This was Candy’s first solo album. She started her music career in her family band who had great success with 13 albums and 6 Dove awards. In the mid 70’s she started a band called Heirloom but they never released an album. That brings us to 1982 when Candy finally got her own record deal and this album is the result. At this point in history all the labels were looking for the next Amy Grant and Candy fit that search. Now I am going to cause some controversy because I think Candy is a better vocalist than Amy. I’m kind of confused as to why she didn’t have a lot more success. That said this album did spawn a single, In A Different Light, but it only made it to #28 on the CCM charts. The best part of this album for me are that there are a couple of country tracks on the album that are very good and could easily be released today. It’s a traditional country but it’s very well done.
Tracklist
1 – In A Different Light – 2:41
2 – The Shepherd – 3:04
3 – The Only Real Peace – 3:31
4 – Cast Your Bread Upon The Water – 3:15
5 – I’m Gonna Hold On To You – 2:49
6 – I’m Yours Now – 3:51
7 – Hold Fast To The Right – 3:17
8 – I Am Not Along – 3:09
9 – The Rock That Never Rolls – 2:37
10 – Make Yourself At Home (In My Heart) – 2:56
Credits
Backing Vocals – Bill Beld, Caroline Traylor, Diane Tidwell, Joel Hemphill, Julie Mouser, Labreeska Hemphill, Lisa Silver, Norman Holland, Sheri Huffman, The Cherry Sisters, Trudy Barker
Bass – Jack Williams, Steve Schaffer
Guitar – Billy Sanford, Bobby Thompson, Pete Bordonali
Keyboards – Bobby Wood, Hargus “Pig” Robbins, Shane Keister
Percussion – Jerry Carrigan, Kenny Malone
Steel Guitar – Pete Wade
Strings – The Nashville String Machine
I suspect that Candy Hemphill didn’t do better with her solo projects because very few people were willing to give her a chance. Most people that listened to CCM associated her with Southern Gospel because of her years traveling with her family and were never willing to listen to her, regardless of the style and quality. On the other hand, those who had liked her performances with her family generally did not listen to CCM, so when they learned that she had moved in that direction, they dismissed her. Only after she began working with Bill Gaither and returned to performing Southern Gospel did they return to her.