Billy Sprague's Long Awaited 'Songs in the Key of Awe' Impacts Retail and iTunes April 28‏

Dove Award Winner Billy Sprague, is slated to release to iTunes and retail on Tuesday, April 28, 2015. The project, previously available exclusively from Sprague's website,billyspraguemusic.com, will be distributed to retail by Elevate Entertainment. The entire CD is currently available for a discounted pre-sale on iTunes through April 27.

A true family affair from start to finish,Songs in the Key of Awe featuresvocals by Sprague's daughter Willow, his son Wyatt on djiembe, photography by his wife Kellie and joyful encouragement from their young son Sawyer. Sprague also tapped the formidable talents of guitar virtuosos Phil Keaggy, Dave Beegle and Dan Dugmore along with respected Nashville producer Jim Frazier to create an unforgettable listening experience.

While Songs in the Key of Awe is jam-packed with great songs, Sprague encourages listeners to experience the whole album from start to finish. "From the opening sound of a bird taking flight to the final notes of "Reflection in A," the songs, pace and spaces are intended to create room to 'breathe deep of His grace' as one song lyric puts it," he muses. "I pray this music helps amplify your awe of the Lord, His creation and redeeming touch on your own grace story."

One thing so gratifying to Sprague about Songs is the Key of Awe is that the music was created "not primarily as an artist," as he puts it, "but as a worshipper and worship leader of a local community of faith, doing life together. Another community of faith through Kickstarter, helped make it happen. To me that's beautiful Kicking off the new project, Switchfoot-esque electric guitars electric guitars and understated tom toms propel the resurrection song, "Life Begins Now." This epic song is a fan favorite and served as the project's debut radio single. The jangly rocking "Friend of a Heart Like Mine" launches into praise, as Sprague exults, "Great is your name/ Great are your ways/ Son of the Most High God!" Sprague's daughter Willow delivers lead vocals on "Overflow," illuminating this tender, prayer for anointing with her fresh and inviting alto voice. The prayerful attitude continues in, "To Be Grateful," a rich blend of acoustic and electric guitars supporting father/daughter harmony.

Sprague kicks the tempo up a notch on the driving anthem, "Make Us One," while classic Phil Keaggy electric guitar riffs embellish "Thank You, Lord." "Pray in A" provides a brief, peaceful interlude that segues well into the moving acoustic confessional, "I Still Need a Savior." "Who We Are" (based on Ephesians 1) declares the believer's identity in Christ with electric guitars amplifying the defining power of grace.

"Life Everlasting" shifts back into uptempo praise and adoration as Sprague declares, "You are my joy, You are my strength, You are Life Everlasting!" Next up, "You Are Here," a rootsy rock cry of the heart, hands off to the Celtic-inflected hymn "Only Jesus," a second tune centered around Willow's pure vocal. Sprague invokes a powerful Gospel choir vibe on "The Goodness of the Lord," before closing the project with the acoustic instrumental, "Reflections in A," which further develops the theme and meditative tone of "Pray in A."

Songs in the Key of Awe was birthed out of Sprague's eight-year stint as Worship Leader and Director of Momentum for a multi-campus church in north Denver, Colorado. During his tenure, Sprague wrote more than 100 songs. "I'm still prompted by the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, which says the Lord expects me (and you) to do something with what He has entrusted to us," he explains. "My goal was to harvest the best crop from that field to include on this CD."  

Funded through the innovative crowd-sourced Kickstarter program, fan donations shattered Sprague's initial goal of $20,000 in half the allotted time, and ultimately provided more than $35,000 toward the project's production costs. The remarkable outpouring of support far exceeded Sprague's expectations. "So many gracious people shaped, supported and made this happen," he said. "We are humbled and grateful. In the midst of a jam-packed season of change, challenge and blessing, at last here it is!"

For more information about Sprague, "Life Begins Now" and Songs in the Key of Awe,  visitbillyspraguemusic.com. 

 

 

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