- [Announcer] The gospel music of Alabama has influenced the entire world, and the "Alabama Gospel Roots" television show will give you a taste (bright orchestral music) of this great music every week.

So call a neighbor, call a friend, and get ready to sing and dance and clap your hands.

It's time for "Alabama Gospel Roots."

(upbeat piano music) ♪ Egypt was once my home I was a slave ♪ ♪ Helpless in sin to roam, love's light did crave ♪ ♪ But when I looked up to Heaven's dome ♪ ♪ Christ came to save, I'm living in Canaan now ♪ ♪ Living on Canaan side ♪ Egypt's behind ♪ I've crossed over Jordan wide ♪ ♪ Gladness to find ♪ Well, now, my soul is satisfied ♪ ♪ No longer I am blind ♪ Living with Jesus up in Canaan right now ♪ - Yes!

I'll let you this one, (indistinct).

♪ Satan may have you bound with fetters strong ♪ ♪ Look up to higher ground, will not be long ♪ ♪ Till Christ the Savior your soul has found ♪ ♪ You'll sing this song ♪ I'm living in Canaan now ♪ Living in Canaan now ♪ Living on Canaan side ♪ Egypt's behind ♪ Crossed over Jordan wide ♪ Gladness to find ♪ Well, now my soul is satisfied ♪ ♪ No longer I am blind ♪ Living with Jesus up in Canaan right now ♪ ♪ Living on Canaan side ♪ Egypt's behind ♪ Crossed over Jordan wide ♪ Gladness to find ♪ My soul is satisfied ♪ My soul is satisfied ♪ Living with Jesus up in Canaan right now ♪ - All right.

It's Saturday night again.

Eight o'clock on Alabama public television and it's "Alabama Gospel Roots," so call a neighbor, call a friend.

Let 'em know that we are back again.

The Hager family.

How are you?

- We're doing good.

How are you?

- I'm doing very well.

It's good to have you on "Alabama Gospel Roots."

- It's good to be here with you.

- All right.

Well, as "Alabama Gospel Roots" folks, where are you traveling from?

- We're coming from Corbin, Kentucky.

- Corbin, Kentucky, the place that everybody knows about.

- Yes, sir, the first KFC.

- Oh!

- Oh, yes sir.

- Did you bring some with you?

- No.

- No, if I thought of it, I'd have brought you a whole bucket.

- We need a bucket from the original place.

- That's right.

- I mean, all that others is just, you know, it's the fake.

But the real pieces, we'll be traveling up there every weekend.

- Yes, sir.

- All right, so that's where you're originally from.

- Yes, sir.

- Where you were born.

So now this is a Hager family.

So does that mean you a husband and wife, or- - Husband and wife.

- Okay, husband and wife.

Y'all got children?

- Yeah.

- How old are they?

- They range from 11 to- - 33, somewhere in that area.

- 11 to 33.

- Yup.

Most of 'em are grown, thank God.

- All right.

- Now we got grandkids.

- Really?

- Yes.

- You know, most grandparents say, we should have had them first, you know?

- Yeah.

- Oh, I guarantee you that.

Yes, sir.

- Now how many grandchildren do you have?

- Oh Lord.

- Uh-oh.

Uh-oh, help.

Watch her count.

- Six.

- Six, okay.

All right, look straight ahead.

And you got 30 seconds to give me all six names.

Here we go.

(snaps) (audience laughing) - I lost that one.

- Can you remember one?

- I hope that they're not watching this.

- Can you remember one?

- Yeah, one of 'em name's Serenity.

- Serenity, Kayden.

- Yes.

- Hello.

- Brooklyn, Mason.

Bronson and Madeline.

- Madeline, yes.

- (sighs) Y'all had me nervous.

- You made me nervous.

- I just barely remember my name.

- I know, I know, I know, I know.

Well, you came to sing some gospel songs.

You didn't come to be some type of game show to remember all the grandchildren, okay?

When they see this, I mean, you on your own.

I didn't have anything to do it.

Okay, so what's the name of your church there real quick?

- We're going the First Pentecostal in Corbin right now, when we're home.

And that's very, not very much.

We're traveling full time now.

I mean, we're on the road every weekend.

- All the time?

- Every weekend.

- You prayed for it.

There it is.

- We're coming back down here for revival in November.

We'll be down here for almost a whole week for revival.

So God's opening up doors and we're ready to run through 'em.

- Wow.

Okay, now get ready.

Now don't be running if you can't run good, okay?

- No, I can't run good.

- Okay.

All right then.

Well, on Alabama Gospel Roots, we got the Hager family, and they're beautiful people as you can see.

They may not be able to remember all their grandchildren's names, but they sure know how to sing.

Let's hear 'em sing some more right here (laughs) on "Alabama Gospel Roots."

(inspirational piano music) - No matter what you're facing today, you've got a savior that'll walk you through it.

♪ When this mountain looks so high from this valley ♪ ♪ Without Your help, I know I cannot climb ♪ ♪ And Lord I know with You I can do all things ♪ ♪ And You'll walk me through - Oh, what a song.

♪ You walk me through the fire ♪ Speak peace to your storm ♪ Bringing darkness to light ♪ When you feel all hope is gone ♪ ♪ He'll walk you through - Yes, He will.

Let's walk.

♪ When the storms about is raging ♪ ♪ All around you - Yeah, come on, Stephanie.

♪ You're thinking that you're surely gonna drown ♪ ♪ But you won't ♪ Try going on 'cause soon your answer's coming ♪ ♪ And He'll walk you through - Aren't you glad He'll walk you through everything today?

♪ Walk you through the fire ♪ Speak peace to your storm ♪ Bringing darkness to light ♪ When you feel all hope is gone ♪ ♪ He'll walk you through - Oh, yes.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord.

♪ When you feel like you've been done ♪ ♪ And you feel you can't go on ♪ Just reach out to the master ♪ He'll carry you on ♪ He'll walk you through the fire ♪ ♪ Speak peace to your storm ♪ Bringing darkness to light ♪ When you feel all hope is gone ♪ ♪ He'll walk you through - Oh, yes, he will.

♪ He'll walk you through ♪ He'll walk you through (upbeat piano music) - Listen to this whole song, praise the Lord.

Hopefully it'll touch somebody's heart today.

♪ I know deep inside of me ♪ See, I'm not bad ♪ I used to be ♪ Lord, hear my earnest cry ♪ Consuming with desire ♪ All like a flower that needs the rain ♪ ♪ Lord, I need you to sustain ♪ Even David, he prayed the same ♪ ♪ Lord, you bring back that new again ♪ ♪ Lord, bring back the new again ♪ ♪ Remind me of a time when ♪ Your spirit moved and then ♪ You burned in me for souls of men ♪ ♪ Lord, and bring back the new again ♪ ♪ Anoint me, come within ♪ That my vision holds nothing ♪ Lord, bring back the new again ♪ - Yes, David said, restore it to me, the joy of thy salvation, amen.

We need a lot of people praying that prayer, amen.

Yes, sing it, Steph.

♪ Lord, I want to be your hand ♪ Extending out to man ♪ Just let them see in me ♪ That reason to believe ♪ Any good, Lord, that I might do ♪ ♪ Lord, I pray they know it's only you ♪ ♪ For it's in you I sing ♪ Where all becomes new again ♪ Lord, bring back the new again ♪ ♪ Remind me of a time when ♪ Your spirit moved and then ♪ You burned in me for souls of men ♪ ♪ Father, bring back the new again ♪ ♪ Anoint me, God, within ♪ That my vision holds nothing ♪ Lord, bring back the new again ♪ ♪ That my vision holds nothing ♪ Lord, bring back the new again ♪ - On "Alabama Gospel Roots" again, we always want to say we appreciate each and every one of you for your support of "Alabama Gospel Roots."

Thank you for sharing the news and telling what time we're on and enjoying each other.

I understand some of you even call each other on the phone and watch the show together.

I think that's a wonderful thing to do, okay?

So let's shout out to some of our cities and towns in the state of Alabama.

Gurley, Alabama, hello to you.

We've got Lisbon, Alabama.

Hello to you.

Lockhart, Alabama, and Phil Campbell, Alabama, we say hello to you.

Now let's talk to our nursing homes and rehab centers where some of our real good friends, and we don't know you personally, but we just feel like we are friends.

Brother George, wanna say hello.

Adam's nursing home in Alexander City, hello to you.

Atmore Nursing home.

Where else?

Atmore, Alabama.

Trace Oaks Care and Rehab Center, that's in Bessemer, Alabama.

Oak Knoll Health and Rehab Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

And Clay County Nursing Home in Ashland.

Now, let me say this to you, all of my friends in the nursing homes, in the rehab centers, you're loved.

And sometimes you may not feel like you get a very special visit, all the visits you would like to have, but just know that you are not alone.

We love you.

Okay?

So keep moving as much as you can and we know you're gonna get better and better, no doubt about it.

Can you say amen to that?

All right.

On "Alabama Gospel Roots," tonight, our Golden Vessel salute goes out to Dr.

Francis D. Salter of Atmore, Alabama.

Listen, she's a 2025 inductee into the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.

Now she's a lifelong resident of Escambia County.

Dr.

Salter has served her community as a primary care doctor for over 30 years.

She makes house calls, now that's unusual.

So we know that she's very special.

And she opens on Saturdays for people who can't go to the doctor during the week.

She even helps pay for some of the patient's medicines and their food and shelter.

My, that touches my heart.

She participated in the local health department's healthcare fairs too.

So Dr.

Salter, Dr.

Francis D. Salter, we salute you tonight.

You are a very special Golden Vessel.

We're going to dedicate the entire "Alabama Gospel Roots" show to you.

(gentle piano music) - Anybody, just seeking the Lord.

♪ I don't want it ♪ I don't need it, God ♪ So take everything (audience cheering) ♪ I don't want it ♪ I don't need it, God ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ We just want you ♪ So just take ♪ Everything ♪ I don't want it ♪ And I don't need it, God ♪ So take ♪ Everything ♪ I don't want it ♪ I don't need it, God ♪ I just want you Anybody just seeking the Lord?

♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ We just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you Let's sing that one more time ♪ So take ♪ Everything ♪ I don't want it ♪ I don't need it, God ♪ 'Cause nothing else matters ♪ Everything ♪ Everything ♪ I don't need it, God ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ We just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ So take me, I'm yours ♪ Everything ♪ Yeah ♪ I don't want it ♪ I don't need it, God ♪ You can have everything ♪ Everything ♪ I don't want it, God ♪ I don't need it, God ♪ So take it ♪ I don't need it ♪ I don't want it, God ♪ I don't want it ♪ I don't want it, God ♪ I don't need it ♪ I don't need it, God ♪ I don't want it ♪ I don't want it, God ♪ I don't need it ♪ And I don't need it, God ♪ I don't want it ♪ I don't want it, God ♪ I don't need it ♪ Let me just have this ♪ Take me, I'm yours ♪ Take me, I'm yours ♪ I just want ♪ I just want you ♪ Oh, so take me, I'm yours ♪ Take me, I'm yours ♪ I just want ♪ I just want you ♪ Oh, so take me, I'm yours ♪ I'm your willing vessel ♪ I'm yours ♪ I just want ♪ I just want you ♪ Oh, so take me ♪ I'm yours ♪ Take me, I'm yours ♪ I just want ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ Nothing else matters ♪ Nothing else matters ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ Oh, nothing else matters ♪ You're the center of my joy ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ Let them (indistinct) from the world ♪ ♪ I just want you ♪ I just want you ♪ Everything ♪ I don't want it ♪ I don't need it, God ♪ Take everything ♪ I don't want it ♪ I don't need it ♪ I don't need it ♪ I don't want it, God ♪ And I don't need it, God ♪ You're the center of my joy - "Alabama Gospel Roots."

And I tell you what, it is so good to have brother Simmons.

Now, I'm going to try to get that first name, Di, Vi, Incente.

(laughs) Pronounce it for me if you will.

- DiVincente'.

- DiVincente'.

- Yes.

- All right, DiVincente'.

And you're from where?

- I am from a small town called Goodwater Alabama.

- Oh, man, we know about that.

- Yeah, Goodwater.

- Y'all got good water down there?

- We do, we do, we do.

- So we'll have to buy bottle of water.

We can just go to Goodwater.

- I still buy my bottles, but.

(laughs) - I got you.

All right, and what church are you member there?

- I am a member of New Life Outreach Ministries, Pastor Skylar Patterson.

- Oh, right.

Oh, okay, Pastor Skylar.

Matter of fact, Pastor Skylar was the one I called to say that I need somebody from down in that area.

(DiVincente' laughs) So you must, I mean, I knew he wasn't gonna send me somebody that couldn't sing.

- Really?

(laughs) - Oh, because you representing him and the whole state of Alabama.

- Oh, yeah.

- So you wanna say hello to your family members today?

- Hello to my New Life family and my friends, I guess.

(laughs) - Got some friends out there?

- Oh, yeah.

- How many?

Three?

- I don't know.

- (laughs) All right.

Well, I tell you what, we're just grateful to have you, and let's one more time, how to pronounce your name?

- DiVincente'.

- DiVincente'.

All right, well, welcome to "Alabama Gospel Roots," one more time, DiVincente' Simmons, and he's going to bless your hearts.

♪ You're alpha and omega ♪ We worship You, our Lord ♪ 'Cause you are worthy to be praised ♪ ♪ You are alpha and omega ♪ We worship You, our Lord ♪ You are worthy to be praised ♪ We give you all the glory ♪ We worship You, our Lord ♪ 'Cause You are worthy to be praised ♪ ♪ We give you all the glory ♪ We worship you, our Lord ♪ You are worthy to be praised ♪ We give You all the glory ♪ We worship You, our Lord ♪ 'Cause You are worthy to be praised ♪ ♪ You are worthy to be praised ♪ You are worthy to be praised (upbeat orchestral music) Just gonna remind you guys, anybody believe that He's an awesome God.

♪ We serve a mighty God ♪ We serve a holy God ♪ We serve an awesome God ♪ My savior, my savior ♪ Everybody sing ♪ We serve a mighty God ♪ We serve a holy God ♪ We serve an awesome God ♪ My savior, my savior ♪ Sing it again, we serve ♪ We serve a mighty God ♪ We serve a holy God ♪ We serve an awesome God ♪ My savior, my savior ♪ 'Cause You are the great God ♪ And You are the King of Kings, Lord above ♪ ♪ You are ♪ We serve a mighty God ♪ We serve a holy God ♪ Anybody know that He's an awesome God ♪ ♪ My savior, my savior ♪ Sing it again ♪ We serve a mighty God ♪ We serve a holy God ♪ We serve an awesome God ♪ My savior, my savior ♪ You are ♪ The Lord ♪ The great ♪ God in heaven ♪ Oh, and you are ♪ The King of Kings, Lord above ♪ ♪ You are, You are ♪ You, oh, yeah ♪ You are awesome ♪ You are, You are ♪ Oh, you are holy ♪ You are holy ♪ Oh, you are awesome ♪ You are, You are ♪ Oh, sing it again ♪ You are holy ♪ You are awesome ♪ You are, You are ♪ You are ♪ You are, You are ♪ You are, You are ♪ My healer ♪ You are my deliverer ♪ You are my resurrection ♪ You are my salvation ♪ You are, You are ♪ You are everything I need You to be ♪ ♪ You are, You are ♪ You are everything I need You to be ♪ ♪ You are, You are ♪ You are, You are (upbeat piano music) ♪ My whole life's been a disappointment ♪ ♪ I could not ever do the world's command ♪ ♪ I lived along in fear and confusion ♪ ♪ Was nothing to do 'cause I done all I can ♪ ♪ But I heard about a man they call Jesus ♪ ♪ How he healed the lame and made the blind see ♪ ♪ So I (indistinct) try to put my faith in You ♪ ♪ And I'm asking that You do the same for me ♪ ♪ I've been changed ♪ The pain's no longer there ♪ The guilt is gone ♪ (indistinct) out there ♪ When the one from Galilee ♪ Gave His all for you and me ♪ And my whole life has been rearranged ♪ ♪ I've been changed ♪ Now my life is filled ♪ With joy this world can't take away ♪ ♪ Man that I once was is gone ♪ The man I am today ♪ And I'm healing now from Him ♪ 'Cause He gave His life for me ♪ ♪ He made the way, the price was paid ♪ ♪ On a cross in Cavalry ♪ I've been changed ♪ The pain's no longer there ♪ The guilt is gone ♪ (indistinct) out there ♪ When the one from Galilee ♪ Gave His all for you and me ♪ And my whole life has been rearranged ♪ ♪ I've been changed - "Alabama Gospel Roots."

And of course we keep going across the country and around the world to find some wonderful people to bring their brand of gospel music.

brother Samuel Blankenship, step a little closer there.

How you doing sir?

- Great, sir.

- Great.

And where are you from, brother Samuel?

- Cleveland, Tennessee.

- Cleveland, Tennessee.

That's where you were born?

- Yes, sir.

- All right then.

What high school you play football for?

- I didn't play football, Bradley High School.

- (laughs) Well, we can make it up on the side.

- That's right.

- All right.

How long you been singing gospel music, sir?

- Oh, probably 35 years.

- Okay.

And you enjoy every bit of it?

- Yes, sir.

- Great, great.

And when you are singing your music, what are you hoping to accomplish?

- See a soul saved.

- Amen.

Have you seen some souls saved?

- Yes, sir.

- All right.

That's a shout, isn't it?

- Amen.

- Every time.

Well, continue to go forth with everything that you got into it, everything.

- Amen!

- As a football coach would say, leave it all on the field, okay.

All right, you brought some people on with you who accompany you, would you introduce them?

- Yeah, over here, we just put her to work today, Miss- - Stephanie.

- Stephanie Hager.

And then Daniel Ledford is from Englewood, Tennessee.

- Englewood?

And, well, Miss Stephanie, where you from, Miss Stephanie?

Corbin, Kentucky.

- Corbin, Kentucky.

Man, you international, man.

You blowing on up.

Amen, you blowing on up.

Well, thank you for joining us on "Alabama Gospel Roots" and we encourage you to continue to go forth with your ministry, okay?

- Thank you.

- All right.

I know you're going to continue to do great and mighty things because you're faithful over a few things.

- Amen.

- All right, then.

Well, you got another song you brought for us?

- Well, I think (indistinct).

- Well, you got it then.

You all ready?

But I think you all, but people understand sometimes we've already done these songs.

- Okay.

- I'm gonna teach you that later on, all right?

So let's try that more time.

You got one another song you brought for us?

- Yes, sir!

- (laughs) All right then.

Well, let's hear right here on "Alabama Gospel Roots."

(upbeat piano music) ♪ An old battered Santa in a crowded drugstore aisle ♪ ♪ Was a little girl with big blue eyes ♪ ♪ Walks silently to his side ♪ He lifted her up, set her on his lap ♪ ♪ Said what can I do for you ♪ She said, Santa I don't want nothing for me ♪ ♪ But here's what I want you to do ♪ ♪ Give my daddy a new soul ♪ And let him go to heaven with me ♪ ♪ For Jesus is coming to lift mommy and daddy ♪ ♪ And granny, you see ♪ But he's a businessman ♪ In this whole wide world ♪ But he just won't get saved ♪ So Santa, if it's not asking too much ♪ ♪ Give daddy a new soul today ♪ A hush settled on the crowd ♪ Oh, Santa just sat there crying ♪ ♪ As a little girl walks away ♪ The tears still streaming from his eyes ♪ ♪ Oh, the child he just helped ♪ Was his only little girl ♪ She wanted for him to get saved ♪ ♪ So out there in the middle of that drugstore aisle ♪ ♪ He (indistinct) for Santa Claus prayed ♪ ♪ Give my daddy a new soul ♪ And let him go to heaven with me ♪ ♪ For Jesus is coming to lift mommy and daddy ♪ ♪ And granny, you'll see ♪ But he's businessman ♪ In this wild world ♪ And he just won't get saved ♪ So Santa, if it's not asking too much ♪ ♪ Give daddy a new soul today ♪ So Jesus, I say, thank you so much ♪ ♪ For giving daddy a new soul today ♪ (upbeat piano music) ♪ I'm a traveler far from home ♪ I get lost and I press on ♪ 'Cause there's a mansion free to board ♪ ♪ Where I belong ♪ Yes, and today, coming soon ♪ When the old will be made new ♪ ♪ And heaven's glory shines like a morning ♪ ♪ Before her eyes ♪ When we all see Jesus ♪ When we all see Jesus ♪ No more sickness ♪ No more madness ♪ No more pain ♪ May we all see Jesus face-to-face ♪ ♪ And then we will sing with angel voices ♪ ♪ There will be a great rejoicing ♪ ♪ Holy, holy ♪ Worthy, worthy ♪ Is the lamb ♪ When we all see Jesus ♪ When we all see Jesus ♪ No more sickness ♪ No more madness ♪ No more pain ♪ When we all see Jesus face-to-face ♪ ♪ There'll be no sorrow there ♪ No more burdens to bear ♪ No more sickness ♪ No pain, no more parting over there ♪ ♪ And forever I will be with the one I want to be ♪ ♪ (indistinct) stay that way, it'll be ♪ ♪ What a day that will be ♪ With my Jesus, I shall sing ♪ When I look upon His face ♪ The one who saved me by His grace ♪ ♪ When He takes me by the hand ♪ And leads me through the promised land ♪ ♪ What a day, glorious day, that will be ♪ ♪ When we all see Jesus ♪ When we all see Jesus ♪ No more sickness ♪ No more madness ♪ No more pain ♪ When we all see Jesus face-to-face ♪ (upbeat folk music) - All right, clap along.

♪ Sometimes a life can knock the breath right outta you ♪ ♪ When you entertain your darkest thoughts ♪ ♪ And you let your demons shout at you ♪ ♪ Telling you to just give up ♪ No, hey, you're not good enough ♪ ♪ Well, you don't have to take that stuff ♪ ♪ So get tough and push back, push back, come on ♪ ♪ Make that broken heart your breakthrough ♪ ♪ Push back, push back ♪ You are stronger than the thing that breaks you ♪ ♪ When hard times push down, you push back ♪ ♪ Push back, push back ♪ Oh, yeah ♪ Sometimes you're sick and tired ♪ ♪ Of the sound of slamming doors ♪ ♪ And you wonder what in the world ♪ ♪ You were even put here for ♪ And all the (indistinct) you ride ♪ ♪ You wanna run and you wanna hide ♪ ♪ Something pulls that switch inside ♪ ♪ And you decide to push back, push back ♪ ♪ Make that broken heart your breakthrough ♪ ♪ Push back, push back ♪ You're stronger than the thing that breaks you ♪ ♪ When hard times push down on you ♪ ♪ You push back, push back, push back ♪ That's right.

Don't take no for an answer.

When I first moved to Nashville, they told me I was too big, I was too short and I wasn't country enough.

But here I'm singing for you people today.

Amen.

♪ You wanna run, you hide ♪ But something pulls that switch inside you ♪ ♪ Push back, push back ♪ Push back, push back ♪ Make that broken heart your breakthrough ♪ ♪ Push back, push back ♪ You're stronger than the thing that breaks you ♪ ♪ When hard times push down on you ♪ ♪ You push back, push back, push back ♪ ♪ Yeah, when hard times push down on you ♪ ♪ You push back, push back, you push back ♪ - On behalf of "Alabama Gospel Roots," thank you so very much for sharing with us your Saturday nights, every Saturday night at o'clock, and we got people like Steve Bridgmon on.

How you doing sir?

- Good, how are you?

- Great.

- Thanks for having me back.

- Hey, it is a pleasure to have you back, 'cause you come with that energy.

I love that.

Push back, man.

- Push back.

- Keep pushing back.

- That's right.

- Life going to always be advancing on you, but you have to what?

- Push back.

- Push back.

- Yeah, push back.

That's what I'm talking about.

- I call that my sitting in Nashville traffic song.

- (laughs) Gotcha.

- Right?

- You gotta be able to keep on pushing.

- Right, right.

- Where are you from?

- I live in Nashville, originally, I've been there 10 years, I'm originally from Owensboro, Kentucky.

- Owensboro, okay.

- Yeah.

- You still got friends and family in Owensboro?

- I do, I do.

Lots of 'em.

- Okay.

A lot of cousins?

- Lot of cousins.

A lot of second cousins.

Step family, you know.

They're out there.

- Hey, they're cousins of love.

- Yes.

- Amen.

- Well, listen, you write most of your material?

- I do.

I either co-write or write a lot my material.

- Okay.

So you have anything, new album or something that's- - Well, actually, working on new album, it's gonna be out in the spring of 2026.

These are some songs that I've not sang on your program before.

So I just pulled them out.

I thought it would be appropriate.

- So these are all brand new, you're singing?

- All brand new to your audience, I hope.

- Wow, wow.

Okay.

And you are open to come and sing it at different places, people might invite you to, huh?

- Yes.

Oh yeah, anytime.

www.stevebridgmon.com.

- Okay, and you'll be there.

- All the time.

(laughs) - Sounds like a song, I'll be there.

- I'll be there.

- That's great.

Well, Brother Steve, thank you for joining us on "Alabama Gospel Roots."

- Thank you, appreciate you- - We really do appreciate you and wish you the very best.

And all I can say is Jim Valvano said it this way, "Don't give up.

Don't ever give up."

- Amen.

- Once again, on "Alabama Gospel Roots," brother Steve Bridgmon.

(upbeat guitar music) - Imagine if Jesus had never been born and we were still living in 1 BC today.

Here's a story I think you might like.

♪ Mary was a brown-eyed girl from a map dot town ♪ ♪ On the sunrise side ♪ Where blue ridge wild streams settle down ♪ ♪ Her momma always told her ♪ She was growing up so strong and wise ♪ ♪ But the whisper of an angel took her by surprise ♪ ♪ Her boyfriend Joe was a hard working craftsman's son ♪ ♪ Strong as oak but quiet as the shop ♪ ♪ When the day is done ♪ He was saving every penny for the day ♪ ♪ When he and Mary would trade gold bands ♪ ♪ She met him at his door at dawn ♪ ♪ And took him by the hands ♪ And she said, ♪ Joe, I know that you can't see ♪ ♪ But heaven's placed a child in me ♪ ♪ She cried and told him everything ♪ ♪ And that young man believed ♪ What if Christ had not yet come ♪ ♪ What if this was still just 1 BC ♪ ♪ Would we be wise enough ♪ To follow that light in the east ♪ ♪ To the baby boy in Mary's arms ♪ ♪ In that humble cattle barn ♪ Would we be open to believe ♪ If this was Bethlehem, Virginia 1 BC ♪ Amen.

♪ Nine months later with a ring on her finger ♪ ♪ Mary woke in pain ♪ They rushed into that starlit night no time to waste ♪ ♪ So scared and alone on a shortcut road ♪ ♪ They hit a "bridge out" sign ♪ Mary can we turn around, do we have time ♪ ♪ Joey please, we gotta go ♪ It's hurting bad ♪ I'm getting close ♪ What's that light above that barn ♪ ♪ He said, I'll get you there, it's not too far ♪ ♪ What if Christ had not yet come ♪ ♪ What if this was still just 1 BC ♪ ♪ Would we be wise enough ♪ To follow that light in the east ♪ ♪ To the baby boy in Mary's arms ♪ ♪ In that humble cattle barn ♪ Would we be open to believe ♪ If this was Bethlehem, Virginia 1 BC ♪ ♪ Long before the sun could rise ♪ ♪ Three old farmers saw the light ♪ ♪ And came to see the newborn King ♪ ♪ God fulfilling everything ♪ What if Christ had not yet come ♪ ♪ What if this was still just 1 BC ♪ ♪ Would we be wise enough ♪ To follow that light in the east ♪ ♪ To the baby boy in Mary's arms ♪ ♪ In that humble cattle barn ♪ Would we be open to believe ♪ If this was Bethlehem, Virginia 1 BC ♪ ♪ 1 BC ♪ 1 BC - Oh my goodness.

Time just flies when we're having a great time, brother Steve.

- What an afternoon, what a day, huh?

- I'm telling you it is one we will always remember.

- That's right.

- Well, we want you to come back again.

- Any time.

- You got a home, man, on "Alabama Gospel Roots."

- That makes me feel good.

- Well, I want make you feel good because you're blessing all of the people.

- Because people in Kentucky, they, people say if you're from Kentucky, you're not from the South.

They always say that.

They tell me that all the time.

So if you tell me I'm at home here- - You're at home.

- There you go.

Thank you so much.

- Steve Bridgmon, right here on "Alabama Gospel Roots."

And you know, in the day and time in which we live, love is the key to everything.

Love is the key to everything.

Unconditional love.

- Yes.

- I can't just love you 'cause you treat me nice today.

I gotta have some love for you when you don't treat me nice.

- There you go.

- I got it in me to do it.

- I understand.

- I just gotta choose to do it.

Does that make sense?

- That makes total sense.

- Okay, all right.

Let's, come on, let's get a little closer together here and do it like this right here, all right?

I need you to repeat after me, all right?

We're all sisters and brothers.

- We're all sisters and brothers.

- There's only one color.

- There's only one color.

- And that is the color of love.

- And that's the color of love.

- All right man.

I understand you got a good song that's going to take us out that's talking about love too.

- Yes it does.

Yes.

- So you brought it, you didn't even know you were bringing it for this, but you brought it in.

- (laughs) Yeah, thank you.

- You've been moved by the spirit.

I feel like (laughs) (Steve laughs) I have a (indistinct) for you about that.

- Something to get me up off (indistinct).

- Oh man.

Hey, tomorrow evening this time, you know.

Hey, listen everybody, be well.

Have a great week this week, and smile.

And when you smile, someone will smile back at you, and that'll be a beautiful thing.

Okay, brother Steve Bridgmon, take us out, okay?

All right.

"Alabama Gospel Roots."

Don't forget, next Saturday, eight o'clock, we'll be right back here.

(gentle piano music) - The Bible says we have to love everybody.

Amen?

♪ Wife became a widow ♪ She lived across the street ♪ And the family next door finds it hard to make meet ♪ ♪ A single mom a few doors down ♪ ♪ Wonders what went wrong ♪ And all of this is hiding behind smiles and waves and nods ♪ ♪ Going beyond the passing glance ♪ ♪ Let us do more than ask ♪ How are you ♪ Oh, if we take the time to listen ♪ ♪ Have a few light conversations ♪ ♪ Never be afraid of the truth ♪ 'Cause that's how we love ♪ That's where we become loving neighbors ♪ - All your preachers out there, this is for you.

♪ Ten feet from the altar ♪ In a crowded pew ♪ There's a marriage ♪ That's failing with a child just under two ♪ ♪ A few rows back a single man ♪ He's questioning God ♪ And all of this is hiding ♪ Behind smiles and waves and nods ♪ ♪ And going beyond a passing glance ♪ ♪ Let us do than ask ♪ How are you ♪ Oh, if we take the time to listen ♪ ♪ Have a few light conversations ♪ ♪ We'll never be afraid of the truth ♪ ♪ That's how we love ♪ That's where we love ♪ Love our neighbor ♪ Invite in the love, everyone will know ♪ ♪ And they will be a witness ♪ Of who we are, and we belong to Jesus ♪ ♪ Going beyond the passing glance ♪ ♪ Let us do more than ask ♪ How are you ♪ How are you ♪ Oh, let me take the time to listen ♪ ♪ Have a few light conversations ♪ ♪ And never be afraid of the truth ♪ ♪ And that's how we love ♪ That's when we love ♪ That's how we love ♪ That's when we love ♪ Love our neighbor (electricity buzzes)