Turn Your Radio On [Paperback]

Ace Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

Turn Your Radio On tells the fascinating stories behind gospel music's most unforgettable songs, including 'Amazing Grace,' 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic,' 'He Touched Me,' 'I'll Fly Away,' 'Were You There?' and many more. These are the songs that have shaped our faith and brought us joy. You'll find out: What famous song traces back to a sailor's desperate prayer, What Bill Gaither tune was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1969 -- and won a Grammy, What song was born during a carriage ride through Washington, D.C., at the onset of the Civil War. Turn Your radio On is an inspiring journey through the songs that are part of the roots of our faith today.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In the span of recorded music history, a handful of songs stands apart from the rest. The power and messages of songs like Just A Closer Walk with Thee, How Great Thou Art, and Peace in the Valley have touched hearts and lives around the world. Yet while the words and music of these classics have become part of the soundtrack of our lives, few know the inspiring stories behind these great songs. Award-winning author and music industry insider Ace Collins takes readers behind the scenes, showing them what inspired the songwriter and how the song reached the world to become a classic for all time. Few know the reason that Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey, one of the pioneers of black gospel music, sat down in the midst of overwhelming grief and penned Peace in the Valley. Not many have heard what moved Stuart Hamblen to write the simple yet majestic It Is No Secret What God Can Do. By learning the story behind the song, we can understand its message even more clearly. This collection of favorite songs and their stories reaches across the generations--highlighting songs that comforted people before and during the Great Depression . . . and telling about the inspiration for some of the greatest new songs by this era's hottest artists. From the black spirituals and white gospel quartets of the rural South, to Elvis singing on The Ed Sullivan Show, to Amy Grant captivating a packed arena, The Stories Behind Gospel Music's All-Time Greatest Songs embraces the entire spectrum of gospel songs that have blessed and touched millions.

From the Author

Ace Collins is the author of numerous books, including The Stories Behind Country Music’s All-Time 100 Greatest Songs, and collaborator with Glen Payne and George Younce of their book, The Cathedrals

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; First Edition edition (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310211530
• ISBN-13: 978-0310211532
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #965,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ace Collins is the writer of more than sixty books, including several bestsellers: Stories behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, Stories behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, The Cathedrals, and Lassie: A Dog's Life. Based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, He continues to publish several new titles each year, including a series of novels, the first of which is Farraday Road. Ace has appeared on scores of television shows, including CBS This Morning, NBC Nightly News, CNN, Good Morning America, MSNBC, and Entertainment Tonight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Turn Your Radio On, September 15, 2000

By 

Lynda A Rouse (Swansboro, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turn Your Radio On (Paperback)

This is a great little book. It tells the origins of 65 famous gospel songs as well as inspiring stories about the songwriters. There are no actual music scores or lyrics, but the song titles are all familiar tunes to Christian gospel lovers, young and old. When friends of Albert Burnley would hear his songs on the radio, they would call him and say, "Albert, turn your radio on." Soon, he wrote one of his best loved songs, "Turn Your Radio On"; and hence the title of this collection of stories. If you love gospel music, you will love this book. Stories are told about Andrae Crouch, Dottie Rambo, Bill and Gloria Gaither, George Beverly Shea, Rusty Goodman, just to mention a few. All the great gospel songwriters are here. Order now for youself or as a great gift. Lynn Rouse