D.J. Ramsay: First, I've been recording songs for a while now, just most of it I haven't released. As to why now - I've had these songs ruminating in my head for a while, and my church had been talking about possibly recording a worship CD. It hasn't gone any farther than talk, and I decided if it was ever going to happen, then I needed to do it now. It didn't hurt that because of Covid, I had more time on my hands. This particular project was never really intended as anything more than just a personal thing between me and God. My first worship CD (way back then) was never really what I wanted to record creatively as I was trying to incorporate elements of my church at the time, so this project was entirely, creatively me. I was also part of a Southern Gospel trio during that time and we recorded a couple of CD's, so I wasn't entirely silent. The revisiting of the RLE Years brought me back to my roots.

D.J.: Most of my favorite bands come from the late 80's and 90's. I love creative, not always straightforward chords and timing, which I think I got from some of my jazz choir classes in high school. I'm also a big fan of melodic Heavy Metal, so I'm already jazzed for my next batch of recordings. Hopefully they won't take nearly as long to produce!

"Old Rugged Cross" was just for fun! Thus the campfire vibe. A little bit of my youth in that one. As for "Come Thou Fount," there was, and probably still is, a bit of a trend to bring back some of the old hymns to a modern audience which I am all for! There are so many hymns that it would be a shame to lose, especially with the theology and deeper messages in many of them that sadly is lacking in some modern praise and worship songs. Bringing in a catchy "chorus," as it were, gives it a newness that I think attracts people who might not otherwise approach the old hymns, and this one has proven a favorite when I've lead it at church. On this recording, however, I was able to have some fun playing around with the timing that I hadn't done before, but always intended. D.J.:

"Jesus Reigns" was written while I was driving on the job as a Meter Reader a while ago. I had been thinking about some Psalms I've been reading (I can't remember which ones) and how past tense and present tense somehow seemed to be written in the same verse, or how some are written talking about God and switch to talking to God in the same verse. This song came to me then. It's both to God and about God. In the past/present/future He is! He reigns! He is the only one who can claim I Am all the time. As for the music: Plankeye! Thanks for that! But I don't really know where the music came from. I rarely know the influence that leads to a composition. I just started to sing this one, picked up a recording device my wife bought for me, and sang into it so I wouldn't forget it! I suppose the chorus was influenced a bit by some older Vineyard style songs that have a line alternating from the lead singer to a female singer, but obviously ended up not quite having that vibe as I'm the only vocalist here. D.J.:

D.J.: My hope for this album was initially just my gift to the Lord, but I would be thrilled if He used it to draw people closer to a relationship with Him. I know that sounds a bit cliche, but truly, if one person is changed, even a little, and drawn closer to Christ, then that would be fantastic.

D.J.: Let it go. He's still got this! He was not surprised by it. Even during this time, His kingdom is advancing. Perhaps even more than it was before. In the past, Jesus' Kingdom has proven to grow exponentially through trial more so than through easy times. How is this different? I'm actually looking forward to the end of this, not just because I'm tired of wearing a mask, but because I believe God is working and His church, His Bride! will be more beautiful than ever. The best is yet to come!