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.
Little White Church
David Phelps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Took at least an hour just to get dressed
We′re gazing at the blue sky
Pullen at my necktie
Dreaming bout the fishing hole and playing ball
Yeah
Singin from a hymn with my family
Then it caught my eye, momma started to cry
As she sang along to I surrender all
In a little white church in the banks of a river
Outside that backroad texas town
Went there lost, but left there delivered
That red clay dirt was sacred ground
Oh oh Oooh, I heard it first,
On the banks of a river in a Texas town
In a little white country church
Listening to the church choir sing a gospel song
Smiling as the old men tried to sing along
Babies in the church, their crying during the prayer
Never has there been a sweeter place to be
Then in a little white church in the banks of a river
Outside that backroad texas town
Went there lost, but left there delivered
That red clay dirt was sacred ground
Oh oh Oooh, I heard it first,
On the banks of a river in a Texas town
In a little white country church
I still recall
Kneeling at that alter
Down on my knees, please, jesus help me
In a little white church in the banks of a river
Outside that backroad texas town
Went there lost, but left there delivered
That red clay dirt was sacred ground
Oh oh Oooh, I heard it first,
In a little white church
On the banks of a river outside that backroad Texas town
Went there lost, but left there delivered
That red clay dirt was sacred ground
On the banks of a river in a texas town
In a little white country church
From the banks of a river in a texas town,
In a little white country church
The song "Little White Church" by David Phelps is a beautiful ballad that evokes a sense of nostalgia and hope. The lyrics tell the story of the singer's experience attending a little white church in a backroad Texas town. The first verse describes the anticipation and excitement that comes with getting dressed in your Sunday best and going to church. The singer remembers looking up at the blue sky and dreaming about fishing and playing ball. The second verse is a beautiful description of the singer's family singing hymns together, but it also contains a moment of sadness as the singer's mother is moved to tears. The chorus describes the transformative power of the little white church, which became sacred ground for the singer.
The third verse describes the joyful chaos of babies crying during prayer, and the happiness that comes from being surrounded by a community of believers. The bridge features the singer recalling his own personal encounter with faith, as he knelt at the altar and asked Jesus for help. The final chorus repeats the refrain of the sacredness of the little white church in the banks of a river in a Texas town.
Overall, "Little White Church" is a poignant tribute to the power of faith and community. It captures the nostalgia and sense of belonging that many people feel when recalling their childhood experiences attending church.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody in their sunday best
Everyone is dressed in their best attire for church on Sunday
Took at least an hour just to get dressed
People spent a considerable amount of time getting ready for church
We′re gazing at the blue sky
Looking up at the sky and enjoying the beautiful day
Pullen at my necktie
Adjusting clothing to make sure everything looks neat and tidy
Dreaming bout the fishing hole and playing ball
Thinking about fun things to do after church
Standing on a wooden pew so I could see
Using a pew to stand on and get a better view of the church service
Singin from a hymn with my family
Singing a hymn together with family members
Then it caught my eye, momma started to cry
Noticing that the singer's mother became emotional during the song
As she sang along to I surrender all
The mother was singing along to the hymn 'I Surrender All'
In a little white church in the banks of a river
The song is describing a church located near a river and is small and white in color
Outside that backroad texas town
The church is located outside of a small Texas town and is not easily accessible
Went there lost, but left there delivered
The singer went to the church feeling lost, but left feeling saved or delivered
That red clay dirt was sacred ground
The soil around the church is considered holy or sacred
Oh oh Oooh, I heard it first,
The singer heard something significant for the first time at the white church by the river
Listening to the church choir sing a gospel song
Enjoying the choir singing a religious song
Smiling as the old men tried to sing along
Feeling happy watching older men sing along and participate in the church service
Babies in the church, their crying during the prayer
Hearing the sound of crying babies during the prayer
Never has there been a sweeter place to be
Expressing how wonderful it is to be in such an inviting and welcoming place
I still recall
Reminiscing about the past and the memories from the church
Kneeling at that alter
Remembering the time spent at the altar in prayer
Down on my knees, please, jesus help me
Praying fervently to Jesus for guidance and assistance
In a little white church
Referring once again to the small, white church
On the banks of a river outside that backroad Texas town
Describing the location of the church in more detail
On the banks of a river in a texas town
Reiterating that the church is located near a river in a Texas town
In a little white country church
Again describing the church as small and white, and emphasizing its rural location
Writer(s): David Phelps
Contributed by Isabelle L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yago Lisboa
Lyrics:
Everybody in their sunday best Took at least an hour just to get dressed; We're gazing at the blue sky; Pullen at my necktie; Dreaming bout the fishing hole and playing ball Yeah; Standing on a wooden pew so I could see; Singin from a hymn with my family Then it caught my eye, momma started to cry As she sang along to I surrender all!
In a little white church in the banks of a river; Outside that backroad texas town; Went there lost, but left there delivered; That red clay dirt was sacred ground!
Oh oh Oooh, I heard it first!
On the banks of a river in a Texas town; In a little white country church!
Listening to the church choir sing a gospel song; Smiling as the old men tried to sing along; Babies in the church, their crying during the prayer; Never has there been a sweeter place to be!
Then in a little white church in the banks of a river; Outside that backroad texas town; Went there lost, but left there delivered; That red clay dirt was sacred ground
Oh oh Oooh, I heard it first!
On the banks of a river in a Texas town; In a little white country church!
I still recall Kneeling at that alter Down on my knees, please, Jesus help me!!!
In a little white church in the banks of a river; Outside that backroad texas town; Went there lost, but left there delivered; That red clay dirt was sacred ground!
Oh oh Oooh, I heard it first!
In a little white church; On the banks of a river outside that backroad Texas town; Went there lost, but left there delivered; That red clay dirt was sacred ground; On the banks of a river in a texas town In a little white country church; From the banks of a river in a texas town; In a little white country church!
Sharon Points
Can't believe some people commented on his look! How he wore his pants, and the color of his shoes! Seriously? It's all about his singing ministry, and giving praise to JESUS!!! David, keep on keeping on, you are the best! Keep drawing people to CHRIST with your beyond beautiful voice!!! I thank GOD for you!!! AMEN!!!
Ken & Ellen Sudduth
He could be wearing a hazmat suit and I'd listen to him! Looks don't matter!! Why do they care what he looks like??
Jennifer Thomas
I LOVE his style. He doesn't fuss over his hair and trying to be perfect. Don't criticize an angel singing for the Lord, feel blessed you can hear him 😍
Jean Stewart
I think he looks good!! You can tell he’s working hard, under those hot lights!! Absolutely NOTHING wrong with the way he is dressed...and I personally love his curls!! I have naturally curly hair also, and it can be hard to control sometimes!! David does that just fine...JMO!!
Melanie Gonzalez
I love his style, not that it matters what he wears....
Normita Reyes
This really sounds great!! May God continue to bless and anoint your music ministry David. Your music has a tremendous impact on so many people.
rowell buccat
great song! his voice is amazing...david is one of my favorite singer in the universe
Mark Richardson
This rocks in praise to Jesus with David, Charlotte and an all-star band. I love it for the praise of Jesus!
Jenny Semionov
David never disappoints- every song he sings is awesome!
Betty Davis
david has the greatest voice i love it