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Inspiration
While Hymned was inspired by my grandmother and the hymns she used to sing, Hymned Again was inspired more by my three kids. My kids know every word of the first hymns record I did. Our six-year-old son, Sam, would fall asleep listening to it and then be singing "In the Sweet By and By" at breakfast the next morning. These are songs that were a huge part of my upbringing, and now they are a part of my kids' as well. There were more songs that my wife and I wanted him and Gracie and Charlie to know...so I had to do another one! And, true to form, they already have the new album memorized too. Now they're singing along to these new takes on "I Stand Amazed" and "Victory in Jesus" at the top of their lungs, and we're so happy about how that affirms the decision to do this again.
Hymns
Most of these hymns date back to the 1800s and talk about sharing one's faith during this era when evangelism was on the rise. I've learned the lyrics of that era were more horizontal than vertical. A lot of songs from the 1700s were direct praises to Jesus, and that's reflected on the first Hymned record. But in the 1800s the message was often person-to-person, an "I've got to get my brother or sister saved" way of expressing faith.
Influences
I was born and raised in the east Texas town of Greenville where my father's radio played western swing and old country favorites; and places thriving on delta blues, gospel, and jazz were always within easy driving distance. I also grew up in the church, and hymns influence the way I write lyrics. But this is the music that made a lasting impression on me outside the church.
Process
When working on the album, brown and I decided to go to extremes. If the song was upbeat, we'd get out a funky Harry Connick, Jr. album, some Louise Prima big band, or a Bob Wills swing record for inspiration and swing for the fence, hoping to get that "soundtrack to your life" vibe. And if it was a slow song, we'd go the other way and really make it worshipful. This opportunity gives me another creative outlet that in turn helps me have more to offer going back into whatever MercyMe does next.
Special Opportunity
A special moment on this album was my duet with Vince Gill. I never imagined I would sing a duet with Vince Gill, and especially that it would be on one of my records. He is the nicest guy on the planet, but it still makes me nervous to call him up. I asked his wife, Amy Grant - who I know better - if she'd ask him to sing with me again. But she made me do it. I got his voicemail and acted shy and apologetic. He called back and said, "Man, I'll do anything you want. You don't have to be that way." Singing with him was truly an incredible "pinch myself" moment. |
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