- [Announcer] The gospel music of Alabama has influenced the entire world, and the "Alabama Gospel Roots" television show will give you a taste of this great music every week.

So call a neighbor, call a friend, and get ready to sing and dance and clap your hands!

It's time for "Alabama Gospel Roots!"

(wistful folk music) ♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ Satan said this time you've done it ♪ ♪ Now you've gone too far ♪ How could the Lord receive you now ♪ ♪ You are ruined now and scarred ♪ ♪ But something way down deep inside of me ♪ ♪ Said child, you're still my own ♪ ♪ And my love for you is still the same ♪ ♪ So child, just come back home ♪ ♪ And he gave me ♪ More than I ever asked for ♪ More than I ever dreamed ♪ More than I could imagine ♪ When I came back home to him ♪ I asked him to forgive me ♪ He gave me a robe and a ring ♪ I said make me one of your servants ♪ ♪ But he made me a child of a king ♪ ♪ I thought of all the years I'd wasted ♪ ♪ As I walked that homeward way ♪ ♪ Then I rehearsed time and time ♪ ♪ All the words that I would say ♪ ♪ And as I climbed that last long hill ♪ ♪ My Father I did see ♪ Running with his arms open wise ♪ ♪ In love to welcome me ♪ And he gave me ♪ More than I ever asked for ♪ More than I ever dreamed ♪ More than I could imagine ♪ When I came back home to him ♪ I asked him to forgive me ♪ He gave me a robe and a ring ♪ I said make me one of your servants ♪ ♪ But he made a child of a king ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ I just asked him to forgive me ♪ ♪ He gave me a robe and a ring ♪ I said make me one of your servants ♪ ♪ But he made a child of the king ♪ - Yes, it is!

It's Saturday night and we are back again.

So, call a neighbor and call a friend.

Flipped it on you, didn't I?

Because we've got great people, great singing, like Brother Marcellus Scott.

How are you, sir?

- Well, Brother George, so good to see you.

- Good to see you again!

- Yes, sir!

- We had a great time last time.

- Absolutely!

- And we said "Let's try it one more time."

- Yes, it's worth it.

- Right!

Right!

How's everything been for you?

- It's been well.

I've been blessed and highly favored.

I couldn't ask for more.

- All right!

- Yes, indeed.

- When you drove back up the road last time, what were you saying to yourself about your experience at that time?

- Well, I was just grateful and I thought it was a wonderful spiritual experience.

- Yes, sir!

- Got a chance to listen to some great artists.

- Yes, sir!

- And couldn't keep the rain away though.

- Oh!

Well, you know we need that rain though.

- Oh, yes!

We do.

- The farmer said, "Hey, don't stop the rain."

- Don't stop the rain.

Don't stop the rain.

That's right.

- Oh!

So you had a good- You drove down?

- I did!

Yes, sir.

- To Thorsby?

- Yes, sir!

Sure did.

Uh-huh!

- This morning?

Got up early?

- Got up early.

Yes, I did.

I wouldn't miss it for the world!

- I bet it was beautiful coming around that way.

- Oh, yes, absolutely!

Couldn't ask for better weather.

- So now, you're from Chattanooga?

- Chattanooga, Tennessee!

Not originally, but that's my home now.

- Where you originally from?

- Buffalo, New York!

- Buffalo?

- Buffalo, New York.

Y'all won't hold it against me, will you?

- No!

It's too late now if we would.

(both laughing) It's too late.

Well, we want to hear you sing some more.

- All right!

- Beautiful voice, man.

- Well, thank you.

- Really powerful.

- Everything I have, I owe to God.

- You owe it all to him?

- All of it.

Absolutely!

- Not just 90%?

- Not just a little bit, all of it!

- All of it?

- Absolutely!

- I believe you when you say that.

So let's turn around there, man.

And again, on "Alabama Gospel Roots," we got Brother Marcellus Scott.

So we want you to call a neighbor and call a friend and let everybody know that he's back again.

And they're loving you!

I can tell.

I can feel it!

(Marcellus laughs) So let's hear some more great gospel music, right here!

Right here.

Right here!

(wistful inspirational music) ♪ Till the storm ♪ Passes by ♪ In the dark of the midnight ♪ I have oft hid my face ♪ While the storm raged above me ♪ ♪ And there's no hiding place ♪ With the crash of the thunder ♪ ♪ Precious Lord hear my cry ♪ Keep me safe till the storm passes by ♪ ♪ Passes by ♪ Till the storm passes over ♪ Till the thunder sounds no more ♪ ♪ Sounds no more ♪ Till the clouds roll forever from the sky ♪ ♪ The sky ♪ Hold me fast, let me stand ♪ In the hollow of thy hand ♪ Keep me safe till the storm passes by ♪ (dramatic inspirational music) ♪ Storm passes by ♪ Oh ♪ When that long night has ended ♪ ♪ And the clouds come no more ♪ Let me bask in thy presence ♪ On that bright distant shore ♪ In that land where the tempest never comes ♪ ♪ Lord may I ♪ Dwell with thee till the storm passes by ♪ ♪ Till the storm passes by ♪ Till the storm passes over ♪ Till the thunder sounds no more ♪ ♪ Till the clouds roll forever ♪ From the sky ♪ From the sky ♪ Hold me fast, let me stand ♪ In the hollow of thy hand ♪ Keep me safe ♪ Till the storm passes by ♪ Passes by ♪ Oh ♪ Keep me safe till the storm passes by ♪ ♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah ♪ Oh ♪ Ah ♪ By (mellow upbeat music) ♪ Life is easy ♪ When you're up on the mountain ♪ ♪ And you've got peace of mind ♪ Like you've never known ♪ But things change ♪ When you're down in the valley ♪ ♪ Please don't lose faith ♪ For you're never alone ♪ For the God on the mountain ♪ Is still God in the valley ♪ And when things go wrong ♪ He'll make them right ♪ For the God of the good times ♪ ♪ Is still God in the bad times ♪ ♪ The God of the day ♪ Is still God in the night ♪ We talk of faith ♪ When we're way up on the mountain ♪ ♪ Talk comes so easy ♪ When life's at its best ♪ But now it's down in the valley ♪ ♪ With its trials and temptations ♪ ♪ That's where your faith ♪ Is really put to the test ♪ For the God on the mountain ♪ Is still God in the valley ♪ And when things go wrong ♪ He'll make them right ♪ For the God of the good times ♪ ♪ Is still God in the bad times ♪ ♪ The God of the day ♪ Is still God in the night ♪ The God of the day ♪ Is still God in the night - Oh, I love me some good Saturday night singing now, Brother Marcellus.

- Brother George, so great to see you.

- Yes, sir.

Get that mic up because I wanted to hear.

- All right!

So good to see you this afternoon.

- Yes, good.

- Yes, sir.

- Good to have you back again, as we said before you started.

Now, you've been singing, we found that out, but we can't assume that everybody's heard about it.

But you said you kind of took this on, I believe, last time we talked, you took this on at the latter part of your career.

- Most definitely.

I had already retired and I hadn't really done hardly any singing prior to that, and yet I would stop at one of these gospel singings every, you know, every week, almost every day of the week.

- Right!

- And I thought, "Well, maybe I'll just give that a try."

Well, lo and behold, I did and I've been singing ever since.

- So now you would go to these singings, saying to yourself, "I'd like to do that."

- Well, yes!

Yes, that's exactly how it happened.

Yes, exactly.

And so, I decided I would try to put together a set and the fellow that was running it didn't even ask me to audition.

He says, "Go ahead and have at it."

- I gotcha!

- And I've been doing it ever since.

- So now I'm just, because you talked about principles right there.

- Yes!

- You got the thought.

- Yes!

- And then you said, "Let me kind of put it into action" as if it already is.

- Exactly.

Exactly.

- And then when you did get the opportunity, it wasn't anything new because in your mind you had already been there.

- I had already been there.

- My goodness!

So you say to some people out there right now, "If you got a dream that is alive in you but you haven't done it, see yourself as already doing it?"

- Absolutely.

Absolutely.

That's the ticket!

- And then you'll wind up like Brother Marcellus, singing to a whole lot of folk.

- Amen!

Amen!

- Or whatever it is!

It may not be singing!

But whatever it is, see it, call those things that are not as though they be.

- Absolutely.

Absolutely.

And it's exercising what God has given us.

- That is great.

- Yes, indeed.

- Now, what would life have been had you not started doing it?

- I can't imagine.

I really cannot imagine.

- Wow!

- Because it's taken up so much of my life since I retired.

- It is your life.

- It is my life!

Yes, it is.

- And you'd have been somewhere sitting on the porch doing nothing.

Well, you're not a do-nothing man, are you?

- Well, wasting away, you know?

(laughs) - Yeah.

Wondering "Why not?

Why not?"

Well, that's a good story to tell, Brother Marcellus.

- Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

- And we thank you again for being on "Alabama Gospel Roots."

You're now a lifelong friend.

- And thank you for inviting me.

- Yes, sir.

- Yes, sir!

- Thank you for saying yes to the invitation.

Okay, one more song out of you and then we're going to let you go home.

- All right.

Sounds good.

- All right!

Brother Marcellus right here on "Alabama Gospel Roots."

Great inspirational story, and I hope if it was only for one person that you grabbed hold to it and you'll be seeing yourself doing something you thought you'd never do, but you wanted to.

- Amen!

Follow your dreams.

- Follow your dreams!

- That's right!

- On "Alabama Gospel Roots."

(pensive inspirational music) ♪ When I think of how you came ♪ So far from glory ♪ Came and dwelled among the lowly ♪ ♪ Such as I ♪ To suffer shame ♪ And such disgrace ♪ On Mount Calvary take, take my place ♪ ♪ Then I ask myself this question ♪ ♪ Who am I ♪ Who am I ♪ That a king ♪ Would bleed and die for ♪ Who am I that he would pray ♪ Not my will, thy Lord ♪ Ah, ah ♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪ The answer I may never know ♪ Why he ever loved, loved me so ♪ ♪ That to that old rugged cross he'd go ♪ ♪ For who am I (bright pensive music) ♪ I'm reminded of his words ♪ I'll leave you never ♪ If you'll be true ♪ I'll give to you ♪ Life forever (mellow pensive music) ♪ I don't know what I could have done ♪ ♪ To deserve God's only Son ♪ Who would fight my battles ♪ Until they are won ♪ Lord, who am I ♪ Who am I ♪ That a king ♪ Would bleed and die for ♪ Who am I that he would pray ♪ Not my will, thy Lord ♪ Ah, ah ♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪ The answer I may never know ♪ Why he ever loved, loved me so ♪ ♪ That to that old rugged cross he'd go ♪ ♪ Lord, who am I ♪ That to that old rugged cross he'd go ♪ ♪ Lord, who am I ♪ Who am I - Amen!

- Yes, indeed, I love this time right here because I'm getting ready to call out some names of some beautiful people in some beautiful cities across the state of this great state of Alabama.

Then we're going to say hello to some nursing homes and rehab centers.

Are you ready for it?

Don't forget, if you'd like to be somehow or another on "Alabama Gospel Roots," don't you dare hesitate.

Give me a call, text us, email, something to let us know.

Okay.

Alexandria!

Hello to you tonight from "Alabama Gospel Roots."

And then Mount Olive!

Hello to you from "Alabama Gospel Roots."

Flomaton, Alabama, that's 1,387 citizens there.

Y'all are beautiful!

And Pisgah!

Yes, I called your name.

695 beautiful Pisgah people.

(laughs) I love you.

Love you!

Love you!

Okay, let's go to the nursing homes and the rehab centers.

I like to say this and I really do mean it sometimes when I understand when you're in the nursing homes, rehab centers, it gets a little lonely.

But you are not alone.

I want you to know that.

Even if I don't call your name tonight, you are very, very special and you are loved.

You've done so much to help so many people, and we're not going to forget about you.

Here we go!

At Oakwood North Baldwin Center for Living.

That's in Bay Minette.

Oak Trace Care Rehab Center.

That's in Bessemer, Alabama.

Some people might say "Bethma!"

Okay, that's just a little inside joke.

Grace Healthcare Center in Birmingham, and Mount Royal Towers in Birmingham, Alabama.

And then we have West Gate Village in Brewton.

We say hello to all of you.

Do a little exercise and, above all things, do what you're asked to do.

I know it's hard because you've been used to telling folk what to do, but you going to do better.

All right, let's go right over here and do some Golden Vessel salutes.

Okay?

Here we go!

Our Golden Vessel salute tonight, I can hear a drum roll, is Mrs.

Lily Cunningham!

That's right, and her picture's coming up if it's not up.

She's 111 years young!

Wow!

Up in Florence, Alabama.

Going up into North Alabama.

And she was saluted not too long ago by the whole city of Florence.

111!

Ms.

Lily, you are something else, and we're going to dedicate the entire "Alabama Gospel Roots" program to you, Ms.

Lily.

And we want you to know that you are loved greatly.

Let's hear some more great gospel singing!

(upbeat harmonica music) (upbeat music) ♪ God is good ♪ Yes, he is ♪ He's good all the time ♪ God is good ♪ You know he is ♪ He's good all the time ♪ You can search the whole world over ♪ ♪ No greater friend you'll find ♪ ♪ He's not good just once in a while ♪ ♪ He's good all the time ♪ God is good ♪ Yes, he is ♪ He's good all the time ♪ God is good ♪ You know he is ♪ He's good all the time ♪ You can search the whole world over ♪ ♪ No greater friend you'll find ♪ ♪ He's not good just once in a while ♪ ♪ He's good all the time ♪ Well, we've all had friends who let us down ♪ ♪ You know what I'm talking about ♪ ♪ At the very first sign of trouble ♪ ♪ They're nowhere to be found ♪ Well, Jesus stays when others go ♪ ♪ He'll never leave your side ♪ He's your friend in stormy weather ♪ ♪ 'Cause he's good all the time ♪ ♪ God is good ♪ Yes, he is ♪ He's good all the time ♪ God is good ♪ You know he is ♪ He's good all the time ♪ You can search the whole world over ♪ ♪ No greater friend you'll find ♪ ♪ He's not good just once in a while ♪ ♪ He's good all the time ♪ Well, he's the one you call in the middle of the night ♪ ♪ When our body moans with pain ♪ ♪ Don't worry about that wayward child ♪ ♪ 'Cause he's heard you call his name ♪ ♪ He'll put food in your kitchen ♪ ♪ When you don't have a dime ♪ He's not good just now and then ♪ ♪ He's good all the time ♪ God is good ♪ Yes, he is ♪ He's good all the time ♪ God is good ♪ You know he is ♪ He's good all the time ♪ You can search the whole world over ♪ ♪ No greater friend you'll find ♪ ♪ He's not good just once in a while ♪ ♪ He's good all the time ♪ God is good ♪ Yes, he is ♪ He's good all the time ♪ God is good ♪ You know he is ♪ He's good all the time ♪ You can search the whole world over ♪ ♪ No greater friend you'll find ♪ ♪ He's not good just once in a while ♪ ♪ He's good all the time ♪ You can search the whole world over ♪ ♪ No greater friend you'll find ♪ ♪ He's not good just once in a while ♪ ♪ He's good ♪ All the time (dramatic upbeat music) - I love it on Saturday nights where we can get some great gospel singing from some great gospel people.

Hello!

Hello!

- Hello!

- Hello there!

- Good to see you.

- Good to be here.

- Short Creek Trio.

Is that right?

- That's correct!

- Get that mic up a little bit for me.

- Okay!

- Now tell me, where you from?

- Well, I'm from the big town of Alliance, Alabama.

- I?

- Alliance!

- Alliance?

- I'm on the Warrior River.

- All right, that's a good place to be.

- It is!

I think so.

- Great!

You all do any fishing?

- Yes, I do.

- All right!

- I go anyway.

- You go anyway?

- They don't want me but I do.

- All right, I got you.

And where are you from?

- I'm from Maytown, Alabama.

- Maytown, Alabama?

Everybody in Alliance, in Maytown, hello.

And where you from, dear?

- Short Creek!

(laughs) - Short Creek!

All right, now!

Finally we get!

So, give me your name.

I'm sorry I didn't ask you.

- I'm Barbara Mooreland.

- Ms.

Barbara!

- Judy Lyles!

- Ms.

Judy!

- Virginia Park!

- And Ms.

Virginia!

Great!

So, Short Creek.

I was wondering where that name came from.

So it's named after where you're from?

- It's a little country, little town.

That's where we grew up.

- Y'all grew up?

Y'all been- - It's called Short Creek.

- It's called Short Creek?

I've learned something today!

- Now you know.

- So, did you know about Short Creek before meeting these beautiful people?

- Ah, I started going to church there about 34 years ago.

- Okay!

- And I haven't left.

- You haven't left?

They can't get rid of you?

- No, evidently not.

- Oh, my goodness.

Are you in the choir there, any chance?

- We don't have a choir, but- - Every now and then you sing a song?

- They all sang.

I played for them for a while.

- Okay!

- And when the tenor got too old, they passed it over to me.

- Great!

Great!

- So I've been with them a while.

- That's good!

That's good!

So, I thank you for coming to join us on "Alabama."

Have you been watching the show on "Alabama Roots?"

- Yes!

- You've been watching?

- Yes!

- Very good.

- Okay, that's two yeses out of three now.

Did we get three out of three?

- Very good show.

- Oh, thank you very much.

It's going to be even better with you on.

- Yes, thank you.

- All right!

Well, listen, we thank you for what you're doing and how you're going forth singing this good gospel singing.

- Thank you.

- Don't you give up!

Don't you dare give up.

- Okay.

- All right!

Is that a deal?

- Yes!

- Give me a five on that.

(hands slap) That's what I'm talking.

- We sing a song entitled "Don't Give Up."

- I love it!

I love it!

I love it!

Well, listen, let's get ready to do some more great gospel music on "Alabama Gospel Roots" right here at The Church At Bethel in Thorsby!

And there's some beautiful people here too, all right?

Okay, y'all going to sing real good for me?

- We're going to try!

- You going to try your best?

Well, your best is good enough for me, okay?

- We sing to the Master.

- I love it!

I love it!

Well, all right, let's hear some more wonderful music from, listen, Short?

- Creek!

- Creek Trio!

I got it.

(laughs) All right.

(pensive upbeat music) ♪ When the storms of doubt within your life are raging ♪ ♪ When all hope is gone ♪ The answer can be found ♪ Don't turn away ♪ There is one you can turn to ♪ Just look to Jesus ♪ He will never let you down ♪ Look to him ♪ Keep your eyes upon the Savior ♪ ♪ Trust in Jesus ♪ The one who will be there ♪ Put your hand ♪ In the hand of the man ♪ Who never failed ♪ When you need a friend ♪ Look to him ♪ With a childlike faith you can move your mountain ♪ ♪ And with a simple prayer the answer can be found ♪ ♪ Don't turn away ♪ There is no one else to turn to ♪ ♪ Just look to Jesus ♪ He will never let you down ♪ Look to him ♪ Keep your eyes upon the Savior ♪ ♪ Trust in Jesus ♪ The one who will be there ♪ Put your hand ♪ In the hand of the man ♪ Who never failed ♪ When you need a friend ♪ Look to him ♪ When you need a friend ♪ On whom you can depend ♪ When you need a friend ♪ Look to him (wistful pensive music) ♪ Lock me up in a prison ♪ And throw away the key ♪ And take away the vision ♪ From these eyes that now, now can see ♪ ♪ Deprive me of ♪ The food I eat ♪ And even bind ♪ My hands and my feet ♪ Oh, but as long as I know my Jesus ♪ ♪ Then I, I can still go free ♪ Then I could still go free ♪ Tell me what kind of man ♪ Would reach down his hand ♪ And do this for me ♪ So unworthy to live ♪ And I'm not fit to kill ♪ But that man on the cross ♪ He put me in his will ♪ And said that I could still go free ♪ ♪ Now I never could ♪ Quite understand ♪ Why a king would want to leave ♪ ♪ Leave his throne ♪ To don the robe ♪ Of this old earthly man ♪ Feel the pain of flesh, flesh and bone ♪ ♪ Then to later trod ♪ Such a lowly path ♪ That lead Christ to Calvary ♪ Oh, where those blood red stains ♪ ♪ Well, they broke all of my chains ♪ ♪ That I ♪ I could still go free ♪ That I could still go free ♪ Tell me what kind of man ♪ Would reach down his hand ♪ And do this for me ♪ So unworthy to live ♪ And we're not fit to kill ♪ Oh, that man on the cross ♪ He put me in his will ♪ And said that I could still ♪ Go free (cheerful upbeat music) ♪ Just when I think nobody loves me no more ♪ ♪ They're shutting windows and slamming their doors ♪ ♪ Here comes Jesus ♪ Calling my name ♪ Just when I think that my boat's about to sink ♪ ♪ And I'm thinking thoughts that I know I shouldn't think ♪ ♪ Here comes Jesus ♪ Calming the waves ♪ Here comes Jesus making my blind eyes see ♪ ♪ Here comes Jesus ♪ Being all that I need ♪ I wonder how I'm gonna pay all these bills ♪ ♪ Then I walk outside and there's a check in the mail ♪ ♪ Well, that's just Jesus ♪ Saving the day All right, my country friends!

♪ I'll mash my thumb and you know what that does ♪ ♪ And about the time I open my mouth to cuss ♪ ♪ Here comes Jesus ♪ Yelling my name ♪ Here comes Jesus making my blind eyes see ♪ ♪ Here comes Jesus ♪ Being all that I need ♪ When it's dark and I lay down at night ♪ ♪ And I try to undo all the wrongs in my life ♪ ♪ Here comes Jesus ♪ He says I love you anyway ♪ You know this Jesus ♪ He is my best friend ♪ And he'll be yours too ♪ If you'll only let him in ♪ If you're around at the end of my life ♪ ♪ And you see me smile when I close my eyes ♪ ♪ Well, that's just Jesus ♪ Calling my name (wistful somber music) - Mr.

Don Wallace on "Alabama Gospel Roots."

How you doing, sir?

- Good, sir!

How are you doing?

- Great!

- Good to meet you!

- And so glad to have you.

My pleasure.

It's good to have you on "Alabama Gospel Roots," to be able to meet the staff, but most of all those 300 or so thousand people.

- That's right!

- That are out there watching Don now!

- Hey, I'm one of them usually.

- All right!

Well, we thank you.

Where you from?

- Moundville, Alabama.

- I love Moundville.

- Yes, sir!

- Down there with all the mounds.

And if you're a student, a school student in the state of Alabama, you had to go to Moundville.

- You had to!

- Yeah!

- You had to.

A lot of field trips.

- Lot of field trips!

- Camping and all kinds of stuff.

- Trying to tell you get down there and just getting out of school and then going down into the beautiful atmosphere and to see the history down in Moundville.

The mounds and, you know, get you a souvenir, whatever.

That was always good too.

- That's right.

That's right!

- So, you've had a lifetime of singing?

- Well, if you count choir coming up through and the legendary Ronnie Lett at Five Points Baptist Church in Northport, his choir.

And actually been doing a little bit of singing for about the last seven years I guess.

- Right!

We did a little talking outside.

But I know much about Northport.

I'm from Tuscaloosa originally.

- Oh, okay!

- So, I want to say hello to everybody down there in Tuscaloosa.

- That's right!

- Went to Tuscaloosa High School and we used to beat the brakes off of County High School.

- Ah, yeah, probably so.

(both laughing) - I figured I'd slide that in there on you.

(laughs) That was always a very challenging time because it didn't matter.

Kinda like Alabama and Auburn, they didn't mind about how your team was.

You just got it up a little bit more.

- That's right.

Well, hey, our Wildcat basketball team won state championship.

- Congratulations!

All right!

- We're excited about it.

- Hey!

Coming on strong, man.

That's what I'm talking about.

Listen, you're going to have a pretty good stretch here of songs.

Did you bring a few with you?

- Yes, sir!

- Okay!

Well- - A few for you.

Country gospel kind of stuff.

- I love it.

And we're looking forward to hearing more.

That first one was great.

We're going to hear some more, all right?

All right, once again, on "Alabama Gospel Roots," is Mr.

Don Wallace.

(pensive somber piano music) (pensive somber instrumental music) ♪ You don't have to tell me of my failures ♪ ♪ I'm more than well aware of my mistakes ♪ ♪ And I've got enough regrets to last a lifetime ♪ ♪ And, oh, how my heart breaks ♪ As the tears fall down my face ♪ ♪ But I have heard that you're a friend of sinners ♪ ♪ And I've gotta wonder ♪ Can it really be ♪ Jesus, if you're a friend of sinners ♪ ♪ Then it means there is hope ♪ For me ♪ I've read where the people that you car5 for ♪ Oh, listen!

♪ Others didn't care that much about ♪ ♪ Oh, but you have so much mercy for the outcast ♪ ♪ I know you see the shame I bring ♪ ♪ And, Lord, it changes everything ♪ ♪ 'Cause I have heard that you're a friend of sinners ♪ ♪ And I've gotta wonder ♪ Can it really be ♪ 'Cause Jesus, if you're a friend of sinners ♪ ♪ Then it means there is hope ♪ For me ♪ I have heard ♪ That you're a friend of sinners ♪ ♪ There is hope for me ♪ And I've gotta wonder can it really be ♪ ♪ And Jesus, if you're a friend of sinners ♪ ♪ Then it means ♪ There is hope ♪ For me (airy pensive music) ♪ There is hope for you (wistful country music) ♪ I just walked down the street to the coffee shop ♪ ♪ I had to take a break ♪ I've been by her side for 18 hours straight ♪ ♪ Saw a flower growing in the middle of the sidewalk ♪ ♪ Pushing up through the concrete ♪ ♪ Like it was planted right there for me to see ♪ ♪ The flashing lights ♪ The honking horns ♪ All seem to fade away ♪ In the shadow of that hospital at 5:08 ♪ ♪ I saw God today ♪ I've been to church ♪ I've read the book ♪ I know he's here but I don't look ♪ ♪ Near as often as I should ♪ I know I should ♪ His fingerprints are everywhere ♪ ♪ I just slow down to stop and stare ♪ ♪ Open my eyes and man I swear ♪ I saw God today ♪ Saw a couple walking by ♪ They were holding hands ♪ And she had that glow ♪ Yeah, I couldn't help but notice she was starting to show ♪ ♪ Stood there for a minute taking in the sky ♪ ♪ Lost in that sunset ♪ A splash of amber melted into shades of red ♪ ♪ I've been to church ♪ I've read the book ♪ I know he's here ♪ But I don't look ♪ Near as often as I should ♪ I know I should ♪ His fingerprints are everywhere ♪ ♪ I just slow down to stop and stare ♪ ♪ Open my eyes and man I swear ♪ I saw God today - My favorite part!

♪ I got my face pressed up against the nursery glass ♪ ♪ She's sleeping like a rock ♪ My name on her wrist, wearing tiny pink socks ♪ ♪ She's got my nose, she's got her Mama's eyes ♪ ♪ My brand new baby girl ♪ She's a miracle ♪ I saw God today (mellow upbeat music) ♪ Where I've been was cold and dark ♪ ♪ I lay there on the jagged pieces of my broken heart ♪ ♪ It cut me deep ♪ But I moved on ♪ And somehow found the strength ♪ ♪ To breath until the hurt was gone ♪ ♪ It made me strong ♪ And toughened up my skin ♪ Where I've been ♪ If you'd of told me a year ago ♪ ♪ I'd find a little peace to stand on my own ♪ ♪ I'd never believe I'd get back up ♪ ♪ And walk knee-deep through the ashes of love burned up ♪ ♪ Made me who I am ♪ But who'd have thought that it'd make me a better man ♪ ♪ Where I've been ♪ It shut me down ♪ With nothing but my fear I fell down to the ground ♪ ♪ I searched my heart ♪ Way down deep ♪ I found someone I barely recognized ♪ ♪ And it was me ♪ I rose up clean ♪ And left all my sins ♪ Where I've been ♪ If you'd of told me a year ago ♪ ♪ I'd find a little peace to stand on my own ♪ ♪ I'd never believe I'd get back up ♪ ♪ And walk knee-deep through the ashes of love burned up ♪ ♪ Made me who I am ♪ And who'd have thought that it'd make me a better man ♪ ♪ Where I've been (upbeat wistful music) ♪ It made me who I am ♪ But who'd have thought that it'd make me a better man ♪ ♪ Where I've been (upbeat music) ♪ Where I've been - "Alabama Gospel Roots" here in Thorsby, at The Church At Bethel.

We've enjoyed you, man.

You had a long stretch there.

You were running a marathon.

- Oh, yeah!

- You still got some breath going on?

- Got a little bit of breath left.

- I like it.

I like it.

So, let me ask you, I didn't ask you on the first interview.

You married?

- Yes, sir!

Married, got three children and two grandchildren, and one on the way.

- Oh, my goodness!

Well, call those grandchildren's name out because I know they going to be watching.

- Oh, yeah!

Maggie and Wells.

We got Amelia on the way.

- Amelia?

Already got a name?

- Yeah!

- All right!

So, those grandchildren get a little extra special sometimes?

- Well, you know, if we could, we'd have had them first!

- Oh!

Look out now!

Now, so your children's names?

- Reagan!

- Reagan?

- Rachel.

- Rachel!

- And Bryant!

- And Bryant.

So, you got two children that are girls and one guy?

- Right!

- And then looks like the grandbabies, what?

- We got, what?

Two little girls and a little boy.

- See?

Man, you're matching up!

- So we're working.

- You're doing it.

You're doing it.

- Hoping more and more.

- Yeah, there you go!

Well, say a word of encouragement to somebody out there, if you turn around that way.

- Well, we just appreciate everybody that watches the "Gospel Roots" program and supports gospel and Christian music across the state, and we just hope that God looks after your needs.

- Okay!

Well, this is the church house and we got a big congregation out there, man.

- That's right!

- Great!

- That's right!

- Okay, so I'm going to deputize you.

- Deputize me?

- Yeah!

And I'm going to deputize you as a usher and I'm going to give you a bucket, go around and take up all throughout the state of Alabama.

I'll see you next week.

Don't stick your hand in the bucket!

- That's right!

That's right!

- All right!

(laughs) Well, listen!

We have something we want to say to everybody always, and that is keep a smile on your face and be happy because you draw what you put out.

So you'll draw good things to you when you put good things out!

And I know you're going to do it.

Okay!

It's getting ready for about some beautiful weather coming, fall, even though we're right in- When we're taping this, we're right in spring, but fall's going to be here real soon.

- Love fall!

Love fall!

- So, if you don't plant nothing, you can't harvest nothing, right?

- That's right!

- Okay!

You got it!

Okay, say this with me if you don't mind.

Come on up.

- All right!

- You act like you don't want to touch me, man.

Come on.

Touch me now!

There you go.

All right!

Say this with me.

We're all sisters and brothers!

- We're all sisters and brothers!

- There's only one color!

- There's only one color!

- And that is: - The color of love!

- Boy!

You got it!

All right!

Everybody have a great week!

Here's Don Wallace, my brand new friend.

I'm going to forgive him for being from Tuscaloosa County.

All right.

(wistful instrumental music) ♪ I've been picked up ♪ By a man on his knees ♪ Trying to put down a bottle here in room 223 ♪ ♪ I've had tears drop ♪ That soaked my leather skin ♪ From a girl who'd rather be broke ♪ ♪ Than to sell herself again ♪ I've seen cheaters take off rings ♪ ♪ And I've seen angels with broken wings ♪ ♪ I'm a motel Bible ♪ All the stories I could tell ♪ I spent most of my life ♪ In the back of a drawer ♪ But I'm here if you need a little help ♪ ♪ And you should have seen him ♪ A soldier on the bed ♪ That came back from a war ♪ He couldn't get out of his head ♪ ♪ He came here to end his life ♪ I'd like to think I changed his mind ♪ ♪ I'm a motel Bible ♪ All the stories I could tell ♪ I spent most of my life ♪ In the back of a drawer ♪ But I'm here if you need a little help ♪ ♪ And I get lonely ♪ And I get dusty ♪ But every once in a while somebody needs me ♪ ♪ Reads me ♪ Believes me ♪ Just a motel Bible ♪ All the stories I could tell ♪ I spent most of my life ♪ In the back of a drawer ♪ But I'm here if you need a little help ♪ ♪ I'll be right