YouTube version available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBS8RbOdITI

Had a great deal of fun recording this little tune, originally written by Harond Reid of the Statler Brothers by ear / from memory with a Zoom H2 recorder.  One of my earliest encounters with Southern Gospel male quartet singing involved the Statler Brothers "The Holy Bible" cassette, and this song was one of my favorites on the cassette when I was too young to understand its meaning.  It continues to be one of my favorites today, now that I do.

There's A Man In Here -- Statler Brothers Cover

A new one man quartet number featuring great old song, perfect for Thanksgiving, that was written by the Easter Brothers in 1975.  It is a favorite of Bill & Gloria Gaither, and has been featured at many of their concerts and on many of their videos, often sung by Jeff & Sheri Easter and Vestal Goodman.

THANK YOU, LORD, FOR YOUR BLESSINGS
Words and Music by the Easter Brothers, 1975

While the world looks upon me
As I struggle along
They say I have nothing,
But they are so wrong!
In my heart I'm rejoicing,
How I wish they could see --
"Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on me!"

There's a roof up above me, 
And I've a good place to sleep,
There's food on my table,
And shoes on my feet.
You gave me Your love, Lord,
And Your fine family --
"Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on me!"

I know I'm not wealthy,
And these clothes are not new,
I don't have much money,
But Lord I have You!
And to me that's all that matters,
Though the world may not see --
"Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on me!"

There's a roof up above me, 
And I've a good place to sleep,
There's food on my table,
And shoes on my feet.
You gave me Your love, Lord,
And Your fine family --
"Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on me!"

Thank You, Lord, For Your Blessings On Me (One Man Quartet)

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Second to his hilarious comedy routines, Mark Lowry is perhaps best-known for his authorship, with Buddy Greene, of the song "Mary Did You Know?".  Here is my fun and somewhat raucous cover of another song written by Mark Lorwy, this one with music composed by William J. (Bill) Gaither, entitled "Mary Was the First One to Carry the Gospel."  Enjoy!

Mary Was the First One (To Carry the Gospel) -- One Man Quartet Gaither Vocal Band Cover

Ann VosKamp shared a powerful talk with attendees of Bill & Gloria Gaither's 25th Annual Family Fest in Gatlinburg, Tennessee at a special session held on Sunday morning, May 24, 2015.  For those interested in hearing her talk, I have taken the liberty of sharing it here.  She spoke of the joy-enriching power of pursuing an attitude of thanksgiving through life's hills and valleys.  Enjoy!

Ann VosKamp's blog is located at http://www.aholyexperience.com.  Her books, including New York Times Bestseller "One Thousand Gifts," are also available for purchase there.

(I have no affiliation with Ann VosKamp, A Holy Experience, William J. Gaither, the Gaither Music Company, or with Gaither Family Resources, and share this only for the purpose of the edification and encouragement of the Body of Christ.  It is posted with no malicious intent, and so far as I am aware, is not posted in violation of any copyright laws.  If this posting is found to be in violation of any applicable laws or intellectual property rights, and you represent any of the parties mentioned above, please do not hesitate to contact me, and I will be happy to remove this content.)

Ann VosKamp at Gaither Family Fest 2015, Sunday Special Session

THE LONGER I SERVER HIM
Words & Music by William J. Gaither, 1965

Since I started for the Kingdom,
Since my life He controls,
Since I gave my heart to Jesus, 
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows, 
The more that I love Him, more love He bestows;
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows,
The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows.

Ev'ry need He is supplying,
Plenteous grace He bestows;
Ev'ryday my way gets brighter,
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows, 
The more that I love Him, more love He bestows;
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows,
The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows.

"The Longer I Serve Him" -- One Man Duet, Gaither Cover

This Vep Ellis song from the 1940s, written in the Southern singing convention tradition, is quite probably the most difficult and challenging "one-man quartet" song I've attempted yet, due to the almost polyphonic vocal counterparts in the chorus that are typical to most Southern convention songs.

Each vocal part is doubled to give the song more of a convention singing feel. The two lower parts took two passes each (for the doubling effect). However, the two higher parts required a combined staggering 25 takes to arrive at something close to a "finished product" due to the fact that the parts were challenging in their own right, but also because I am normally a bass singer, and probably should have transposed this thing down one or two keys (say, from Eb to Db) before I started, and so there was much "squawking and crackling" to reckon with when it came to trying to hit those E flats above middle C!

Far from perfect, but hopefully still as fun to listen to as it was to record.  Enjoy!

HEAVEN'S JOY AWAITS
Words and Music By: V. B. (Vep) Ellis, 1942

When we leave this lowland,
We will cross the Jordan;
Past the chilly torrent,
Heaven’s joy awaits.

Just beyond the blue horizon,
Just above the starry sky, starry blue sky.
Far above this land of sorrow,
Way above each tear and sigh, every sigh.
Just a few more miles before us,
Just a little while to wait, patiently wait.
Soon we’ll sing redemption’s chorus,
Heaven’s joy awaits, Heaven awaits.

Heaven’s breeze is blowing,
Gently to me calling.
I will soon be going,
Through the pearly gates.

Just beyond the blue horizon,
Just above the starry sky, starry blue sky.
Far above this land of sorrow,
Way above each tear and sigh, every sigh.
Just a few more miles before us,
Just a little while to wait, patiently wait.
Soon we’ll sing redemption’s chorus,
Heaven’s joy awaits, Heaven awaits.

Heaven's Joy Awaits -- One Man Quartet (Vep Ellis / Gaither Vocal Band Cover)

Here's a fun song, based on an old African American Spiritual, which has become fairly popular at my church.  I picked this little rendition out at the piano the other evening, and thought I'd share.  Enjoy!

SEE WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE
Inspired by Redemption Hill Music Arrangement by Zachary Banister

CHORUS:
Oh, don't worry
No, don't you worry
Oh, don't worry
See what the Lord has done

VERSE 1:
He has defeated sin and Satan
He has defeated sin and Satan
He has defeated sin and Satan
See what the Lord has done

VERSE 2:
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning
See what the Lord has done

VERSE 3:
All things rest under His hand
All will follow under His plan
Jesus came as the atonement Lamb
See what the Lord has done

See What The Lord Has Done (Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning) -- Redemption Hill Music Cover

HAND IN HAND WITH JESUS
Word and Music by Rev. B. Johnson Oatman and L. D. Huffstutler, 1940

Once from my poor sin-sick soul
Christ did ev'ry burden roll.
Now I walk redeemed and whole,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Hand in hand we walk each day,
Hand in hand along the way.
Walking thus, I cannot stray,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

In my night of dark despair,
Jesus heard and answered prayer.
Now I'm walking free as air,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Hand in hand we walk each day,
Hand in hand along the way.
Walking thus, I cannot stray,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

When the stars are backward rolled
And His home I shall behold,
I will walk those streets of gold,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Hand in hand we walk each day,
Hand in hand along the way.
Walking thus, I cannot stray,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Hand In Hand With Jesus -- One Man Quartet

Down At The Cross (Glory to His Name)

BECAUSE HE LIVES
Words and Music by William J. and Gloria Gaither, 1971

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal, and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He reigns!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Because He Lives -- Bill & Gloria Gaither Cover

The story is that Mark Lowry (comedian and Gaither Vocal Band baritone) wrote this lyric in 1984 as part of a "Living Christmas Tree" program that his pastor, Dr. Jerry Falwell, had asked him to write for Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.  The lyric hung around for a time before Lowry handed it to Buddy Greene one weekend on the Gaither Vocal Band bus.  It took Mr. Greene only a couple of days to come up with suitable music, according to Lowry.

I don't pretend to sing as well as Mark Lowry or Buddy Greene, or to play the piano as well as Anthony Burger or Bill Gaither, but I hope you will enjoy my rather spontaneous "take" on the song.

MARY, DID YOU KNOW?
Words and Music by Mark Lowry & Buddy Greene, 1991

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would save your sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy 
Has come to make you new?
This Child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy 
Has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little Baby,
You've kissed the face of God.

Oh, Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,
The dead will live again;
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb!

Oh, Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Lord of all Creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy 
Was Heaven's perfect Lamb?
And the sleeping Child you're holding
Is the great "I AM!"

Mary Did You Know? -- Mark Lowry & Buddy Greene Cover

On September 6, 2018, historian Dr. James I. "Bud" Robertson addressed the Petersburg Civil War Round Table at Pamplin Historical Park.  His topic was "How the Civil War Still Lives."

Audio quality improves around the 16-minute mark.

Dr. James I. "Bud" Robertson - "How the Civil War Still Lives" - September 6, 2018

Lord, Send Your Angels (Bill & Gloria Gaither Cover)

We Have This Moment (Bill & Gloria Gaither Cover)

Words by Suzanne Gaither Jennings
Music by Michael Sykes

J. Adam Craig

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