On a journey, of any type...I enjoy meeting fellow travelers. Since you're reading this now, I consider that...even if our time together is only for the sharing of this CD...you and I are fellow travelers. Thank you for joining me.
The music recorded for this presentation is close to my heart...some of it even directly out of my heart, and out of the inspiration that, I believe, was put there by a loving God, seeking to know me and to draw me nearer to Him. My prayer is that you might find yourself drawing nearer as you listen.
1. COURAGE AND GRACE (Clements/Henty) 3:43
Patience Clements is one of the dearest friends of my life. She is a consummate musician and composer and, more than that, is a seeker of truth. This song is a prayer, written from her heart and experience (and that of her co-writer Brad Henty), that, through its truth, spoke to me and became a prayer of my heart.
2. GIVIN' IT UP (Brooks/Corker) 3:01
Every religious teaching, and every experience I can remember involved learning to really "give up" my burdens and to follow the Higher leading of God. Every day, I struggle with this. Terri Corker and I wrote this as a reminder and a goal. Terri, a gifted artist and songwriter, and I have written together for many years. It's not a blessing I ever take for granted.
3. HE MAKES ME STRONG (Brooks/Corker) 3:09
This is one of the first songs that Terri and I wrote together. It's still one of my favorites. The message is written to be simple and straight forward..."Down on my knees, Jesus makes me strong."
4. LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS (Hoffman/Showalter)
I've known this hymn so long, I don't remember learning it. And I'm still leaning. I cannot imagine how one manages without those everlasting arms.
5. MY PRAYER (FATHER, I COME TO YOU) (Brooks/Corker) 3:30
I feel quite certain that, though there are common threads, prayer is as individual as the one praying. I've never felt that is was so important how one prayers, only that one prays. I believe God knows our hearts. My experiences in life, my evolution as a Christian, and the changing world I live in bring me into His presence in different ways at different times. We wrote this song about three of those.
6. RAIN DOWN MERCY (Brooks/Corker) 3:05
The images of the children whose lives were tragically changed by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 were the inspiration for the beginning of this song. We started it and then shelved it for nearly a year when the images of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, unfortunately, inspired us to finish it. Many will call these events "acts of God"...well, I'll go at least as far as calling them "acts of nature." For me, the "acts of God" are seen in survival and the ability to start again. In His mercy.
7. ONLY ONE, ONLY YOU (Brooks/McLean) 3:01
Kim McLean, a distinguished and renowned artist and songwriter, wrote this song with me. Karen Peck, an amazing Gospel music artist with a remarkable voice, was the first to record it. (You may have seen Karen recently in "Joyful Noise" with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. She was raising the roof with "Mighty High.") Many other artists, including Kim, have found that responding to "only one voice" is a part of their personal testimony...and have recorded it.
8. JOURNEY ON, BELIEVER (Brooks/Corker) 4:16
Gospel Music great, Ernie Haase, recorded this song a few years ago and set the bar so high, that I've been shy about recording it ever since. His wonderful version is stylistically quite different from mine...as has been every recorded version of this song. It's been recorded many times, and Terri and I are grateful for each rendition. The song started with a challenge about the relevance of Bible stories to our lives today. Listen, again, to the journeys of Joseph, Ruth, and a Carpenter from Galilee.
9. HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (Heber/Dykes) 6:00
This song, without question, is my Dad's favorite of all of my recordings over the years. For each of us, it was the first song in the hymnal. I love it because it brings to mind the majesty and, yes, holiness, of our Creator.
10. POOR WAYFARING STRANGER (Traditional) 2:39
I've always loved this song. It has a sort of timeless feeling that I relate to eternity. I think the background vocals that David Kazee sang on this recording are particularly wonderful. Since the release of this CD, David has gone on "over home." I miss him every day and am thankful for all of the time that I, and so many hundreds of others, got to share his talent and ministry. I'm thankful that you're sharing it now.
This recording is dedicated to my family: Dr. Hugh Brooks, my father and pastor, whose love and teachings (along with the Holy Spirit) helped to set me on my own journey, and continue to challenge me; Carolyn Brooks, my mother, mentor, and closest friend, whose love and grace are true glimpses of God; Col. Christopher Clayton, USMC, my husband and the love of my life, whose brilliance and faithfulness...to all he believes and holds close...inspire and thrill me; Lucy and Jessie Clayton, my girls, who give me a life I never dreamed I'd live...and whose personal journeys have no limitations; Larry and Helen Clayton, my second parents, whose love, acceptance, and kindness overwhelm me; and Meg and Deuce whose unconditional love is the nearest thing I know to Heaven on earth. 1 John 4:19
High praise to and for David Kazee, James, J.T., Dale, Misty, and songwriters, Patience and Brad. Special appreciation to and for my amazing co-songwriters Terri Corker and Kim McLean. All glory to God.
Katie Brooks - Lead and Background Vocals, Gemeinhardt Flute
David Kazee - Arrangements, Piano, Keyboards, Background Vocals
James Whited - Guitars
J.T. Cure - Bass
Dale Scragg - Drums
Misty Daniels - Background Vocals
Produced by Katie Brooks and David Kazee for Merry Kat Productions. Recorded and mixed at Franklin Audio Images, Salyersville, Kentucky. Engineered by David Kazee. Mastered by Randy Gardner, Gardner Audio, Nashville, Tennessee. Photo of Katie by Rick Malkin. Manufactured and printed by Disc Makers, Pennsauken, NJ, USA.
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