Pop vocalist and songwriter David Phelps has been given such a talent. Credited by many as having one of today's most spectacular voices, David has seen countless thousands rise to their feet for his inspiring, powerhouse performances. His audiences have included George W. Bush, massive crowds at Billy Graham Crusades, and millions of "ABC News" viewers, and his voice has brought him multiple Grammy and Dove awards. And with the release of his new solo debut for Word Records, Revelation, Phelps is poised to reach an even greater audience of fans around the globe. Yet amid all the acclaim, David has a special person in his life who reminds him to always honor the One who gave that talent to him.
His wife of eleven years, Lori, helps David balance his dual roles as acclaimed vocalist and down-to-earth husband and father of three (soon to be four). "Most of us don't get the chance to have even one standing ovation or round of applause in our lives, so working on a stage of any kind can give you a really unrealistic view of life if you're not careful," David reveals. "In her own loving way, Lori won't let me live in that place of applause, and I'm very thankful for that."
Though not a musician herself, Lori has walked with David all along the long, challenging road as he has pursued his calling to music. Hailing originally from the Houston area, the couple met at Texas' Baylor University over a decade ago, where Phelps earned a degree in line with his passion—music.
Recognized from an early age for his unusual talent, David knew from the beginning that he wanted to perform music for the glory of God. Not everyone understood his commitment to faith, however. "I had several teachers who felt that I should be singing opera, or performing somewhere on Broadway," he recalls. "In college particularly, I had a teacher who kept pushing me strongly toward classical music, but when she finally accepted that Christian music was what God was calling me to do, that became the turning point for me."
From there, as a teenager, David went on become the winner of the 1988 Seminar In the Rockies held in Estes Park, Colorado, the youngest winner of the contest at that time. He then continued his career after graduation with a stint as Artist In Residence for First Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas. Though for a time it appeared that family commitments might prevent David from realizing his dream, he and Lori packed their bags for Nashville, Tennessee, in 1996 with the hope of landing a record deal for David.
Once again, however, he faced a challenge. After six heartbreaking months, David had not found an opportunity, and since he had given up his job back in Texas, the young couple was running out of funds. While visiting his family one weekend back in Texas, David told them, "We really feel like God was calling us to Nashville, but it's just not happening." Instantly, his family gathered around David and Lori and began to pray for a miracle.
A miracle is what God had in mind. The very next day, back in Nashville, David met with executives from Word Records and found out about an opportunity with best-selling vocal foursome Gaither Vocal Band. Two weeks later, he officially joined the group that has brought him four Dove Awards, two Grammy Awards, and over 13 gold and 15 platinum-selling projects.
Throughout the phenomenal success he has experienced with Gaither Vocal Band, David has cherished the dream of releasing a solo album expressing his own style and songcrafting. With the release of Revelation, David has finally fully realized the calling he first felt so many years before.
Featuring songs primarily written or co-written by Phelps, Revelation is a showcase for the impressive vocal and musical training that have shaped Phelps as a performer, swirled into a beautiful sonic blend that reflects the best of 21st century pop. From dramatic ballads to R&B-influenced groove and rock-tinged, energetic pop, Revelation reveals the musical passion and substantive message behind this exceptional singer/songwriter.
"The foundation of this album lies in knowing who Christ really is," explains David. "There's a line at the beginning of the song 'Break Free' that sums it up well—'Forget what you've heard about Jesus, if it doesn't begin and end with love.'
"As a culture, both churched and unchurched, we carry around so many ideas of who Jesus is that are not true," David continues. "We relate Christ to the idea of being judged or compared against an impossible standard. I want people to hear about a God who isn't standing there with His finger in their faces, but is simply there with His arms open wide saying, 'I just want to know you. Come to me, and I'll help you through this journey.'"
Every song on Revelation reveals God's mercy and compassion for His people. "Just As I Am," penned by David and award-winning songwriter Cindy Morgan, expresses Christ's loving acceptance of the broken, while "Arms Open Wide," a cut written by Rita Baloche [wife of Paul Baloche ("Above All," "Open the Eyes of My Heart")], praises the Savior for coming to redeem us. From the story of God's loving care as He shapes our lives and the universe in "Virtuoso" to the promise that "God Will Take Care Of You" and the tender ballad "Love Goes On," Revelation paints a portrait of who God really is, all superbly communicated through the expressive artistry of one of Christian music's finest vocalists.
Producers Regie Hamm (Bob Carlisle, Jaci Velasquez, Clay Crosse) and Chris Harris (Avalon, Anointed, Allen Asbury) had the task of guiding David's musical vision and wide tastes into the cohesive and compelling Revelation. The album's title cut is a dramatic, rock opera-styled song that provides a centerpiece, both musically and vocally, for David's talent. "I'm thrilled about this song, because it's a piece that I've spent a lot of time and effort to write," David says of "Revelation." "It represents so much of what I love about music." The song, which tells the story of a man much like David on the morning of Christ's return, reveals David's imaginative story-telling ability, and combines a myriad of his favorite influences, from rock to classical to "Bohemian Rhapsody."
David is making sure that his kids have the same musical opportunities he had by taking them on the road with him and Lori to his concerts. Lori homeschools their two daughters—eight-year-old Callie and six-year-old Maggie Beth—both at home and on tour in order to let them and three-year-old Grant spend more time with Dad. The couple are preparing for the arrival of a fourth little one, due to arrive just in time for the release of Revelation.
For an artist who makes nearly 150 concert appearances every year, the decision to educate their kids themselves was the only right one for them. "I'm gone pretty much every weekend, so I would never get to see my children!" says David. "Homeschooling allows us to pick up and go when we need to, and as a result, our kids have been able to see some wonderful things around the country."
And though one of the things his kids often see are the thousands of people who flock to hear him sing, David is careful to remind them that the walk of Christian faith, even when it's lived out before a national audience, is one of humble obedience. In the regal ballad "Live Like a King," written by Bob Halligan, Jr. (Kathy Mattea, Michael Bolton, Rebecca St. James), David beautifully conveys the paradox that marked Christ's reign here on earth, and that he hopes will always prove to be the example for his own life:
My thirst for the things of this earth, isn't quenched by diamonds or pearls/One man lived the life I want—He's the One they said ruled the world/Though He only wore a crown of thorns, and He never owned a thing…I want to live like a King!
Those words also reveal the purpose behind the tremendous talent God has placed in David's own life. Despite being given such great ability and opportunity, David Phelps is a man who will forever invest that gift in honor of its Giver.
Life Is a Church
David Phelps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breathing the salt air from the coast
Ten years old with my eyes pressed closed
Life is a church
Remembering first love’s tender kiss
Mourning the loss of my innocence
The bittersweet taste of it on my lips
These are the sacraments
This is the altar, love is the spirit
Making the blue planet turn
Life is a church
Watching my baby being born
Written all over you, pain and joy
Holding your hand, it’s a little boy
Watching my baby being born
Written all over you, pain and joy
Holding your hand, it’s a little boy
Ashes to ashes, earth to earth
The preacher throws in the first handful of dirt
My little boy asks me, “Does goodbye always hurt?”
Watching my baby being born
Written all over you, pain and joy
Holding your hand, it’s a little boy
The song "Life Is a Church" by David Phelps is a nostalgic exploration of life itself. The first verse depicts the innocence of childhood and the simplicity of life, as a young boy watches the waves cover his toes and breathes in the salty air. He closes his eyes as if in prayer, feeling the presence of something sacred. The second verse reflects on the more complicated and bittersweet aspects of life, such as first love and the loss of innocence. Life is likened to a church, a holy place where we experience the sacraments and connect with something greater than ourselves. The final verse portrays the cycle of life and death, as the singer watches his baby being born and later buries a loved one. The song highlights the beauty and complexity of life and the connections between different stages of our existence.
The song was released in 2004 on the album "Life Is a Church" and has become a fan favorite, particularly in the Christian community. Here are ten interesting facts about the song:
Line by Line Meaning
Watching the surf cover up my toes
Taking time to appreciate and enjoy the simple pleasures of life
Breathing the salt air from the coast
Being mindful of the beauty of nature around us
Ten years old with my eyes pressed closed
Remembering a time of innocence and freedom
Life is a church
Life is a place to find meaning, comfort, and connection
Remembering first love’s tender kiss
Reflecting on the impact of past relationships and important experiences
Mourning the loss of my innocence
Acknowledging difficult experiences and times of pain and loss
The bittersweet taste of it on my lips
The feelings of both joy and sadness that come with life's moments
These are the sacraments
Reverencing and honoring meaningful aspects of life
This is the altar, love is the spirit
Love is central to living a fulfilled life
Making the blue planet turn
Living fully and contributing to the world
Watching my baby being born
Being fully present for important moments and milestones
Written all over you, pain and joy
Experiencing a range of emotions with life's beautiful and difficult moments
Holding your hand, it’s a little boy
Appreciating the love and connection that comes from family and connections with others
Ashes to ashes, earth to earth
Remembering the brevity of life and the cycle of birth and death
The preacher throws in the first handful of dirt
Rituals and traditions can help us cope with and find meaning in times of loss
My little boy asks me, “Does goodbye always hurt?”
Children have important questions and insights that can teach us about life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARCUS HUMMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Julie N Jackson
It is nice to see the old videos from concerts coming out and love to listen to this one too. Hope you and Lori had a wonderful birthday David yesterday.
Barbara Marshall
Thanks for sharing this beautiful song.. HAPPY Belated Birthday to and Lori. Always a a blessing to hear you sing.
. GOD bless you today and always.
Hiketo Sumi Wotsa
Not only his tone but the story he conveys through his song is on different level ❤️
Hiketo Sumi Wotsa
@Faye Brown 😌👍
Faye Brown
So true! It is an authentic proclamation!
Victor Mugisha R.
Happy Belated Birthday David! You are so awesome and a really role model 🥰 Blessings 🙏🏽
Gloria Devon
I have this on one of his CDs but David is always great in everything he sings and writes
Cheshire
Thank you David!!! Amazing as always 💖💜🙏
Ruth Hicks
Thank you for this great song, I hadn't listened to it in awhile. I hope you and Lori had a wonderful birthday yesterday. God bless you.
Susan Odell
Thank you! Although I have this DVD I will always listen again. Beautiful song and beautiful voice.