New Album Idea

I think I've come up with a good idea for a new album. I've always wanted to do a good hymn CD first of all because I've been playing and singing hymns all my life and they are part of my fabric. Secondly, I think I already have a good market for sales, and this is important. I've kicked this idea around in the past and always come up empty. It's a great idea because I can record hymns in public domain and not have to pay for the mechanical license. The dilema has always been to play or to sing. Well, how about doing both? How about selecting seven great hymns of the church and playing them and then singing them? I think it's a great idea. The first hymn I've been working with is "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." This is one of the all time great hymns of the church. I'm working on a simple country ballad type of arrangement that I've been doing in my Chapel programs at Augsburg Lutheran. Other hymns that come to mind are "In the Garden," "The Old Rugged Cross," "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," you get the idea. I'm looking forward to completing this project.

I've also been asked to do a piano Christmas CD with arrangements I play around the holidays. This is also a possibilty. If I can get this projects off the ground, I have a great next 10 years ahead of me. I can't help but think of the verse, " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." For many reasons, health included, this is my new mantra.