LINER NOTES FOR COURTS OF PRAISE
On a damp March evening in 2005 Sharon Huckel and I joined my co-producer, Kevin Stehm, for the first of many vocal sessions for Sharon’s new recording, “Courts of Praise”. Kevin anxiously jiggled the key in Calvary Chapel of Marlton’s heavy wooden door. In the basement of this marvelous old structure was a fully equipped recording studio. Suddenly we heard a loud “snap!” and Kevin turned toward us with half a key and a look of shock and dismay. Sharon and I laughed and almost in unison pronounced to our bewildered friend, “Praise the Lord! Welcome to Jewish ministry!” It had been ten years since Sharon Huckel’s “Tabernacle” CD release; sixteen years since Sharon had been diagnosed with MS – a disease that by God’s grace had not robbed Sharon of her ability to sing. So I must confess to some mixed feelings prior to this first vocal session. But the Jewish people are no strangers to adversity, and the broken key felt more like a confirmation than a curse. That same evening, while Sharon was testing microphones, we ended up recording the stand-out track, “Remember Me”, capturing one of the most touchingly emotive vocals Sharon has ever recorded. The song, fittingly, is based on the story of Hannah, who cried out to the Lord for a child, and was blessed with a son, Samuel, the great prophet, and judge of Israel. I don’t know what kind of “broken-key” moments you have had lately. Maybe you suffer from a physical infirmity like Sharon. Maybe your faith in God’s goodness has been shaken by some recent turn of events. But I do know this. When we throw ourselves at our Creator’s feet, and give Him all glory, honor, and praise, in good times and in bad, a blessing is not far behind. On behalf of Sharon Huckel we invite you to enter His courts of praise.
Bill Mackie | Producer | Courts of Praise
“I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”