He and guitarist Billy Smiley were the only two original members of the band to stay with White Heart from its conception in 1982 through its disbandment in 1998.
[1] Later, he would play trombone with the O'Jays, the legendary Philadelphia Sound group, as well as with several professional orchestras in Indiana.
[1][5] While attending Ball State University, Gersmehl began playing horns at the studios of Bill and Gloria Gaither.
Other studio musicians suggested that he go on the road with the Gaither Vocal Band, but at first Gersmehl was hesitant.
They decided to start their own contemporary Christian music group singing some of their co-written compositions.
[5] Through White Heart's numerous lineup changes, Smiley and Gersmehl, the primary songwriters of the group, stayed on.
By the early 2000s, Gersmehl was ready to roll again, releasing his first solo album, "Awakening", in March 2002.