I Love To Tell The Story

Some stories are too good to wait for our regular schedule! We’re bringing you a special bonus episode of ILove2TelltheStory, and if you love Southern Gospel music and its rich history, this one belongs on your must-see list. Marc Speer, the oldest son of Brock and Faye Speer, joins Dave and Dusty for a rare interview filled with firsthand memories from one of Southern Gospel’s legendary families....

In the third episode of our new podcast series, filmed and recorded live at the Museum of Christian & Gospel Music in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, we are beyond excited to sit down with Shelley Breen, Denise Jones and Leigh Cappallino, the girls from Point of Grace. Even though it has been more than thirty years since they won their first Dove Award for New Artist of the Year in 1994, what h...

Some folks spend a lifetime making music. John Mays has spent his helping shape the music—and collecting some mighty good stories along the way. On this edition of I Love to Tell the Story, we sit down with a friend whose name you may not know—but whose work has almost certainly touched your life. If you’ve studied album credits over the past 45 years, you’ve probably seen his name. As a record co...

In the second episode of our new podcast series, filmed and recorded live at the Museum of Christian & Gospel Music in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, we’re honored to sit down with true Christian music royalty. In the early days of Southern Gospel, legendary groups like The Blackwood Brothers, The Speer Family, and The Rambos helped forge a path that continues to shape Gospel music today. Now,...

In the first episode of our new podcast series—filmed and recorded at the Museum of Christian and Gospel Music in downtown Nashville, TN—we are thrilled to welcome the one and only Jason Crabb. A GRAMMY and Dove Award-winning artist with a biography as big as his personality, Jason is the pride of Beaver Dam, Kentucky, and the energy in every room he walks into. He sits down with longtime friends...

We really do love to tell the story—and after three years of podcasting, this episode feels especially meaningful. More than two old friends taking a walk down memory lane, it’s a reflection on the passion that has fueled this podcast from the beginning: a love for the history of Christian music and a responsibility to help preserve and share it. Along the way, we’ve discovered that telling our ow...

If the music of Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Rich Mullins, or Kathy Troccoli has ever impacted your life — or if you were one of the more than 2 million readers who picked up Frank E. Peretti’s This Present Darkness — you won’t want to miss this conversation with Michael Blanton, a man who was right in the middle of these stories plus a whole lot more. As cofounder, along with Dan Harrell, of Reun...

John Hammond is one of Nashville’s premier drummers—and trust us, the résumé (and the stories) prove it. With a career spanning nearly four decades, John has played behind some of the biggest names in Christian and country music. But this episode isn’t about drum fills or technique. It’s about the journey. It’s a conversation between friends as we peel back the pages on a life in music that’s stil...

Songwriter Brian White joins us for a compelling conversation in our latest episode.  It hardly seems plausible—much less possible—that one songwriter could pen some of the most recognizable songs in Christian music—“Holding Out Hope To You” (Michael English), “The Promise” (The Martins)—and then turn around and do the very same thing in country music with hits like “Watching You” (Rodney Atkins)...

While you may not recognize Zach Farnum’s name, you have almost certainly been impacted by his influence in the music business.  As Founder of 117 Entertainment, Zach has spent years shaping careers, building brands, and amplifying the voices of some of music’s most respected artists. A trusted leader in marketing and publicity, he works behind the scenes where strategy meets storytelling. He serv...

In the age of social media, words like “legend” and “gamechanger” get thrown around a lot. And then there are those rare moments when those are the only words that actually fit. This is one of those moments. On the newest episode of I Love To Tell the Story, we sit down with — yes — the legend and the gamechanger himself, Jim Murray. From 20 years as tenor with the iconic Imperials, to his time wi...

Nick Bruno—man of a thousand stories and one of the newest inductees into the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame—joins us for a fascinating conversation as we peel back the pages of his legendary music career. How did a preacher’s kid from Staten Island, New York, find himself at the center of some of the most pivotal moments in Southern Gospel history? You’ll hear it firsthand from the man who lived it...

If you missed Part 1 of our conversation with Shaye Smith of the Chuck Wagon Gang, you missed more than just an episode — you missed something special. We hope you’ll take a moment to go back and listen, then join us again for Part 2. We think you’ll be glad you did. As the Chuck Wagon Gang celebrates 90 years of music, Shaye Smith — the group’s manager and alto singer — carries on a remarkable le...

It’s hard to imagine a fan of country or gospel music who hasn’t been touched in some way by the music of the Chuck Wagon Gang. But then again—that’s what happens when you’ve been doing what you do for 90 years. On this new episode of I Love to Tell the Story , we’re thrilled to peel back the curtain on the Gang’s remarkable legacy with someone who offers a truly one-of-a-kind perspective: Shaye S...

We’ve got a brand-new episode of I Love To Tell The Story, and you are going to love this one. Our guest is the legendary Johnny Minick—singer, songwriter, producer, piano player, and pastor. His journey alone is remarkable… but when you add in the unforgettable years he spent as a member of the Happy Goodman Family, you’ve got stories (and laughter!) that could fill several episodes. In this conv...

Our guest on this episode of I Love To Tell the Story is singer, songwriter, speaker, author, and worship leader — John Chisum. For more than 40 years, John has faithfully served the Church through his songs and leadership, while quietly mentoring countless young artists and songwriters along the way. Many of his songs will be familiar to you, and you’ll especially enjoy hearing the stories behind...

This week we welcome Craig Nelson — a legendary Nashville studio musician whose five-decade career shows no signs of slowing down. You may recognize his name from iconic Christian music records, or hear his double bass on countless Nashville Symphony sessions. Believe it or not, his playing may even appear on some of your favorite video game soundtracks. Craig’s professionalism, versatility, and d...

How does a kid barely out of his teens leave Oregon with no industry experience and become one of Nashville’s busiest recording engineers? Tune in to hear the inspiring story of Justin Kropf (pronounced KRUP). For three decades Justin has served as the in-house engineer at Daywind Records in Hendersonville, TN, and his name shows up on an astonishing number of southern gospel credits. In this epis...

Join us as we welcome Phil Johnson, one of the most influential voices in Christian music since the mid-70s, whose impact still resonates today. Phil’s remarkable journey spans a dazzling array of roles: record producer for artists including Reba Rambo, Andrus Blackwood & Company, Dallas Holm, and Karen Peck; songwriter of classics like "Give Them All To Jesus," "The Day He Wore...

In this exciting new episode of I Love To Tell the Story, Dave and Dusty are thrilled to sit down with Dana Williams, the talented bass player and singer from one of country music’s most successful groups, Diamond Rio.  Dana's journey is a remarkable blend of talent, perseverance, family, faith, and a healthy sense of humor that brings balance to it all.  Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Dana jo...

On this episode of I Love To Tell the Story, Dave and Dusty peel back the curtain on their own journeys to mark a truly special occasion. 2026 is a milestone year, as they celebrate 50 years each in the music business. It was 1976 when Dave Clark left his home and family in Jackson, Michigan, answering a call that would lead him into a lifelong career as a songwriter. That very same year, in Twin...

We have a brand-new episode of I Love To Tell the Story—and it’s one you won’t want to miss. Joey Hemphill, the oldest son of one of Southern Gospel’s most beloved families, found his place in the story at an early age. He began playing drums for the group and eventually stepped into the role of baritone singer, even contributing as a songwriter along the way. The group made their mark with tight...

Over the past few seasons, the topic of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs has surfaced again and again in our conversations. So we decided it was time to devote an entire episode to exploring it more deeply. We’re joined by two dear friends—Dr. Bruce Chesser and Mike Harland—who also happen to be two of the most thoughtful and insightful voices we know on this subject. We didn’t come in with a ri...

Join us for a very special Christmas episode of I Love to Tell the Story.  Because Christmas is best celebrated with family, we wanted to invite you into ours. Dusty and his wife, LaVonne—along with their daughters and grandkids—join Dave and Cindi and their kids for a meaningful time together, filled with stories, laughter, music, and even a special announcement.  We’re also joined by a recent gu...

Get ready—this week’s episode of I Love To Tell the Story is one you won’t want to miss as Dave and Dusty sit down with their longtime friend, Travis Cottrell. For more than 25 years, Travis has been one of the most influential voices in Christian music, leading worship for Beth Moore’s Living Proof Ministries and shaping the sound of worship for countless believers. But that’s just the beginning....