I Love To Tell The Story

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....

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of I Love To Tell the Story, Dave and Dusty sit down with two of gospel music’s best, Russ Taff and Joseph Habedank to share their honest conversations about life, faith, and their journeys through the darkness of addiction. Their stories are raw and real—but also filled with redemption, grace, and hope. If you or someone you love is walking through a s...

“Where do you start when you build a museum?” With those words, Steve Gilreath, Executive Director of the brand-new Christian and Gospel Music Museum in downtown Nashville, opened the ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 3, 2025. On this new episode of I Love To Tell the Story, Dave and Dusty take the cameras to the museum for a fascinating, behind-the-scenes conversation with the one person who can...

Get ready for an unforgettable conversation with the legendary Reba Rambo! This week’s episode is extra special, and here’s why: if you’ve been with us since the beginning, you’ll remember Reba as our very first guest back in September 2023. Now, she’s back—and the story only gets better! To celebrate her birthday this week, Reba took a tour of the brand-new Museum of Christian and Gospel Music, w...

When it comes to the phrase "legendary songwriter," few embody it like Lanny Wolfe. With multiple Dove Awards under his belt—including Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year—Lanny’s talent has left an indelible mark on music. His song “More Than Wonderful” earned Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris a Grammy, and he was named SESAC’s Gospel Composer of the Year in both 1975 and 1976. In...

We’re sitting down with one of Christian music’s most prolific songwriters, Kenna Turner West—and trust us, her story is as unforgettable as her music. You’ve heard her work on projects by The Martins, The Isaacs, Michael English, The Crabb Family, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, Travis Cottrell, Jimmy Fortune, The Collingsworth Family, Brian Free & Assurance, Josep...

If you’re not a credit reader, you might not recognize the name Jason Webb. But if you’re a music lover, chances are you’ve been profoundly impacted by his work. Jason is widely regarded as one of the most in-demand studio musicians in Nashville. He’s also a Dove Award-winning producer, composer, and arranger. His  impressive credits span an eclectic range of artists—from The Backstreet Boys to th...

This week marks a special milestone for us—two years since we aired the very first episode of #ILove2TellTheStory! What an incredible journey it has been. Over these past two years, we've shared moments of learning, laughter, and love, brought to life by the amazing stories our guests have shared around our table. To celebrate, Dave and Dusty are joined by their good friend and perennial co-h...

Get ready for an unforgettable conversation! Chris Blue, the Season 12 winner of NBC's The Voice, captured the hearts of millions with his infectious smile and unmatched vocal talent. Now, as a cherished member of the Gaither Homecoming Family, he's become a beloved figure among Southern Gospel fans as well. Dave and Dusty are thrilled to bring you this episode of #ILove2TellTheStory, wh...

On this episode of I Love To Tell the Story, Dave and Dusty welcome one of the most iconic duos in Southern Gospel Music—Jim and Melissa Brady! Born into families of music and ministry, Jim and Melissa's journey has been guided by faith and talent from the very beginning. After years of traveling with Melissa’s family group, The Shulers, and Jim’s time with the renowned Booth Brothers, their...