The group originally formed in Tennessee in 1983, including original member Diane Hawkins (Chris' sister) and signed shortly thereafter to Calvary Records. They steadily released albums throughout the decade, including such titles as Have You Heard, Everything New, Solid, Warming Up, and Going Back. But by the early '90s, Diane left the band after marrying Joe and finding out that they would soon be parents. Her spot has since been filled by Misty, and it was also around this time that the group enjoyed their greatest chart success, as they became the only group in Southern gospel music history to have four singles on the Top 40 charts. In 1992, the Freemans established their own record company, Goldenvine Productions, on which they subsequently released such hit recordings as Once Was Enough, In a High Wind, Renaissance, and their first recording of the 21st century, 2001's Highway. ~ Greg Prato