It was awesome to see a teenager holding a hymnbook in today’s high-tech world!  Last week’s column featured young Ashley Boruff in a photo taken by her mother, Candy, during recording.  I knew there must be some hymns on her new CD.  There are!  “The CD has a little bit of gospel, bluegrass, and contemporary,” according to Ashley’s father, Tim.

A long list of local talent helped on the CD project.  Tim shared the stories behind some of the songs.  The title song, “Everything’s Fine,” was written by Michael Wayne Smith of Oak Ridge.  “Set Free” was written by Wayne Goforth, who played bass, guitar, and banjo on the album as well as co-produced and mastered it.  The Gibbs Community may recognize the name “Goforth,” who was voted “most talented” by his 1966 Gibbs High School classmates.  “Goforth and Mike Tipton, long-time choir director at Clear Springs Baptist Church, spent countless hours putting it together,” Tim added.  “Roger Fortner helped in the production and played some guitar; and a great piano player from Halls, Todd Spangler, helped also.  Bobbie Wyatt did the outstanding graphics and photos.” he continued.

Other songs on the CD include “God on the Mountain,” one of the first songs Ashley did when she started singing; “Walking My Lord Up Calvary’s Hill,” “They’re Holding Up The Ladder,” “There’s Been a Few Times,” “He Knows My Name,” and “Redeemer.”  I knew the hymns were coming, and they are wonderful choices!  “When He Reached Down His Hand for Me;” “What a Day That Will Be;” and a medley of “I’ll Fly Away,” “Unclouded Day,” and “He Set Me Free.”  “I hope that the CD is a blessing to someone,” Ashley said.  “Most of all, I want to thank God for my salvation and allowing me to use my passion for singing for Him,” she added.  The young singer appreciates all those who helped put the CD together and thanks everyone who supports the project and their church.

Ashley’s CD will be released January 27.  Focus readers can purchase it for $15 at any Clear Springs Baptist Church service on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m.  If purchased outside the church, there will be a minimal charge for shipping/handling.  To order, readers may e-mail tboruff73@gmail.com or call the church at  865-688-7674 and leave a message.  What a special gift—100 percent of the proceeds from the CD go to the building fund of the new Clear Springs Baptist Church in Corryton!