Deborah Evans Price’s well known books Country Faith Book Vol. 1 (No. 1 on People Magazine’s Special Country Edition) and Country Faith Christmas (feat. on Billboard, Country Weekly, and iYTnes top 10 Country Album Chart) played a role in the creation of Country Faith, LLC, the company co-founded by Evans Price in hopes that “celebrating the heart and soul of Country Music” will be the ultimate goal. That goal has become a reality as in addition to her books, she has an inspirational jewelry line and the successful Country Faith music series.
On May 19th Country Faith America, distributed by Curb Records and Word Entertainment, was released exclusively through Cracker Barrel’s 639 locations as well as digital music outlets like iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, and Spotify. This is the company’s fifth studio album in a series that has amassed $1.6 million in sales. The album, consisting of tributary songs from country’s biggest names, was released just in time for two of America’s most patriotic holiday’s: Memorial Day and Independence Day.
The opening tune, “Country Nation,” is sung by Brad Paisley. The song speaks about the USA and all who are here…factory workers, coal miners, and steel mill employees. Paisley even touches on a number of college mascots, another group of folks that make up this great nation.
We work in the factories and the fields/ Assembly lines and coal mines and the steel mills/ That’s what we do but there’s more to us than that/ if you want to know who we are it’s on the logos of our caps / We’re Mountaineers, volunteers/ Were the tide that rolls, were Seminole/ Were a herd of Longhorn steers……On two thousand country stations/ Yeah, we’re one big country nation, that’s right
This song along with “It’s America” by Rodney Atkins, written by James, Brett Petraglia and Angelo Thomas, are the more uptempo tunes that are nicely placed at the beginning & middle of the album. The rest of the tunes on this 15 track EP are the traditional somber remembrances, the tried and true ode to the fallen that beef up the mid section.
Besides the ever iconic “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood, there’s a few incredibly poignant songs either paying homage or speaking of any soldiers impeccable misfortunes due to the fight for our freedom. Among the somber tunes is the eloquently written tune from a soldier’s perspective, “If You’re Reading This” sung and co-written by Tim McGraw, Brad Warren, and Brett Warren is the second tune on the album. With a gentle strumming of a guitar, McGraw tenderly sings about a fallen soldier informing family that he’s he doesn’t regret what’s happened and that he’ll always be there, in spirit.
If you’re reading this/ Halfway around the world/ I won’t be there to see the birth of our little girl….I’m laying down my gun/ Hanging up my boots/ Tell dad, I don’t regret that I’ve followed in his shoes / So lay me down/ In that open field out on the edge of town/And know my soul is where my mama always prayed that it would go/ if you’re reading this, I’m already home
Listeners will find favorites like “I Drive Your Truck”, ( Lee Brice) “America Will Always Stand” (Randy Travis), and “19” (Shane Owens). Another standout comes from the survivors side; the ones who are left behind after a soldier is taken too soon during battle. “Soldier’s Wife”, sung by duo American Young, and written by AY’s Jon Stone, Hannah Blaylock, and Billy Montana, is a poignant look into the widow of a fallen soldier and how she will continue on without him. The sweet harmonizing vocals of the duo pull the listener into the pain this young widow feels.
I don’t want to think about hearing your voice on the phone/ And getting groceries alone, people asking when you’re coming home/ I don’t want to think about how crazy it gets over there/ you flying off to god knows where, telling me not to be scare….I just don’t want you to go
The last line is enough to create goosebumps.
With stellar performances of not just the iconic tributes, but also some of the most spiritual tunes sung by country greats, Country Faith America is the perfect album for America and all its listeners.
Country Faith America Track List
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- Country Nation – Brad Paisley
- If You’re Reading This – Tim McGraw
- I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice
- God Bless the USA – Lee Greenwood
- It’s America – Rodney Atkins
- Only in America – Brooks & Dunn
- God Bless America – LeAnn Rimes
- Country – Mo Pitney
- America Will Always Stand – Randy Travis
- Not Me – Kenisha Thomas (with Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris)
- American Child – Phil Vassar
- 19 – Shane Owens
- 8th of November – Big & Rich
- Soldiers Wife – American Young
- My Beautiful America – Charlie Daniels