We begin our musical selection off with The Sons of the Pioneers' 1935 recording of When I Leave This World Behind. This was a Sons original written by the group's most prolific songwriter Bob Nolan. Bob puts a lot of great humor into this gospel song along with its message about heaven. At this time Leonard Slye later to rename himself Roy Rogers was still a member of the group. Next comes Roy Acuff's 1948 recording of Turn Your Radio On. Next comes a Charlie Daniels Band original, It's Happening Now, from their 1997 Christian album, Steel Witness. Just as much as Hank Williams recorded such toe-tapping upbeat gospel numbers like I Saw the Light or I'll Fly Away, he also recorded quite a few slower paced apocalyptic Christian songs like our next one, The Pale Horse and His Rider. Though this version of this song is from 1951 (on the Mother's Best radio show), the song was written by Johnnie Bailes (from the country-gospel group The Bailes Brothers) in 1939. This was not Hank's first recording of the song. He recorded it a year earlier with his wife Audrey. Though I like that version, I much prefer this solo version. The reason for that was not Audrey, but rather this version's slower pace and more sorrowful feel. Next comes Gene Autry singing Someone Bigger Than You or I in a clip from the feature film, The Old West (1952). Johnny Cash had wanted to be a gospel singer from the beginning. However when he worked at Sun Records, producer Sam Phillips had little interest in John recording gospel. Though he did get a few gospel songs recorded there, they were a rarity. When John moved to Columbia records, he wanted to record a full gospel album. His second album there was the fantastic 1959 album Hymns By Johnny Cash. One of the best songs on that album is the closing song for our musical selection today, The Old Account.
What could be a better endorsement for the Hop-a-Long Cassidy movies than one from a 12 year old in 1935. You can see this endorsement in the following page of a 1935 issue of Variety.
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| You can zoom in to get a better look. If it is still fuzzy click here. |
Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4
Blessed is the one God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your god will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Thank you for joining me for another service of Cowboy Church come back next week for more. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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