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Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope
Studio album by
Reba McEntire
ReleasedFebruary 3, 2017 (2017-02-03)
Studio
  • Starstruck Studios
  • Jay DeMarcus Home Studio
Genre
Length76:15
Label
Producer
Reba McEntire chronology
My Kind of Christmas
(2016) 		Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope
(2017) 		Stronger Than the Truth
(2019)
Singles from Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope
  1. " Softly and Tenderly"
    Released: December 16, 2016 [1]
  2. " Back to God"
    Released: January 20, 2017 [2]
  3. " God and My Girlfriends"
    Released: 2017

Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope is the thirty-first studio album by American country music singer Reba McEntire. It was released on February 3, 2017, by Rockin' R Records, Nash Icon, Big Machine Records and Capitol Christian Music Group. McEntire produced the album with her musical director Doug Sisemore and Jay DeMarcus from the musical group Rascal Flatts. The album consists of two discs. The first disc is made up of traditional hymns, while the second disc contains all original songs. [3] McEntire wrote a song on the album "I Got the Lord on My Side" with the help of her mother, Jackie McEntire. [4]

Background

While McEntire is most known for her work in country music, she has stated that she has wanted to do a gospel album since the mid-1980s. [5] She recorded the album in the wake of her divorce from Narvel Blackstock in 2015, which she said led her faith to become stronger. [6]

Release and promotion

McEntire announced the album on December 15, 2016, during a live Facebook chat. [7] During the chat she also announced that to promote the album she would perform a one-night-only show at the Ryman Auditorium on February 15, 2017. [8] Following the announcement, the first single from the album, "Softly and Tenderly", featuring Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood, was released on December 16, along with the album's pre-order. [9] In the weeks leading up to the album's release, a new song was released each Friday. "Hallelujah, Amen" was released as the first promotional single on December 23. [10] The second promotional single, "Oh, How I Love Jesus", was released on December 30. [11] The third promotional single, "God and My Girlfriends", was released on January 6, 2017. [12] "Oh Happy Day" was released as the fourth promotional single on January 13. [13] The album's second single, "Back to God", was released on January 20. [14] The music video for the single "Back to God" was released on January 24, 2017. [15] The fifth and final promotional single, "Sing It Now", was released on January 27. [16] In November 2017, "God and My Girlfriends" was sent to radio as the third and final single from the album.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [17]
CCM Magazine [18]

The album received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine for AllMusic said, "All of the ten new songs are very much creatures of their time -- big, glossy productions within the praise and worship mode. In contrast, the ten standards -- while still plenty polished -- are a bit rootsier. Each album is satisfying on its own, but when heard in conjunction, the range and subtle skill of McEntire impress." [17] Andy Argyrakis of CCM Magazine gave to album 5 out of 5 stars, saying, "McEntire co-produces the entire spread alongside Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus and her band leader/musical director Doug Sisemore, resulting in a sound that straddles southern gospel, classic country, pop and contemporary Christian with a message that boldly lives up to its title on literally every single stirring occasion." [18] My Kind of Country gave the album an A−, praising McEntire's decision to record a gospel album, "Sing It Now shows that when she puts aside commercial considerations and works with good material, she is still second to none." [19] Today's Christian Entertainment gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars, saying, "Complete with Reba’s signature style and sound, Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope inspires with music that speaks to the hearts of listeners while keeping the attention on the love and grace of our Heavenly Father." [20] Sounds Like Nashville proclaimed that "Sing It Now" made for a perfect segue from the standards to the newer material. [21]

Awards and accolades

On August 9, 2017, it was announced that Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope would be nominated for a GMA Dove Award for Worship Album of the Year at the 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards. [22]

McEnitre was nominated for the Female Vocalist of the Year Award at the 51st CMA Awards on the strength of the album.

On October 17, 2017, Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope won the GMA Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year with producers Reba McEntire, Jay DeMarcus and Doug Sisemore being the receipts at a ceremony at Allen Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. [23]

The album also won Best Roots Gospel Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

Commercial performance

The album debuted at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart with 52,000 copies sold in the United States its first week of release. It also debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 based on 54,000 units, which include stream and track sales. [24] It has sold 216,800 copies in the US as of April 2018. [25]

Track listing

Disc one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1." Jesus Loves Me" William Batchelder Bradbury2:06
2."Oh, How I Love Jesus"Frederick Whitfield3:19
3." When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder" James Milton Black3:29
4." Oh Happy Day" Edwin Hawkins5:42
5." Amazing Grace"John Newton3:43
6." I'll Fly Away" Albert E. Brumley3:07
7." In the Garden" / "Wonderful Peace" (featuring The Isaacs)Austin C. Miles, Warren D. Cornell4:00
8." Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" / " Swing Down Chariot" Wallace Willis4:12
9." How Great Thou Art" Carl Boberg3:39
10." Softly and Tenderly" (featuring Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood) Will Lamartine Thompson4:02
Total length:37:14
Disc two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sing It Now"Michael Farren, Joseph Habedank, Tony Wood4:04
2."Angels Singin'" Jessi Alexander, Sarah Buxton, Steve Moakler3:40
3." God and My Girlfriends" Patricia Conroy, Lisa Hentrich, Marcia Ramirez3:27
4."Hallelujah, Amen" Dave Barnes, Lucie Silvas, Jeremy Spillman3:22
5." There Is a God" Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley3:57
6."I Got the Lord on My Side" Reba McEntire, Jackie McEntire3:26
7." Back to God" Randy Houser, Dallas Davidson4:51
8."Angel on My Shoulder"Leigh Reynolds, Amber White, Philip White3:50
9."From the Inside Out"Amy Fletcher4:22
10."Say a Prayer"
"Jesus Loves Me" (Reprise) (Hidden track)		Michael Dulaney, Jason Sellers, Neil Thrasher
William Batchelder Bradbury		4:07
Total length:39:01
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."I Need to Talk to You" Linda Davis, Marcus Franklin Johnson, Tim Owens3:57
12."Meanwhile Back at the Cross"Chip Davis, Doug Johnson, Kim Williams4:07
Total length:47:05

Personnel

  • Reba McEntire – lead vocals, arrangements (1, 3, 5, 6, 8), backing vocals (6)
  • Gordon Mote – acoustic piano (1, 9, 11-16, 18, 20-22), electric piano (16)
  • Doug Sisemore – keyboards (1, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22), arrangements (3, 5, 6, 8-10), organ (5), Hammond B3 organ (8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 22), programming (12, 19)
  • Tim Akers – keyboards (2, 4, 7), arrangements (2, 4, 7), horn arrangements (4, 18), acoustic piano (10)
  • Casey Brown – programming (2)
  • Catherine Marx – acoustic piano (3, 8, 17, 19), arrangements (3)
  • Dave Cohen – keyboards (11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Charles Judge – synthesizers (11, 15, 21), strings (11, 15, 21)
  • Jim Kimball – acoustic guitar (1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 22), backing vocals (3)
  • Danny Rader – acoustic guitar (2, 4, 7, 10)
  • Ilya Toshinsky – acoustic guitar (11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Jeff King – electric guitar (1, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 22)
  • Jerry McPherson – electric guitar (2, 4, 7, 10)
  • Derek Wells – electric guitar (2, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Jay DeMarcus – additional guitar (2, 18, 21), arrangements (2, 4, 7), additional keyboards (20)
  • Rob McNelly – electric guitar (11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Dan Dugmore – steel guitar (2, 4, 7)
  • Mike Johnson – dobro (5, 6, 16), pedalboard (6), steel guitar (8, 13, 14, 17, 19, 22), lap steel guitar (12, 16)
  • Travis Toy – steel guitar (11, 15, 20, 21)
  • Jimmy Mattingly – mandolin (6, 13), violin (6), fiddle (16)
  • Sonya Isaacs – mandolin (7)
  • Mark Hill – bass (1, 8, 9, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 22)
  • Joey Canaday – bass (2, 4, 7, 10)
  • Jimmie Lee Sloas – bass (11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Lonnie Wilson – drums (1, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16), programming (12, 14)
  • Greg Morrow – drums (2, 4, 7, 10)
  • Miles McPherson – drums (8, 11, 15, 17-21)
  • Jenee Fleenor – fiddle (2, 7)
  • Mark Douthit – saxophones (4, 18)
  • Doug Moffett – saxophones (4, 18)
  • Barry Green – trombone (4, 18)
  • Mike Haynes – trumpet (4, 18)
  • Steve Patrick – trumpet (4, 18)
  • Tabitha Fair – backing vocals (2, 4, 18)
  • Kim Keyes – backing vocals (2, 4, 18)
  • Vicki Hampton – backing vocals (2, 4, 5, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18)
  • Jimmy Stewart – backing vocals (3, 17)
  • Jenifer Wrinkle Thompson – backing vocals (3, 12, 13, 17, 22)
  • Bob Bailey – backing vocals (5, 8, 12, 14, 16)
  • Wendy Moten – backing vocals (5, 8, 12, 14, 16)
  • Alice Foran – backing vocals (6)
  • Jackie McEntire – backing vocals (6)
  • Susie McEntire – backing vocals (6)
  • The Isaacs – backing vocals (7)
  • Kelly Clarkson – lead and harmony vocals (10)
  • Trisha Yearwood – lead and harmony vocals (10)
  • Chip Davis – backing vocals (11, 15, 20, 21)
  • Perry Coleman – backing vocals (13, 22)
  • Cheri Oakley – backing vocals (20, 21)

Production

  • Reba McEntire – producer
  • Doug Sisemore – producer (1, 3, 5, 6, 8-10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 22), production coordinator (1, 3, 5, 6, 8-10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 22)
  • Jay DeMarcus – producer (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Mike "Frog" Griffith – production coordinator (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Laurel Kittleson – production coordinator (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Janice Soled – production coordinator (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Brianna Steinitz – production coordinator (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Allison Jones – A&R
  • Todd Tidwell – recording (1, 3, 5, 6, 8-10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 22), recording assistant (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Sean Neff – mixing (1, 3, 5, 6, 8-10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 22), recording (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Derek Bason – recording (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21), mixing (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Jim Kimball – recording (17, 19), mixing (19)
  • Chris Ashburn – recording assistant (1, 3, 5, 6, 8-10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 22)
  • Nick Lane – mix assistant (1, 3, 5, 6, 8-10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 22), recording assistant (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Chris Small – mix assistant (2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 21)
  • Chris Lord-Alge – mixing (17)
  • Adam Ayan – mastering
  • Taylor Colson Horton – art direction, design
  • Justin McIntosh – art direction, design
  • Cameron Powell – photography

Studios

  • Recorded at Starstruck Studios, Hot Closet and The Grip (Nashville, TN).
  • Mixed at Starstruck Studios and Hot Closet (Nashville, TN); SPIN Productions (Brentwood, TN); Mix LA (Tarzana, CA).
  • Mastered at Gateway Mastering (Portland, ME).

Charts

Weekly

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Canadian Albums ( Billboard) [26] 23
UK Country Albums ( OCC) [27] 3
US Billboard 200 [24] 4
US Christian Albums ( Billboard) [24] 1
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [24] 1

Year-end

Chart (2017) Rank
US Billboard 200 [28] 196
US Christian Albums (Billboard) [29] 2
US Country Albums (Billboard) [30] 33

References

  1. ^ "Reba McEntire featuring Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood - Softly and Tenderly". PlayMPE.
  2. ^ "Reba McEntire - Back to God". PlayMPE.
  3. ^ "Hear Reba McEntire's Soulful Version of 'Oh, How I Love Jesus'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
  4. ^ "Reba McEntire Says Singing With Mom and Sisters on New Gospel Album Was "Too Much Fun"". Nash Country Daily. 2017-01-09. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
  5. ^ "While Recording Her New Album, The Holy Spirit Left Reba McEntire In Tears". GodUpdates. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  6. ^ "Reba McEntire finds healing through faith, music". The Tennessean. January 26, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  7. ^ Vinson, Christina. "Everything We Know About Reba McEntire's 'Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope'". The Boot.
  8. ^ "Reba McEntire Announces New Gospel Album, "Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope," and Ryman Auditorium Concert". Nash Country Daily. 2016-12-16. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  9. ^ "Softly and Tenderly by Reba McEntire on Amazon Music". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Hallelujah, Amen by Reba McEntire on Amazon Music - Amazon.com". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  11. ^ "Oh, How I Love Jesus by Reba McEntire on Amazon Music". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  12. ^ "God and My Girlfriends by Reba McEntire on Amazon Music". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  13. ^ "Oh Happy Day by Reba McEntire on Amazon Music". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  14. ^ "Back to God by Reba McEntire on Amazon Music". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  15. ^ "Watch Reba McEntire's Spiritual 'Back to God' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-01-25.
  16. ^ "Sing It Now by Reba McEntire on Amazon Music". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope - Reba McEntire | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  18. ^ a b Argyrakis, Andy (31 January 2017). "Reba McEntire - 'Sing It Now: Songs Of Faith & Hope' album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Album Review: Reba McEntire – 'Sing It Now: Songs of Faith and Hope'". My Kind of Country. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  20. ^ Meade, Kelly (3 February 2017). "Reba McEntire 'Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope'". Today's Christian Entertainment. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  21. ^ "Album Review: Reba's 'Sing It Now: Songs of Faith and Hope'". Sounds Like Nashville. 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2017-02-14.
  22. ^ "2017 Nominees | The 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. August 9, 2017. Archived from the original on December 25, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  23. ^ "2017 Winners | The 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. August 9, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  24. ^ a b c d Caulfield, Keith (February 12, 2017). "Big Sean Scores Second No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'I Decided.'". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  25. ^ Bjorke, Matt (April 30, 2018). "Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: April 30, 2018". Roughstock. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  26. ^ "Reba McEntire Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  27. ^ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company.
  28. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  29. ^ "Christian Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  30. ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
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