1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,880 S1: Hey, thanks a lot for listening to this program, Chris 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:06,120 S1: Fabry Live. I want to let you know this segment 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:11,840 S1: includes a song that we can't play for copyright restrictions. 4 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:21,720 S1: Sorry about that. And thank you for understanding. Today at 5 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:25,560 S1: the Radio Backyard Fence, the incredible voice, the incredible gift 6 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:29,040 S1: of a man who has thrilled audiences worldwide. He's performed 7 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:31,400 S1: at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, as well as 8 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:35,400 S1: with symphonies across the U.S. and abroad. Sung alongside Billy 9 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:40,360 S1: Graham and Chuck Swindoll, he's more than 250 musical compositions 10 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:45,519 S1: to his credit 20 genre spanning solo recordings. We're going 11 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:48,440 S1: to hear the heart of Steve Amerson today because there's 12 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:52,159 S1: something new, something he has been quietly doing behind the 13 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,600 S1: scenes in our nation's capital, and I wanted you to 14 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:59,080 S1: hear about it. As we hurtle toward America's 250th birthday, 15 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:01,190 S1: that's coming up straight ahead on the program. From the 16 00:01:01,190 --> 00:01:05,509 S1: heart to the heart for the Heart online. Chris fabriclive.org. 17 00:01:05,550 --> 00:01:07,750 S1: Let me thank our team, Ryan McConaughey, who's doing all 18 00:01:07,750 --> 00:01:11,149 S1: things technical. Tricia is our producer. Lisa is helping out. 19 00:01:11,150 --> 00:01:14,270 S1: Josh will be answering your calls. Speaking of birthdays, Doctor 20 00:01:14,270 --> 00:01:17,430 S1: John Perkins granddaughter left a message over the weekend. It 21 00:01:17,430 --> 00:01:20,070 S1: was so fun to hear her voice, and she heard 22 00:01:20,069 --> 00:01:22,470 S1: that we were offering his book as our thank you 23 00:01:22,510 --> 00:01:25,869 S1: this month, and she let me know. His birthday is 24 00:01:25,870 --> 00:01:29,310 S1: in June. So she called and said, Happy birthday, Grandpa 25 00:01:29,350 --> 00:01:33,110 S1: Perkins and to honor him and give you some real encouragement, 26 00:01:33,110 --> 00:01:36,270 S1: we're sending his book One Blood Parting Words to the 27 00:01:36,270 --> 00:01:40,229 S1: Church on Race and Love. But here's the problem. We're 28 00:01:40,230 --> 00:01:42,429 S1: down to the final two days of June, so get 29 00:01:42,430 --> 00:01:44,750 S1: in touch today. Give a gift of any size to 30 00:01:44,790 --> 00:01:47,590 S1: support the program, and we will send you a copy 31 00:01:47,590 --> 00:01:50,950 S1: of that book. Get it in the mail to you. 86695. 32 00:01:50,950 --> 00:01:57,030 S1: Fabbri is the number (866) 953-2279. Or you can go to 33 00:01:57,070 --> 00:02:02,330 S1: Chris Fabry Dot org. This is our fiscal year end 34 00:02:02,370 --> 00:02:04,890 S1: in two days and we're a little bit short this month, 35 00:02:04,890 --> 00:02:07,410 S1: so get in touch today. It would be a real 36 00:02:07,410 --> 00:02:12,210 S1: encouragement to hear from you. Chris Fabry live.com. Oh, and 37 00:02:12,210 --> 00:02:15,690 S1: thanks for your support of the Radio Backyard Fence. So 38 00:02:15,730 --> 00:02:19,890 S1: America's 250 Doctor Perkins would have been 96. And there's 39 00:02:19,889 --> 00:02:24,690 S1: one more birthday. July is Moody Radio's 100th birthday and 40 00:02:24,690 --> 00:02:27,650 S1: all in July, we're going to celebrate with voices from 41 00:02:27,650 --> 00:02:30,530 S1: the past. Some really fun memories we have for you. 42 00:02:30,530 --> 00:02:33,250 S1: And we're going to start that on Wednesday, on July 43 00:02:33,250 --> 00:02:35,690 S1: 1st here on the program. So get ready for a 44 00:02:35,690 --> 00:02:39,890 S1: celebration today. Music has been a huge part of Moody 45 00:02:39,930 --> 00:02:43,570 S1: Radio since its inception 100 years ago, and one of 46 00:02:43,570 --> 00:02:46,170 S1: the voices who has appeared on these airwaves in the 47 00:02:46,169 --> 00:02:49,490 S1: last 30 years or so is with us today. Before 48 00:02:49,490 --> 00:02:52,730 S1: I introduce to yeah, it's easy for me to say 49 00:02:52,930 --> 00:02:56,290 S1: before I introduce him, let's see if you remember any 50 00:02:56,290 --> 00:03:00,680 S1: of these songs by the one and only Steve Emerson. 51 00:03:02,480 --> 00:03:05,720 S1: Steve Emerson, take a breath and join us. How are 52 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:07,120 S1: you doing today, Chris? 53 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:10,440 S2: Chris. I'm exhausted. I can't take it anymore. 54 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:16,160 S1: Is that I timed that. I listened to it from this, 55 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:18,560 S1: from the beginning of the breath to the end is 56 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:23,480 S1: like 22 seconds. It's just. And and here's the thing. 57 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:26,200 S1: The power is there. It's like people can hold a 58 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:30,520 S1: note that long, but with that kind of power that 59 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:34,000 S1: you got to be born with that or not, don't you? 60 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:36,840 S2: You know what my old pastor used to say? That 61 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:44,840 S2: I could hold a note longer than a bank. And, uh. Uh. Chris, 62 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:48,800 S2: it's it's a gift from God. Um, I've tried to 63 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:52,640 S2: take care of the gift. Hone the gift. Um, just 64 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:57,200 S2: just use it, uh, to glorify God, no matter the setting. 65 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:00,500 S2: Whether I was singing in a church or in a 66 00:04:00,500 --> 00:04:04,900 S2: studio or a concert stage, I just tried to take 67 00:04:04,900 --> 00:04:09,180 S2: care of it and use it. And, um, as my friend, uh, 68 00:04:09,180 --> 00:04:15,420 S2: there's a wonderful businessman, Barry McGuire, uh, from Car Care. Yeah. 69 00:04:15,460 --> 00:04:18,620 S2: McGuire's car wax. And I love what Barry says. Barry 70 00:04:18,620 --> 00:04:21,220 S2: says our job is just to move people a little 71 00:04:21,220 --> 00:04:25,420 S2: closer to Jesus every day. And I've just tried to 72 00:04:25,460 --> 00:04:29,380 S2: let my voice do the same, not get in the way. Uh, 73 00:04:29,460 --> 00:04:32,060 S2: sing great songs, try to sing them as well as 74 00:04:32,060 --> 00:04:35,540 S2: I could, and just move people closer to Jesus. 75 00:04:35,820 --> 00:04:37,940 S1: Can you say a word about I mentioned Moody Radio 76 00:04:37,980 --> 00:04:40,980 S1: a hundred years. What does Moody Radio mean to you 77 00:04:40,980 --> 00:04:42,620 S1: and the ministry you've had? 78 00:04:43,260 --> 00:04:46,820 S2: When I started early on, when I was singing and 79 00:04:46,860 --> 00:04:50,020 S2: when I knew I was getting played on Moody Radio, 80 00:04:50,380 --> 00:04:55,620 S2: I had a ride. Um, it was, you know, it 81 00:04:55,620 --> 00:05:00,729 S2: was really important. Moody has been such a voice of 82 00:05:00,770 --> 00:05:06,370 S2: great preaching and of great music through the years. And seriously, 83 00:05:06,650 --> 00:05:09,529 S2: if you were on Moody radio or on the network, 84 00:05:09,930 --> 00:05:14,290 S2: that was in my mind, a huge kind of a 85 00:05:14,290 --> 00:05:19,050 S2: vote of approval. So Moody radio. And then to actually 86 00:05:19,089 --> 00:05:24,450 S2: sing for events there, uh, with Moody Bible Institute has 87 00:05:24,450 --> 00:05:28,610 S2: always just been really great. Um, so I moody has 88 00:05:28,610 --> 00:05:32,650 S2: just been, um, it's just, just one of the high 89 00:05:32,650 --> 00:05:35,290 S2: points to be able to have sung on moody radio 90 00:05:35,290 --> 00:05:36,210 S2: in all these years. 91 00:05:36,690 --> 00:05:42,250 S1: Born in New Albany, Indiana in 19. And, uh, you, 92 00:05:42,610 --> 00:05:48,210 S1: you began singing there. You moved to Columbus, moved to Indianapolis, Canton, Ohio, 93 00:05:48,529 --> 00:05:51,570 S1: and then Taylor University in Upland. There you went to 94 00:05:51,610 --> 00:05:56,390 S1: Louisville and studied at Southern Seminary. When did you know 95 00:05:56,430 --> 00:05:59,030 S1: that you had the voice that you could do what 96 00:05:59,029 --> 00:06:00,229 S1: you have done? 97 00:06:01,790 --> 00:06:06,390 S2: Well, um, I'm still trying to figure that out, Chris, but, uh, 98 00:06:06,750 --> 00:06:09,710 S2: my mom noticed that there were some musical gifting when 99 00:06:09,710 --> 00:06:13,070 S2: I was about four years old. We were out at 100 00:06:13,070 --> 00:06:17,550 S2: my grandparents church outside of Indianapolis, Indiana, a little town 101 00:06:17,550 --> 00:06:23,550 S2: called Willow Branch at Willow Branch United Methodist Church. My 102 00:06:23,550 --> 00:06:27,950 S2: dad was preaching that night. My grandma was on the organ. 103 00:06:28,310 --> 00:06:31,510 S2: I'm standing next to my mom and we're singing an 104 00:06:31,510 --> 00:06:36,710 S2: old gospel song entitled My Sheep Know My Voice. And 105 00:06:36,710 --> 00:06:39,910 S2: while we were singing, my mom looked down at me 106 00:06:40,310 --> 00:06:44,750 S2: with a look. Chris and I thought I was in trouble. 107 00:06:45,589 --> 00:06:50,670 S2: And when. When my brothers and I were in trouble, um, 108 00:06:51,910 --> 00:06:54,870 S2: my mom would take us to the women's restroom to 109 00:06:55,660 --> 00:06:59,060 S2: to spank us. I didn't mind the spanking. I just 110 00:06:59,060 --> 00:07:01,500 S2: didn't want to go into the women's restroom, you know? 111 00:07:02,220 --> 00:07:06,420 S2: But but what what I learned later is that I 112 00:07:06,420 --> 00:07:09,300 S2: was making up a harmony part. I was four years old, 113 00:07:09,300 --> 00:07:11,340 S2: and my mom looked down at me like, what are 114 00:07:11,340 --> 00:07:17,020 S2: you doing? So the gift showed itself early on. Uh, 115 00:07:17,100 --> 00:07:21,580 S2: the voice began to develop. Uh, as I grew in 116 00:07:21,580 --> 00:07:26,940 S2: high school, it started to take on some, some special qualities, uh, 117 00:07:26,940 --> 00:07:31,420 S2: and started studying voice. Then, uh, when we moved to California, 118 00:07:31,460 --> 00:07:35,420 S2: my wife and I moved to California in 1978, and 119 00:07:35,420 --> 00:07:39,620 S2: I found a great teacher, a great vocal instructor, who 120 00:07:39,620 --> 00:07:43,980 S2: also happened to be a believer. And it's during those 121 00:07:44,020 --> 00:07:48,980 S2: years that the voice really began to develop. And, um, uh, 122 00:07:48,980 --> 00:07:51,580 S2: I would, I would go and I'd start my lesson 123 00:07:51,580 --> 00:07:55,240 S2: with Mr. Lindquist. In fact, he was up in, uh, uh, 124 00:07:55,720 --> 00:08:00,320 S2: like Montecito, California. And I'd walk in. He was 89 125 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:05,480 S2: years old. He'd say, son, pray that the Lord will 126 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:06,560 S2: ease your burden. 127 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:07,440 S1: Mhm. 128 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:12,680 S2: And so that was the. And this may this man, Mr. Lindquist, 129 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:18,120 S2: made eight of the original sound recordings for Thomas Edison. Uh, 130 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:23,320 S2: speaking of radio, he sang on RKO radio. Uh, and 131 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:25,920 S2: so he was a dear man that really honed my 132 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:29,800 S2: gift and my training. And so it goes back to 133 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:33,479 S2: my childhood. And yet, uh, it's developed over the years. 134 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:39,840 S1: You just turned 72. You do not sound 72. Whatever 135 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:42,160 S1: a 72 year old is supposed to sound like. Can 136 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:45,040 S1: you still hit the notes that you sang when you 137 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:46,720 S1: were in your 20s? 138 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,200 S2: Well, Chris, I know that I have a lot fewer 139 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:56,059 S2: high notes ahead of me than behind me, but, uh, but, um, 140 00:08:56,059 --> 00:08:58,179 S2: you know what, Chris? The fact that I've taken care 141 00:08:58,179 --> 00:09:01,780 S2: of my voice. Yeah, I can, uh, I can pretty 142 00:09:01,780 --> 00:09:06,380 S2: much deliver, uh, sang this weekend quite a bit. And 143 00:09:06,380 --> 00:09:10,860 S2: this next week I'm singing in three different cities, three 144 00:09:10,860 --> 00:09:15,180 S2: different days, um, flying every day to a different city. 145 00:09:15,660 --> 00:09:18,580 S2: So the fact that I, I know it's a gift. 146 00:09:18,580 --> 00:09:21,460 S2: I've tried to take care of it. So I'm very, 147 00:09:21,460 --> 00:09:25,420 S2: very blessed that yes, to this day, uh, pretty much, um, 148 00:09:25,460 --> 00:09:28,099 S2: on command, uh, the voice delivers. 149 00:09:28,780 --> 00:09:32,420 S1: Steve Emerson is with us today at the radio backyard fence. And, 150 00:09:32,420 --> 00:09:34,820 S1: and we're talking about his music, but there's something else 151 00:09:34,820 --> 00:09:37,100 S1: that's going on. I want you to hear about it. 152 00:09:37,100 --> 00:09:40,140 S1: Something that's going on on Capitol Hill and with America. 153 00:09:40,140 --> 00:09:44,180 S1: 250 coming up. I wanted you to hear this behind 154 00:09:44,179 --> 00:09:47,540 S1: the scenes. It's really quiet. It's they haven't made a 155 00:09:47,540 --> 00:09:49,500 S1: big deal about it, but I want you to hear 156 00:09:49,500 --> 00:09:52,420 S1: about it. I think it'll encourage you. Steve is our 157 00:09:52,420 --> 00:10:07,850 S1: guest today at the back fence (877) 548-3675. A September I 158 00:10:07,850 --> 00:10:12,689 S1: was watching the Charlie Kirk Memorial, and at the beginning 159 00:10:12,690 --> 00:10:18,730 S1: of that there was the national anthem was played and I. 160 00:10:18,890 --> 00:10:21,130 S1: And I thought, wait a minute, I know, I know 161 00:10:21,130 --> 00:10:25,130 S1: that voice. Who is that? And I looked, I said, 162 00:10:25,170 --> 00:10:30,290 S1: that's like Steve Amerson. And it was, it was. So 163 00:10:30,330 --> 00:10:34,290 S1: there is, you know, the sacred music, the Christian songs 164 00:10:34,290 --> 00:10:38,449 S1: that Steve Amerson has sung and is continuing to sing. 165 00:10:39,130 --> 00:10:44,050 S1: And then there is the patriotic that you sing. That's 166 00:10:44,050 --> 00:10:48,610 S1: another genre that you you do. And I assume somebody 167 00:10:48,610 --> 00:10:53,360 S1: in the orb there at Turning point, knew of that 168 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:55,600 S1: and asked you to come alongside. Can you tell me 169 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:56,200 S1: that story? 170 00:10:56,960 --> 00:11:02,480 S2: Well, Chris, I actually met Charlie. Uh, and Erica. They 171 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:08,440 S2: weren't married at the time. I think it was probably 2016, uh, 172 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:12,480 S2: happened to be in an airport in, uh, South Dakota. 173 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:15,760 S2: And I knew he was who he was. He didn't 174 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,400 S2: know me. I saw him sitting there and I just 175 00:11:18,400 --> 00:11:23,719 S2: went over and started chatting with Charlie, and we exchanged information. Uh, 176 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:28,199 S2: that was in July. And then the next month, he 177 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:31,559 S2: and I wound up I didn't know we didn't event 178 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:35,040 S2: together in Colorado. I was singing and he was speaking. 179 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:40,600 S2: So it reinforced the relationship and we just stayed in touch. 180 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:44,840 S2: And occasionally I would just send him a quick text 181 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:48,560 S2: that I was praying for him or, uh, you know, 182 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:51,000 S2: want to encourage him, tell him to be strong, to 183 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:55,939 S2: be courageous. And sometimes he would respond, sometimes he wouldn't 184 00:11:55,940 --> 00:12:01,340 S2: because of his intense schedule. And many times when he responded, 185 00:12:01,340 --> 00:12:05,660 S2: he would respond with a with a verse of scripture. Um, 186 00:12:06,820 --> 00:12:11,339 S2: just just to encourage me. So I got to know 187 00:12:11,340 --> 00:12:18,980 S2: him and was, uh, quite, um, uh, it was a 188 00:12:18,980 --> 00:12:22,140 S2: sad day. I remember sitting right here at my desk 189 00:12:22,140 --> 00:12:25,940 S2: where I'm at and to see the word come across 190 00:12:25,940 --> 00:12:30,780 S2: the wire, I looked at Charlie's last text to me, 191 00:12:32,340 --> 00:12:38,500 S2: and his last text to me was Zephaniah 317 the 192 00:12:38,500 --> 00:12:43,060 S2: Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one 193 00:12:43,059 --> 00:12:47,580 S2: who will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness. 194 00:12:48,020 --> 00:12:52,240 S2: He will quiet you. By his love. He will exalt 195 00:12:52,240 --> 00:13:01,560 S2: over you with loud singing. So, um, that was the 196 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:06,440 S2: last thing he he texted to me. Uh, so it 197 00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:12,360 S2: was a few days after his death, uh, that, um, 198 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:15,640 S2: turning point. The CEO reached out to me and said, hey, 199 00:13:15,679 --> 00:13:19,080 S2: would you be willing to sing the anthem at the, 200 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:23,440 S2: at the memorial? And he just said, Charlie loved you 201 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:28,800 S2: so much. Um, so anyway, uh, my wife Christina, and 202 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:35,280 S2: I flew over to Phoenix, uh, the day before the memorial. Um, 203 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:41,240 S2: it was, uh, they threw that thing together, and in 204 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:45,760 S2: ten days, it was just phenomenal. What they pulled off, uh, 205 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:48,000 S2: got into the arena. It took about an hour and 206 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:53,270 S2: a half to get into the arena into State Farm. Um, uh, 207 00:13:53,470 --> 00:13:58,310 S2: to the venue. Did a sound check around 630 in 208 00:13:58,350 --> 00:14:03,630 S2: the morning. Uh, I didn't sing until 1130, but during 209 00:14:03,630 --> 00:14:07,110 S2: my soundcheck, got my levels and felt, you know, got 210 00:14:07,670 --> 00:14:12,270 S2: felt the room, uh, kind of tried to settle, uh, my, 211 00:14:12,350 --> 00:14:17,069 S2: my spirit also. And then I walked out and I'm singing. 212 00:14:17,870 --> 00:14:21,470 S2: I start singing, uh, actually in the memorial and I'm 213 00:14:21,470 --> 00:14:23,950 S2: thinking inside my head, okay, I got this. I've got 214 00:14:23,950 --> 00:14:28,110 S2: my emotions together and it's going well. And Chris then 215 00:14:28,110 --> 00:14:32,750 S2: I look at the front row and it's like Marco Rubio, 216 00:14:32,750 --> 00:14:41,070 S2: Pete Hegseth, Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, you know, Sean Duffy and, uh, Kennedy. 217 00:14:41,110 --> 00:14:44,110 S2: And I'm looking at all of the cabinet and I'm going, 218 00:14:44,110 --> 00:14:47,790 S2: oh my goodness. But it was, it was great to 219 00:14:47,790 --> 00:14:52,460 S2: be able to participate, to honor his life, to honor him. 220 00:14:52,460 --> 00:14:56,220 S2: I still continue to do events for Turning Point. Uh, 221 00:14:56,220 --> 00:15:01,300 S2: but he was. Charlie was an amazing young man in 222 00:15:01,340 --> 00:15:06,420 S2: that he understood. He didn't understand. He he knew history. 223 00:15:06,740 --> 00:15:10,140 S2: He knew the Bible. He knew Scripture, he understood government. 224 00:15:10,500 --> 00:15:14,460 S2: And I know he was controversial, but Charlie could take 225 00:15:14,460 --> 00:15:20,420 S2: all of these disparate pieces of information and put them 226 00:15:20,420 --> 00:15:26,340 S2: together and then speak so cogently. And I believe that his, um, 227 00:15:28,180 --> 00:15:31,220 S2: losing him was a great loss for the United States 228 00:15:31,380 --> 00:15:32,580 S2: and for the Kingdom. 229 00:15:34,380 --> 00:15:37,860 S1: Thanks for sharing that, Steve. Especially the, you know, what 230 00:15:37,860 --> 00:15:41,100 S1: you what you felt because usually, you know, you've done 231 00:15:41,100 --> 00:15:44,340 S1: this for years and years and years and you're a professional. 232 00:15:45,020 --> 00:15:49,800 S1: But to know that you, you look out in the 233 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:53,520 S1: audience not to speak of all the different luminaries in 234 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:55,800 S1: the Christian world that were probably out there too, that 235 00:15:55,800 --> 00:16:00,360 S1: you could probably see. Um, and that says something. I wonder, 236 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:04,880 S1: can we transition then to what you've been doing on 237 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:09,360 S1: Capitol Hill because you are co-founder of the nonpartisan The 238 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:13,040 S1: Word on the Hill. Tell me about that and what 239 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:13,720 S1: you do. 240 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:20,000 S2: Uh, in 2014, I was asked if I would come 241 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:24,160 S2: and sing and lead worship in the first weekly worship 242 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:31,280 S2: service back in the Capitol in 144 years. Yes, folks, 243 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:35,560 S2: there were worship services in the Capitol from eight a 244 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:41,680 S2: weekly services from 1800 to 1869. Thomas Jefferson would ride 245 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:45,280 S2: his horse from the white House down to the Capitol 246 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:50,500 S2: for these services in Statuary Hall. Local pastors would preach 247 00:16:50,540 --> 00:16:55,180 S2: each week. Statuary Hall during those years was probably the 248 00:16:55,180 --> 00:17:01,260 S2: largest assembly room in D.C.. The marine band would be 249 00:17:01,260 --> 00:17:04,540 S2: up in the balcony. There's this little balcony that surrounds 250 00:17:04,540 --> 00:17:07,939 S2: Statuary Hall there in the Capitol, and the Marine Band 251 00:17:07,980 --> 00:17:12,540 S2: would be up there playing for the hymns. So I 252 00:17:12,540 --> 00:17:15,420 S2: was asked if I'd come and sing at the first 253 00:17:15,420 --> 00:17:21,820 S2: weekly service in 144 years. Uh, the gentleman starting them said, 254 00:17:21,820 --> 00:17:24,100 S2: I don't have any money to pay you for travel, 255 00:17:24,100 --> 00:17:28,060 S2: for hotel, for honorarium. Uh, would you come and do this? 256 00:17:28,100 --> 00:17:31,940 S2: It sounded like a great deal to me. And, uh, 257 00:17:32,220 --> 00:17:35,859 S2: went and did that first service down in HC5, which 258 00:17:35,859 --> 00:17:38,859 S2: is a gathering room in the basement of the Capitol. 259 00:17:39,420 --> 00:17:42,380 S2: And at the end of the night, the the guy 260 00:17:42,420 --> 00:17:47,530 S2: organizing said, would you come back twice a month? So 261 00:17:48,090 --> 00:17:50,690 S2: I went. I made about 4 or 5 trips, and 262 00:17:50,690 --> 00:17:54,170 S2: then I was sending an email to my board as 263 00:17:54,170 --> 00:17:57,290 S2: I flew back to California and said, we just can't 264 00:17:57,290 --> 00:18:00,450 S2: keep doing this. Don't have the bandwidth, don't have the 265 00:18:00,450 --> 00:18:05,210 S2: financial support. And Chris, it was probably within about three 266 00:18:05,210 --> 00:18:09,930 S2: weeks that funding for the rest of the year came together. 267 00:18:10,369 --> 00:18:14,050 S2: People around the country heard what I was doing and said, 268 00:18:14,050 --> 00:18:18,450 S2: we want you on Capitol Hill. So for the past 269 00:18:18,450 --> 00:18:23,730 S2: 12 years, I normally make two trips from California to Washington, D.C. 270 00:18:24,369 --> 00:18:30,330 S2: before I go, I write 225 notes of encouragement to 271 00:18:30,410 --> 00:18:34,970 S2: members of Congress. The note will have a scripture printed 272 00:18:34,970 --> 00:18:39,130 S2: up top along with a quote, some inspirational quote, and 273 00:18:39,130 --> 00:18:43,530 S2: then I will personally write something. And I was in D.C. 274 00:18:43,570 --> 00:18:46,880 S2: last week. I flew in on Tuesday and I hit 275 00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:49,680 S2: the ground, dropped my bags to the hotel and I 276 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:53,080 S2: started in the cannon House office building delivering my notes. 277 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:56,800 S2: Before the night was done, I wound up in in 278 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:01,320 S2: the Capitol. Then I complete delivering all of my notes 279 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:05,760 S2: on Wednesday. Normally I. I walk about four miles Tuesday 280 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:09,720 S2: night and about ten miles on Wednesday before we do 281 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:14,480 S2: the service Wednesday night. As I was in the Capitol 282 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:18,480 S2: Tuesday night, standing right outside the House chamber, standing there 283 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:21,120 S2: greeting members and so forth, and a member of Congress 284 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:24,360 S2: walks out, sees me, puts his finger in my face, 285 00:19:24,359 --> 00:19:29,120 S2: and he says, don't forget, you're one of the good guys. 286 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:29,840 S1: Yeah. 287 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:36,040 S2: And Chris, it's it's that, um, members and staff now 288 00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:39,720 S2: know that I don't want anything. I'm not a lobbyist. 289 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:43,160 S2: I'm not a reporter. I'm not a constituent. I'm just 290 00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:49,420 S2: there to encourage. Um, Chris, the week after Charlie Kirk memorial, 291 00:19:49,460 --> 00:19:52,060 S2: I'm back on the hill. I walk into the office 292 00:19:52,060 --> 00:19:56,859 S2: of a Democrat, uh, representative. If I mention the name, 293 00:19:57,619 --> 00:20:01,580 S2: everyone would know the name and the schedule. I walk 294 00:20:01,580 --> 00:20:06,419 S2: into the office and the scheduler sitting there and she said, Mr. Emerson, 295 00:20:06,820 --> 00:20:09,580 S2: I was watching TV Sunday afternoon, and I saw you 296 00:20:09,619 --> 00:20:15,100 S2: singing at Charlie Kirk's memorial, and I'm thinking to myself, 297 00:20:15,100 --> 00:20:18,100 S2: what in the world is she doing watching Charlie Kirk's memorial? 298 00:20:18,820 --> 00:20:23,180 S2: But I sat down and I said, there was an 299 00:20:23,340 --> 00:20:27,460 S2: empty chair beside me. I said, oh, Darlene, I wish 300 00:20:27,460 --> 00:20:30,740 S2: Charlie were here right now, sitting right there. He would 301 00:20:30,780 --> 00:20:34,940 S2: have loved you and you would have loved him. And 302 00:20:34,940 --> 00:20:40,340 S2: she's just looking at me. So, Chris, my job, I 303 00:20:40,340 --> 00:20:43,420 S2: try to reach out to both Republicans and Democrats on 304 00:20:43,420 --> 00:20:46,560 S2: the House side and the Senate side. And as I 305 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:48,920 S2: shared earlier, I'm just trying to move people a little 306 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:52,680 S2: closer to Jesus. And so I've been doing that for 307 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:59,000 S2: 12 years. Um, I don't, I plan on continuing doing that, leading, 308 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:01,399 S2: helping to lead in this worship service. It's a small 309 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:05,880 S2: group of believers there in the Capitol on the first floor. Uh, 310 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:10,840 S2: we either meet in room 121 20 or 1 137 311 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:13,480 S2: on the first floor of the Capitol, uh, just to 312 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:16,440 S2: have worship going on in the Capitol and to be 313 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:18,200 S2: engaging with members of Congress. 314 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:23,880 S1: And did you is this a, a calling that you 315 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,879 S1: feel God didn't say, you've got to go do this. 316 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:29,080 S1: You know, you had the funding. It was just an 317 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:31,960 S1: opportunity that you said, I'm going to do this, but 318 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:37,120 S1: there is no there's no outcome. You're open handed with it. 319 00:21:37,160 --> 00:21:38,560 S1: It sounds like. Right. 320 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:42,359 S2: You know, Chris, I remember years ago, in fact, he 321 00:21:42,359 --> 00:21:49,030 S2: was probably a favorite moody speaker also. Um, uh, Bruce 322 00:21:49,030 --> 00:21:53,949 S2: Wilkinson and years ago I read this book by Bruce 323 00:21:54,150 --> 00:21:58,710 S2: called The Prayer of Jabez, and I prayed the prayer. 324 00:22:00,109 --> 00:22:04,510 S2: I had no idea that God was going to enlarge 325 00:22:04,510 --> 00:22:12,070 S2: my territory to Washington, DC and Capitol Hill. Um, if 326 00:22:12,070 --> 00:22:14,510 S2: people are going to pray the prayer of Jabez, they 327 00:22:14,510 --> 00:22:19,430 S2: better be really, really careful. Uh, because you don't know 328 00:22:19,430 --> 00:22:22,109 S2: how just just where that's going to take you. So 329 00:22:22,390 --> 00:22:26,390 S2: I had no, uh, I was not political. And I, I, 330 00:22:27,190 --> 00:22:30,429 S2: I'm political in that I need to know what's going 331 00:22:30,430 --> 00:22:32,629 S2: on in the government and I need to know what's 332 00:22:32,630 --> 00:22:36,550 S2: going on in politicians lives so that I can be 333 00:22:36,550 --> 00:22:40,670 S2: intelligent and speak into it. But I didn't really follow politics. 334 00:22:40,670 --> 00:22:43,859 S2: I didn't know the difference between the House and the Senate. 335 00:22:44,140 --> 00:22:46,660 S2: I didn't know where the white House was or where 336 00:22:46,660 --> 00:22:50,979 S2: the Capitol was. I didn't know that stuff. But God 337 00:22:50,980 --> 00:22:54,100 S2: has enlarged my territory so I can engage with these 338 00:22:54,100 --> 00:22:58,340 S2: members of Congress and the 18,000 people that actually work 339 00:22:58,340 --> 00:23:03,500 S2: on Capitol Hill. So God's given opened a door to 340 00:23:03,580 --> 00:23:07,899 S2: allow me us to engage with these people. Chris, it 341 00:23:07,900 --> 00:23:09,939 S2: was probably about two months ago, I walked into the 342 00:23:09,940 --> 00:23:14,139 S2: office of a representative. Young gal is there at the desk. 343 00:23:14,420 --> 00:23:18,740 S2: I hand my note, uh, for the congressman and she goes, 344 00:23:19,180 --> 00:23:24,660 S2: can we have coffee sometime? So when I was back 345 00:23:24,660 --> 00:23:29,020 S2: in DC last week, Thursday morning, Maya and I had 346 00:23:29,020 --> 00:23:33,540 S2: coffee together. And this young girl is passionate for Jesus. 347 00:23:34,140 --> 00:23:38,460 S2: And it was such an encouragement to her. My notes 348 00:23:38,460 --> 00:23:42,800 S2: that I write, they're not sealed If they were sealed, 349 00:23:43,680 --> 00:23:47,080 S2: they wouldn't open them for security reasons. So if I 350 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:50,240 S2: don't put my note into the hands of the representative 351 00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:52,800 S2: or the senator, I hand it to a staff member. 352 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:55,200 S2: And as soon as I walk out of the office, 353 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:57,480 S2: they open the note to see what to do with it. 354 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:01,480 S2: So these young kids that are basically in their 20s 355 00:24:01,480 --> 00:24:04,480 S2: and 30s who run the hill, they're seeing a word 356 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:08,359 S2: of scripture, a word of encouragement. So I just continue 357 00:24:08,359 --> 00:24:09,520 S2: to try to do that. 358 00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:13,080 S1: This is so encouraging. Steve Emerson is with us today. 359 00:24:13,080 --> 00:24:23,080 S1: I'd love to hear from you. Here's the number 87754836758775483675. 360 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,560 S1: More straight ahead on Moody Radio. 361 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:37,800 S3: This is Chris Fabry live. 362 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:42,060 S1: Steve Emerson is with us. He's a singer songwriter, recording artist, 363 00:24:42,420 --> 00:24:46,340 S1: some 20 albums, a 30 plus music career. He's been 364 00:24:46,340 --> 00:24:54,460 S1: heard on more than 175 films, commercials, television shows, as 365 00:24:54,460 --> 00:24:57,700 S1: well as the music that he goes and sings in 366 00:24:58,060 --> 00:25:02,619 S1: different places throughout the country, throughout the the world. He 367 00:25:02,660 --> 00:25:05,980 S1: sang at the Friday Sing at Moody Radio, as well 368 00:25:05,980 --> 00:25:10,740 S1: as Founders Week and other places, national religious broadcasters. And 369 00:25:10,740 --> 00:25:12,700 S1: when I heard this thing about what was going on 370 00:25:12,700 --> 00:25:14,780 S1: on Capitol Hill, I thought, I've got to talk with 371 00:25:14,780 --> 00:25:18,540 S1: Steve about this. More questions about that. But you get 372 00:25:18,540 --> 00:25:24,859 S1: to talk with him 28775483675. Brad is in Florida. Hi Brad. 373 00:25:24,859 --> 00:25:25,660 S1: Go right ahead. 374 00:25:27,980 --> 00:25:31,740 S4: Hey Steve. I had a great experience at Taylor University 375 00:25:32,140 --> 00:25:34,060 S4: and I know they're doing good things there. Now I'm 376 00:25:34,060 --> 00:25:37,580 S4: just wondering how you got there or when the last 377 00:25:37,580 --> 00:25:39,260 S4: time you were there was. 378 00:25:41,210 --> 00:25:44,370 S2: Um, what's your name again? Brad. 379 00:25:44,410 --> 00:25:44,890 S4: Brad. 380 00:25:45,290 --> 00:25:51,290 S2: Brad. I got there by car. Um, I drove. No, um, 381 00:25:52,090 --> 00:25:55,530 S2: there were several schools. Uh, as I finished my high 382 00:25:55,530 --> 00:25:57,970 S2: school years, there were several schools I was looking at. 383 00:25:58,010 --> 00:26:00,970 S2: Lived in Ohio at the time, uh, looked at Bowling 384 00:26:00,970 --> 00:26:04,770 S2: Green University, a state school. My parents were very tied 385 00:26:04,770 --> 00:26:08,370 S2: in and my brothers went to Asbury, uh, College down 386 00:26:08,369 --> 00:26:11,130 S2: in Kentucky. Uh, but I wanted to strike out on 387 00:26:11,130 --> 00:26:14,450 S2: my own and was familiar with Taylor. And I went 388 00:26:14,450 --> 00:26:18,090 S2: to went to Taylor, did all four years there. Uh, 389 00:26:18,090 --> 00:26:20,570 S2: I was there the last time, I think it was 390 00:26:20,570 --> 00:26:24,210 S2: maybe 2 or 3 years ago. Went and sang I'll 391 00:26:24,210 --> 00:26:28,290 S2: be back at Taylor actually in October. Uh, it's a 392 00:26:28,290 --> 00:26:31,490 S2: big reunion. Uh, this year I'll be there to sing 393 00:26:31,490 --> 00:26:36,449 S2: several times in October. Uh, wonderful things happening at Taylor. Uh, 394 00:26:36,490 --> 00:26:42,440 S2: the new, new president is just doing phenomenal things. Taylor 395 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:46,560 S2: is holding true to the word and, uh, really growing. 396 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:51,240 S2: They've done some remodeling. Uh, Eli Lilly did a grant. 397 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:54,639 S2: And upland is, uh, the little town of upland is 398 00:26:54,800 --> 00:26:57,440 S2: has has, is greatly improved. So I'll be back there 399 00:26:57,440 --> 00:26:58,040 S2: in the fall. 400 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:03,080 S4: Cool. Is that homecoming weekend or another time? 401 00:27:03,400 --> 00:27:06,800 S2: That's actually homecoming weekend. They asked me to come back home. 402 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:11,000 S2: I can't believe it, but, um. No, I'll be back there. 403 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:15,680 S2: Taylor's been very kind to me. They've recognized me. Uh, 404 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:19,280 S2: in fact, years ago, they they gave me a doctorate. Uh, 405 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:22,800 S2: some would say it was an honorary doctorate. Uh, my 406 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:27,320 S2: dad would probably say it was an honorary doctorate, but, um, 407 00:27:27,320 --> 00:27:28,920 S2: because I was honorary. 408 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:31,800 S1: But you ornery Steve. 409 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:35,359 S2: That's that's right. But I'll be back there for homecoming 410 00:27:35,359 --> 00:27:36,119 S2: in October. 411 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:39,100 S1: Brad, thanks for your call. is it? It feels like 412 00:27:39,100 --> 00:27:41,780 S1: old home week. Uh, talking about that. And when you 413 00:27:41,820 --> 00:27:45,540 S1: were describing what happened on Capitol Hill, there's a voice 414 00:27:45,540 --> 00:27:48,140 S1: that came to my mind. Larry Poland was a really 415 00:27:48,140 --> 00:27:50,420 S1: good friend came on this program and others that I've 416 00:27:50,420 --> 00:27:53,180 S1: done through the years, but he had something called The Mediator, 417 00:27:53,420 --> 00:27:58,619 S1: where he would go to Hollywood executives and producers and, 418 00:27:58,980 --> 00:28:01,900 S1: you know, the filmmakers, you know, the those who were 419 00:28:01,900 --> 00:28:05,580 S1: movers and shakers and the actors, but the main people 420 00:28:05,580 --> 00:28:09,260 S1: that he came into contact with were believers behind the 421 00:28:09,300 --> 00:28:12,740 S1: scenes in Hollywood. And so he brought some of the 422 00:28:12,740 --> 00:28:16,340 S1: walls down between all those who were talking, you know, 423 00:28:16,380 --> 00:28:19,580 S1: negatively about what Hollywood puts out and good reason to 424 00:28:19,580 --> 00:28:22,419 S1: do that. But he was kind of this bridge. He 425 00:28:22,420 --> 00:28:25,140 S1: was he was tearing the walls down. And it sounds 426 00:28:25,140 --> 00:28:27,540 S1: like you're doing some of the same kind of work 427 00:28:27,540 --> 00:28:28,620 S1: on Capitol Hill. 428 00:28:29,540 --> 00:28:33,620 S2: Well, yeah, Larry was a friend. His organization was master media. 429 00:28:33,619 --> 00:28:36,859 S2: And then you're right, he sent out this newsletter of 430 00:28:36,980 --> 00:28:43,250 S2: of listing, uh, executives and, uh, celebrities in, in the 431 00:28:43,250 --> 00:28:46,410 S2: entertainment industry. And he would go in and hand people 432 00:28:46,410 --> 00:28:50,930 S2: this calendar, this prayer calendar with their name on it. And, 433 00:28:50,930 --> 00:28:53,770 S2: and a lot of times these executives would go like, well, 434 00:28:53,770 --> 00:28:56,530 S2: what do you want? Why am I on this list? 435 00:28:56,530 --> 00:29:00,330 S2: And then sometimes people say, hey, why am only this number? 436 00:29:00,330 --> 00:29:03,130 S2: How can I get higher on this list? You know? 437 00:29:03,330 --> 00:29:07,570 S2: And they didn't understand. It was just a prayer calendar. Um, 438 00:29:07,970 --> 00:29:11,770 S2: people are in need on Capitol Hill. Oh, Chris, this 439 00:29:11,770 --> 00:29:16,250 S2: also early on when I was going to, to DC, uh, 440 00:29:16,250 --> 00:29:19,410 S2: I walked into this office of a member of Congress, uh, 441 00:29:19,410 --> 00:29:21,930 S2: for a meeting. He invites me in and as we're 442 00:29:21,930 --> 00:29:25,050 S2: going in, he said, are you going to sing for us? 443 00:29:26,010 --> 00:29:29,330 S2: And I'm thinking, I don't know this man. How does 444 00:29:29,330 --> 00:29:33,330 S2: he know that I sing? And then I, I learned 445 00:29:33,330 --> 00:29:36,710 S2: his name was Tim Walberg and he used to work 446 00:29:36,750 --> 00:29:39,590 S2: at Moody Bible Institute, and he said. I said, how 447 00:29:39,590 --> 00:29:41,510 S2: do you know I sing? He said, you used to 448 00:29:41,510 --> 00:29:44,469 S2: come and sing for us at Moody back during the 449 00:29:44,470 --> 00:29:49,270 S2: days of Joel Stoll. And now Tim Wahlberg is a 450 00:29:49,270 --> 00:29:55,630 S2: phenomenal member of Congress from Michigan. Just a real solid believer. 451 00:29:55,630 --> 00:29:59,670 S2: He and his wife Sue, are dear friends, dear people. 452 00:29:59,990 --> 00:30:03,910 S2: And there are those kinds of people on Capitol Hill. 453 00:30:04,510 --> 00:30:07,590 S2: So you're right, Chris. I go there without an agenda. 454 00:30:07,630 --> 00:30:10,990 S2: I don't have a political agenda. I go there just 455 00:30:10,990 --> 00:30:15,350 S2: to be an encourager. Uh, in fact, one day I'm 456 00:30:15,350 --> 00:30:17,870 S2: walking down the hall, I think in the Longworth building, 457 00:30:17,870 --> 00:30:20,910 S2: one of the house office buildings. This member of Congress 458 00:30:20,910 --> 00:30:24,790 S2: turns the corner. He sees me and he says, ah, 459 00:30:25,950 --> 00:30:27,390 S2: the great encourager. 460 00:30:27,750 --> 00:30:28,110 S1: Ah! 461 00:30:29,590 --> 00:30:32,030 S2: And, Chris, that meant so much to me. And what 462 00:30:32,030 --> 00:30:36,180 S2: people don't they fail to think about is, um. there 463 00:30:36,180 --> 00:30:39,260 S2: was a dear member I was with last week. Uh, 464 00:30:39,380 --> 00:30:44,780 S2: his son, uh, was imprisoned, uh, with a methamphetamine addict 465 00:30:45,460 --> 00:30:50,620 S2: and was imprisoned and recently was released. Uh, his wife, 466 00:30:50,620 --> 00:30:54,740 S2: this member's wife passed away back in January, and he 467 00:30:54,740 --> 00:30:58,260 S2: called and said with tearful, he said, Steve, is there 468 00:30:58,260 --> 00:31:01,620 S2: any chance you would come to my state and sing 469 00:31:01,620 --> 00:31:06,700 S2: for my wife's memorial for her funeral, which I did. Uh, 470 00:31:07,020 --> 00:31:10,100 S2: one day I see a member of Congress. I said, 471 00:31:10,100 --> 00:31:12,140 S2: how can I pray for you today? What do you 472 00:31:12,140 --> 00:31:15,780 S2: need God to do for you? He said, our 33 473 00:31:15,780 --> 00:31:19,300 S2: year old son just committed suicide. My wife and I 474 00:31:19,300 --> 00:31:24,340 S2: need our joy back. So there are members of Congress 475 00:31:24,340 --> 00:31:31,980 S2: who have needs who, whether they're physical or emotional challenges or, uh, 476 00:31:31,980 --> 00:31:37,120 S2: financial challenges, they are real people that work there. So 477 00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:39,920 S2: part of my purpose is just to be an encourager 478 00:31:39,920 --> 00:31:41,800 S2: there in on Capitol Hill. 479 00:31:42,360 --> 00:31:45,880 S1: I'm so glad you're doing that. And it's encouraging to 480 00:31:45,920 --> 00:31:49,240 S1: hear that. For those of us who, you know, don't 481 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:53,560 S1: walk those hallowed halls, that you're just doing that encouragement. 482 00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:56,800 S1: Let's give you a little encouragement. Pennies in Alabama. Penny. 483 00:31:56,840 --> 00:31:58,000 S1: Why did you call today? 484 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:02,959 S5: Yes, Steve. The first time I heard blades of grass 485 00:32:02,960 --> 00:32:07,360 S5: and pure white Stones, you were singing it. And I 486 00:32:07,360 --> 00:32:12,040 S5: always think of you whenever I hear the song. Also, 487 00:32:12,080 --> 00:32:15,600 S5: I enjoy your email that I received about your work 488 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:16,920 S5: on Capitol Hill. 489 00:32:18,320 --> 00:32:21,800 S2: Well, Penny, you are so kind. Um, thank you so much. 490 00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:26,320 S2: Two things, uh, the email that Penny's talking about, I 491 00:32:26,360 --> 00:32:28,680 S2: send out. If people want to know more about what 492 00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:32,240 S2: I'm doing, they can go to the word on the hill.org. 493 00:32:33,080 --> 00:32:37,350 S2: The word on the hill.org. They can sign up every 494 00:32:37,390 --> 00:32:41,710 S2: after every trip. Penny knows this. I send out, uh, 495 00:32:41,830 --> 00:32:45,350 S2: kind of an update. I don't normally mention names, but 496 00:32:45,390 --> 00:32:48,310 S2: it gives an update of what I did on the 497 00:32:48,310 --> 00:32:51,630 S2: Hill that trip and that song, Blades of Grass and 498 00:32:51,630 --> 00:32:55,150 S2: Pure White Stones. The lyric was actually written by Senator 499 00:32:55,190 --> 00:33:00,670 S2: Orrin Hatch. Uh, and the music was written by two friends, 500 00:33:00,670 --> 00:33:05,150 S2: Lowell Alexander and Phil Nash. But I knew Senator Hatch 501 00:33:05,190 --> 00:33:07,870 S2: got to know him. He was always very, very gracious. 502 00:33:07,870 --> 00:33:11,390 S2: But Penny, thanks for sharing that. That song is especially 503 00:33:11,390 --> 00:33:14,870 S2: in fact, I sang that song yesterday, uh, as I 504 00:33:14,870 --> 00:33:19,310 S2: was singing in Texas. It's just a. The reference blades 505 00:33:19,310 --> 00:33:28,670 S2: of grass and pure white stones is a reflection of military, uh, cemeteries. Uh, 506 00:33:28,670 --> 00:33:32,030 S2: I'll also be singing that song, uh, this week, this 507 00:33:32,030 --> 00:33:35,410 S2: coming week in Kentucky when I sing bear, and then 508 00:33:35,410 --> 00:33:38,850 S2: I'll be singing it for the burial of a Medal 509 00:33:38,850 --> 00:33:43,570 S2: of Honor recipient, Bruce Crandall. Bruce died about three weeks ago. 510 00:33:44,010 --> 00:33:47,570 S2: Veteran of the Vietnam War. He was in the Air 511 00:33:47,610 --> 00:33:49,370 S2: Cavalry and. 512 00:33:50,410 --> 00:33:54,490 S1: He was the the the the tall, the tall helicopter 513 00:33:54,490 --> 00:33:58,490 S1: pilot who went in again and again and again and 514 00:33:58,490 --> 00:34:00,770 S1: again in the Drang. Right? 515 00:34:01,090 --> 00:34:03,850 S2: Yeah. That's right. And actually there were two of them. 516 00:34:03,850 --> 00:34:07,210 S2: There was Ed too tall. Freeman. His call sign was 517 00:34:07,210 --> 00:34:11,450 S2: too tall. And Bruce Crandall, uh, his, uh, call sign 518 00:34:11,450 --> 00:34:16,490 S2: was snake. And you're right. Bruce made 17 passes back 519 00:34:16,489 --> 00:34:21,009 S2: into the landing zone, pulling out, taking out the wounded. 520 00:34:21,530 --> 00:34:23,970 S2: And years ago, Bruce said to me and his story 521 00:34:23,969 --> 00:34:25,850 S2: is told. Their story is told in the movie. We 522 00:34:25,850 --> 00:34:26,730 S2: were soldiers. 523 00:34:26,770 --> 00:34:30,850 S1: Right in the book, too. And the colonel, uh, and 524 00:34:30,850 --> 00:34:31,970 S1: I can't remember his name. 525 00:34:32,010 --> 00:34:37,270 S6: Uh, Yeah, I'm I, uh, how how more, how more. 526 00:34:37,310 --> 00:34:38,430 S1: Right. Yeah. 527 00:34:38,469 --> 00:34:39,069 S6: And. 528 00:34:39,350 --> 00:34:43,989 S2: Uh, years ago, Bruce said, Steve, when I'm buried at Arlington, 529 00:34:43,989 --> 00:34:47,589 S2: I want you there. And his son called me about 530 00:34:47,590 --> 00:34:51,430 S2: three weeks ago, said Bruce passed. Uh, would they schedule 531 00:34:51,469 --> 00:34:54,190 S2: the the burial? We would really like to have you there, 532 00:34:54,190 --> 00:34:57,550 S2: so I'll do every. It takes 3 to 6 months. 533 00:34:57,550 --> 00:35:00,510 S2: There's such a backup. It takes 3 to 6 months 534 00:35:00,510 --> 00:35:05,070 S2: from when someone dies that they're actually buried. So I'm 535 00:35:05,070 --> 00:35:08,350 S2: waiting for word on Bruce's burial, and I'll do everything 536 00:35:08,390 --> 00:35:11,430 S2: possible to get back to sing for his burial at Arlington. 537 00:35:12,190 --> 00:35:14,590 S1: Steve Emerson is with us today. If you go to 538 00:35:14,630 --> 00:35:18,270 S1: Chris Fabry live.org, we've got a link to that website 539 00:35:18,270 --> 00:35:21,150 S1: where you can get the email that Steve just talked 540 00:35:21,150 --> 00:35:24,270 S1: about with Penny. Penny, thanks for your call today. Just 541 00:35:24,270 --> 00:35:28,670 S1: go to Chris Fabry live dot ORG, and there's more 542 00:35:28,670 --> 00:35:30,910 S1: to come straight ahead on Moody Radio. 543 00:35:39,219 --> 00:35:40,660 S3: What a treat to have Steve. 544 00:35:40,700 --> 00:35:43,020 S1: Emerson with us at today at the Radio Backyard Fence. 545 00:35:43,060 --> 00:35:45,980 S1: Hope this is encouraging to you. The ministry that is 546 00:35:45,980 --> 00:35:47,899 S1: going on on Capitol Hill. And you can find out 547 00:35:47,900 --> 00:35:51,299 S1: more about that. We have a link to Chris Fabry live.org. 548 00:35:51,940 --> 00:35:56,340 S1: Steve lives in Ventura, California. He sings Ventura Highway all 549 00:35:56,340 --> 00:35:59,420 S1: day long. There's the other thing I wanted to ask 550 00:35:59,420 --> 00:36:03,740 S1: you about was how you got into singing on the 551 00:36:03,739 --> 00:36:06,339 S1: soundtracks for the for the feature films, I see all 552 00:36:06,380 --> 00:36:08,339 S1: of these beauty and the Beast and Men in Black 553 00:36:08,340 --> 00:36:11,420 S1: and The Hunt for Red October, as well as La 554 00:36:11,420 --> 00:36:14,500 S1: La Land and other other things. How do you. Did 555 00:36:14,500 --> 00:36:16,859 S1: somebody just say, oh, Steve would be good? Get him 556 00:36:16,860 --> 00:36:19,419 S1: in the chorus for that. Well, how do you do that? 557 00:36:19,460 --> 00:36:20,340 S6: Oh, well. 558 00:36:20,380 --> 00:36:23,700 S2: Chris, at the time I mentioned my wife and I 559 00:36:23,700 --> 00:36:28,900 S2: moved to California in 1978, and I was involved. I 560 00:36:28,900 --> 00:36:32,570 S2: was on staff at the First Baptist Church of Van Nuys, California. 561 00:36:33,010 --> 00:36:37,009 S2: That church had a phenomenal music program. I mean, it 562 00:36:37,010 --> 00:36:41,170 S2: was it was well known around the country and a 563 00:36:41,210 --> 00:36:44,969 S2: lot of fine musicians. And I would sing in the 564 00:36:44,969 --> 00:36:49,850 S2: music programs there at the church. And most of the 565 00:36:51,210 --> 00:36:55,130 S2: fine music singers in Los Angeles would always attend the 566 00:36:55,130 --> 00:36:59,370 S2: Christmas program. Uh, it was a living Christmas tree presentation, 567 00:36:59,610 --> 00:37:03,169 S2: and it was well known. And so I would sing 568 00:37:03,170 --> 00:37:06,210 S2: in that. And so that's kind of how people learned 569 00:37:06,210 --> 00:37:10,410 S2: about my voice and my gifting. And, um, I think 570 00:37:10,410 --> 00:37:13,210 S2: the first thing that I sang for was a commercial 571 00:37:13,210 --> 00:37:18,890 S2: for Dole pineapples. Uh, and, uh, did that. And that 572 00:37:18,890 --> 00:37:22,890 S2: led to one thing and another saying, uh, for 175 573 00:37:22,930 --> 00:37:26,650 S2: feature films, uh, used to do demos for the three 574 00:37:26,690 --> 00:37:32,190 S2: Tenors for, uh, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Pavarotti. Pavarotti 575 00:37:32,190 --> 00:37:36,270 S2: didn't read music. So as they did those concerts that 576 00:37:36,270 --> 00:37:38,870 S2: were always around the World Cup, I was thinking about 577 00:37:38,870 --> 00:37:42,069 S2: this the other day. Um, they would always do these 578 00:37:42,070 --> 00:37:45,549 S2: concerts and, uh, with the three of them, and I 579 00:37:45,590 --> 00:37:48,830 S2: sang demos for them so Pavarotti could learn his music 580 00:37:48,830 --> 00:37:49,990 S2: since he didn't read. 581 00:37:50,190 --> 00:37:54,070 S1: Wow. Oh, wow. But you never got to meet him, right? 582 00:37:54,110 --> 00:37:55,430 S7: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. 583 00:37:55,870 --> 00:38:00,350 S2: They were doing a concert here in Los Angeles one year. And, um, 584 00:38:00,390 --> 00:38:04,830 S2: before the before the rehearsal, uh, got to meet Pavarotti, Domingo, 585 00:38:04,830 --> 00:38:08,990 S2: and Carreras. They were all there. And, um, so I 586 00:38:09,030 --> 00:38:14,350 S2: did actually sang those demos, uh, I think over 16 years. Uh, 587 00:38:14,350 --> 00:38:19,509 S2: we would sing in 11 different languages, uh, so that 588 00:38:19,510 --> 00:38:22,430 S2: they could learn their music because they sang these concerts 589 00:38:22,430 --> 00:38:27,470 S2: in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and Yokohama, Japan. So, 590 00:38:27,510 --> 00:38:30,700 S2: and they sang and they would sing in the native languages. 591 00:38:30,860 --> 00:38:34,620 S2: Not only the the the language of the opera piece, 592 00:38:34,620 --> 00:38:37,260 S2: if it were an opera piece, but they would sing 593 00:38:37,260 --> 00:38:47,420 S2: some popular songs from each location. So sang in English, Latin, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, uh, alien. Um, 594 00:38:48,219 --> 00:38:51,299 S2: I don't know, it just those were challenging days, but 595 00:38:51,300 --> 00:38:55,540 S2: they were very fulfilling days because it took all of 596 00:38:55,540 --> 00:38:59,259 S2: the training that I had gotten at Taylor University and 597 00:38:59,260 --> 00:39:02,980 S2: Southern Seminary and studying with Mr. Lindquist, it was a 598 00:39:02,980 --> 00:39:06,379 S2: culmination of all those years of training to be able 599 00:39:06,380 --> 00:39:08,580 S2: to do something that was so challenging. 600 00:39:09,100 --> 00:39:13,940 S1: When you hear vocalists sing now, especially if you're live 601 00:39:13,940 --> 00:39:17,379 S1: and you're watching, you're listening. Can you what are some 602 00:39:17,380 --> 00:39:21,819 S1: mistakes that vocalists make that you would love to take 603 00:39:21,820 --> 00:39:23,859 S1: him aside and say, hey, I think you need more 604 00:39:23,860 --> 00:39:26,260 S1: of this or a little more of that. You wouldn't 605 00:39:26,260 --> 00:39:28,600 S1: do that. But what do you observe? 606 00:39:31,200 --> 00:39:36,759 S2: Oh, Chris. Um. So many times I see singers and 607 00:39:36,760 --> 00:39:40,560 S2: what they need a little less of is themselves. 608 00:39:40,880 --> 00:39:41,240 S1: Mhm. 609 00:39:42,360 --> 00:39:47,440 S2: Uh. My attitude has always been. And it's not that 610 00:39:47,440 --> 00:39:50,760 S2: my attitude is right, but through the years, I've always 611 00:39:50,760 --> 00:39:59,120 S2: tried to find great songs that great lyrics, great melodies, uh, 612 00:39:59,120 --> 00:40:03,399 S2: have them arranged well, and then sing the song and 613 00:40:03,400 --> 00:40:07,359 S2: get out of the way. I don't want people to 614 00:40:07,360 --> 00:40:10,320 S2: be if it's a great song and a great lyric, 615 00:40:10,320 --> 00:40:12,560 S2: I don't want them to be paying attention to me. 616 00:40:12,560 --> 00:40:17,280 S2: I want to drive that lyric into their heart, whether 617 00:40:17,280 --> 00:40:21,319 S2: it's a Broadway song or a sacred song. I want 618 00:40:21,360 --> 00:40:25,719 S2: to deliver that lyric. So I think a lot of 619 00:40:25,719 --> 00:40:27,910 S2: times I just want to see singers just sing the 620 00:40:27,910 --> 00:40:33,070 S2: song and get out of the way. Don't. Don't show off. Um, 621 00:40:33,590 --> 00:40:34,910 S2: so that's really good. 622 00:40:35,350 --> 00:40:37,630 S3: That's really good. You know what I saw? I saw 623 00:40:37,630 --> 00:40:38,270 S3: you because. 624 00:40:38,270 --> 00:40:40,549 S1: I thought, you know, after listening to you for all 625 00:40:40,550 --> 00:40:43,150 S1: these years, I thought, oh, I'd love to hear Steve 626 00:40:43,190 --> 00:40:46,629 S1: sing the Les Mis. Uh, bring him home. And then 627 00:40:46,630 --> 00:40:48,910 S1: I looked on YouTube, and there you are singing it 628 00:40:48,910 --> 00:40:50,390 S1: with this big orchestra. 629 00:40:51,190 --> 00:40:53,029 S2: Okay. Let me tell you. Do you know who told 630 00:40:53,030 --> 00:40:55,790 S2: me to learn? Bring him home and start singing it. 631 00:40:55,830 --> 00:40:56,390 S1: No. 632 00:40:57,190 --> 00:41:04,150 S2: Chuck Swindoll. Years ago. I'm with Chuck, and. And he says. Steve, 633 00:41:04,190 --> 00:41:06,670 S2: have you ever sung bring Him Home? I said no. 634 00:41:06,710 --> 00:41:09,550 S2: He says, you need to learn and sing that song. 635 00:41:10,070 --> 00:41:12,710 S3: And and so I did. 636 00:41:13,110 --> 00:41:19,030 S2: And I started incorporating this quote unquote Broadway quote unquote 637 00:41:19,510 --> 00:41:25,830 S2: secular song into my church concerts. And something happened. Chris. 638 00:41:26,190 --> 00:41:30,930 S2: Something really amazing happened as I sang the song about Grace, 639 00:41:31,489 --> 00:41:34,290 S2: a musical about grace, and as I sang the song 640 00:41:34,530 --> 00:41:38,170 S2: and the sea in my church concerts. What an amazing 641 00:41:38,450 --> 00:41:42,730 S2: impact it was having. And it was because of Chuck Swindoll. 642 00:41:42,890 --> 00:41:45,610 S2: So if people don't like that I was singing Broadway songs, 643 00:41:45,650 --> 00:41:47,690 S2: blame Chuck, not me, you know? 644 00:41:48,130 --> 00:41:51,170 S1: But I love it. That's that's. Go to YouTube. You've 645 00:41:51,170 --> 00:41:54,090 S1: got to go to YouTube and see him sing that song. 646 00:41:54,090 --> 00:41:56,489 S1: I want you to speak to the people who think 647 00:41:57,010 --> 00:41:59,650 S1: everybody on Capitol Hill, or at least half of the 648 00:41:59,650 --> 00:42:02,049 S1: people on Capitol Hill, they don't like him, and they're 649 00:42:02,050 --> 00:42:05,850 S1: going to call him up and say negative things. What 650 00:42:05,850 --> 00:42:08,770 S1: do you want people to do? How do you want 651 00:42:08,770 --> 00:42:12,450 S1: people to respond to the our leaders and those who 652 00:42:12,450 --> 00:42:13,850 S1: work with our leaders? 653 00:42:15,770 --> 00:42:19,210 S2: Oh, Chris. First of all, um, they need to pray 654 00:42:19,210 --> 00:42:27,670 S2: for them. Uh, these people are not perfect. Um, and look, 655 00:42:27,710 --> 00:42:32,870 S2: I've got Republicans and Democrats. In fact, see, I'm when 656 00:42:32,870 --> 00:42:34,509 S2: I'm on the Hill, I try not to be the 657 00:42:34,510 --> 00:42:38,590 S2: party of the elephant or the donkey. I go there 658 00:42:38,590 --> 00:42:42,790 S2: representing the party of the Lamb. And the people need 659 00:42:42,790 --> 00:42:46,910 S2: to understand that these are real people that have challenges. 660 00:42:47,390 --> 00:42:51,589 S2: Now on a in a practical point, most have. I 661 00:42:51,590 --> 00:42:53,710 S2: mentioned this. Most of the kids that work on the 662 00:42:53,710 --> 00:42:59,350 S2: Hill are 20 and 30 years old. During the summertime especially, 663 00:42:59,350 --> 00:43:04,029 S2: there are interns working in congressional offices. They're either high 664 00:43:04,030 --> 00:43:07,189 S2: school or college age students. One of the things they 665 00:43:07,190 --> 00:43:12,630 S2: do is field phone calls that are coming in. And Chris, unfortunately, 666 00:43:13,350 --> 00:43:16,350 S2: too many of the probably 80 to 90% of the 667 00:43:16,350 --> 00:43:22,070 S2: phone calls are negative and too many of them are 668 00:43:22,110 --> 00:43:28,979 S2: just vile and profanity laced. And if people. I think 669 00:43:28,980 --> 00:43:32,700 S2: people need to be calling their elected representatives, but they 670 00:43:32,700 --> 00:43:37,060 S2: need to know the bill or the legislation they're calling 671 00:43:37,060 --> 00:43:40,380 S2: about the name or the number they need to state 672 00:43:40,380 --> 00:43:45,020 S2: their opinion and say thank you and hang up. But 673 00:43:45,020 --> 00:43:47,780 S2: they need to understand these are young kids taking their calls. 674 00:43:48,060 --> 00:43:50,700 S2: And I want I want folks to send their their 675 00:43:50,700 --> 00:43:54,299 S2: elected representative a note of encouragement and just let them 676 00:43:54,300 --> 00:43:55,420 S2: know they're praying for them. 677 00:43:56,300 --> 00:43:58,740 S1: That's a great thing to come out of the conversation 678 00:43:58,739 --> 00:44:02,259 S1: here today. And we've got the featured resource is the 679 00:44:02,260 --> 00:44:06,340 S1: word on the Hill Ministry, the word on the hill.org. 680 00:44:06,500 --> 00:44:09,420 S1: If you can't remember that, just go to chris.org. We've 681 00:44:09,420 --> 00:44:12,979 S1: got a link right there. Steve Amerson what a treat 682 00:44:12,980 --> 00:44:16,660 S1: to get to to touch base with you again. Keep singing. 683 00:44:16,700 --> 00:44:20,820 S1: Keep doing what you're doing on Capitol Hill and safe travels. 684 00:44:20,820 --> 00:44:22,740 S1: It sounds like you rack up a lot of miles 685 00:44:22,739 --> 00:44:24,810 S1: on the airlines these days, right? 686 00:44:25,410 --> 00:44:28,250 S2: Uh, yeah. This week I'll be singing in three different 687 00:44:28,250 --> 00:44:31,930 S2: cities in three different days, so I'll appreciate your prayers. 688 00:44:31,930 --> 00:44:33,810 S2: And it's great just to stand at the fence and 689 00:44:33,810 --> 00:44:34,850 S2: chat with you today. 690 00:44:35,330 --> 00:44:38,170 S1: Ah, Steve, God bless you, friend. Come back and see 691 00:44:38,210 --> 00:44:40,810 S1: us real soon. And, uh, if you get an opportunity 692 00:44:40,810 --> 00:44:45,570 S1: to see Steve in any of those venues, do so, 693 00:44:45,690 --> 00:44:48,810 S1: or you got to go hear him sing bring him 694 00:44:48,810 --> 00:44:51,850 S1: home on, uh, on YouTube. But the word on the 695 00:44:51,850 --> 00:44:55,650 S1: Hill ministry, the word on the hill dot ORG is 696 00:44:55,650 --> 00:45:01,129 S1: our featured resource today. Chris fabric.org. Tomorrow, end of the month, 697 00:45:01,130 --> 00:45:04,210 S1: we're going to talk about transformation. God is not just 698 00:45:04,210 --> 00:45:09,410 S1: in the makeover soul makeover. He's into transformation. I want 699 00:45:09,410 --> 00:45:11,410 S1: to talk with you about that right here on Chris 700 00:45:11,450 --> 00:45:14,530 S1: Fabry live production of Moody Radio, a Ministry of Moody 701 00:45:14,530 --> 00:45:15,810 S1: Bible Institute.