A Tribute To Doug Riley

By; Sandi Duncan Clark

My phone rang very early Tuesday morning, January 31^st. The news I received was heartbreaking, and even two days later, it seems so surreal. Doug Riley, former drummer and current sound man for the Gold City Quartet, had been tragically killed in an auto accident.

Traveling to the Gold Mine recording studio in Hokes Bluff, Alabama, just a mile or so from his home, Doug’s SUV left the road and struck a utility pole. Doug lost his life and the entire Southern Gospel community grieves with his wife, Amy Jo, his two sons, his parents, Tim and Barbara Riley, as well as his brother Danny and sister Amy.

The Southern Gospel industry has lost a truly unique young artist. Doug Riley was one of the best loved and respected individuals in Gospel music. At age 35, his love for God was evident to all who enjoyed the music of Gold City.

Doug Riley began traveling full-time as drummer for the quartet in 1989, right out of high school. He loved Gospel music and became enthralled with the drums at a very young age. Doug grew up with his father singing bass for Gold City. He enjoyed the music and was a natural on the drums.

Doug never met a stranger in his travels with Gold City. He always had time for anyone who wanted to talk or listen as he talked about his family or shared his love for fishing. He met the love of his live, Amy Jo Riddle in 1990 and they were married June 16^th, 1992. God blessed them with two beautiful boys.

As a journalist, I have been honored to write many articles for and about Gold City. I remember an interview with Doug Riley shortly after he and Amy Jo learned they were expecting their second child. I could hear the excitement in their voices as they shared the news after a visit with the doctor.

Doug was proud of his family and often shared with me his pride in Amy Jo as a mother. He always knew that his family prayed for him, and often would say how happy he was that his wife and boys had a wonderful church family and were always in church on Sundays.

For many years, Gold City staged one of the most exciting bands (the Band Of Gold) in Southern Gospel music. Doug has been praised as the industry’s best drummer. He could get a feel for every venue the quartet played and kept that in mind when the group played big auditoriums, out-door concerts or churches.

Doug Riley always found time for every fan that approached him. He once told me, “I’m thankful for everyone who comes to a Gold City concert. That’s why we’re out there…to share God through our music, and I always pray that everyone who comes to the concert goes home with something special.”

For a number of years I was privileged to judge the talent search Gold City sponsored each year at their annual homecoming. I watched the Riley sons mingle with the hundreds of fans who came to Gadsden to enjoy the weekend with their favorite Southern Gospel quartet. These two young men took time to see that needs everyone there, including those involved in the talent contest were met.

Doug Riley had a heart for God. As he grew in the Lord, Doug wrote some of Gold City’s best songs, including “Are You Ready?” He was able to put the truth of his salvation into words; to be able to share that with all who would hear the songs.

Doug Riley had a unique sense of humor. He was a down-to-earth man who loved his family and if you gave him half a minute, he’d tell you all about them. Every time I asked how his sweet wife was, Doug would reply, “She’s wonderful!”

And he loved to fish. A mutual friend in Columbia, Jimmy Rivers, often had Gold City to his home. Jimmy and Katherine Rivers had a lake on their property, and Doug would immediately head for the “fishing pond” when the Gold City bus pulled on the Rivers’ property.

He enjoyed teaching Chape how to fish and to play ball. He truly loved summer vacations and Christmas with Amy Jo, Chape and little Griffin.

While our hearts grieve for the loss of this young man life here on earth, we can rejoice that we can one day join him in the heaven God has prepared for His children. Our thoughts and prayers are with Amy Jo and the boys.

We also pray for Barbara and Tim Riley at the loss of their son. We especially remember Danny Riley and the quartet as they resume their tour dates. It will be difficult to stand on stage without Doug there to help and to encourage them.

I’ve heard and read many tributes to Doug Riley and all are a great credit to the life of this young man. I think a comment from Kenny Bishop best sums up the life of Doug Riley. Kenny’s comment is: “Doug knew God as a matter of faith most all of his life. Now he knows Him as a matter of fact.”

On January 31^st, another Southern Gospel music personality went home to be with the Lord. As the Southern Gospel Choir is coming together in Heaven, God added a drummer for the band. Doug, we will miss you, but we’ll see you soon.