Hope’s Call
Hope's Call's current single, "You Are Loved" has become the biggest hit of your group's career - and one of the biggest of the year (reaching #3 on SGN, #9 on USGN, #11 on Singing News, #1 on ACMJ, #3 on SGUSA so far). Share how this song has been impacting listeners across the country.
I cannot begin to share how exciting the response to this song has been. We have received email after email and call after call about how God has used it! We determined when we sent "You Are Loved" to radio that it was a song that was much more about heart action than chart action and God has done both! The most exciting email we got was from a gal from Ohio that heard the song on Christian radio and accepted the Lord right then and there. Here is a quote from her email.
"I recently heard your song "You Are Loved", and I was so overwhelmed by the words and powerful message it brings, and I gave my heart to the Lord."
Another lady wrote and expressed that she had tried to commit suicide 3 times then she heard the song on WFGW in Black Mountain, NC and through the lyrics she found a reason to go on.
So many more notes and messages have come in with stories of how God has reaffirmed His unconditional love in the hearts of the listeners! If this song never saw a chart position, it has done more than we could have ever dreamed! Someone came to know Jesus, others found hope! Praise God! When He called us to this ministry, that is what we prayed would be accomplished first and foremost. We know one thing with certainty! It is the power of God that is accomplishing these things! We are just so thrilled to get to watch His love and grace in action!
You just released Beyond the Music: An Acappella Collection. Why did the group feel the need to record such a special album? How has the inclusion of so much acappella music changed your program and overall view of yourselves as artists?
We really HAD to record this CD. There are a couple reasons. The first is, we had sung a lot of acappella music in concerts and church services already. Many times, people would come to the table and request an acappella CD. Well, we didn't have one to offer...lol! The other reason is a very dear friend of ours and mentor in the Christian music industry told us we MUST record an all acappella CD. It was during a time that we were considering doing a new project and we felt her comments were affirmation from the Lord to do the acappella CD.
The approach to this project was very different and maybe even a little unorthodox for a CD of this kind We chose mostly classic songs and a couple of brand new ones. The different part is we decided to do a non embellished CD. It is basically just 3 part harmony without alot of extra parts or stacks We felt like we wanted it without bells and whistles because that is how we sing it live. At first I was a little scared to do an acappella CD with little to no layering of parts, especially since acappella recordings always sounds so full and choir like. But, we have one of the best producers in the industry in Kevin Ward and ultimately, he got to make the final call as to the direction! He is wonderful! In addition to Kevin, Jason Webb (amazing pianist and arranger), helped us with this project! They are both geniuses! We love them and so appreciate all they did on this project!
As to how it has changed our program. WOW! It is just so cool to me how God uses acappella music. We have found it to be a new in-road to hearts to use an uncomplicated moment with no instruments accept the instrument of the Holy Spirit of God to speak to people! WOO HOO! We love it! Don't get me wrong, I love tracks and I especially love a live band, but there is just something about a quiet moment that works in a special way! Not only that, but we have a couple fun songs on this project that allow the audience to become a part of the music! That has been great too!
A sampling of songs from "Beyond the Music: An Acappella Collection" are Beulah Land, How Great Thou Art, Glory to His Name, Walkin' In Jerusalem (Just like John), and lots more!
You asked me how it makes us view ourselves as artists...lol...completely dependent on God as usual!
So what's up after Beyond the Music?
We are so excited to do another major recording. We are just waiting on God's timing, but we have many of the songs already selected and ready to record. I cannot tell you how amazing the messages in these songs are! I don't want to give too much away, but Joel Lindsey and Chris Binion out did themselves! I am writing some as well, and who knows, their may be a brand new writer's music on this one. She may be in the group, and in fact, she may be closely related to me...hint hint! You figure it out! LOL!
What is Vocalive.com? Why did you open such a site?
Vocalive.com is an interactive training website for singers! We will have a demo page up very soon, so hopefully people can get a sneak peek before they decide to join, but even now you can visit and read more about it at http://www.vocalive.com . It is a monthly membership site at a very reasonable price. Included is an online video training lesson updated each week (also in written form), message boards for communication with coaches and fellow students, chats held at least once a month with coaches and /or professionals in music industry, devotionals, health tips, daily vocal tips, exercise room, and more! There is nothing like one on one training, but so many people we have met on the road are desperate either to find any vocal help or to add to what they are doing. Vocalive is the answer for both. The idea came to Jessica and I while on the road talking on the bus about how much we wish we could get to people around the country easier to have vocal training . We are still doing group and individual training in and around Nashville and at scheduled seminars, but this is a really fun way to continue the growth for those people and to begin to help people who cannot otherwise find what they need in their area. I love how the students we have are beginning to talk with us on the message boards and tell us what they need or share questions with us. It will become even more interesting and more fun as the membership grows I am sure, but we are having a great time!
The group seems to be spread in many different areas across the industry, with Vocalive.com, vocal coaching, producing, songwriting, studio work, etc. How does the group continue to go down so many different roads, yet not spread itself too thin? How have you maintained such a healthy balance?
We are so happy to be busy serving God in any way He tell us to! We truly LOVE people and this is a people ministry! Anything that allows us to interact with the people God has called us to be with or around is truly all a part of the total picture. This has been a crazy year! I will for sure admit that. I have never been so busy, but I have never had so much fun or gotten to see God work in such an amazing way more. I sing with the two sweetest people in the whole world and we all feel very privileged to serve the Lord. We love to sing, we love to write, we love to produce, we love to teach, but most of all we love the Lord and each other and that is the only way to keep a healthy balance. We strive to keep our priorities straight. We are so far from perfect...but we have a desire to keep what matters most at the top of the stack of things to do. I have been so proud of Jessica and Eddie. They remind me what's important everyday, as does my husband and our other 3 kids, Jason, Joshua, and Jenna.
If I could compare life to cereal then I would say some days are like Rice Krispies with alot of snap, crackle, and pop. Some days are like granola with a good mix of alot of stuff. Some days are like Count Chocula...just plain scary, but most days are like Golden Grahams...Just little messages from God through each circumstance and situation to do as Philippians 3:13-14 says: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Now....I sigh and wait for my precious son-in-law to bust into laughter after a long silent smirk over how cheesy that cereal analogy was! LOL!
What has God been teaching Hope's Call lately?
Simply two words, "Trust me."
Now....I wait for my son-in -law to recover from laughter and proceed to pass out over the fact that I just gave a five word answer...! Someone pass the smelling salt!
Be sure to visit Hope's Call online at http://www.hopescall.com and Vocalive.com at http://www.vocalive.com
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Donna, 
Written: 08/01/2005 
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