Throughout their careers, Elvis, Jerry Lee and Little Richard were torn between singing the devil’s music and the gospel songs they were raised on. Sixty years later, I wondered if I might resolve that conflict with a song that could get people on the dance floor Saturday night AND rocking in the aisles at church on Sunday morning. Happily, Salvation Road has succeeded in doing both. After playing it for bar crowds on Saturday night, I've performed it Sunday morning numerous times as the guest artist for local Unity church congregations, and the amazing Teresa James also does the song in the LA church where she's the music director.
Inspiration. Perseverance has been the story of my life, especially where music is concerned. My intention with this song was offering a message of encouragement without being too obvious. It's kind of a stealth approach, writing about my spiritual beliefs in a way that will have people dancing their asses off, whether the message registers with them or not.
As recorded for the album, Salvation Road slips inside a storefront gospel mission to deliver a shot of rock and roll redemption, wrapped in a deep groove and sweet harmony by the sisters in the choir. Today’s lesson – everyone has something that guides them towards the right path.
When the time came to pick a title for the album, Salvation Road felt like the perfect umbrella under which all the songs could be taken as a thematic whole. We’re all pilgrims on this road, doing the best we can from one day to the next. We might stumble, get knocked down, knocked off or knocked out. What matters is getting back up and putting one foot in front of the other.
"I just open my eyes to the beauty and wonder out on Salvation Road..." | Listen to track 2, Salvation Road
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