Chosen Road Reflects Upon Recording their First Hymns Album

Gospel bluegrass band Chosen Road will release Appalachian Hymns tomorrow (Nov. 12). The new record is the follow-up to their 2020 recording, Appalachian Worship, reached #4 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums chart, and remained a fixture there for a notable 30 weeks. Produced by the group's Zachary Alvis and Tyler Robertson, the 12-song collection pairs the band's unparalleled acoustic instrumentation and vocal harmonies with classic songs of faith and the Church.

"For our first hymns record, we wanted to take traditional songs of the Church and pair them with our Appalachian acoustic instruments, while approaching the arrangements and musical settings in our own unique way," said Chosen Road's Jonathan Buckner.

"When we were deciding what hymns to record, we were overwhelmed with the richness of Truth we found in these lyrics. We began to gravitate towards some of the older hymns and songs we have loved to hear audiences sing for years now. Many of these songs have likely been played on the same kinds of instruments we use, since our ancestors first settled in the Appalachian Mountains. That made both the song selection process, and actual recording, very meaningful and almost sacred for us."

"Every song on the album points the listener to the Light of Christ and the Hope that is found in Him," Buckner continues. "It is amazing what singing some of these old hymns can do for the soul when we are facing the unknown. As people listen and sing along to the music, we hope they are encouraged and reminded that God is in complete control. I know we were as we created this project, even though it was during one of the most uncertain times in our lives." 

The project's cornerstone lead single and video, "Be Thou My Vision," is one of the oldest hymns of the Church, bearing a message as timely today as when the words were first written centuries ago in Ireland. Chosen Road honors their Scotch-Irish heritage with the arrangement, featuring beautiful Celtic instrumentation and intricate harmonies. 
 
Other highlights of Appalachian Hymns include the rousing "Brethren We Have Met To Worship" (available November 5); the striking simplicity of "My Savior's Love"; the gentle, guitar-driven "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"; the a cappella "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be"; and the crowd-pleasing instrumental "Send The Light."

 

Tags : Chosen Road Appalachian Hymns Chosen Road Bluegrass Gospel Hymns