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Rich Mullins Never-Before-Heard Live Recording Is Out Now

The latest recording in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the untimely passing of American songwriter and Gospel music icon Rich Mullins is out now. Deep Valley, Mullins’ first-ever live recording to be made available to the public, releases today on Old Bear Records. 

Deep Valley arrives on the heels of Bellsburg…The Songs of Rich Mullins(Old Bear Records),a various artists tribute album from last fall that landed at No. 1 on the iTunes Christian charts. Listen to the project HERE).

Uncovered from a stack of unreleased recordingsDeep Valley features 21 live tracks, which include five bonus songs and some of his most time-tested tunes like “Sing Your Praise to the Lord” and “Elijah.” Also included is a batch of Mullins’ never-before-heard songs interspersed with his infamous ragamuffin stories and candid opinings. The album was recorded at Deep Valley Christian Camp in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania in 1984, at the outset of his storied music career.

“Richard loved camp,” recalls Beth Snell Lutz, the album’s primary Executive Producer and one of Mullins’ longest friends as well as the keeper of Rich Mullins Early Music, an archive of Mullins’ earliest unreleased catalog. “He traveled to Deep Valley often in the early 1980s and fell hard for the junior high and high school kids; the love was mutual.

He felt completely relaxed and free to be his unbridled self, resulting in a greater number of ‘Richard Rants’ … what I have always called his rambling talks between songs.”

She continues, “Deep Valley represents a kind of bridge between his early years as a songwriter and his later years as a recording artist. Some of these songs may be familiar; some will be completely ‘new’ to you. Some are Richard’s alone; some were made popular by other artists such as Amy Grant, Debby Boone, and Caedmon’s Call. I hope you will find joy in listening to Deep Valley as you step back into this music from a lesser-known time in Richard’s life.”

“During his storied lifetime, and now 25 years after his tragic death, Rich’s words, not just his songs, resonate deep within our minds and our hearts,” shares Andrew Greer, Co-Executive Producer of Deep Valley along with Lutz, Old Bear Records’ Anthony Hoisington and Dave Trout of UTR Media, while both Chris Marchand and Joe Cook are Assistant Producers.

Greer concludes, “One dimension of our faith is proclaiming what we believe; another is to question what we believe. Rich helped us ask good questions of God, of others, and of ourselves so that through our doubts and discussions we might discover an even deeper, abiding faith. Deep Valley is yet another gift from Rich to companion us along our spiritual journeys.”

Deep Valley – Rich Mullins

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Rich Mullins Tribute Album Released

American songwriter and Gospel music icon, Rich Mullins, penned and recorded treasured songs such as “Awesome God,” “Hold Me Jesus” and “If I Stand,” before his tragic passing at the height of his career 25 years ago. Millions of listeners have connected with his music over the decades, and a wide array of recording artists have been impacted by his simple musical arrangements and raw lyrics. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of his passing, various artists gathered in his historic home in Bellsburg, Tennessee to record an 18-track album that features two never-before-released demos from Mullins himself. Notable artists featured include Amy Grant, Andrew Peterson, Mitch McVicker, Jason Gray, Ashley Cleveland, Sara Groves, Taylor Leonhardt and many more. The album, Bellsburg…The Songs of Rich Mullins (Old Bear Records) is available today everywhere here.

Produced by Chris Hoisington, Andrew Greer, and Evan Sieling for Old Bear Records, and Executive Produced by Greer, Anthony Hoisington and Dave Trout of UTR Media, these tracks were recorded with the sparse instrumentation and arrangements that were found on many of Mullins’ demos. Each of the artists featured in the project has a personal connection with Mullins or has been deeply influenced by his music.

“Rich Mullins introduced me to an experience with God in the context of music that I had never known…He made lofty ideas about God so earthly.” – Amy Grant

bellsburg

“When (Rich) talked about God, he was talking about a person that he knew, not about an idea. I wanted that. I was so hungry for that. I’m hungry for that now.” – Andrew Peterson

“From my experience with Rich’s music, he sends out a very necessary message to others that clearly says, “You are not alone!” It takes someone brave enough to go first, but once someone does go first, transparency begets transparency, mercy begets mercy, vulnerability begets vulnerability— all of the things necessary for healing.” – Sara Groves

The “double album” that was recorded live-to-tape also includes a new recording of the iconic Mullins’ song, “Hard To Get,” featuring his brother David Mullins and nephew Jonathan Mullins. The never heard demos are “Whitewater” and “Holy Pretenders” captured by Mullins. In addition to the album, a documentary filmed during the recording sessions will release in 2023 and is highlighted in the album trailer below. The Deluxe CD packaging also features exclusive never-before-seen photos of the album’s recording sessions and Mullins (see below).

In a recent op-ed piece in the New York Times, Mullins’ music was described as “a mix of folk, Americana, gospel, Appalachian and Celtic influences. What makes it stand out most is his lyrics. Christian music has been accused of being shallow — infused with a saccharine “Yay, Jesus!” corniness. Mullins, in contrast, was authentic and raw.” The piece also highlighted this tribute album as part of the 25th anniversary of his death and the celebration of his life during his birthday month of October.

A life that continues to impact so many, Bellsburg is a beautiful tribute to the life and music of Rich Mullins. To find out more, visit Bellsburg.com.

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