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Music to Drive By

Oct 3, 2006

Hey Krew:

I get asked a lot of questions about traveling. Most of the time, its "Where do like to eat"? "Do you stay in people's homes when you travel"?, or "Do you drive or fly?" . Well......my favorite place to eat would be Skyline Chili, Steak and Shake, and O'Charleys. ( The Bayou Shrimp Pasta). I usually don't stay in people's homes unless I know them really well, and I fly about fifty percent of the time.

When I drive to dates, I am behind the wheel for many hours. I have a lot of people ask me what I listen to as I drive to pass the time. Honestly, most of the time, I don't listen to a lot of music. I love peace and quiet. The quiet time is when I think! If you were to ask me when I write most of my songs, I would tell you that it's behind the wheel of a car. But occasionally, I will turn on the radio to find a good talk radio station. I love talk radio, especially when they argue about some subject that's a hot topic in the news. I always thought it was funny that people think they can get their point across to someone that opposes their opinion, that same person being the same person controlling the microphone.

But occasionally, I listen to music, not often, but occasionally. On Friday of the Quartet Convention, I left the Diamond Awards and walked over to the Convention Exhibition Booth area to see a few friends that I hadn't seen in a while. While in the Exhibition area, I picked up several CD's to listen to as I travel.

The Hoppers new Cd entitled, THE RIDE, is my favorite so far. When I heard them sing "Let The Redeemed Say So" in North Carolina a few weeks prior, I got anxious for this CD to be released. Nancy Harmon wrote that songs years ago, the Nelons cut it first but the Hoppers takes it to a new level with the addition of "I'm Redeemed" in the middle of it. I keep hitting the rewind button on that one. "Grace Will Always Be Greater Than Sin" broke my heart. Barbara Huffman had told me about that song and I couldn't wait to hear Kim Hopper sing the verses. The orchestra (Lari Goss) provides a warmth that made my heart melt, as it perfectly enhanced the loving message of God's Grace. Larry Petree's song "My Only Option" is an incredible song. I personally related to that song and kept singing along. "The Applause of Heaven" is such a sweet song, a song of joy, a song of reward. Paula Stefanovich sure painted a picture with the verses of this song. I have always said a good lyric is one that paints a picture and this one surely does. But my favorite song on the entire project is "The Dove". Connie Hopper and Ronny Hinson wrote this song. The arrangement is killer ( 7 key changes) the story is so cleverly written that it makes the listener want to stand up and yell "YES". Congratulations to the Hoppers on this release. You can order your copy at www.Thehoppers.com By the way, you should also get a copy of their new book. It's interesting reading if you love Gospel Music and the Hoppers.

My second favorite CD that I picked up is a CD by a group called HisSong. I had never heard them in person, but I had heard of them through Wayne Haun, producer, extraordinaire. When Wayne was producing some tracks for my LIVE AT THE RIVER project ( which is a pretty good project too) He was also working on some tracks for HisSong and I began to hear their name. I met them at Quartet Convention and they gave me their latest CD, the one that Wayne produced. I popped it in my CD player and began to listen. From the first song, "First Things First" to the last song, "Healing Hands", this trio amazed me. There are several male trios that are very popular right now, but HisSong has an edge to them, an excitement that I haven't heard in a while. My favorite song on their Cd is "Good-Bye Valley, Hello Mountain Top". I also loved "We Are Not Ashamed", and "No Graves For Flowers". Visit their website at www.hissongmusic.com to get your copy. By the way, the tenor is an incredible singer!

I also loved the Crist Family new project, EVERY STEP". They are some of the sweetest people I have ever met. They moved to Tennessee from Seattle Washington to be more centrally located in their ministry. Check them out at www.cristfamilymusic.com.

I also loved the Triumphant Quartets new project. "Don't Let the Sandals Fool Ya" has been their big radio single from this CD and it's a great song by Rodney Griffin. I also loved "Rock Bottom" by Phil Cross and "Hey Jonah" by Dianne Wilkinson and Scott Inman. Triumphant has a great following of fans and friends and this new CD is surely one of the best Quartet CD's that's been recently released. www.triumphantquartet.com

The one thing that makes a CD great is the song. There are lots of good songs, but very few GREAT songs. A good song will last a while, but a GREAT song will be sung for decades! I think there are several GREAT songs on the CD's that I have talked about. I hope you will order these and hear some more great Gospel Music and become acquainted with some GREAT songs by some GREAT writers.


Don't forget the Cruise to Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Several new people have signed up this past week and I am excited about the trip. If you have never been on a cruise before you need to go! And even if you have been on a cruise before you need to go this time with someone fun (me). We will be escaping the cold wintery weather here in the states. You can come back with a great tan and brag to all your friends and family that you have been "suffering" in Mexico! Here's the information. Leave from Tampa, Florida, Monday February 26 - Return Saturday, March 3. Inside cabins $653.35 each based on double occupancy. Outside cabins $723.35 each based on double occupancy. Call Dot at the office and reserve your cabin. 865 933 2100, or go to the webpage and download the registration form. www.kirktalley.com

WOW! The Talley Ho Ho lamp special has really been popular!! We are waiting for a new shipment of lamps and will get orders out as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience and we are still taking orders! Don't miss this unique opportunity to get a beautiful "Snowman Love" Lamp, lapel pin, Talley Ho Ho Ho Cassette or CD all for $25 plus shipping. Shipping varies by zip code.

Here's where I'll be the next couple weeks. I hope to see many of you in Pennsylvania and in Texas!

October 6 / 7:00 PM
Dover, PA
Dover Fire Hall
30 E. Canal Street
Contact: Curly Repman 717-767-5256 Lindi & Darrell Williams 717-764-2046

October 14, 2006 6:00 PM
Fort Worth, TX
Will Rogers Auditorium
Talent: Kirk, Shiloh Quartet, The Four 8s 817-335-9000 or www.centralticketoffice.com

October 15 / 6:30 PM
Tyler, TX
Colonial Hills Baptist Church
7330 S. Broadway
Contact: 903-561-9995


Kirk