim Jaquette, Phil Kristianson, Stephanie Reach, Bill Reichenbach & Tony Sena.

Stand Up!

Light Records 1979

Tracks: Only His Love, We're All Gonna Leave Here, Fools Paradise, Moments With You, Stand Up !, Blame It On The One I Love, More (More So Much More), Livin' In Your Love, God Loves You, You Know The Future & Pickin' Up The Pieces.

Musicians on the Stand Up! album: Janice Archer Cruse, Steve Archer, Tim Archer, Michael Baird, King Errisson, David Hungate, Phil Kristianson, Paul Leim, Tim May, Larry Muhoberac, Dean Parks, Greg Pore, Reinie Press, Thom Rotella & Tony Sena.

Fresh Surrender

Light Records 1977

Tracks: I Need You, Fresh Surrender, With Every Breath I Take, Water Into Wine, Give Him Praise, I'm Gonna Rise, Change, Sanctified Life, Make Me An Instrument & You Know The Future.

Musicians on the Fresh Surrender album: Janice Archer Cruse, Steve Archer, Tim Archer, Michael Baird, Ben Benay, Wilton Felder, David Hungate, Jim Keltner, Phil Kristianson, Paul Leim, Larry Muhoberac, Dean Parks, Reinie Press, Lee Ritenour, Tony Sena & Fred Tackett.