BIOGRAPHY (courtesy of Curb Records)
"A good song will always find its way." —Emmylou Harris
A great song, delivered honestly, meets everyday people where they live … in simple, yet profound and powerful ways. But even more than that, a great song is all-inclusive. It inspires community, not only among those buying tickets and filling seats, but also among the artists who write, sing and share in the process of creating them.
For five-time GMA Music Award-winning group Selah, revealing the heart of the song has always been 'the thing.' Perhaps that, second only to God's grace, is why nine years, six recordings, and sales of more than 1 million albums later, Selah's ministry continues to impact people all over the world. The authenticity of the music—and of who they are as people—is undeniable.
Their sixth album, Bless The Broken Road — The Duets Album, is a collection of 12 unforgettable vocal collaborations with some of Christian music's most respected artists. Produced by Selah and Jason Kyle, co-producer of the group's previous recordings, it's an album they've hinted at for years, having featured duets on each project since their 1999 debut, Be Still My Soul. But this one holds special meaning on many levels.
"We've always wanted to do a duets album," Allan Hall says. "For us, great songs and making that personal connection is everything, so we jumped at the opportunity to work with those who have impacted our lives through their music—label mates, touring partners, old friends and new friends."
"Though we've done duets from the very first album, an entire project of collaborations is so exciting for us," Todd Smith adds. "We not only get to work with artists we admire, but musically, there's a wide range here, a few surprises along the way. We always choose songs we love, songs we hope will find a special place in people's lives, so that part of the process didn't change."
The timing couldn't have been more perfect. With the 2004 departure of founding member Nicol Sponberg, Allan Hall and Todd Smith were in a season of transition. A collaborative project was the perfect vehicle to expand their horizons, vocally as well as sonically.
It also became a fitting avenue by which to announce the addition of powerhouse vocalist Amy Perry to the group. Perry, who hails from northern California, cut her vocal teeth at the tender age of 4 and spent her teens in musical theater. After a year of singing background vocals for a popular gospel singer in California, the 19-year-old decided to pursue music in earnest. She moved to Nashville in 2000, "because that's where all the Christian music people lived," and there, God began to change her heart.
"I did what you're supposed to do," Amy reflects. "I hired a vocal coach, put on a showcase, lost weight and dyed my hair. Even though I could sing the way they wanted me to sing, I just didn't feel like me. So I took some time away to spend with God. I began serving on the worship team at my church. I stopped looking for a record deal because I didn't know if I wanted to be in the business anymore, but I knew I wanted to grow closer to God."
Last year a friend told her about the opening in Selah, a group with whom Amy was unfamiliar. Her husband picked up a copy of 2004's Hiding Place, and Amy couldn't believe her ears. "The more I listened, the more I realized that Selah had been doing exactly what God had been growing inside of me to do: worship leading and ministering to the church. It was then that I began to be excited about the possibilities."
"We auditioned 15 female vocalists," Todd recalls, "and Amy really stood out. She can do it all—she's amazing at picking up harmonies, but most importantly, she's very much in tune with her spiritual walk. What you see is what you get with Amy, so we knew our audience would love her openness and honesty. She's just a perfect fit."
With Amy on board, Selah began the joyful task of picking and choosing great songs for The Duets Album. "We've always had a standing rule: best song wins," says Allan. "We work hard to write or find songs of substance that will connect with where people are; songs about real life written from the heart, without regard for commercial success or radio airplay. And somehow, it works." And this project, he says, takes that philosophy to a whole new level.
Bless The Broken Road — The Duets Album is arguably the group's most eclectic project to date. Featuring some of Selah's favorite artists: Nichole Nordeman, BarlowGirl, Nicole C. Mullen, Christy Nockels, Plumb, The Crabb Family's Jason and Adam Crabb, Kim Hill, Jill Phillips, Melodie Crittenden and Christian music pioneer Cynthia Clawson, the album showcases the depth of Selah's artistic well, their love of powerful hymns and poignant songs, and chiefly, their excitement and hope in Christ.
The beautiful title track and Selah concert closer, "Bless The Broken Road," was a smash country hit for Rascal Flatts, but it perfectly expresses the hope and encouragement Selah's music has long been known for. Featuring the guest vocals of longtime friend Melodie Crittenden, who traveled with Selah in 2005, the song's radio success—a Top 5 Christian AC hit—has further heightened anticipation for The Duets Album.
"Glory," a stirring ballad written by Nichole Nordeman, was a very special collaboration for Selah. "We started recording at the same time Nichole did," Todd says, "So we were thrilled to finally be able to sing with her."
Todd co-wrote three songs on The Duets Album: "I Will Sing Of My Redeemer," a hymn-like anthem of praise featuring BarlowGirl; "Sweet Jesus," co-written with Matthew West and Tony Wood, complimented by the melodic warmth of Jill Phillips' voice; and Todd's personal favorite, "Follow Jesus (Landa Yesu)."
No Selah album would be complete without a song of Africa, the music of Todd's childhood. He penned "Follow Jesus" after a conversation with his missionary father about the new radio station in Bandundu, the largest of eight provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Todd grew up. "Life is so hard there, and there's not a lot of reason to hope, so it's extremely important to be able to broadcast to most of the state, to share the Scriptures and tell them, 'Hold on to the promises of God—it's life changing, and the Word of God will not return void,'" Todd says. "The song contains the exhortation 'Bantu ya Bible,' to encourage them to hear God's Word and follow Jesus. It's the most personal song I've ever written."
The album also pays homage to the Russ Taff-penned "Ain't No Grave," a rousing harmonica-infused romp with Jason and Adam Crabb, along with Michael Card's classic "Gentle Healer," which showcases Amy's uniquely soulful voice atop a tender, intimate arrangement.
The album's closer, "Softly & Tenderly," is especially close to Allan's heart. A classic hymn first revived more than 20 years ago by Christian music pioneer Cynthia Clawson, the song made its way to Allan when he needed it most.
"When I was a teenager, I first heard that song while watching the movie 'The Trip To Bountiful' with my family," Allan recalls. "I was so taken with the angelic voice singing, I taped the song from our TV onto a cassette with a boom box." A few years later, as a student at Nashville's Belmont University, struggling with his faith, angry with God and miserable, Allan found himself in the basement of his parent's home late one night, digging through old boxes of possessions he needed to get rid of.
"It was 3 o'clock in the morning," Allan remembers, "and I found a cassette in a box with no label. I put it in, hit play, and 'Softly & Tenderly' began … it was that old tape. I hit the ground in tears and stayed there until dawn. That night I learned about grace."
Indeed, every song on Bless The Broken Road: The Duets Album carries a personal meaning for Todd, Allan and Amy, each giving testament to God's faithfulness. These are the anthems that have long echoed, not only in Selah's repertoire, but in each of their daily lives.
"Encouragement, comfort and hope run through this album. This is the stuff of life, these are the songs that meet us where we are," Todd concludes. "People need to hear that this life is worth living; that even when times are tough, we have a God of hope, a God who believes in us, who loves us unconditionally, a God who is in control, Who has already finished the work."
