I had the pleasure of meeting Lanny Wolfe a few weeks ago. Although I had grown up in California, and even taken piano lessons from one of Lanny's former students, I had never met the man who has written so many wonderful songs that have stood the test of time.
Lanny has not been actively involved in Southern Gospel music for many years, but his songs still are being recorded today and hold that special something that every writer looks for.
Some of his best known songs are Greater Is He, Surely the Presence of The Lord Is In This Place, and More Than Wonderful, and I Keep Falling In Love With Him. These songs have been recorded and re-recorded for the past 30 years. Over the years his songs have been recorded by the Cathedrals, the Martins, Legacy Five, Lulu Roman, the Talleys, Sandi Patty, Larnelle Harris, Brookllyn Tabernacle Choir, and many others. But Lanny has so many songs that I believe could ride the top of the charts today, if an established artist would introduce it to the air waves once again as a single.
Here is a brief list of tunes I feel that some of today's artist and producers should consider recording on an upcoming
1. Jesus Made A Believer Out of Me
This song was introduce in 1974 on the Lanny Wolfe Trio's REJOICING LIVE album, on Heart Warming Records. The up tempo song is infectious and will have the audience singing along before they realize they've even learned the words to it.
2. Whatever It Takes
This ballad was a huge song in 1975 when Lanny's group first recorded it on their SHOUT IT, JESUS IS COMING album. This is simply one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. I consider it to be a masterpiece of song writing that every christian songwriter should look at and study.
3. Jesus Will Be What Makes It Heaven For Me
Heaven songs are a staple in southern gospel music, and this is one of the best ever written. Not only does it talk
about heaven, but it keeps the focus on Jesus.
4. God's Wonderful People
This is one of the best songs ever written for opening a concert. Back in 1974 the Downings recorded what I believe was the best version of this song. But it is certainly time to introduce it to a new generation of gospel music fans.
5. Someone Is Praying For You
The message in this song still needs to be heard, even though it is over 30 years old. It is one of the most encouraging songs that you can sing to someone who is hurting.
6. I'm Gonna Be Gone
This is a true southern gospel hand clapper. Any Quartet should be able to knock a home run with this one.
7. In Everything Give Him Thanks
Southern Gospel artist need to reach out and to the younger generation who has grown up on Praise and Worship music. This song is a perfect vehicle for doing just that, but with a melody and chord progression that will still appeal to the fans of more traditional styles. This one is more for the ministry minded artist than the entertainment based group. If leading people in worship is not your thing, you may want to leave this one alone.
8. The Beauty Of His Name
This song first came to us in 1980 on Lanny Wolfe Trio's album CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC. It's a strong ballad and one of the most beautiful songs about the name of Jesus that you will ever hear or sing.
9. More Than Ever Before
Also from the 1980 album CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC, the simplicity of this song will reach out to those who love praise and worship songs. But the chorus, verse, chorus format will appeal to those who enjoy southern gospel and traditional
hymns.
10. One Day Closer
This is another southern gospel hand clappin' song about going to heaven. It ts better each time you sing it, because each time you do, you are just a little closer home than you were the last time you sang it. An updated arrangement of this early '70's song could be a chart topper next year.
As I said above, this is only a brief list. Lanny Wolfe has hundreds of great songs just waiting to be rediscovered. Almost all of his recordings have been rereleased on CD. If you would like to learn more about his amazing catalog of material, you can visit his website at http://www.paradigmmusic.net
Until next time, keep on writing!
Daryl Williams
http://www.darylwilliamstrio.net
Author: Daryl Williams
| Author's Website: http://darylwilliamstrio.net
Written: 08/14/2008
| 
Category: The Songwriter
Comments: 25
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The Kingdom Heirs have a song out right now called "Jesus Made A Believer Out of Me". Not sure if that's the same song or not.
Daryl:
I couldn't agree more. Fabulous songs. "Precious Blood" is another wonderful Wolfe song. But "Heaven for Me" is probably the best!
Brian Hanson
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
I have long advocated Lanny's writings. What a tremendous writer. One song I have longed to see re-cut is "I Feel Good."
I agree Daryl, "Whatever it Takes" is a true masterpiece. A couple of other masterpieces are "My House is Full" and "Stirred, But Not Changed."
Lanny Wolfe also wrote a song called "Jesus, We Crown You With Praise" that is unbelievably good.
Back in the 70s, as a teenage bass singer in a group called the Singing Redeemed,I had the chance to open for the Lanny Wolfe Trio several times. Lanny is my favorite gospel songwriter of all time. Other songs I would suggest that groups cover: "Jesus Be the Lord of All (The Kingdoms of My Heart)" "The Party"
"Let Everything That Has Breath (Praise the Lord)"
and the incomparable "Something in The Air."
Chris J. Becker
Cedar Rapids, IA
I live in Jackson, MS area and remember Lanny Wofe when he was on local College Staff and Minister of Music at a large church. Could we get an update on him? I've not heard from him in years and it's such a loss to all of us who love him and his music.
Recently I found Lanny Wolfe's web site and found that one could still order cds!!! I got a double cd of "Favorites". They range for 1971 - about 1985. Great stuff! Made me "homesick" for more of that music!!!
God is good - all the time
All the time - God is good
It was my pleasure meeting Lanny here in Albuquerque many years ago. Someone had gone into the concert hall, and blew the house speakers before the concert. During the 1st verse and chorus of "God's wonderful people", the people started to walk out.. after stopping, praying, and turning one of the monitor speakers around. the concert started again, and we had church.
Today I drug out my Lanny Wolfe albums and what a blessing. Tonight at church I sang "Fresh Touch" and agreed with Lanny, we all need a Fresh Touch. God blesses the words to such wonderful songs.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE NAME OF THE GROUP WHO SANG, JESUS MADE A BELIEVER OUT OF ME. THE BASS SINGER HAS THE LOWEST BASS VOICE I HAVE EVER HEARD, I WOULD LIKE THEIR CD OR TAPE BUT AM NOT SURE OF THE NAME OF THE GROUP OR HOW TO PURCHASE A COPY, PLEASE HELP. CAROLYN B MEUMANN, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
That would probably be The Downings or possibly recently The Kingdom Heirs.
The Downings recording might be hard to find. The Kingdom Heirs recording is a recent release on CD.
Brian Hanson
BRIAN HANSON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INFO ABOUT JESUS MADE A BELEVER OUT OF ME AND WHO THE AWESOME SINGING GROUP MAY BE. THE BASS SINGER HAS THE MOST PHENOMENAL VOICE I HAVE EVER HEARD. JD SUMNER PREVIOUSLY HAD THE LOWEST VIBRATO VOICE ON RECORD ACCORDING TO GUINNES RECORDS BUT I BELIEVE THIS MAN HAS TAKEN THE #1 SPOT. THANKS
I bought my first lanny wolfe trio album and it changed my life...I bought everyone that he recorded after that.
Looking for a soundtrack (accompaniment music) for Lanny Wolfe's song (Jesus Will Be What Makes It) Heaven For Me.
I loved all L. Wolfe's songs. Right now I need all the words to the song,
I used to have the soundtrack to Heaven For Me; my favorite heaven song of all time. Does anyone know how I can get a soundtrack of it again? It was originally published by Benson of Nashville years ago on a reel-to-reel tape.
I am trying to get my hands on the Lanny Wolf song "Whatever it Takes". I don't need the music just the words to the song. Years ago I surrenderd my life to the lord and partly because of the words to that song. Can sombody help?
I love the song he wrote "Asleep in the Light". I've looked everywhere i know and can't find a track. If anyone knows where to find it, please contact me!!
sarah 
I simply LOVE Lanny Wolfe music! It touches my heart in a way that not many songs can. Myself and my family all enjoy his talent.We have some of it that we have listened to for 25 years or more.
Does Lanny Wolfe even write any music anymore? Just finished a revival in Amarillo, Texas and must have sung a dozen songs of his and people asking where I got the new songs? I heard the testimony one night Lanny gave about the writing of "Stirred But Not Changed". It was so stirring...he had written it on the way to the concert I saw him at in Shreveport. I'm still singing it. Oh, for more songs like Lanny Wolfe's.
Who played the sexy doctor on the episode of Becker where he wanted to sleep with her but turned her down because of Chris his girlfriend at the time
Are there verses to Lanny Wofe's beautiful chorus "Cheris That Wonderful Name?"
Here are the lyrics to I Feel Good:
Does anyone know where I could get the chords and lyrics to "Dancing on the Grave." The song was written by Janice Sjostrand, however, Lanny Wolfe preformed the song.
I have some old Lanny Wolfe songbooks; one of them includes the verses to Cherish that Name. It still moves me to tears.
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