Belle Frantz released her debut album, Hymns From A Barstool, on November 6. The 17-song gospel project features contributions from Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, Ashley Monroe, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Meg McRee and Larry Strickland.
Produced by Gena Johnson, the record grew from a small passion project into a full album after Judd agreed to take part. Its central idea is simple: God meets people where they are. The title track, the album’s sole original song, carries that message into a setting outside the church walls.
The family connections run throughout the record. Frantz’s mother opens and closes the album on piano. “Interlude: Taps” honors her grandfather and brother, both Navy veterans, and was recorded in Nashville’s military cemetery.
Other recordings return to the places that shaped her. “Amazing Grace at Paine Memorial” and “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus at Paine Memorial” were recorded with piano in her hometown church. Two more performances were captured at East Tupelo First Assembly of God in Mississippi, her great-grandfather Otis’ church.
Judd joins Frantz on “How Great Thou Art,” while McEntire contributes “Reading of Scripture.” For Frantz, McEntire’s appearance has particular meaning: discovering The Last One to Know among her late grandfather’s CDs helped her feel less alone after his death.
Frantz celebrated the release with a performance at Nashville’s Skinny Dennis, where surprise guests included Judd, Meg McRee, Faith Groves and The Blackwood Brothers. The album pairs that sense of gathering with hymns passed between generations.
CountryMusicNewsBlog.com readers can listen to Hymns From A Barstool here. Find upcoming appearances at Belle Frantz’s official website.
