Spanky and Gene had for a number of years divided their time among the Disciples—in songwriting and in the studio—and various other endeavors, most notably as part of the mainstream R&B act, Men of Vision, produced by mega-hit-maker, Teddy Riley. Gradually assimilating into part of Riley’s production team, both men learned the art of production from a multi-platinum master. As the end of the ‘90s rolled around, the two had become experienced and well-seasoned in the upper tiers of both the creative and business ends of the music industry.

Well before the group’s foray into the major-label arena, Darrell, Gene and Spanky had found, cultivated and locked solidly into a pocket that was and remains the Darren McFadden & the Disciples’ signature sound. With Gene and Spanky soaking up all the influences of cutting edge R&B, and all three men well-versed in the Gospel and soul traditions that had been the soundtrack of their youth, they found a convergence of all those sounds that is truly unique in modern Gospel.

“That classic ‘60s soul is what we grew up on,” says Darrell. “That, and Gospel quartet. If you sit me, Gene and Spanky together in a room to make music, that’s what’s going to come out, but it’s going to have a fresh, contemporary spin on it that makes this group stand out and apart from anything else you’re going to hear.”

Another milestone in Darrell’s life was reached 1998, when he became pastor of his own church, Galilean Deliverance Temple, which he describes as “more of an outreach ministry to the community” in the Bronx, New York. “Music has always been just a part of my calling,” he says. “I’ve known for years I was supposed to pastor as well.”

As Darrel McFadden and the Disciples move up to higher level of recognition and responsibility in both ministry and music, Darrell sees a unity of purpose and importance in it all.

“We want to take quartet music to a new stage of recognition and popularity,” says Darrell. “A lot of people have lost touch with it, or aren’t even familiar with it, or have an inaccurate impression about it. We want to show them that it can still be current and modern, and something they can latch onto and enjoy. But our greatest purpose is just to win souls, man. There’s a lot people who love this music, but still don’t know much, if anything about God. We want to be ambassadors for the Lord, and present the Gospel in a way people can receive it in their hearts…just the same as we want to take quartet music and put it hand-in-hand with contemporary, and everybody live together as one.”