Official Press Release on Wes’s New Solo Recording
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Release from
“A Man Like Wes Hampton”
Gaither Vocal Band Member Takes Solo Project to the Marketplace
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—September 8th, 2011—Gaither Music Group is scheduled to release an all-new solo recording by Wes Hampton, member of the award-winning and legendary Gaither Vocal Band, on September 13th. A Man Like Me, produced by Hampton along with producer/vocalist Michael English and producer/musician/vocalist Gordon Mote, showcases the depth of Hampton, who has been traveling with The Gaither Vocal Band for six years now.
A resident of Birmingham, Hampton came to Music City to create the new recording which he describes stylistically as “songs that he enjoys listening to.”
“Bill and the GVB have always been great at mixing sounds,” Hampton describes. “And I feel like this release is somewhat along those lines--reflective of a variety of styles and of the influence the group has had on me when it comes to combining a variety of sounds.”
Those sounds include background vocals from soloist and former Gaither Vocal Band teammate Marshall Hall as well as a duet with the Christian contemporary music pioneer Steve Green. When Green toured through Birmingham, he invited Hampton to sing “It Is Well” on stage with him that evening, and the duet is now re-captured on this new release.
A Man Like Me features songs from heralded writers such as Travis Cottrell, Cindy Morgan, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Sonya Isaacs Yeary, Sam Mizell and Jeff Pardo, among others. Hampton covered the Cottrell hit “Jesus Saves”; and the title cut, penned by Jeff Pardo along with Stephen Gause, is a special tune for him.
“I loved this song immediately,” Hampton recalls. “It kind of encapsulated what I wanted to say as a whole, which is why I made it the title of the project. It says, ‘I believe there's hope for everyone, and Your arms still reach even for a man like me.’
"I relate to this,” Hampton continues. “I am a fallen man trying to make the best decisions I can every day, and sometimes I don't succeed, but I get a fresh start every day. You can't outstretch the love of God. I think it’s important for people to hear that as much as possible as we tend to forget it.
"I hope this release encourages listeners. We're not in this alone, so let’s stop trying to pretend we can do it on our own. We need each other, and we need God through the journey. There are times when I try to do things by my own strength, forgetting that God has promised to walk alongside me and get me through whatever I'm facing. The songs on this release point to the fact that we're all in this together.”
In addition to a heavy touring schedule alongside The Gaither Vocal Band and the HOMECOMING tours, Hampton performs solo dates when time allows. He and his wife, Andrea, have four children.
A Man Like Me will be distributed in stores and digitally exclusively through EMI CMG Distribution. It will be available on iTunes as well as at www.gaither.com. For further information, visit www.weshampton.com. To schedule interviews, receive music or make further inquiries, please contact:
Celeste Winstead, CWinstead@springhillmusic.com, 615-383-5535, ext. 138.
I prefer the new cover to the old one.
Wes, thank you for this CD. As a man who has struggled with pornography, almost every song, if not every song, has very direct words and messages that go straight to the problem. It has strengthened me tremendously, and given me “strength to press on through the battle”. Although this project can apply to everyone, I feel like it would be an excellent tool for men’s ministry. Even the title indicates that it could be such. Thank you for choosing such powerful songs. The lyrics in these songs are not comfortable for a man to sing or hear, because it goes against our prideful nature. In order to enjoy these songs, we have to humble ourselves and admit that we are still just men shot full of holes, but attempting to have fellowship with a holy and perfect God. I am so glad I invested in this CD. I have listened to it repeatedly, and cried repeatedly. My favorite song on the CD is “Heal the Wound”. This is the song of my life!!
Wes, you have become my favorite singer of all time! You have such a versatile voice, and you don’t even strain to hit those high tenor notes! I must admit, at first I was skeptical because you were following up behind David Phelps, and he has an excellent and powerful voice in his own right, to say the least. But your voice is just awesome! I’m looking forward to the next CD!