Gloria

Though I'd been writing music for a few years, I had never had the courage to conquer a song as deep as “Gloria”. I wanted to write Christian music and even started a few tunes and threw them out. It's difficult writing something so important! During the holiday season of 2007, however, the music and lyrics for the first verse and chorus of the song poured out of me. I love Christmas. I love the story of Christ's birth. I love the traditions my family follows. I love the warm, cozy feelings. I love the music. I love the smells and tastes and sounds. Christmas is an emotional season for me because it's so full of love and passion and heart. I didn't finish “Gloria” that year. I tried and tried and tried to add verses, but it became a long and wordy ballad that just didn't work. I was frustrated and put it away. October of 2008 came around and I was studying songwriting at McNally Smith College of Music. I took out what I had of the song and finished it just like that. I was ecstatic and played it for as many people as I could. I did rough recordings on GarageBand and even did a version in the studio at the school. What Billy Smiley and the musicians did for the song this year is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Beyond my wildest dreams! The song transformed into something I never could have imagined, and I hope and pray that you will enjoy it and it will touch you this holiday season and forever!