Biography

STEVE GULLEY IS BACK TO HIS ROOTS
WITH “FAMILY, FRIENDS & FELLOWSHIP”

1 Victory In Jesus (E.M. Bartlett -Administrated by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.)I have such fond memories of singing this song in my home church, Summey’s Bridge Missionary Bap-tist, still walking distance from my home in Cumberland Gap, TN. The sounds of that congregational singing of my youth are still as vivid in my mind as if it were yesterday. It fills my heart every time I hear it. That’s why I had to include this song here.

2 Pray For Me(This song has long been a favorite of mine. The melody is so simple and understatedly beautiful but, to me, most importantly, the message is one that I live by every day. It’s a natural thing to request prayer when you’re at a low point in your life. However, this song says what I truly believe - I stand in constant need of prayer in good times and in bad. It features my dad, Don Gulley, on harmony vocals and the great Doyle Lawson on harmony vocals and mandolin. Such a powerful song. I’m so thankful for the power of prayer.

3 Light At The River (Franklin D. “Bud” Brewster/Carl Story, Fort Knox Music/Trio Music, BMI)When selecting guest vocalists to be a part of this record, I wanted to enlist some of my favorite singers while also choosing folks who shared a lot of the same musical tastes that I have. Since I’ve long been a fan of Ricky Wasson’s singing, he was one person I really wanted on this project. We talked about what to sing together and quickly agreed on an old favorite from the Carl Story songbook that we thought would suit us and what we wanted to say. I think it did just that.

4 Scars In His Hands (Steve Gulley, Doobie Shea Music, BMI)I wrote this song several years ago in the early days of my old group, Mountain Heart. We recorded it but it has since become unavailable over the last few years and we still have requests for it on the road. When I sat down and began to write this song, I really just started to think about what Christ must have been thinking in the time leading up to the crucifixion and his paying the ultimate price on Calvary’s hill. It’s hard to comprehend how he carried out God’s plan so willingly. I’m so thankful that he did. I asked my friends, Kenny and Amanda Smith, to help me with this one. They did such a great job.

5 The Man I Ought To Be(Steve Gulley/Gary Kidwell, Gulley’s Curve Music, BMI)I wrote this song along with my good friend, Gary Kidwell. We came up with the idea while doing some soul searching about our own lives. Thank God we don’t have to be perfect. We all fall short of that daily. The song ended up sounding so much like the traditional country melodies of the 1960’s and ‘70’s that I decided to record it just that way - with fiddles, steel guitar and the sound of that era. The message resonates loud and clear with me. I hope it does with you as well.

6 Stormy Waters(Jimmy Martin/Paul Williams, Songs Of Universal, Inc.,BMI)It was a given during the planning stages of this project that I had to sing a song with my dear friend and singing partner of all these many years, Dale Ann Bradley. When we were trying to figure out what to sing together, she and I remembered a song we loved singing with our good buddy, David Marshall, for many years at Renfro Valley, KY. It has been recorded in so many different ways through the years but we decided to keep the spirit of David’s arrangement alive while putting our own spin on it. Such a spiritual song done in a mountain duet style.

7 House Of Gold(Hank Williams, Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music, BMI)A timeless song with a timeless message from the pen of the late Hank Williams. This features my dad, Don, on lead vocals and my good friend and mentor, Doyle Lawson, on baritone vocals and mandolin. Such a joy and honor to get to sing and play with two of the best men I know and biggest influences on my music and life. There’s just something special that happens when I get to sing with these gentlemen. I’ve sung this song with my father for years and I’m so proud we finally got to record it.

8 I Must Tell Jesus(Rev. E.A. Hoffman, The Hoffman Music Co.)Written in 1893, this song has long been a favorite of mountain churches in my part of the country. I asked my friend, Vic Graves, to sing this with me. He started singing it when we were going through songs and there was no doubt it had to be included here. Vic is truly one of the best “mountain church house” singers I have ever heard and I just love singing with him. He’s one of the best friends and spiritual brothers I have and he conveyed this story of having an advocate to the Father in such a heart-warming way.

9 Could You Walk A Mile(Jimmy Stewart/J.B. Rudd, Millhouse Music, BMI (all rights managed by Songs Of Polygram International,Inc.)/Murrah Music, BMI)This is a beautiful song that speaks to something we all should be mindful of in our daily lives. It’s always easy to have pre-conceived notions about someone until you’ve been in their shoes. My lovely wife, Debbie, does such a wonderful job singing this song. I am so proud to share her talents with everyone. She’s my best friend and one of my favorite singers.

10 That I Could Still Go Free(Ronald A. Hinson, Songs Of Calvary Publishing,BMI)In my opinion, there will never be a better Gospel singer than the late Kenny Hinson. The singing Hin-sons were one of my favorite Gospel groups growing up and remain so today. Truly a talented family. Ronny Hinson wrote it and Kenny sang it better than anyone could. I again chose to record it in true country Gospel fashion with traditional country instrumentation including my good friend Les Butler on piano. Without question, one of my favorite songs of all-time.

11 I Never Shall Forget The Day(G.T. Speer, Ben Speer Music)I asked my longtime friend, Joe Mullins, to help me on this project and he suggested this old tune that has long been a Gospel classic. This one reminds me of old-time jubilee singing done in a bluegrass style. Joe played the banjo as only he can and lent his fantastic voice on the second verse of this happy song of joy.

12 What Would You Have Me Do?(Steve Gulley, Gulley’s Curve Music, BMI)I, like so many folks, am no stranger to the grip of depression. I think most people have had their bouts with it in one way or another. My faith in God has always managed to pull me through eventually. However, when you are so low that you can’t see a way out and begin to de-value the life you’ve been given, it’s not an easy thing to just shake off. I wrote this song in the hope that it may help someone suffering from a constant feeling of hopelessness. It’s important to remember that our Savior is near and has a plan for our lives. I pray this song conveys that.

13 God’s Not Dead(Traditional, arrangement by Steve Gulley)One of the crowning achievements in my musical career was accomplished on this song. I finally talked my mother, Linda, into allowing me to record her singing a great song that she has sung in churches for many years. She was reluctant but did such a great job. I’m more than a little biased but I think my mom is one of the most spirit - filled folks in the world. Whatever she does, she makes you feel loved and you can feel the warmth in her soul. It comes through in this recording. My Dad and I sang baritone and tenor and Vic Graves sang bass. It marks the first time, after all these many years, that my parents and I have recorded a song together. Nothing could be more special to me. Thanks for singing for me, mom!

14 Jesus Loves Me (For Mack)(Anna B. Warner/William B. Bradbury)I’m sure all of us have sung this classic song at one time or another. It’s so simple and beautiful both me-lodically and lyrically that it speaks to people of all ages. I came up with this arrangement while singing it to my little two year-old grandson, Mack. He loves music and is always asking me to sing and play. I thought it was only natural for him to make his studio vocal debut on this song. I thought he sounded great in his introduction.

Ron Stewart performs courtesy of Mountain Home Records
Tim Stafford performs courtesy of Rounder Records
Adam Steffey performs courtesy of Mountain Home Records
Doyle Lawson performs courtesy of Crossroads/Mountain Home Records
Kenny Smith performs courtesy of Farm Boy Records
Amanda Smith performs courtesy of Farm Boy Records
Jason Burleson performs courtesy of Rounder Records
Joe Mullins performs courtesy of Rebel Records
Phil Leadbetter performs courtesy of Pinecastle Records
Alan Bibey performs courtesy of Mountain Fever Records
Dale Ann Bradley performs courtesy of Compass Records
Visit Stevegulley.com for a complete listing of his tour dates.