Stories and Songs by Afterglow

At times we may feel we’re falling short of our potential, and our weaknesses may weigh us down. Our Savior's redemptive and enabling Atonement allows us to bring a broken heart and contrite spirit to the altar of the Lord. He provides comfort, forgiveness and healing. HIs ability to lift us, helps to turn our weaknesses into strengths. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterg...

We were blessed to be able to record two albums of country music in Nashville, which represented a huge opportunity for us. We wrote a few original songs, and gathered some of the best music we could find from other writers, both at home in Utah and in the Nashville community, to create Close to Home and No Love Lost. The experience of working with such talented people and learning to work in anot...

As experiments go, this one turned out to be a fun success! In the 1980s, we turned our attention to writing and recording two collections of original songs dealing with love and family. These two albums, It Takes Love and Love Notes, recorded in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, gave us the opportunity to work with talented musicians and arrangers, and open up our musical horizons in new and differ...

Sometimes the search for faith and meaning in life comes ‘one step at a time’, or even a step forward and a step back. It can sometimes feel as though we aren’t making the consistent progress toward heaven that we would hope, but the message of this song is that our Heavenly Father is at least as interested in our direction as He is in our current position. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and...

A favorite phrase from the New Testament inspired this song, a reminder that not even a sparrow can fall from heaven without our Heavenly Father’s notice. He sees us in every moment and every trial, and loves us no matter our choices—His only goal is to bring us home. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music fo...

This early original song explores the journey of the plan of happiness established by our Heavenly Father, filled with both joys and sorrows, and leading us through our life’s experiences back to Him. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith around the globe. Behind their songs, however, are...

Both of us were blessed with mothers who taught and led us by example throughout their lives. In their later years, they’ve also shown us how to endure with grace all the trials and challenges life can bring—the ‘first face we saw’ has been with us all along. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people...

A search for an appropriate ‘title cut’ for one of our albums led to discovering this beautiful song and message, written by our friends Don Stirling and Brett Raymond. One of our greatest blessings and responsibilities in this life is to serve and lift others, especially when they’re passing through trials and sorrow. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writ...

One of our challenges in this mortal life is to learn to wait on the Lord’s timing for the things we desire the most. Even when we hope for righteous things, it can be difficult to humbly accept that His plan for us is better than anything we might have had in mind. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for...

The people of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon, on hearing the inspired truths of his farewell address, experienced a ‘mighty change’ in their hearts. While their experience was sudden and dramatic, we can all set aside our tendencies to wander from the Lord and become His sons and daughters through His Atonement. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writin...

We were privileged to be part of an event in Brazil where church members served their community and shared the gospel. Featuring songs recorded in Portuguese, and many great memories of the hospitality of the Saints there! For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith around the globe. Behind the...

A desperate father’s plea to Jesus to heal his son was the inspiration for this song, a reminder that The Savior’s atonement is both universal and personal, and that His promised blessings are available to all who will exercise the faith of a mustard seed. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of...

We had a marvelous opportunity to record an album in Japanese and return to Joel’s mission country of Japan on two occasions, to share music and testimony with the Saints there. Great memories! For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith around the globe. Behind their songs, however, are the st...

We’ve always been drawn to the scriptural references to the armor of God and the spiritual power available to us all through faithful living. Anthems like ‘Warriors of Light’ remind us to tap into this well of strength in standing fast in trying times. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of fait...

The story of the other wiseman seems at first like a bittersweet tale—he comes so close but can never give the gifts he intended for the Savior. Only at the end of his life does he realize the blessings to come from his life of service and love. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith aroun...

The importance of developing a deep connection to God through the Spirit has been emphasized by our prophet in recent years. This conversational prayer expresses both the desire to speak to our Father and the need to listen for answers that will guide our lives. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for peop...

The song 'I Can Know' is a powerful lesson learned through working with young (Primary age) children that no matter our season in life, we all have access to the blessings God promises, and we can all gain our own testimonies of the Gospel. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith around the...

This song, written in 1983, hearkens back to Afterglow’s earliest efforts to express ourselves through original music. The message and mission of our Savior, and His incomparable gift of the Atonement, are truly the greatest gifts we can receive. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith arou...

One of the most important things we can learn in this life is to love and serve as our Savior Jesus Christ. Whether our efforts are noted by others, or done quietly without fanfare, our challenge is to find opportunities to lift all of our brothers and sisters. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for peopl...

Family relationships aren’t always easy—trials and adversity can disrupt even the strongest bonds. But a commitment to open, loving communication and to seeing things from another’s perspective can get us through any challenge. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith around the globe. Behin...

We were fortunate to record four of our albums in London, England with the National Philharmonic Orchestra. This episode recounts the profound experiences and cherished friendships we made there, and some memories we’ll never forget. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith around the globe....

The circle of family life provides some of the most important formative experiences of our lives. This song, written by Joel contemplating the birth of his first child, has been a fan favorite for its touching and personal perspective on family relationships. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people...

Perhaps no song has had a more profound impact on our musical journey than this one, penned many years ago by our friend Jeff Goodrich. Hear the story and the message behind the song that closed thousands of performances over the past 45 years. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith around...

The challenges of mortal life can seem overwhelming at times. This song provides a ray of light and hope, encouraging us all to ‘hold on’ to the blessings and opportunities that lie on the other side of adversity. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith around the globe. Behind their songs,...

The invitation from the Savior is consistent and universal—to ‘come and see’ what His promises can mean to each of us. Blessings await as we learn to follow and emulate Jesus Christ. For almost 50 years, Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay of Afterglow have been writing, recording and performing inspirational music for people of faith around the globe. Behind their songs, however, are the stories that...