In 1985 they changed their name to Willie Neal Johnson and the New Keynotes with Lamanuel Boykin (keyboards), Maurice Morgan (guitar) and the Talley Brothers, Kenneth (KT) (guitar), Sheldon (bass guitar), and David (drums). With Malaco they recorded seven albums. They were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Detroit and the American Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Alabama in 1999.
The group underwent a name change in 1985 to Willie Neal Johnson and the New Keynotes, comprising Lamanuel Boykin (keyboards), Maurice Morgan (guitar), and the Talley Brothers, with Kenneth (KT) on guitar, Sheldon on bass, and David on drums. With Malaco, they produced seven albums. They were recognized in 1999 with inductions into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Detroit and the American Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Alabama.