Recording Preparation

 Hey Friends,

Here is just a tiny peek into our recording preparation this weekend.

We have recorded several projects over the years. The last one we did as a trio was in 2013. We hoped to do another one, but life kept getting in the way.

Ben Isaacs has been encouraging us to record an album since December. When he started talking to us about doing one with the two of us, I did not know if we could do it. 

We had not even sung one song in public since Dad had passed away. We did not feel ready to cross that bridge yet! Several people encouraged us not to let our song die!

At our pastor's leading, we soon began singing at church. The first few times were extremely difficult, and I still have moments where I struggle! The God we sing about, the messages and the songs have not changed!

Ben has been persistent and stayed on us. He encouraged us to get our songs together for a project.  We sent him our list of songs to him last month.

All of the pieces began to fall into place quickly last week. Less than a week later, we are headed to Ben’s studio today and tomorrow. Hopefully, we will get all of our parts done with music and vocals on the project.

We love Ben Isaacs! He is our favorite producer, and we are honored that he would want to work with us! 

Today will be dedicated to music. Tomorrow, we will focus on vocals. Please oh please keep us in your prayers! We desire anointing and God’s strength!

We are excited and scared to death, all at the same time! I know there will be some moments that it will be hard to keep our emotions in check, as well. We will definitely miss Dad Immensely!

We are still trying to figure out our sound now. There is something massive missing! We know it definitely does not sound the same! 

Music has played a large part in my healing journey, through the grief! Many of the songs that we have chosen for this album have helped us, along with many more! We hope and pray that the songs encourage someone else along the way!

I will do my best to share photos from our time in the studio later. We will also share details on the project, as they become available!

Odie

Remember God Will Always Be Enough

 Hey Friends,

Happy Saturday! Can you believe we are already one week into the month of June? I can not wrap my mind around the fact that we are halfway through this year already.

I hope and pray you are doing well! By God's grace, we are well. God is good!

We are choosing to walk daily in His goodness and trust Him. God is trustworthy!

Today I am reminded of this truth: He is with us in the good times and in the bad! My God Will Always Be Enough!

Our questions may not be answered.   None of us knows what tomorrow holds! Hallelujah, we know who holds tomorrow! Better yet, He has all of us in the palm of his hand!

Early this year, I was sitting on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean listening to my buddies KPNR sing. Karen Peck Gooch, began singing this old song, My God Will Always Be Enough.

I think it was released in 2000 my research shows that it was part of the Taste Of Grace album. In fact, I had even forgotten about the song. The message is fantastic!

The special night that I witnessed, Karen sang the fire out of the song! It an incredible moment! Let me just tell you, I was glad I was not within sight of her at this right then. 

I was a puddle of tears, but rejoicing as well! Thank God for the reminder of, My God Will Always Be Enough!

I was in no shape to capture the song video, and I cannot find the exact moment online. I did find her singing it in January 2023. 

I have a feeling that someone reading this needs to be reminded of this fact today. Please give this song and listen. let the message of the lyrics soak into your soul. Please be encouraged! Friend, My God Will Always Be Enough!

Join me in praising God for His ever present help and strength! We can face what lies ahead! God will always be enough for each and everyone of us!

Thank you for reading! See you again next time.

Odie

The Riddells May 2025

Hey Friends,

Thanks for stopping by to visit with me. Yesterday, I told you about the first part of our Saturday. That was the graduation celebration that you can read about here. 

Then, we left Hillsboro and pointed our vehicle toward the Dayton area. Strictly Gospel was hosting a concert Saturday night, and I wanted to see some friends. 

Last week, I received an email reminder about Strictly Gospel’s upcoming concerts. The Riddells were going to be at Moraine City First Church of God.

I was confused about the start time. As I rolled in the door, I heard talking from the stage. We quickly got our tickets, and then I heard the promoter, Tim Fitzharris, introducing the Riddells!

Yikes, that was a close one! We slipped in. It was great to enjoy the night with more family, Rhonda and Landell Smith! I enjoyed the singing and the fellowship!

We love our long time friends and cousins, Sonja, Justin and Kayla! We had not crossed paths with them in a long time. It was so good to see them again!

We had lots of hugs, reminiscing and laughter! The concert was a great way to end our day! 

Below are my pictures from the evening. I hope you enjoy just a glimpse.

Thanks to Tim Fitzharris and those behind Strictly Gospel for having the Riddells! They bring southern gospel concerts to our area. I have attended a few of the concerts now. I have always enjoyed them!

I am really looking forward to their Christmas concert this year. I reserved this date on my calendar in December of last year! It is an Isaacs Christmas concert! For more information on the concert, you can get info here.

Thanks for reading! I will be back tomorrow. I hope you will join me as well!

Odie

Go Rest High Collaboration With Colton Deane

 Hey Friends,

Today is Memorial Day 2025. We honor our service men and women who have given their lives for our country! 

Their sacrifice for our country and freedom is selfless.  May they never be forgotten but instead honored as incredible heroes!

We also remember the lives and memories of family and friends who have passed away. Sadly, new names are added to that list every year! 

The is year Memorial Day has a significant change for our family this year. Dad’s name is now on that list of family members that have passed away! 

Not a day goes by that we don't remember and think of him! He is missed immensely! Our hearts are broken! Life as we knew it has changed forever!

One thing brings me joy as we try our best to move forward with life. Dad is free from the chains that held him here! He has no more sickness, pain or burdens! He can truly rest!  His earthly struggle is over!

We wanted to do something special to honor him today. We recorded a video with our dear friend Colton Deane a while back. Colton sang the great song “Go Rest High.”

He did a phenomenal job on this song! In fact, it may be my favorite song we sang together. 

Colton was uncertain he could sing the song. He just wanted to give it a try, and he did! Wow, is all I can say! He is awesome!

Colton, thank you for letting us sing with you! We had a blast! Thank you also for letting us share the video with our friends!

Mom and I have been saving this song to share on a special day. We decided today was the day. I hope you enjoy this version of “Go Rest High!”

See you tomorrow.

Odie

Phillips Craig And Dean Centerville, Ohio

 Hey Friends,

I hope you are having a great weekend. I am here to tell you about my fun evening last night. 

Faith and Family Radio held their 14th anniversary concert in Centerville, Ohio. Phillips, Craig and Dean were the featured artists.

Earlier this week, I started making plans to attend the concert and enjoy some excellent singing. Emily Roberts was my concert buddy! 

Phillips, Craig and Dean are three friends who have worked in the ministry for years. They have been singing for 33 years. I have been listening to them most of that time. 

Randy Phillips is from Austin, Texas.

Sean Craig is from St. Louis, Missouri.

Dan Dean is from Dallas, Texas. 

Here are my pictures from the night. People were standing up in front of me for a lot of the concert, but I still had a great time!

During the second half, Todd Tilghman came out and sang a couple of songs with PCD. He did outstanding that was a nice surprise. 

He had been sitting near us, and we heard him singing! We both thought he's really good, but did not realize who it was! 😂

The crowd requested an encore. PCD came back for one more song to end the night. 

The music of Phillips, Craig and Dean has played a big part in my life. Dad records 4 of their songs through the years. They are super talented, and their song speak to me. 

I had never seen PCD sing live. I did not want to let this opportunity pass. I am thrilled to have seen them in person now!

Emily, thank you for spending your Friday night with me. It was great to being with you, friend! 

Thank you for reading!

Odie 

Close To Thee by Kelly Jo And Odie

 Hey Friends,

Thank you for visiting our online world. Mom and I really appreciate all of you! 

Thanks also for letting us know that you enjoy our YouTube videos. Your comments and messages encourage us!

We have another song for you. We have loved this song for decades. Close To Thee came from the pen of Jim Davis.

The message in the lyrics still rings true years later. It is one of my favorites from his great catalog of songs!

Here is what Mom said in the video description.

“This song is a great song we used to sing so much and has stayed with us for many years. It has become one of the songs that helped to shape us into who we are today. 

It has given us an outlook that points us toward a close relationship with God for every season of life, not only the bad but also the good. 

The author is our friend Jim E. Davis. He has written many of the great songs we sing in our churches.“

Many people have eloquently sung and recorded Close To Thee through the years. It has been well loved!

Today, we are sharing our latest version of this fantastic song. I hope you enjoy it. 

I will see you tomorrow. Please come back. I have something special planned to share!

Odie

I Need You

 Hey Friends,

Thank you for stopping by to visit with us today. Mom and I uploaded a new video on our YouTube channel last night.

I Need You has been a family favorite for decades. We have sung it from coast to coast countless times. The message behind these lyrics will never stop ministering to us and others.

My parents learned  this song from Bro. Derwin Ward in the 80s. Mom knows that he recorded it, but we do not know who wrote this song. 

Bro. Derwin’s ministry in preaching, song and piano greatly influenced my parents when they were young. They passed that influence on to me. I am grateful for his impact on our lives!

I am a needy person, when it comes to God! He does not need me or my input. I need Him 24/7, and He is always there. I am blessed!

Friend, He is there for you too. All you have to do is call on Him. He loves you, and God is concerned about you!

Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow!

Odie

God Won’t Autumn Nelon and The Isaacs

 Hey Friends,

Thank you for checking in with me. I appreciate your prayers and concern for my sweet baby cousin, Carson Shoemaker! Click here if you missed the prayer request, yesterday.  

They are trying to get fluids in him. Carson is still very sick! He is in the hospital in Mobile, Alabama. It breaks my heart to see him suffer! I miss my happy buddy!

We are still praying and believing that God will help him recover quickly. We are also praying for his Mom and Dad to feel extra strength from God today!

God Won’t 

Autumn Nelon Streetman and The Isaacs

I first shared this song in December here in this post. God Won’t was released last year on the Nelons’ final project. I love this song and find the message encouraging.

Now, Autumn Nelon Streetman has re-released the song. She was joined by extremely special guests, The Isaacs. Now, I love the song even more! I had to share the updated version with my friends. 

Here is the new version of God Won’t. This song was written by two incredible writers, Jimmy Yeary and Sue C. Smith. I hope you enjoy this song.

Autumn, if you ever see this post, you are still in my prayers! Girl, you are a trooper and I admire you! I pray God gives you daily strength!

Thank you for reading! I will see you tomorrow. 

Odie

DRPC Kids Choir I Got Saved

 Hey Friends,

It is so good to see you on this beautiful Wednesday. I have a treat for you. Kids singing about Jesus makes any day great. 

Last night at church, our Kids' Choir sang so well. Their leader is Sis. Emily Roberts.

Emily works hard with them! Their hard work paid off. I was so proud of all of them!

They sang three songs last night. I captured all of this song on video. I hope you enjoy DRPC Kids singing I Got Saved.

Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow.

Odie

The Martins March 2025

Hey Friends,

Thank you for joining us. I hope you are having a great day. Welcome to April! There are no April Fools jokes here today. 

We are rewinding to Saturday, March 23rd. Mom and I traveled to Washington Courthouse, Ohio, not too far away.

We went to Heritage Church to see the Martins in concert. It has been years since I have seen the Martins live. I was thrilled to receive a notification about this concert in my area on the Bands In Town app! We were home and able to attend. 

It was an appreciation concert for Sunday school teachers and church workers in their fellowship. They honored several people. 

Then, it was time for the main event of the Martins. Thanks to Heritage for a great night of music! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. 

The Martins have been family favorites for over thirty years, and their singing has always inspired us. 

The concert was incredible! I smiled all night and kept looking at Mom, saying, "Wow!"

The Martins are a sibling trio: Joyce, Jonathan and Judy. They were all there and came out to sing. After the first song, we were told that Jonathan did not have enough voice to sing the entire concert. They had reinforcements waiting in the wings. Judy’s son Jake Hess the III was there. 

Jake did a fabulous job filling in for his Uncle Jonathan. This was the first time he sang live with the Martins.

He was nervous but was having a great time. His Mama,  Judy and Aunt Joyce were so proud and thrilled to be singing with Jake! It was fantastic to witness this night in The Martin’s history!

Here are my pictures from the evening. I hope you enjoy the concert virtually!

Jake also sang two song he has co-written. Both songs have been recorded and released by others. Turns out Mom and I already knew both songs. We did not know he was one of the writers. 

It was a wonderful night of laughter, music and tears! I felt like it was much needed for both Mom and me! Thank you to Joyce, Jonathan, Judy and Jake for a fantastic concert!

See you tomorrow!

Odie