Reflection

I am at my farm in Macon County, TN. The time is approximately 10:30 PM Central, and there is a huge three-quarter, waning moon coming up over the tree line. The thousand blinking stars that filled the night sky a bit earlier are slowly disappearing to give way to the brighter moonlight that is now spreading above the pastures. There is a thick fog in the valley, or holler, in front of our cabin that glows eerily in the semi-white light.

I am here alone listening to the final mix of "From The Heart." Gospel Music by The Oak Ridge Boys is now being shared by two donkeys, several early season bullfrogs, owls, possums, raccoons, deer, coyotes, cattle, and other creatures that inhabit the surrounding countryside. There is not another
human being for well over two miles.

My wife Mary will join me out here tomorrow for a few days of farm work before I head North to the frozen tundra of Red Wing, Minnesota. The bus arrived home this morning from a successful three-day trip to Florida and South Carolina. I spent the majority of the day in downtown Nashville with my singing partners, Michael Sykes, David Ponder, Amy Willis, and Celeste Winstead from Spring Hill Records and Deborah Evans Price from Billboard magazine.

For several hours, we recorded various press spots to promote the upcoming release. It was a great day for fellowship and sharing with others our shear joy of completing this project. And I must admit, we are excited and very proud of our work. God has once again blessed The Oak Ridge Boys.

So I sit here alone in the moonlight and fog with, "From The Heart" blasting across the night, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of this group. I know my Daddy is listening because I feel his presence. He would enjoy the way the Boys are singing the Gospel. He always loved it when we sang songs about Jesus.

                        ANGELS WATCHING OVER ME......... no kidding!!!
                        SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO......... William Lee at his best!!
                        FALL TO FLY......... I am honored to be able to sing such a song
                        WHAT LIES AHEAD......... Southern Gospel!
                        THE LOVE OF CHRIST......... The Ace sings from HIS heart
                        THEN YOU'LL SEE......... Golden teared up singing it. Thanks, Garland.
                        WORKIN ON A BUILDING.......... What fun! Richard's lowest note ever!!!
                        WRITE YOUR NAME......... Classic Duane Allen. Thanks, Randy Van Warmer.
                        FIRST STEP TO HEAVEN......... Bluegrass time. Go, Richard!!
                        MANSION THERE FOR YOU......... Joey still must ROCK!!!
                        LOVING GOD, LOVING EACH OTHER......... pretty well sums it all up!!

The CD has ended, all is quiet, the moon is higher, time for bed. Thank you, Jesus. Good night, friends!

Joe Bonsall / Macon County, TN
March 12, 2001