Hello all! I'm happy to report after a year of recording, fundraising, emailing, and updating, we're near the end of bringing a full length record of traditional hymns to life, and I'm eager for all of you to listen to it and own a copy! Thanks to your support as a congregation, the process has resulted in a dynamic record of twelve hymns, most of which you know already, as well as some which you may not have heard yet.
Artists from around the state came in to collaborate with us, and it was a pleasure to share these songs with them and hear their interpretations. As always, the familiar cast of James Wallace, Mark Simonsen, Nick Jaeger, Brett Harris and I were there to record, arrange, and even sing some. In addition, some of our near and dear Gathering Church music volunteers offered their talents! I hope it is a blessing for you and those you know, and can serve not only as a tool for worship, a calling card to friends and family, but also a friend on long drives and something to be enjoyed.
This morning we posted the album online to listen to (in entirety) at music.allgather.org. It will be available for sale Friday both online and in person, but please share it with friends and family in advance of the show!
On Friday, January 27th, we'll be celebrating this release at the ArtsCenter Carrboro. You can get tickets early here , as well as directions (it's adjacent to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro). We expect a lot of guests and a special night of music, but hope to sing with you a little bit as well. The show starts at 8pm with Near Blind James and Harmonica Bob, featuring our own James Shoe.
As this is one of the final messages I'll be sending you all about this (I'm sure you're relieved), I wanted to take one more chance to thank you all for your support both in words and financially. When we say this could not have happened without you, it is very literal – this would not have happened without you! So from all the musicians, as well as Chris and I who have been envisioning this about as long as the church has been in existence, THANK YOU, and hope to see you Friday!
Jeff