The Route 76 Southern Gospel Show Sundays 7 AM – NOON
WILLIE & BOBBIE NELSON
Farther Along: The Gospel Collection
WILLIE NELSON – what can you say that has not been said about a living legend such as Willie Nelson ?
One thing most people don’t know is how influential Gospel has been for Willie Nelson and his sister Bobbie. From their childhood in the cotton-farming country of Abbott, Texas, Willie and Bobbie were raised with good country Gospel music, and the soulfulness of that upbringing has permeated their lives ever since.
On “Farther Along”, Bobbie and Willie Nelson hark back to their spiritual and musical roots by bringing to you 18 of their favorite Gospel songs. Such songs as Lily Of The Valley, I’ll Fly Away, Old Time Religion, Swing Low Sweet Chariot and 14 other comforting and comfortable classics heard here reflect the background they come from – the Down-to-Earth, Salt-of-the-Earth, Hard-Working country – just like so many of the good people that have enjoyed Willie Nelson’s music for all these years.
The song deals with a Christian’s dismay at the apparent prosperity of the wicked, when contrasted with the suffering of the righteous. The repeated theme is that, in Heaven, the truth will be revealed.
The lyrics to the song were written in 1911 by Rev. W. A. Fletcher, an itinerant preacher, while he was travelling to the Indian Territories by train.
Fletcher was feeling depressed because his wife was expecting their first-born child in a few weeks and he wouldn’t be present for the occasion.
He felt that his priorities were with his ministry in the Indian Territories and wrote the lyrics to reflect his frame of mind at the time.
Sitting next to him on the train was J. R. Baxter, a gospel music promoter who was quite taken with the lyrics that Fletcher was writing and offered him $2.00 for them. Mr. Baxter subsequently had them put to music and the song has been quite popular in the gospel music arena ever since.
ALAN BIBEY & GRASSTOWNE
GONNA RISE & SHINE
Morning Glory Music is delighted to release the brand new, all gospel project from Alan Bibey & Grasstowne. Gonna Rise & Shine has already been a huge success with its first two singles, “Gonna Rise & Shine” and “When Jesus Swings The Wrecking Ball” topping the charts for several weeks. Alan and his band know how to make incredible music. With this project, they tapped into their bluegrass roots to bring listeners a top-notch entirely gospel project to enjoy.
LARRY SPARKS – MINISTRY IN SONG
(REB-1875), 2021
Bluegrass emanates from the heart of Larry Sparks. Gospel music bounds from his soul. Paired together, bluegrass gospel represents the very best of Larry Sparks as a singer and as a man. In Sparks’ latest chapter within his massive catalog of classics, Rebel Records’ Ministry In Song, the bluegrass Hall of Fame member sings as well as he ever has during his six decades in music. Throughout the album’s 12 numbers, Sparks’ soul beams through his gift of a voice as if, yes, indeed, he has seen the light.
THE FORBES FAMILY – A FORBES FAMILY TREASURY – VOL. 1
Homer Forbes: Banjo, Fiddle, Vocals
Lisa Forbes: Vocals
Jay Forbes: Mandolin, Vocals
Lori Forbes: Bass, Vocals
Tracy Keenan: Guitar
David Marshall: Lead Vocal on Chorus, track 2
This collection, the first of two volumes, is a compilation of some of the best of the Forbes Family’s previously released music but also includes three previously unreleased songs, “Jesus Gave Me Water”, “Sacred Memories” and “Something That The World Didn’t Give Me”.
THE MCKAMEYS
STILL HAVE A SONG
From their humble beginnings in the mid-1950’s till the group’s final concert in November 2019, The McKameys of Clinton, TN made an indelible and profoundly unique mark on the world of traditional Gospel music.
Their catalog of songs runs rich and deep; it houses more # 1 songs than any other group in the Southern Gospel genre can claim.
In addition to their well-known radio hits, many additional song gems can be mined from one album after another. Much of that body of work was created during the family’s 27-year long relationship with Horizon Records.
“Still Have A Song” was released by the label in 1997.
3 HEATH BROTHERS – Who We Are
The next generation of Gospel Music artists have arrived, with powerful voices and a calling to spread God’s word. The 3 Heath Brothers are award-winning teenagers who have taken their talents into new territory with creative arrangements, song choice and production for their new Horizon Records release, Who We Are, making an impressive statement about their music, mission and beliefs.
Nicholas, Clayton and Christian Heath are North Carolina natives, whose parents raised them in faith. Their mother taught them to sing blended harmonies at an early age. Now, their powerful vocals and youthful energy have been melded into a new, distinctive sound.
LAUREN TALLEY – Glorious God
Talley captures the awe Christ inspires on this album of some of today’s most loved worship songs, beginning with the first song which inspired the title. “Glorious God” shares the creation story and recognizes all God created to give us the lives we live. It’s a reminder that God’s presence is all around, everywhere we go.
“What A Beautiful Name/Agnus Dei” follows and continues the theme of recognizing Christ’s power through all the works He’s done. Backed by the Voices Of Lee choir from Lee University,
you will feel you are in the presence of God worshipping along with them.
“Let The Glory Come Down” is an upbeat song with a contemporary feel featuring Talley backed by two of the strongest vocals in Gospel music, Amber Eppinette and Chris Allman. It’s sure to make people get on their feet. Other tracks include “Mercy Tree,” “The Heavens Are Telling,”
“Jesus At The Center” and “Jesus Only Jesus.”
Glorious God closes with “A Wretch Like Me,” a worship song penned by Talley and based on the lyrics of “Amazing Grace.” It sings, “Praise God for grace that saved a wretch like me,” bringing
the album full circle with its message of wonder at all God is.
THE WISECARVERS
The message of the Gospel is one of never fading glory. Through each new year, each new era, this Message remains alive and vibrant. The Wisecarvers long to share that living message with a searching world.
Celebrating over a decade in ministry, Dove Award nominated group, The Wisecarvers, are steadily becoming known as one of Christian music’s most dynamic groups. What started as singing a few songs at family reunions and local churches has now blossomed into a worldwide ministry, reaching not only the United States, but into Puerto Rico, Canada, and the Netherlands. This tight knit family has released a steady stream of chart topping singles, including originally penned songs “Just To Save Me”, “Turn Back Time”, “I Need You”, “Falling In Place”, “Plain And Simple”, and Singing News Top 10 radio hits “Don’t You Think You Ought To Worship Me” and “It Was Jesus!” With songwriting being such a large aspect of the group’s ministry, it allows them to share their personal stories and testimonies. Each member has a unique writing style but enjoy coming together to write as at team, drawing from their individual experiences.
The Music Goes On
After years of writing, singing and producing music that propelled them to be one of the most recognized acts in Southern Gospel, The Talleys are bringing their performing career to a close with one last collection aptly titled, The Music Goes On.
The Talleys’ career goes back more than 35 years when Debra, Roger, and Kirk Talley brought a fresh new sound, blazing trails that crossed over Christian music genres and became a foundation for many artists to follow. Roger and Debra left the road to raise their daughter Lauren, but later returned with her as part of the trio, quickly rising back to the top of the charts. Now, that chapter comes to a close as Debra and Roger retire and Lauren continues as a solo artist.
“It is our hope and sincere prayer that our music has touched your life in some way. As you listen to the last collection from The Talleys, we hope that the lyrics will touch your hearts as they have ours,” say The Talleys.
The album begins with “The Healer In The Grave,” an upbeat song featuring Lauren, written by her, Lee Black and Kenna West that tells the story of three who received miracles from Jesus before His crucifixion. They wonder if His death will return them to their former lives. But then Jesus conquers death and rises from the grave, breaking all the chains that bind. Lauren sings lead again on “Looks Like Jesus To Me,” written about a Nashville ministry for the homeless called The Bridge. It’s a moving song about living in the image of Christ and treating broken people as He would.
Roger takes the lead on “This Day,” encouraging people to look at the bright side on a bad day. “If I can trust You with my forever / Then I can trust You, I can trust You with this day.” He’s featured again on the driving “Never Been A Time,” another positive reminder that God is always walking alongside us.
Debra is featured on “He Has,” a reminder that God has always been grateful, graceful and true. The song describes all the wonders Christ has done and what he continues to do in our lives. Other songs include “Triumphantly The Church Will Rise,” a re-recording of one of The Talleys’ biggest hits, and “Jesus Loves You,” written by Lee Black and Tony Wood.
The Talleys bring their final album to an end with a special message in “My Heart Is There With You.” Debra takes lead, wishing the blessings of peace, love and happiness to all who have enjoyed The Talleys’ music over the years. She sings, “It’s just a line to let you know I think of you and miss you so / And even though I’m far away my heart is there / You’re in my prayers and my heart is there with you”
“Our love and thanks go to all the wonderful writers that have allowed us to be the voice of their songs over the years. And to the musicians who have seen our vision for all our songs and bringing them to life, we couldn’t have done this without you,” say The Talleys. “To you, our friends, we thank you for supporting us, loving us, and for buying and listening to our music. While we won’t be ‘on the road’ in the future as a group, you are in our hearts and we are grateful that The Music Goes On.”
Hear all the southern gospel greats Sunday mornings at 10:30c on HD76
