AMAZING GRACE: Country Stars Sing Songs of Faith and Hope

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD in this 10-disc set from Time Life is the deeply moving collection from country music’s legendary performers with AMAZING GRACE: Country Stars Sing Songs of Faith and Hope.

Growing up, country music was always playing in my childhood home. There were family roots in the south and a love of the genre of music was played with heart and soul. Along with the usual twang and heartbreak came the sweet and humble songs of faith. That is what this collection brings for me, faith and memories of childhood.

It was a woman named Fanny Crosby who would become known as the Queen of Gospel Songwriters and for good reason. In her lifetime she wrote over eight thousand hymns including Pass Me Not and Blessed Assurance. Along with Crosby, such names as Ira Sankey, Philip Bliss and Horatio Spafford, Charles McCallon Alexander, Homer Rodeheaver and the legendary Carter Family.

From Loretta Lynn to Ernie Ford, releasing gospel albums proved very successful. Johnny Cash and his distinctive voice recorded several of these albums bringing him into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The group Alabama, along with Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, B.J. Thomas, Martina McBride and Vince Gill continued the gospel tradition with successful album releases as well.

One of the most majestic places I’ve ever visited was the original Grand Ole Oprey but, there is a history behind that as well. The building was originally called the Union Gospel Tabernacle build by Captain Thomas Ryman. He found his faith from preacher Samuel Jones. The halls were once filled with the sounds of Buck Owens, Charley Pride, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner and Barbara Mandrell.

That is just the beginning of the classic and beloved songs that this collection brings home.  

Time Life continues to bring never before released anywhere classic collections of television shows for fans to revisit and remember what has made television so special. Time Life has released Mama’s Family, CPO Sharkey and The Tonight Show and they now remind of us of a time when sex and politics were up for grabs with ROWAN & MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN. For more of what Time Life has to offer fans of classic television visit www.timelife.com.

The Bonus Feature’s include a 36-Page Collector’s Booklet – filled with full-color photos, artist quotes and liner notes, 2 Bonus DVDs of Opry Gospel Classics – rarely seen historic performances from the archives of the Grand Ole Opry by Johnny Cash, the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Porter Wagoner, and many more.

Also, Interviews with More Than A Dozen Top Country Stars – Including Vince Gill, George Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Statler Brothers, Marty Stuart, Josh Turner, and more, Bonus Performances – including Alabama’s Randy Owen singing “Amazing Grace” with his mother and Marty Stuart singing “Keep on the Sunny Side” with the Carter Family.

Country music has always been a staple in my life and all the names in this collection are those of people I have grown up listening to. These songs of inspiration help families through difficult time because that is what music does, it brings hope, grace and even joy.

Each of the 10 discs contains songs of devotion like The Oak Ridge Boys singing Loving God, Loving Each Other, Alan Jackson with When We All Get to Heaven, Alabama and The Old Rugged Cross. Vince Gill Tell Me One More Time About Jesus and George Jones with Amazing Grace.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band brought their own brand of gospel to Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Gene Watson Where No One Stands Alone, Randy Travis Open the Eyes of My Heart, and Josh Turner’s How Great Thou Art can be found in this collection.

Let’s not forget the women who brought the sweet sounds of faith Loretta Lynn’s in the Garden, Connie Smith He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, Cristy Lane One Day at a Time, and Dolly Parton with My Tennessee Mountain Home.

There are 153 performances over the 10-disc collection and will be an amazing musical addition to any home entertainment library.  

In the end – it is the sound of amazing grace!