It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with solemn sound. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. – Psalm 92:1-4
WILLIAMS — I have been serenaded by karaoke nightly for some time. So when I hear a good voice in Williams, it comes as a shock to the senses. Such is the voice of Daniel Abbott. Daniel said that he comes from a musical family and he practices his art by singing at weddings and at his Church. He also donates his time to help Habitat for Humanity by singing at their annual Opry Night.
When I learned that Daniel worked at the Grand Canyon Railway, I thought he worked as one of the talented singers used to entertain during the summer. I was surprised to learn that he is the Risk Manager for Grand Canyon Railway. That in itself is not a mundane task taking on the responsibility to ensure the safety of guests and workers for the Railway.
He took time from his work to travel to Nashville, Tennessee to produce the Hymns & Favorites Country Style CD through Daywind Recording Studios. He chose to start with a country gospel album because he likes to play music with a positive message. It is a mix of old time gospel and newer Christian gospel songs.
He had the advise of a music producer to refine his interpretation of the songs on this album. The CD contains old gospel favorites such as Just a Closer Walk with Thee, In the Sweet By and By and Since Jesus Came Into My Heart.
There are a few songs I have never heard before such as Long Black Train, a 2003 Christian song by Josh Turner. Daniel also performs If That Isn’t Love originally performed by Elvis Presley. Daniel retains the country gospel sound of these old hits. Anyone who enjoys country music should enjoy this CD.
The CD contains:
- Just a Closer Walk With Thee
- If That Isn’t Love
- Rise and Shine
- The Old Rugged Cross
- In the Sweet By and By
- Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
- When He Was On the Cross (I Was On His Mind)
- Are You Washed in the Blood/I’ll Fly Away
- What a Friend We Have in Jesus
- Long Black Train
Daniel started writing original songs about four years ago and has plans for a follow-up CD in March.
Hymns & Favorites is currently available at Buck’s Place and Williams Western Wear in the mall, Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe, The Outdoor Store and Pine Country
WILLIAMS — Traffic on Route 66 was halted for several hours and a crowd formed in Williams, yesterday, to watch as they filled a gap left by the city across the drainage channel through Glassburn Park. The City of Williams worked with historian Al Richmond and the railroad to emplace a 50-foot boxcar to be used as a covered bridge.
