We Are His People

Description

NOTE: This album is currently available as YouTube playlist only (see below).

Contemporary Christian music album by Good News Circle, a midwest-based evangelistic singing group and ministry. GNC typically arranged interdenominational support for 5-night crusades in one public locale. This is the group’s second album on the Light Records label, LS-5701.

GNC was comprised of different members through the years, and at the time of this recording in 1975, the group members were: Doug Howell, Mark Johnson, Bob Laurent, Dan Leonhardt, Mark Minor, Pam Murphy.

See below for song and solo credits, as well as more recent group member memories and musings (more added as available).

Basics

Produced by Bill Cole. Engineered by Christopher “Sparky” Banninger. Recorded in 1975 at Pinebrook Studios (later Gaither Studios), Alexandria, IN.

All songs © 1976 by Lexicon Music, Inc., assigned to Bud-John Songs, Inc. • All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

[Digitized from vinyl LP in early 2022 and posted to YouTube by Doug Howell. Disposition of master tapes unknown.]

Notes (2022)

From Mark Minor

I love to reminisce about the GNC days. Deep relationships, life long friends, and for me—foundational times of spiritual training and maturing (which I needed a lot of). As for the album and the time—it was just a privilege to be a part of the process. We traveled literally from coast to coast, got to know some incredible people like Ralph Carmichael and Billy Graham and Phil Keaggy and Bill Gaither and Michael Smith.

Most of all for me though, I believe it was one of the most ‘fruitful’ times of ministry. Lots of physical growth (we moved to Niles and built the GNC office) many people coming to Jesus through the music and Bob’s preaching, and one thing about GNC that I think was unique—we stayed in a town for five days. We were in their churches and schools and service clubs. We played at their high school gyms, football fields and parks. The GNC brought together churches like nothing I have seen before or since. Our focus was ‘spiritual community revitalization.’ And it often happened. Entire towns were impacted for the Kingdom. I love what we were involved in. The music was the ‘medium’ but the methods and the Message were important as well. It all came together— with God’s direction— and amazing things happened!!

Hope the project goes well. I count it an honor to have served Jesus with you during those years. If I remember correctly, we even collaborated on a song or two [ed.: yes we did, including “For You To Live” from my I’ve Been Freed album.] Anyway, blessings… [ed. – Mark is now senior pastor at Whittington Church and teacher at Rend Lake College]

From Dan Leonhardt

I remember how excited I was about the opportunity to record the album. Having had previous recording opportunities, the recording “bug” had bit me. Unlike today, where technology allows for high quality recording right in your home for less than the price of doing one album back in the 70’s, I couldn’t wait to record in a state-of-the-art 24-track studio. And it was Bill Gaither’s studio, Pinebrook! I was young and eager to glean any knowledge I could about the recording process.

One thing that really sticks out in my mind is that our engineer, the up-and-coming Christopher Banninger, had heard our producer for Light Records, Bill Cole (a well-known figure in the Christian music world, who flew in from LA to little ol’ Alexandria, Indiana to finish guiding us through the project), had a hearing deficit. While we were all gathered in the control room, Chris turned on a frequency generator used for calibrating tape machines. He had a rather high frequency dialed in and started at a low volume. He kept increasing the volume to the point the rest of us were going nuts and Bill never even heard it! We all had a laugh.

I guess this youth had some maturing to do because now as a 66 year old, I totally understand hearing loss and constant tinnitus. Without the masking effect of hearing aids, I would go insane as the constant “field of crickets” never goes away. Had I known then what I now know, I would have cried for him. [ed. – Dan is now a Master Goldsmith, and luckily for me, he still has Wonderknucks]

From Bobbi Page

I’m so thankful you pulled me in on that project. That was SO MUCH FUN, and I believe it was the first big recording where I didn’t know the music and had to sing it cold. It helped me realize what studio work was all about. It was so impactful—I still see that room at Pinebrook, the lighting, and Bill Cole from the record company drawing us all while we sang. I love you and thank you for that amazing experience. [ed. – Bobbi is now a well-known vocal performer and contractor in Hollywood. She has helped create some of your favorite movies!]

From Doug Howell

Although I helped out on a couple other Good News Circle (GNC) and Sonshine Circle albums, We Are His People (WAHP) is the only GNC album I participated in while I was with the group, and it remains the one and only “big label” album I’ve ever been part of. It was an exciting time.

I had lots of instrumental and vocal parts to write, that’s one thing I remember, and it was fun playing and singing with the other GNC-ers in the studio. I brought my long-time music buddy, Bobbi Page, in to grace us with some beautiful, quickly learned vocals, too, as Kathy Brawley was temporarily away from the group at that time.

The string sessions always seem to be my favorite part of any recording, but these were memorable for another reason, too. I guess I must have written some pretty far-out stuff for “Tell the World About My Lord,” because after we recorded those (with some difficulty), Bill Cole confronted me: “What are you trying to do?” he demanded. I could tell he was very displeased, and I was really taken by surprise. I said something lame about just trying to write the parts I felt the song was calling for, but I can tell you, I felt about as hurt and disappointed as I could possibly feel, like someone had just kicked me in the gut.

Later, when we were recording vocals, it was my turn to sing the solo on “Jesus Never Fails.” When I finished, Bill came out of the control room again. I had no idea what he was going to say this time, and I was trying to prepare myself when I noticed he had tears in his eyes. “You got me,” he said. “You got me.” And I knew somehow that all had been forgiven for my crazy string parts. There you have it: one of the lowest moments, and one of the highest, just a day apart!

As of this writing, Ralph Carmichael, founder of Light Records (often called the “Father of Contemporary Christian Music”), and Bill Cole, our WAHP producer, have both departed this earthly realm to be with the Lord. So has Pam Murphy, our sweet soprano and flutist, loved by so many listeners and supporters.

I’ve always hoped that whoever owns the WAHP master tapes now (if they still exist, and are still playable) would someday reissue the album, but at this point that seems unlikely. (According to Wikipedia, Light Records is now owned by Entertainment One, and according to ASCAP, the song copyrights are now owned by Bud-John Songs Inc.) So I decided recently just to do the best I could to transfer the album from vinyl LP to digital format and post it on YouTube. I’m not an expert at this by any means, so if someone can do better one of these days, please do! [ed. – And if you’re wondering what I’m doing nowadays, just look around on this website]

Being part of GNC was a wonderful and challenging period of my life, and it birthed friendships on both sides of the footlights that are still dear to me these many years later. I hope you will be blessed by this snapshot of what we were singing to the crowds that gathered to hear us, praise God with us, and share God’s boundless grace together.

We are His people together
We were never meant to stand alone
We are in His family forever
So let’s not try to make it on our own

Credits

Bass, vocals: Mark Johnson / Guitars, vocals: Dan Leonhardt / Keyboards, ARP, vocals: Doug Howell / Drums: Mark Minor / Radio, vocals: Bob Laurent / Flute, vocals: Pam Murphy / Additional vocals: Bobbi Page (Thank you!) / String/Horn arrangements by Doug Howell

Produced by Bill Cole. Engineered by Christopher “Sparky” Banninger. Recorded in 1975 at Pinebrook Studios (later Gaither Studios), Alexandria, IN.

LP digitalization credits – Many thanks to Mike Kingston, who loaned me the use of his super-duper record player and preamp (mine is long past its prime!). MaryEllen Olson, who scanned the WAHP front and back covers and insert for us. Thanks also to group members Dan Leonhardt, Mark Minor, [and hopefully others], who provided comments and support for this page.

SIDE ONE

01 Sailor’s Psalm

words & music by Mark Johnson

Solo by Mark Johnson

02 Travelin’ Day

words by Mark Johnson, Dan Leonhardt, Steve Wamberg & Doug Loomer; music by Mark Johnson

03 Nobody’s Gonna Take Away My Song

words & music by Doug Howell

Solo by Bob Laurent

04 The Jesus Touch

words by Bob Laurent; music by Doug Howell

Solo by Pam Murphy

05 We Are His People

words & music by Doug Howell

SIDE TWO

06 You Made the Difference

words & music by Doug Howell

07 Jesus Never Fails

words & music by Doug Howell

Solo by Doug Howell

08 Sunday Song

words & music by Mark Johnson

Duet by Mark Johnson & Bobbi Page

09 I Just Wanna Talk About Jesus

words & music by Doug Howell

Solo by Doug Howell

10 Tell the World About My Lord

words by Bob Laurent; music by Ralph Hunt

Solo by Bob Laurent

11 Jesus Band

words by Suzanne C. Leonhardt Slocum; music by Dan Leonhardt

Solo by Dan Leonhardt

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All songs © 1976 Lexicon Music, Inc., later assigned to Bud-John Songs, Inc.