Crystal River - Out with the old, in with the new
The Southern Gospel group, Crystal River, started out as a proud Knoxville based quartet. A few years ago, Zach McGill took CR to new heights when they broke out with their Arthur Rice produced album titled, For the First Time. The group was comprised of owner/baritone, Zach McGill - lead, Jeff Snyder - Tenor, Dusty Barrett - Bass, Jeremy Lile. Despite their youth and sometimes eccentric hairstyles and stage appearance, Crystal River became an immediate hit with Southern Gospel fans. In fact, I posted a really enthusiastic comment back in 2005 on Southern Gospel News.com:
On Crystal River's first website they said the following: "With everything good that God gives us, the devil tries to use things to make you stumble," said Zack. "He will use anything. He has used financial troubles, sicknesses, and personnel changes to try and discourage us. However, the Lord has been there through it all, and He has been faithful to us and has blessed us with so much."
"We do what we do to see souls saved and lives changed and transformed through the power of God's Word through song," remarked McGill. "The proudest moment that we have in all of this is that God would allow us to do this full-time. It's been such a blessing."
When asked about the future of Crystal River , the group feels confident that they are in this for the long haul.
"We see our ministry expanding greatly. We feel that it's a matter of time before we're taken to the next level," said Zack. "No matter our plans, we also have to plan for what the Lord wants us to do. However, for now the sky is the limit!"
"We do what we do to see souls saved and lives changed and transformed through the power of God's Word through song," remarked McGill. "The proudest moment that we have in all of this is that God would allow us to do this full-time. It's been such a blessing."When asked about the future of Crystal River , the group feels confident that they are in this for the long haul.
"We see our ministry expanding greatly. We feel that it's a matter of time before we're taken to the next level," said Zack. "No matter our plans, we also have to plan for what the Lord wants us to do. However, for now the sky is the limit!"
In September of 2005, Crystal River joined the Beckie Simmons Agency (BSA) and followed up in 2006 with a new album titled, 
Taking A Stand. These guys were quickly becoming Southern Gospel superstars and garnering much respect throughout the industry. In 2006 and 2007, they were nominated for “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” by the Southern Gospel news media and nominated for “Horizon Group of the Year” by the Singing News fans. Things began to unravel though, when in early 2007, bass singer, Jeremy Lile, and lead, Jeff Snyder, left the group. Lile went to sing with Brian Free & Assurance. I'm not sure where Jeff Snyder went.
Taking A Stand. These guys were quickly becoming Southern Gospel superstars and garnering much respect throughout the industry. In 2006 and 2007, they were nominated for “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” by the Southern Gospel news media and nominated for “Horizon Group of the Year” by the Singing News fans. Things began to unravel though, when in early 2007, bass singer, Jeremy Lile, and lead, Jeff Snyder, left the group. Lile went to sing with Brian Free & Assurance. I'm not sure where Jeff Snyder went. Crystal River continued on as a trio with McGill, Barrett, and former Won by One lead, Chris Whitaker. In 2007 they produced one album for BSA, titled, Hope Is Alive. This trio didn't sound much like the CR of old, but rather more like something from the Crabb Family. Regardless it didn't quite catch on with fans. Shortly after that, McGill married his high school sweetheart and the group pretty much disbanded.
Apparently, McGill sold the rights to the name Crystal River. BSA is now representing a "new" Crystal River with a trio of guys from an acapella group out of Georgia, that were formerly called, Chozen. I don't know what they sound like, as the sound clips on the BSA site are still from the former trio. I'm sad that Crystal River is no longer based out of Knoxville. I hope these new guys do justice to the name.
