The Family, the gospel group originally introduced as Kirk Franklin & The Family, will continue its return with a live recording Saturday, Aug. 1, in Houston.
Twelve of the group’s 17 original members are participating in the reunion, revisiting music that helped reshape contemporary gospel during the 1990s while preparing to record something new. Kirk Franklin is not participating in the recording.
The group’s self-titled debut was recorded in Fort Worth in 1992 and released the following year. Led by “Why We Sing,” the album spent 42 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s gospel albums chart and became a platinum-selling breakthrough.
That success was followed by Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas and Whatcha Lookin’ 4, extending a run that helped move choir-driven gospel further into radio, retail and popular culture.
The Houston event is being presented as both a reunion and a new chapter. The Family plans to revisit songs associated with its history, including “Why We Sing,” “Silver and Gold,” “Now Behold the Lamb,” “Melodies From Heaven,” “Conquerors” and “Whatcha Lookin’ 4,” while capturing a new live recording.
Those songs did more than fill a catalog. They became choir-standards, radio fixtures and recurring tests of whether everyone in the alto section had practiced.
The Family has made several appearances together in recent years, including performances connected to Kirk Franklin’s Reunion Tour. This recording places the original singers at the center rather than treating them solely as part of Franklin’s larger touring production.
Watch The Family’s official video for “Believe” below.
The Family’s Live Recording Experience begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, in Houston. Admission is free with an advance reservation, and seating is limited.