Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with The Bible Tells Me So. Roy and Dale were strong Christians in their later years, and their entertainment careers became simultaneous with their faith as they took every chance, they could to spread the word of God. They also greatly supported others who shared the faith. One of those they supported was the Reverend Billy Graham and when the King of the Cowboys and the Queen of the West toured Great Britian, they would tell their audiences to see Billy in London. They were warned not to try that when they went to Dublin, but Dale responded that Billy was the reason they came across the seas in the first place. Dale also let any naysayers know that when they had performed How Great Thou Art in Ireland, they got a standing ovation. This led them to meeting the chaplain for the Abbey Players, a troupe of actors in Ireland. He asked them what kind of man Billy was, and Dale responded, "he is the most utterly dedicated, committed Christian I have ever met in my life." The chaplain responded, "You tell Mr. Graham that I said God bless him." Dale would later write, "I will never forget the sincerity in that man's voice when he said those words."
This is followed by Ricky Van Shelton with Holy (I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy) from his 1992 gospel album, Don't Overlook Salvation.
A Singer of Songs in my mind gets down to the essence of Johnny Cash and honestly when I first I found out I was surprised he had not written it. What is interesting is that when interviewed about this recording for the Unearthed Box set, Johnny stated, "Good song but I don't know whose it is." Producer Rick Rubin in comments for the box set stated that he felt this was "one of the most touching and emotional of all the songs." However, he admitted "I have no idea where it came from. I don't even remember recording it." He wondered how he could have possibly missed putting this song on one of the albums he and Johnny did together. Johnny's song John Carter Cash however shed light on where this song came from. "Every once in a while, I'd bring in a song or two - he knows instantly, when he hears a song, whether it will work out for him or not. This was written by Tim O'Connell." This song was recorded during the sessions for Johnny's third album for Rick Rubin, Solitary Man. Johnny was a heart simply a singer and a storyteller and he knew that there was no greater story than that of Jesus Christ.
This is followed by Rex Allen and Patti Page with their 1950 recording of Softly and Tenderly. The song was written by an Ohio businessman named Will Thompson in 1880. As well as writing gospel songs Thompson also wrote quite a few secular songs and parotic songs. When the songs he wrote were rejected by publishers he created his own company, Will L. Thompson & Company. This company would not only publish music by sell musical instruments. Softly and Tenderly first appeared in 1880's Sparkling Gems, Nos. 1 and 2, a collection of songs from the company. When evangelist Dwight L. Moody was on his death bed he told the songwriter, "Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life." This was appropriate as Will decided to make songwriting his career while at a meeting held by Moody. Rex and Patti are joined by The Arizona Wranglers and Jerry Byrd on this recording.
Afterwards is The Peerless Quartet with their 1907 recording of The Hymns Of The Old Church Choir.
Then comes Cody Johnson with His Name is Jesus. This comes from his 2019 album, Ain't Nothing To It.
Next is Chosen Road with It Is Well with My Soul. Though this is a hymn of hope and peace it was written in a time of great sadness. The song was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. He had planned a European trip for himself, his wife and four daughters, however because of his work he was unable to go, and he let his family go without him and after he finished his work, he would meet them there. However, the ship was hit and quickly sank. Though his wife was saved all four of his daughters had gone down with the ship. Amazingly he wrote this hymn when approaching an area near where his daughters had sunk. This recording comes from Chosen Road's 2021 album, Appalachian Hymns.
Today's musical selection ends with Sons of the Pioneers asking that great theological question, Will There Be Sagebrush in Heaven with a delightful 1947 recording.
This is followed by Ricky Van Shelton with Holy (I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy) from his 1992 gospel album, Don't Overlook Salvation.
A Singer of Songs in my mind gets down to the essence of Johnny Cash and honestly when I first I found out I was surprised he had not written it. What is interesting is that when interviewed about this recording for the Unearthed Box set, Johnny stated, "Good song but I don't know whose it is." Producer Rick Rubin in comments for the box set stated that he felt this was "one of the most touching and emotional of all the songs." However, he admitted "I have no idea where it came from. I don't even remember recording it." He wondered how he could have possibly missed putting this song on one of the albums he and Johnny did together. Johnny's song John Carter Cash however shed light on where this song came from. "Every once in a while, I'd bring in a song or two - he knows instantly, when he hears a song, whether it will work out for him or not. This was written by Tim O'Connell." This song was recorded during the sessions for Johnny's third album for Rick Rubin, Solitary Man. Johnny was a heart simply a singer and a storyteller and he knew that there was no greater story than that of Jesus Christ.
This is followed by Rex Allen and Patti Page with their 1950 recording of Softly and Tenderly. The song was written by an Ohio businessman named Will Thompson in 1880. As well as writing gospel songs Thompson also wrote quite a few secular songs and parotic songs. When the songs he wrote were rejected by publishers he created his own company, Will L. Thompson & Company. This company would not only publish music by sell musical instruments. Softly and Tenderly first appeared in 1880's Sparkling Gems, Nos. 1 and 2, a collection of songs from the company. When evangelist Dwight L. Moody was on his death bed he told the songwriter, "Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life." This was appropriate as Will decided to make songwriting his career while at a meeting held by Moody. Rex and Patti are joined by The Arizona Wranglers and Jerry Byrd on this recording.
Afterwards is The Peerless Quartet with their 1907 recording of The Hymns Of The Old Church Choir.
Then comes Cody Johnson with His Name is Jesus. This comes from his 2019 album, Ain't Nothing To It.
Next is Chosen Road with It Is Well with My Soul. Though this is a hymn of hope and peace it was written in a time of great sadness. The song was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. He had planned a European trip for himself, his wife and four daughters, however because of his work he was unable to go, and he let his family go without him and after he finished his work, he would meet them there. However, the ship was hit and quickly sank. Though his wife was saved all four of his daughters had gone down with the ship. Amazingly he wrote this hymn when approaching an area near where his daughters had sunk. This recording comes from Chosen Road's 2021 album, Appalachian Hymns.
Today's musical selection ends with Sons of the Pioneers asking that great theological question, Will There Be Sagebrush in Heaven with a delightful 1947 recording.
Now for an episode of the Hopalong Cassidy radio show.
Now for a message from the Reverand Billy Graham.
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalms 18:2
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
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