I Surrender All

Like many things in life, 'I Surrender All ' was born out of a smaller idea. My mother, Eva, had asked me on several occasions to record a few gospel songs for her. Over the years, several friends and fans have suggested that I do so as well. So, in November of 2010, I began the process of putting this recording together. Now in May 2011, it has finally come to fruition. I began writing these notes for 'I Surrender All' on December 13, 2010, aboard an Air Force C-17 cargo plane, 35,000 feet above the southwest Asian desert, surrounded by some of the finest soldiers our country can boast. We were traveling with a group of entertainers on a USO tour, on our way to visit and hopefully entertain members of our armed forces in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. I was fortunate to be invited to go by my friend Keni Thomas, whom most of you know is an amazingly talented singer/songwriter/recording artist and above all, American hero. Our group included our friends, comedian Chonda Pierce, TV personality/supermodel Leann Tweeden, pop star Alanna Grace, country sensation Emily West, band members Joe Cook, James Jones, Kevin Lawson, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Brandi Redmond and Nicole Hamilton and the incredible Army band 'Downrange'. Over the next several days, we did our best to express our gratitutde to every soldier with whom we came into contact. By the time we returned to American soil, late on Christmas Eve, we were spent, both mentally and physically, but filled with a deeper, more sincere appreciation for our fighting forces around the globe. It is to these amazing men and women, who preserve and protect our freedom, that I dedicate this recording. 'I Surrender All' is my fourth self-produced CD, and my first collection of spiritual songs, some from my past, some from the present and all from my heart. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-12 'For I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have leaned the secret of being content in any and every situation.' So for me 'surrender' has come to mean 'trusting fully' that God is in control of every situation, every 'thing' in my life. And through this trust, I can find peace and contentment. God Bless, Buddy:)