Shannon Ethridge's Blog

As I’ve explained in my post-summer sabbatical blogs lately, my June highlight was speaking in Mexico, and my July highlight was traveling to Colorado, but my August highlight happened right here in Lindale, Texas…

Since the days of singing into my hairbrush microphone in front of the bathroom mirror as a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of being a musical artist making her big debut in a recording studio. In August, I came as close as I probably ever will to fulfilling that dream — I had the opportunity to sing background vocals on Paul Baloche’s upcoming CD entitled “Glorious!”

Okay, that’s an “edited” version of the truth. I was only 1 out of about 500 background voices on the album. I have the awesome privilege of attending church at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, Texas, where Paul and his equally-as-talented wife, Rita, have been leading worship for years. Although they were invited to record the project at much larger congregations such as California’s Saddleback Church or New York’s Brooklyn Tabernacle, he chose to do it “at home with his family,” and we were so grateful!

In case the name doesn’t ring a bell, Paul & Rita have written some of the most famous worship songs of our day – songs you sing every Sunday, like:

• Open the Eyes of My Heart
• Praise Adonai
• Above All (Michael W. Smith’s huge hit)
• I Will Celebrate
• Your Name
• Our God Saves

and dozens of others!

But as I’ve told Paul & Rita over and over, “Glorious” is Paul’s BEST album yet! Every member of my family has their own favorite song from the project:

• Shaken (My theme song lately!)
• We Will Hold On (Greg’s latest fave, but he can’t make up his mind!)
• Just to Be With You (makes Erin swoon over Jesus!)
• How Great is the Love (Matthew has wore that track out on the CD!)

Go to www.leadworship.com for more information about Paul’s music, and watch for GLORIOUS in stores November 3rd! I guarantee it will quickly become your new favorite worship CD as well! Oh, and be sure to listen really closely for my voice in the background!