The Love of God - When Lyrics Speak

This week or really month is all about love. With Valentine's Day tomorrow, stores are filled with candy, hearts, flowers, balloons and cards that are all designed to tell people how much they are loved. Regardless of how you feel about Valentine's Day, love is something to be celebrated.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:7,8

While it's a time to celebrate the loving relationships we have on earth, the greatest love we ever have known or ever will know is the love of God. It amazes me every time I really stop and think about how much He loves me. Nothing I have done or will do can separate me from His love. Nothing I experience on earth will measure up to the love He has for me.

The hymn says it best - "Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure— The saints’ and angels’ song."

It's one of the greatest songs about God's love. I can't say it any better than this -

Avoiding the Snow with the Hoppers - Concert Recap

When the snow hit Central Arkansas Friday afternoon, I was headed south to El Dorado to see the Hoppers. The family was at Immanuel Baptist Church Friday night, and for those of us looking to escape the weather and brave the cold, it was a great place to be!

The Hoppers were great as always. I saw the Hoppers in August in Branson, but there were a couple of differences. It was my first time to see Dean and Kim's daughter sing with them in person. It's neat to see her take more of a role on stage. I also think it's classy how Connie will step back and allow her granddaughter a chance to sing. Also, since Josh Simpson left, Gary Prim, Nashville producer, was traveling with them to play keyboard for them.

Here's a lineup of what they sang -

• "Going Home" - Dean had the solo on this one. It was interesting to see them start with a slower song, and I thought it was funny that Claude was a little late to the stage. :)
• "Yahweh" 
• "I Am Whatever You Need"
• "I'll Take You Home" - They brought Karlye up to sing on this one with them. She was featured on the verse. She has a great voice! You can definitely hear Kim's influence in her voice. 
• "I'll Worship Only at the Feet of Jesus"
• "I'd Rather Have Jesus" - Kim sang this hymn. It was a beautiful moment with no track, only the keyboard and her voice with the group joining her on the chorus. It made me love Kim's voice even more!
• "I've Come to Far to Look Back" - Connie's signature song. She let Kim start it up again, and Karlye and Dean joined her. Always love this song and to hear the several repeats of the chorus it gets!
• "Yes, I Am"
• "Jerusalem" - One of my personal favorites. They showed a video of past recorded performances of the song on the screen above them. It was funny to see how they had the same movement and motions as on the screen.
• "The Ride" - This was the first song they sang after intermission. Claude was talking and telling stories. Apparently someone thought he was going a little long, because the video started with Ronnie Hinson for this song. Ronnie sang part of the song on the video. 
• "My Only Option" - I don't remember hearing this song staged much in their concerts! Love hearing Dean on this song!
• "If I Could Help Somebody" - It wouldn't be a Hoppers concert without hearing Claude sing this one!
• "Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone" - Claude asked Lexi, Dean and Kim's youngest daughter, to come up and play her ukulele on this song while the family sang along with her. They said she's only been playing since January, but already knew how to play this song!
• "Shoutin' Time" - Great way to end the night!!

Despite the winter weather outside, we were able to stay warm and enjoy a great night of gospel music with the Hoppers for a couple of hours. And it helped us avoid the snow at least for a little while!

Fun Clip Friday - Brian Free and Assurance Unashamed Preview

Happy Friday to everyone! Brian Free and Assurance has been working on their new album to be released soon. It's the first one with baritone Mike Rogers. They posted a preview of the album on YouTube. Take a listen for today's Fun Clip Friday and enjoy! Can't wait to hear the full project!

Transformation Tuesday - Booth Brothers

It's always interesting to go back and look at how individuals have changed over the years but also groups as a whole. The Booth Brothers revived in 1990 with Ron Sr., Michael and Ronnie Booth, father and sons. Here's a clip from 1995 -

Ron Booth, Sr. came off the road in 1998. Jim Brady joined in 2002 to complete the Booth Brothers as they are now. The group has consistently taken home numerous Singing News Fan Awards both as a group and individuals. They are definitely one of the top groups in the industry and it's easy to see why. It's not only their voices and songs but it's also how they are on stage and off and their ability to connect with the audience. Here's a more recent look at the Booth Brothers with "I Played in a Band" -

Your Walk Talks - Mark Trammell Quartet - CD Review

After listening to Mark Trammell Quartet's latest release, there's only one word that comes to mind - Wow! The Mark Trammell Quartet has not only set the bar high for other releases this year, but they could not have started their new label with a stronger project. All 10 songs are absolutely incredible.

The project starts with "Don't Stop Running," which is one of two songs Nick Trammell wrote on the album. He proves he's not only is he a more than capable lead singer, but he's also bringing to the table impressive writing skills. The other song that Nick wrote (with Rodney Griffin) is "To Know He Knows Me." It's a great smooth, easy-listening type song. Both songs feature him. Nick has come into his own on this project and lays down some outstanding lead vocals on both of these songs.

"God's Been Faithful" is one of the slower songs on the project, but has one of the greatest messages. This is one of my favorites that features Mark. Some of the best vocals on the project are on this song especially love the second verse. And the song is a great reminder of the goodness of God. He also sings "Man of Sorrows." It's one of the more orchestrated songs that incorporates a couple of familiar hymns.

Pat Barker sings the familiar "Thanks to Calvary" from the pens of Bill and Gloria Gaither. While the song will be familiar, Pat makes it his own and has a superb vocal performance. His version of the song will be one that you remember for sure, and it's a song that he considers to be a testimony song for him. Pat also is featured on "I'll Take It to the Grave" written by Dianne Wilkinson. One of several cuts for her on the project. This uptempo number is another personal favorite. I can see this being a great song live.

This is the first project to include tenor Dustin Black. While this is his first Southern gospel group to sing with and his first time going into the studio, you would never know it from his vocals on this project. The last song, "I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way," features him, and he turns in one of the most tender moments of the project. It's the perfect song choice to highlight his tenor style. Dustin also carries the upbeat "When the King Comes to Claim His Throne."

"I'll Go Over Jordan Someday" is a not a new song, but one that a lot of people, me included, probably won't be familiar with. It's an older convention song that the group brings new life to.

Finally, the title cut "Your Walk Talks" is definitely my favorite of the project. It's an uptempo song with a simple but strong message. Pat's bass step out lines add so much energy to the song, and it's a song that definitely gets stuck in your head which in this case is a good thing!

It's safe to say that this album will be one that all other albums released this year will be measured against and probably not only this year but for years to come.


Song List -
1. "Don't Stop Running"
2. "God's Been Faithful"
3. "When the King Comes to Claim His Throne"
4. "Thanks to Calvary"
5. "I'll Go Over Jordan Someday"
6. "Man of Sorrows"
7. "Your Walk Talks"
8. "To Know He Knows Me"
9. "I'll Take It to the Grave"
10. "I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way"