The Inspirations are taking listeners on a heartfelt journey through America's rich musical and spiritual heritage with their upcoming album, Songs For Our American Culture, arriving July 24.
As the United States marks 250 years of freedom, the legendary Southern Gospel quartet believes there's no better time to celebrate the songs that have helped shape both the nation's culture and its faith.
"What is American culture?" asks group member Roland Kesterson. "From our nation's humble beginning, music has always played a part of our American culture."
Tracing that history from Revolutionary War fifes and drums to mountain string music and church hymns, Kesterson says one influence stands above them all.
"And what would American culture be without Gospel music?"
That conviction forms the heart of the new Horizon Records release, a collection that blends treasured Gospel classics with timeless messages of hope, salvation, and Christ's return.
One of the album's biggest highlights is an unforgettable collaboration with Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys on "Jesus Is Coming Soon." The song carries special significance, having first been recorded by both The Inspirations and The Oak Ridge Boys back in 1967.
Allen says the collaboration was an easy decision.
"When Isaac, Roland, Luke, and Wyatt sing, it feels like every song was written just for them," he said. "The Inspirations' sound has created its own identity in the history books of Gospel music. Their love for Jesus is embedded in every song and every note."
The project opens with a fresh rendition of "O How I Love the Lord" and closes with the triumphant declaration of "I Mean To Be There," while also featuring songs such as "Eye of the Storm," "In the Shadow of the Cross," "One More Valley," "Resting In the Arms of a Never Failing God," and a brand-new composition by Jewel Kesterson Scott, "Home Sweet Home."
According to Kesterson, the duet on "Jesus Is Coming Soon" perfectly captures both the album's message and The Inspirations' ministry.
"Two hundred and fifty years ago, this country began with ministers such as George Whitefield thundering the message, 'Jesus Is Coming Soon,'" he said. "Today, that title still embodies the message and mission of The Inspirations."
He added that bringing together two legendary quartets nearly six decades after they first recorded the song proclaims that same Gospel message "louder and stronger than ever before."
While the new album looks back with gratitude, The Inspirations say its focus is ultimately forward-looking.
"This album pays tribute to our American culture," Kesterson said, "but it is also a statement of where we are going: 'One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice For All!'"
With nearly six decades of ministry behind them, The Inspirations continue proving that the timeless truths of Gospel music remain as relevant today as ever.
