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LINER NOTES - THE HILLS OF HOME "Who can despise the day of small beginnings?" - Zechariah 4:10 Master guitarist Doyle Dykes often quotes Zech. 4:10 in his concerts. The verse has become a favorite of mine, because it perfectly sums up my feelings about my music. I am amazed during the production of a new album how small beginnings have a way of becoming something more. Sure enough, it has happened again with "The Hills of Home," my fourth album project. Wading out deeper this time with five original songs (my first) among the ten original arrangements, I lived with "The Hills of Home" for seven months before its release. Song by song, I felt the gentle but unmistakable inspiration that comes when God is invited to the party. Here's hoping you not only enjoy the ride, but recognize His hand in the result. NOTES ON THE SONGS (*originals) *Emmaus Road; *Keep Looking Up: In the final years of his life, whenever my dad was asked how he was doing, he would usually reply, "I just keep looking up." In Keep Looking Up, you'll hear that phrase musically throughout the song, a celebration of the hope my dad had and every believer has in Christ. I've loved the group Chicago for some 35 years and am happy to feature their signature horn style in both of these original songs. *Mission To Miami: A mambo rhythm and 50's rhythm guitar drives this original song, prompted by my parents' brief move to Miami in their early marriage. This song commemorates their run south on U.S. Highway A1A and arrival at this exotic city, unlike anything they'd known back in the hills of Tennessee. Miami's a great town, but I'm glad they came home. *The Hills of Home: For 14 years, Sandie and I lived 800 miles west of the Smoky Mountains. Throughout our time away, the hills of home beckoned. Listen and you'll hear the call of the mountains, our journey back and finally our arrival home. The arrangement is a tribute to guitarists Doyle Dykes and Chet Atkins, two of Tennessee's finest musical sons. Trading My Sorrows; Farther Along: Two songs, one new and one old, but both great statements of faith in the face of trial. One of my favorite current praise songs, Trading My Sorrows is pure pop instrumental, with a bit of classic Motown in the rhythm guitar and vibes, while Farther Along features some Jimmy Smith blues influence in the organ and Wes Montgomery in the jazz guitar. Holy Spirit Rain Down: Another current favorite praise song, this one features the "ice rain" MIDI sound from my Roland RS-5 as the raining down of His Spirit, our "comforter and friend." Nothing But the Blood: The classic gospel song cast as a love song to our Savior, driven by the alto sax. Good Christian Men, Rejoice: So let's party! No one has a better reason to rejoice than believers in Christ. *Through His Eyes: Love is the filter through which God sees all of us. My fifth and final original song on the album. SPECIAL THANKS * To Sandie, my wife of 28 years and my biggest fan and supporter. Without you, this album would not have happened. All my love and thanks during the long hours of production. And thanks for the back cover shot at Cades Cove! * To my mom, Tootsie Cannon Sparks, with love. Your heart and soul showed the way for my music and my life. Thank you for your lifelong service as a church organist and pianist, and for starting me down my own musical road with piano lessons at age 7. I still use your ebony '57 Wurlitzer spinet for practice in our living room. The piano I learned to play on will always be in good hands. * To Dr. Michael Laney, my friend and fellow laborer in the field of learning at Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee. In all your ways you are the picture of a Godly man; you are much appreciated. The bass (both electric & acoustic) is for you. * To my students in TCM191 Music Industry Survey at Lee U. -may all your musical dreams come true. Thanks much for your feedback as you listened to the early mixes of The Hills of Home. * To Haley Dykes, thanks for your encouragement and the incredible music of you and your dad (www.doyledykes.com). I can't wait until the world discovers you as the next princess of bluegrass! I recorded "The Hills of Home" in my home studio between May and October 2004 using my trusty Roland RS-5 synthesizer and Sonar digital multitrack software. This CD, as well as Send the Light (©2003), Wade In the Water (©2002) and Smooth Gospel (©2002), is available for purchase online at www.cdbaby.com/ricksparks. Looking for His return any day now. Maranatha... -RS, Cleveland, Tennessee, October 2004 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." - Romans 1:16 Dr. Rick Sparks is associate professor of communication at Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee. "The Hills of Home" is his fourth instrumental CD. Check out the artist's website: http://www.geocities.com/silbersix Track List: 1. Keep Looking Up 2. Trading My Sorrows 3. Nothing But The Blood 4. Mission To Miami 5. Good Christian Men, Rejoice 6. Farther Along 7. Emmaus Road 8. The Hills of Home 9. Holy Spirit Rain Down 10. Through His Eyes Other Genres:
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