Welcome to Spirited Debate. I'm Lauren Green. Well, everyone wonder why country music artists
and faith always seem to go together. Well, a new book explains it all. It's called Country
Faith. And it features favorite scriptures of today's top country stars, along with an
explanation of why the Bible passages resonate with them, included in the 56 stars as Carrie
Underwood, Miranda Lambert and the band Perry. Journalist Deborah Evans Price conducted the
interviews and compiled the stories that are sure to become a treasured keepsake for fans
worldwide. And Deborah joins me now from Nashville. How you doing, Deborah? I'm doing great, Lauren.
Good morning. Oh, good morning. So basically, you know, why it's a music devotional, it's a
country music devotional. Why were you inspired to write this? You know, Lauren, I can't take
credit for the idea. Bob DeMoss with HarperCollins Christian Publishing had the idea and they
were looking for a journalist that was burst in Christian and country music that could execute
it. And that's where I entered the picture. So it was Bob's idea that it was such a blessing
to be the one to get to pull all this together with all these artists. Yeah, you know, even
though country artists, they don't talk about their faith as much. I mean, they're not gospel
music artists in a sense. But but there is see there is always this undercurrent of faith
in their lives. Why is that? Well, most country artists grew up singing in church. For example,
Josh Turner wrote the forward for the book. And he talks about that how his first, you
know, performance in front of a crowd of people was in church. And many country artists have
the church as their foundation. And there's just always been a connection between gospel
music and country music. You know, for many decades, a lot of of country artists do gospel
albums. Alan Jackson's done a couple that have been, you know, extremely successful. And
Brad Paisley always put the gospel song on every album he does. If he's done that since
the beginning of his career. Yeah, I want to read a couple of the excerpts from the
book because they're compiled with the scripture and then an explanation from the artists of
why it's important to them. The first one is from Tyler Hubbard. And he has chosen
Isaiah 4013. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar
on eagles, soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk
and not be faint. And then his explanation of that is no matter what we go through hard
times, good times, walk with the Lord and he'll give you the strength to get through
whatever life throws at you, you have to find your strength in the Lord. These are very,
very, you know, kind of walk the talk kind of kind of people here. Oh, definitely. And
you know, when you think about the year that he's had as Lord of Georgia line the duo that
he's in their careers exploded. And you know, I'm sure he's been clinging to that scripture
with the crazy busy schedule that he's had and all the things that's famous thrown at
him in the past year. Yeah, I mean, these country artists, I mean, they, you know, their
faith and the Bible and their love of God is very important to them. And as you mentioned,
Lauren, gospel artists get a chance to talk about God all day long. That's part of their
ministry. But country artists really they rarely have that platform. And a lot of them were
very appreciative of the fact that they could do so, you know, through this book and talk
about what their faith means to them. Also, I want to read another one because this is
from Sarah Evans. And she has chosen Romans 828. And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose. And
her explanation is no matter what happens in the future, we know that if we love the
Lord, then he is going to work it out for the good. It may not be exactly what we want
or what we thought, but it's for our good, because he knows what is best for us. Very,
very kind of interpretations of the scripture that kind of applying it to their own lives.
Oh, definitely. You know, I mean, and it's funny, Barbara Mandrell chose that same scripture
and talked about how that that's been one of her favorites since she was a little girl
and how it came to mean even more to her over the years. You know, she became a wife and
mother of successful entertainer. But yeah, the Bible and, you know, each of the scriptures
are very personal to these artists, you know, and the things that they've chosen is their
favorites. And, you know, it really shows a lot about their personality. But it's funny,
the first time I mentioned a book to Carrie Underwood and told her I'd like her to be
a part of it, she's like, oh my goodness, this is great. She goes, but this is so hard
to, I kind of like the whole book. But she narrowed it down. You know, you have been,
you're the formatter of country and Christian music for Billboard. You have just decades
of experience really covering country music as well as Christian music. You know, these
artists very well, you know, their backstories very well. Was there anything about those
interviews that surprised you at any point? No, I can't say there really was except for
maybe the depth of passion. You know, especially talking to some of the younger artists, as
you mentioned, like Florida Georgia Line and, you know, Eric Passley and, you know, a lot
of these young artists that are just very passionate about their faith and they love
country music and they're, you know, they're committed to the country genre. But yeah,
I mean, I can't really say I was surprised, but I was very encouraged and, you know, and
I found it wonderful that some of these young artists, you know, cling to their faith so
strongly. And you know, even though they may not mention faith in their songs, their songs
are filled with it really, aren't they? They are. They are. I mean, when you look at stuff
like Carrie Underwood in particular has had songs like Temporary Home until I See You
Again and Jesus Take the Wheel. You know, a lot of artists, I mean, a lot of songs with
faith references, you know, that share her belief. Yeah. And a lot of the, you know,
we look at songs like Brooks and Dunn's Believe. There are a lot of great country songs that,
you know, really come from a Christian worldview. Yeah. And you know, you've got a couple of
the Guy Penrod and Jason Crabb. These guys I actually know as Christian artists, gospel
music artists, but they sort of kind of cross the line a little bit. They do. Both Jason
and Jason Crabb and Guy Penrod come from a Southern gospel background, but they both
had songs that have been played on country radio. They've made that crossover move.
So I thought they would be, you know, fitting for the book. And plus they're two of my favorite
artists. Yeah. And I stand them in there. So I love Jason's Dimples. It's just really
great. I don't know. Very interesting that you've got in the back of the book, the entire
gospel of Mark. That really surprised me. And it helps being, you know, the Zonder
Vanisher publisher, because it's the number one publisher of the NIV version of the Bible.
So they probably got it, you know, cheap. But the idea is that, but you've got the entire
gospel of Mark in the back of the book. Why is that? That once again, was the publisher
Bob DeMas's idea, because once you've given people, you know, these bits of scripture
and have an artist talk about their favorite, the book of Mark in the back of this country
faith really kind of anchors the project. And if it's for someone who is not a Christian
or someone who's a casual believer and needs a deeper, you know, a deeper connection with
the Bible, that I think really kind of anchors the book, having the book of Mark at the end.
What was your favorite interview because you've interviewed 56 artists you've done it before.
But what was your favorite? You can name the top five or even top three.
That's so hard, Lauren. I would think Carrie Underwood. She's always one of my favorite
interviews. I really enjoyed talking to her and Charlie Daniels because he was talking
about Psalm 91. But boy, talk about having a good reason for choosing that one. It's
the Psalm of protection. And he talked about being in Iraq to go, you know, on his way
to a remote area to perform for troops. And the helicopters they were in came under enemy
fire. And Charlie talked about reciting that Psalm. And I thought, boy, talk about faith
and action. So that was any interview with Charlie is great. But that one was particularly,
you know, just as mesmerizing to hear him talk about that Psalm and that experience.
Oh, and my other in the top three. Darius Rucker. Oh, it's so hard to pick. But I remember
sitting backstage at Grand Ole Opry talking to Darius. And he talked about growing up
in Charleston, South Carolina and his mother and all the scriptures that she instilled
in him. And then shared his favorite one. And I've interviewed Darius multiple times
about his music and his great, great songs and his success, you know, as a recording
artist and touring. But to have a chance to talk to Darius about his mom and his faith
and his foundation, that was a special interview.
Did anybody actually decline to be interviewed for this book?
Yes.
We won't talk about them.
Well, there were there were several high profile people that I think just have a policy of
not talking about the politics and religion. And so they declined. So I'd rather not say
who they were, but there are a couple of them kind of surprised me. I thought they would
be on board. And then there was one, I wouldn't say, but he kept saying, oh, I can think
of Jesus Webb, because in Bible school, that was the verse that was my goatee, because
it was the shortest. He said, but I promise I'm going to come up with something. And he
missed the deadline. But if there's a volume to, you know, open it up.
Jesus Webb. Well, you know, that's the one. Yeah, it's the shortest one of the Bible
with you. If you ever do that trivial pursuit game, you'll know that Jesus Webb.
Deborah Evans, that the book is called Country Faith, 56 Reflections from today's leading
country music stars. A great, great kind of devotional kind of look at scriptures and
explanations from favorite country music artists about what they used to get them through
everyday life. Deborah, thank you very much for being here.
Thank you so much, Lauren. I always feel pleasure talking with you.
Have a good day and thank you for watching.
