#TBTuesday (I know it's not really a thing). In honor of my friend Dianna Jenkins & her husband Jerry on the recent release of their new "Left Behind" movie starring Nicholas Cage.  Dianna's Husband Jerry wrote the books & she encouraged me to write a song for this "new book series" c. 1999 called "Left Behind."

So, after I read the first book - I did!  I laid this fairly serious subject on a mellow, comfortable bed with the tracking skills of my Friend Micheal Hunter (spelling is correct).

I sent it to the Jenkins' as a thank you for the inspiration & they were kind enough to pass it on to Forefront Records.  Forefront called me back after playing it for an R&B producer, Mookie Taylor in town who "dug it." Forefront wanted to have one of their pop artists Stacie Orrico record it, if her schedule permitted in 10 days.  It didn't.  They couldn't work around her concert schedule to record it in time, but were "stoked to know there's another good writer in town."

A few years later, our pastor did an eschatological series & we remade the track for me to sing live.  I didn't have a lead vocal recorded with this Scott Harris / Don Mitchell track, only my bgv's, so I just cut it recently at Joey Hodge's studio one day in October, 2014 over my lunchtime.

Verses are from the protagonist's perspective (Rayford Steele) while the main hook / chorus is my own prayer for the Lord's mercy to me, my family.

Music wonks may notice my intentional use of the forbidden "el diablo en musica" a.k.a. the dreaded "descending tritone" in the verses' melody symbolizing eeriness & the presence of evil in the world w/out the presence of God.

Finally, my BGV's on the way out are a variation /allusion to the Larry Norman classic "I Wish We'd All Been Ready."  My former supervisor, record label exec & a couple other people told me they thought it was very "Michael McDonald."  That's about the highest compliment they could have paid me as I've been a huge fan of his since HS. 

Whether you believe / agree with this theology or not, sharing it here is my attempt, (much like that of a good Dad) who may harshly snatch his child away from a moving car to save his life.  It may hurt for the moment, but it sure beats the alternative.  Even if it doesn't happen exactly like this, the Bible is clear that EVERY knee will bow in heaven, on earth, under the earth & EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  This is simply a call to be ready. 

Anyway, thanks for listening,
Dann

Left Behind (Dreams Left Behind) W&M by Dann Zehr c. 2000

Dann Zehr