Although White Heart has not officially "retired" as a band, remaining members Smiley, Gersmehl and Florian are each pursuing other interests. Smiley started his own label, Cul-de-Sac Records. Gersmehl continues to write music and has released solo efforts. Florian is a real estate agent in the Franklin, Tennessee area and also continues to sing for various recording projects.

A reunion concert is planned for the 20th Anniversary of the the release of Freedom.[citation needed] All the original band members from that release (Mark Gersmehl, Billy Smiley, Rick Florian, Gordon Kennedy, Tommy Sims, Chris McHugh) will participate. The concert will be August 7, 2010 in Franklin, TN to benefit adoption and foster care.

White Heart formed in 1982 with most of its members coming from Bill Gaither's group. The original line-up consisted of Smiley (guitar), Gersmehl (keyboards & vocals), Steve Green (vocals), Gary Lunn (bass), and brothers Dann and David Huff (guitars/vocals & drums respectively).

After their self-titled debut album was released in 1982, the band suffered its first line-up change. Green left the band, saying that rock was not his style. He moved quickly into a successful career as an adult contemporary singer. Green was replaced by Scott Douglas.

The band released its second album, Vital Signs, in 1984. Dann Huff left the band shortly afterward and recommended his high school friend, Gordon Kennedy as his replacement.

When White Heart released its third album, Hotline, in 1985, David Huff left the band to pursue other interests, including studio work and touring with Michael W. Smith. Eventually he would join his brother Dann to form the hard rock band Giant.

Controversy ensued in 1985 when Scott Douglas was charged with aggravated sexual battery on June 30. Later, he was arrested for statutory rape on October 13 and was dropped from the band. Douglas (whose real name is Scott Douglas Mathiesen) was registered as a violent sex offender as a result of these incidents. He was released from prison in the mid 90s, and reunited with his family.

The remaining band members began to audition singers. In 1985, they were surprised when they heard their bus driver and roadie, Rick Florian, dancing around the stage and singing along to their songs. They auditioned him, and he was chosen as Douglas' replacement. Florian became a core member of the band and continued through the rest of White Heart's discography. Chris McHugh was also picked up to fill the drummer seat.

White Heart's 1986 release, Don't Wait for the Movie, was criticized for its gimmicky songwriting and lack of originality. Despite the criticism, the band kept on touring and recording. In the meantime, Gary Lunn left the band to become a studio musician, and was replaced with Tommy Sims.

After Emergency Broadcast was released in 1987, White Heart made an important change—but it wasn't precisely in the band's line-up. Brown Bannister came on board as producer for their next album. Bannister is known for working with artists like Petra and Amy Grant.