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Song: Serenaded by Angels
Scripture: Hebrews 12:22-29
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.
Kirk Talley has been singing for audiences for more than twenty-five years. Although known primarily as a Southern Gospel musician, Talley has been able to cross into traditional and contemporary Christian music, making major contributions with songs such as “Triumphantly the Church Shall Rise,” and “Magnify Him,” to name only two.
Kirk’s musical roots go back to his hometown of Whitesburg, Tennessee, where he was born into a very musical family. He related to me in an interview, “My dad taught me to sing first tenor before I could read. He was a songleader and my brother was a pianist, so we sang. We sang at our little church, Shady Grove Free Will Baptist Church in Whitesburg, when we were growing up.”
Kirk’s salvation testimony is, “After the preacher had given his sermon, he gave an invitation for people to receive Christ. The Lord spoke to my heart and I knew I needed to walk the aisle and trust Christ as my Savior, and that is what I did. And you know, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
He wrote his first song, “When I See His Face,” at age fifteen. Several Southern Gospel groups recorded the song, including the Hoppers, the Dixie Melody Boys and The Cathedral Quartet.
In early years he sang with his family group and then moved on to become the first tenor with the Hoppers, the Cathedrals, The Talleys, and on special occasions with The Trio, a group that was composed of Kirk, Ivan Parker and the late Anthony Burger. They appeared together, only periodically, when not pursuing their solo ministries.
Kirk began his solo career in 1993, when the Talley Trio came off the road in order for Roger and Debra Talley to spend time raising their daughter, Lauren. Kirk later said, “I am really proud of Roger and Debbie for making their decision to stay closer to home and give Lauren a normal life. I think God honors those kinds of decisions.” Now, after ten years have passed, Lauren has joined her parents in a family trio.
In an interview I asked Kirk if there is a story behind the writing of his very popular song, Serenaded by Angels? His response was:
“Yes, I have some very good friends in North Carolina, whom I have know for years, Jamie and Deborah Parsons. Jamie was in the automobile sales business, and owned several dealership in that state. I got to know them and to be in their home on many occasions. They were great people!”
“I had traveled to Israel and was returning when I received word that Deborah had suffered a brain aneurysm and was in the hospital in a coma. My concert schedule was so full I just didn’t have the opportunity to make the trip to see them right away. During that time I happened to be traveling on Interstate 75, when the Lord impressed upon me that Deborah was not going to recover, and that I would be asked to sing at her funeral service. The Lord seemed to speak to me about writing a special song for the occasion.”
“I wrote a song that very day. At the church where I was singing that evening I said to the people, ‘I wrote a song today and I would like to sing it for you now. I would like to know what you think about it.’ The response of the people was tremendous. They all seemed to love it. During a concert the following evening I repeated the song, with the same response from that audience. Two days later I received word that Deborah had passed away, and so I made the trip to their home town and sang my special song during her funeral.”
“During those days I was making plans to record another album. I called the record company and said, ‘I have a song that I really need to record.’ Their response was very positive and Serenaded by Angels was soon being played in many places.” That year the Gospel Voice Magazine presented Kirk with three Diamond Awards: Soloist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Song of the Year -- Serenaded by Angels.
Kirk continued, “Serenaded by Angels has been the most popular song I have ever recorded. Even now, five years later, it is still the my most requested song. It’s just a simple song that I never thought would amount to a whole lot, but the timing was right, plus, it offers comfort to people who have lost loved ones.”
Kirk continues to travel, presenting his concerts, and is a favorite everywhere he ministers in song. And, when the beautiful tenor voice of Kirk Talley is silent, his songs will still live in the hearts of millions of Christians. The major portion of his Christian influence, even today is his songwriting, -- the blending of a Biblical messages with a beautiful melodies. To date he has written some 200 songs. To report all of the awards and recognitions that have come to him and his songs would take more space than we have in this story. He had this to say of his concerts, “I want the people to feel comfortable. I want them to feel like they are in my living room, just having a great time, lifting up praise to our Lord.”
Reflection:
One of the great joys in heaven will be to observe the angels and their attention to our Savior and King, Jesus Christ. While still here on earth it is a comfort to know that the angels of God assist Him in encouraging us.
Reader Comments
Thanks for this story on Kirk Talley's beautiful song.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
Now Playing
Written: 02/01/2008 
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Category:
Behind the Songs
Comments: 3 Favorited:
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