GADSDEN, Ala. — Drummer Doug Riley of the Alabama gospel group Gold City died Jan. 31 in a car accident in Gadsden. He was 35.
Riley, a member of CrossPoint Community Church, Gadsden, in Etowah Baptist Association, was a native of Glencoe and graduated from Glencoe Christian Academy in 1989. After graduation, he started traveling with the group as the drummer and producer. Riley wrote many songs for Gold City over the past 16 years, including “Are You Ready?,” which was nominated for favorite song of the year in 2001.
The group has enjoyed more than 60 Singing News Fan Awards, including albums of the year, songs of the year, groups of the year and individuals of the year awards.
Gold City has had multiple Dove Award nominations and was recognized with a Dove Award for Southern Gospel Song of the Year in 1993 for “There Rose a Lamb.”
Riley’s father is the retired bass singer and owner of the group.
Riley is survived by his wife, Amy Jo; sons Chapen and Griffin; parents, Tim and Barbara Riley; brother Danny Riley; and sister Amy Strickland.
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