Walking the Floor: Country, Gospel, and the Ties That Bind

Country and gospel music - it has always felt like a natural combination. Perhaps it is because country music looked to gospel for early inspiration. Perhaps it is because they both draw on a storytelling tradition. Regardless, as far back as the Carter Family and continuing right up to today’s biggest stars, gospel music and songs with religious messages have been and continue to be a big part of country music. Songs such as “Keep on the Sunny Side” as well as familiar favorites from church hymnals all find a way into country music. 

One of my favorite KICKS 99 Guitar Pull memories is from November 15, 2016. The Band Perry was scheduled to play but had to cancel the Sunday prior to the show due to illness. Josh Turner was added to the show. On the last very last round of every Guitar Pull, the artists are asked to perform a cover song, a favorite they just don’t get to perform very often. 

When Turner’s time came up, he talked about his relationship with Christ and how he got his start singing in church. He said he wanted to do one of his all-time favorite gospel songs and performed the Mylon LeFevre classic “Without Him.”  Guitar Pull regulars know the last song can be rowdy. But that night, as Turner performed “Without Him,” you could have heard a pin drop. 

Another reason gospel, traditional hymns, and religious music go hand-in-hand with country is because many country artists get their start singing in church. A lot of country artists even put gospel songs on their albums and do them in concert.  

That’s not to say, however, that there can’t be a little controversy when the holy and the honky-tonk share a chorus and a verse. Recently the Grammy, Dove and Billboard Award-winning Brandon Lake, a Christian worship singer, songwriter, and pastor for Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina teamed up with Jelly Roll, one of country music’s biggest names, to record a song called “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”  

Jelly Roll is very open about where he came from and where he is today. He will also talk freely and openly about his relationship with Christ. Jelly Roll, in a one-on-one podcast with Lake, said that he heard the version of the song that Brandon recorded but had no idea who Brandon was. What he recognized was a singer dealing with some of the same things that he had. He said it touched him and called “Hard Fought Hallelujah” one of the most moving songs he had ever heard. 

So, when Jelly Roll received the call requesting he record a version of the song with Brandon, he said yes without asking anyone on his team. Jelly Roll loves to sing songs about struggle and redemption and felt like recording this song might help fans deal with some of the same struggles he has had and continues to deal with. 

The thing about music is that everyone who listens has an opinion - and they often want to share what they think. Once the teaser for this song hit social media, the comments started flowing in like a river. Jelly Roll has had a colorful past and talks – and sings - openly about his struggles. Not surprisingly, some of the social media comments got a little rough.  

Just to be fair, the critical comments were far fewer than those offering praise to the collaboration, with most people responding in a pretty significant way to the song. 

While country and gospel music will always go together, not everyone will be happy when the two worlds collide. The old saying of how to lose friends and family is to bring up politics and/or religion might be true. But it’s in those conversations we often find where we stand with people. 

Hallelujah.