2 - What's Next
Album cover photos by Natalie & Kirk Hopkins - edited by Kirk
The album title was going to be "Sophomore Album". Just before the release, Bob suggested "What's Next" as the title; perhaps because Aaron will be leaving us to put in more time with another praise team (nothing bad about that, right?) and we have some more changes coming. Maybe the album should be called What's Next? (with a question mark) because no one really knows what's next. The question mark was left off though, because this album is what was next after our first album, and we'll see what's next after this album. It's not a unique album name :-( but that's OK. We hope you enjoy the songs and are inspired to praise a God who loves you. Lyrics and chords charts are provided for you to use in worship.
"The Light", composed by Kirk, music video (shot by Bryden Kercheval, Rachel Hopkins, and Natalie Hopkins):
"Jesus Will Help Me All the Way", composed & sung by Natalie, music video (shot by Kirk Hopkins):
Here are the songs in alphabetic order:
Because of You
Composer: Bob Conly
Vocals - Brianna Quinn (Lead and 4 part harmony)
Acoustic Guitar - Bob Conly
Bass - Kirk Hopkins
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: I had penned these lines some time ago, maybe two years. It was during one of those very frustrating times in life when nothing seemed to be going right. Job, family, music, finances etc. etc. were all just running a muck. Even my relationship with God, whom I trust implicitly, was not where it should be. So I did what ever good Christian does, I screamed at God "where are you"? Not really, I prayed and he spoke most of the words of the song, at that time a poem, to me. It had been sitting till, just recently when I had a very frustrating recording session. One in which I was questioning both my musical talent and future. I went home and had an honest face-to-face with Jesus. Asking (in regards to leading worship on the praise team) should "I stay or should I go". The next day he led me back to the unfinished poetry. And in literally minutes I had the "Until That Day" line finished along with the rest of the verses. I grabbed my acoustic and the melody of the song came to me. And on "That Day, That Day, That Day, That Day" I believe I got my answer.
Content In You
Composer: Bob Conly
Vocals, Lead - Pamela Hopkins
Vocals - Brianna Quinn
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Bob Conly
Drums - Aaron Edwards
Song notes: This piece is a tribute to my darling wife. She is an unflagging example of Grace. She has an unwavering trust in God. She models the virtue of contentment daily. That is, she has learned to be satisfied where she is at, and with what she has, at all times. Trusting that God always has our best interest in mind. And this contentment is rubbing of on me. Matthew 6:31-33
Doxology Rock
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Vocals, Lead - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals - Brianna Quinn
Vocals - Pamela Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Tim Cornelius
Drums - Aaron Edwards
Song notes: Hmm, where in the world did this song come from? After selecting Christmas songs to lead in worship I felt like God was telling me to do a hymn. I wanted our sophomore album to only have originals on it so I asked, 'are you sure'? Dumb question. The first hymn that came to mind was the doxology. The 2 younger members of the group had not heard the hymn before, nor do they recognize it after hearing this version. Uh, this is 'Doxology ROCK'. This is one of the few times that the words came before the tune for me, but using someone else's words makes that easy. Thanks Thomas Ken (1674) for the words. I don't think he minds me using them sense it's to worship the same God that he worshiped.
God is With Us
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Vocals, Lead - Brianna Quinn
Vocals - Pamela Hopkins
Vocals - Kirk Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Electric Guitars - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Bob Conly
Drums - Aaron Edwards
Song notes: This song came after 'Doxology Rock'. That was such a happy song, I needed some dark chords again, insert the Em (E minor). Once again, the chords came first. The lyrics came from Psalm 46, by way of Pam Friermood on Facebook. So God can speak to us using Facebook, who knew. This song gets stuck in my head and I actually hear the kids humming it when we clean up after dinner. That's always a good sign.
Here and Now
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Vocals, Lead - Brianna Quinn
Vocals - Pamela Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Greg Mathena
Song notes: Here and Now is my first communion song. I had the chord progression for the verse and searched for a chorus for a little while. It's easy to get stuck in a rut; which I didn't want to happen. So the progression is peaceful but still unique. I think there are some interesting sounds that come out of the guitar voicing. The words came after playing the guitar part. I asked God for the words and He gave them to me. Not very many words, it's more of a meditation. Listen to the song and let God speak to you.
Jesus It's You
Composer: Bob Conly
Vocals, Lead - Pamela Hopkins
Vocals - Brianna Quinn
Keyboard - Brianna Quinn
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Bob Conly
Drums - Aaron Edwards
Song notes: This song was written with a real country flair. It was originally a reference to the people in my life. The original title was "Baby it's You, a reference to our grandchildren. It is intended to be somewhat lighthearted. Kind of poking fun at ourselves, but also stating that deep down desire I believe all of us have, that is, that we're put here on earth to do something great. And it is the people in your life that can bring that greatness out. When we first started putting together original music, for this, our sophomore album, I did not even consider this song to be a candidate. I was just playing the tune one day when I realized that this could be a crossover song. In one take I realized that not only did "Jesus" fit in the meter of song, but that it is truly in Him that we live and move and have our being. "Jesus It Is Truly You".
Jesus Will Help Me All the Way
Composer: Natalie Hopkins
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Greg Mathena
Drums - Aaron Edwards
Song notes: You might feel like you don't deserve God, but because of Jesus, you can make it to Him.
Keep Burning Brighter
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Vocals, Lead - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals - Brianna Quinn
Vocals - Pamela Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Tim Cornelius
Drums - Aaron Edwards
Song notes: Obviously this song was written in front of a camp fire. I actually didn't mean to write it. I was just sitting in front of the fire that we had the previous night, my kids got it going again, and as I watched it, the song just came out. I had to go inside the house and get my guitar, then went back to the fire to actually play and sing it. So this is not the most challenging song, but it sure makes sense to play in front of a campfire. Hopefully the lyrics make it past the literal fire and show up in your heart with the fire of God's love.
Never Abandoned
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Vocals, Lead - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals - Brianna Quinn
Vocals - Pamela Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Greg Mathena
Drums - Aaron Edwards
Song notes: Never Abandoned came after a song that never made it called 'You Deserve', which wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good either. I was reminded that everything doesn't have to be perfect all of the time. Man, that song was not perfect. Once again, the riff came first, then the lyrics accompanied by power chords. It's a driving song, a little dark at the beginning, but opens up on the chorus. It reminds me that even when we fail (like on 'You Deserve') God never abandon's us. This is an easy song with not many words so it was quick to teach in a worship service.
Say Yeah
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Vocals, Lead - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals - Brianna Quinn
Vocals - Pamela Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Tim Cornelius
Drums - Aaron Edwards
Some of God's children that say yeah: Rachel Hopkins, Natalie Hopkins, and Seth Hopkins
Song notes: This was my first song for this album. I lead a children's worship praise team and wanted a fun song that taught the children some of what worship is. Worship is a lifestyle, we worship in many ways. Some of the ways involve music. This song has an element of 'in your face' that is just plain fun in worshipping a God who loves His children. The long note held has been a staple that our group has adopted in a couple songs (who can hold the note the longest); I won on the album, and no, I didn't cheat. Come on Pam and Brianna, what's the problem? Oh, and 'all God's children' includes adults too, if you are a Christian.
Standfast
Composer: Bob Conly
Vocals, Lead - Brianna Quinn
Vocals - Pamela Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Bob Conly
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: Again my beautiful wife had a great deal to do with the lyrics of this song. She is a Bible totting, Bible reading, Bible believing, Bible sharing, Bible teaching, and Bible living champion of God. It is by her example of being unshaken in her absolute faith, in the "Word of God", that our marriage is where it is today, our children and ourselves are happy, healthy, prosperous and above all saved by the mercy and grace of Jesus. She is "Standfast" when it comes to the Bible. Through her tutelage I've also learned to trust implicitly in the "Word of God". To be "Standfast".
The Light
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Vocals, Lead - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals - Brianna Quinn
Keyboard - Brianna Quinn
Vocals - Pamela Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Bob Conly
Drums - Aaron Edwards
Song notes: 'The Light' came after 'God is With Us'. The lyrics are based on John 1:1-5. The beginning of the world seems mysterious to me, so the beginning of the song had to match it. I picture a fog machine crankin' away every time I think about this song. You can see some big hair bands from the 80's influence on this song. Again, the kids hum this tune around the house (and me too). It's an easy tune with spiritual truths that all need to hear.
We Come to You Today
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Vocals, Lead - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals - Brianna Quinn
Vocals - Pamela Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Bob Conly
Drums - Aaron Edwards
Song notes: This was my second song for our sophomore album. Continuing the lesson from 'Say Yeah', this song tells us to come to God and worship Him in many ways. I knew the theme of the song and worked out a riff. I'm a drummer, not a guitar player, so playing riff's doesn't come easy for me. Many Christian songs are 'easy', I wanted this one to be more challenging but still with the ability for kids to worship with. The riff includes 3 measures that go 5/8, 5/8, 2/8, 4/4. My music instructors should be proud. The song is a little bit darker than many worship songs, not all songs have to be super happy, right?
Recorded on location in the Hopkins Studio in Okeana, Ohio using the following equipment:
MacBook Pro with GarageBand
MBox2 mini (dual channel audio interface)
Shure SM58 vocal microphone
MXL 990 Condenser vocal microphone
Kirk's - Martin DXME acoustic guitar
Kirk's - Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar
Kirk's - PodXT Live (effects board) - GarageBand also used for some guitar effects
Kirk's - Washburn bass
Bob's - Ibanez Bass
Bob's - Taylor acoustic guitar
The Freese's drumsets
Zildjian cymbals
Wuhan cymbals
Sound percussion hardware
Drum recording equipment provided by Don Freese:
M-audio 8 channel mixer
4 Sennheiser e604 mic's
3 Shure SM57's
2 overhead mic's
1 bass drum mic
Here's the Legacy Christian Church 2013 VBS (Vacation Bible School) video with the "Never Abandoned" soundtrack from our "What's Next" album: