Each article in The Originals series highlights the first recorded version of a popular Southern Gospel song.

Before I get to today’s song, I need your help! Chasing down the very first recording of a song is not always easy. Then, even if I am able to track down who first recorded a popular song, finding that very first version online where it can be linked to the article may not be possible. For this series of articles to continue, I need your suggestions and any insights you can add. I’ve reached out to a few Southern Gospel historians, but the more the merrier. Leave a comment if you are aware of any original recordings of popular songs.

Now, on to “One Day At A Time.”

Although many Southern Gospel groups have recorded “One Day At A Time” over the years, we have to turn to Country music to find the original version. Written by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson, “One Day At A Time” as recorded by Cristy Lane was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart on June 21, 1980. Before Lane’s version, a version recorded by the artist Gloria soared to the top of the Irish Singles chart in 1978, and remained in the Top 30 for 90 weeks, a record that has never been surpassed.

Many of Southern Gospel’s top groups recorded it prior to the success of Gloria or Christy Lane, but it was another Country singer who recorded it first. We have to go all the way back to 1974 to find the first artist who recorded the song. Her name is Marilyn Sellars. The Sellars version had some success. “One Day At A Time” reached the Top 20 on the Country charts, while Sellars’ LP by the same title was the number one Country album in October of 1974.

Here is the original recording by Marilyn Sellars:

The Blackwood Brothers, Cruse Family, Dixie Echoes, Hoppers, Jerry & The Goffs, London Parris & The Apostles, Plainsmen, Thrasher Brothers and Toney Brothers all recorded versions of this song in 1974. Since its introduction, the song has been covered by more than 200 Gospel and mainstream artists.

Below, I’ve posted a partial list of the Southern Gospel groups who have covered “One Day At A Time” over the years. The links will take you to MusicScribe’s sister website, SGHistory.com.

• Ambassadors (1976 Joy In The Morning)
• Anchormen (1996 Southern Gospel Favorites Vol. 2; 1998 Quartet Favorites)
• Blackwood Brothers (1974 There He Goes; 1978 His Amazing Love; 1985 One Day At A Time)
• Blue Ridge Quartet (1980 Blue Ridge Energy)
• Carroll Roberson (2003 Happy And Free)
• Cathedral Quartet (1975 Plain Ole Gospel; 1979 Oh What A Love)
• Charles Johnson And The Revivers (2005 20th Anniversary)
• Chuck Wagon Gang (1983 In Harmony)
• Chosen Few (1993 The Classics)
• Cruse Family (1974 God’s Wonderful People)
• Dixie Echoes (1974 One Day at a Time; 1979 Coast To Coast; 1985 Sing Gospel Greats; 1991 Favorites—3 on 1; 1996 Rock Solid)
• Dixie Melody Boys (1979 Sing Happy Gospel; 1990 Sing Classics; 2004 Historic Journey Volume 4)
• Easter Brothers (199? Wore Out)
• Florida Boys (1975 First Class Gospel; 1982 Treasures; 2000 The Florida Boys Southern Gospel Treasury Series)
• Gaither Homecoming Series (1999 Kennedy Center Homecoming)
• Gary McSpadden (1990 All Time Favorites)
• Gold City (1981 We Believe; 1986 Top Hits Volume 2)
• Gospel Brass (1975 In The Spotlight)
• Gospel Harmony Boys (1975 Uptown)
• Harvesters (1976 Thanks For Loving Me)
• Hoppers (1974 A Live And A Singin; 1979 Garment Of Praise)
• Jason Crabb (2009 Jason Crabb)
• Jerry And The Goffs (1974 Your Choice)
• J D Sumner And The Stamps (1992 Old Favorites)
• Jim McClintock (1977 There’ll Come A Day)
• John Mathews Family (1975 Hallelujah Celebration)
• Karen Peck And New River (2005 Good To Be Free)
• Kingdom Heirs (1986 Heirlooms; 1987 Favorites; 1994 Satisfied; 2001 The Classic Collection)
• King’s Heralds (1986 Try A Little Kindness; 1998 70th Anniversary)
• Kingsmen Quartet (1975 The Old and the New with Jim Hamill and Squire Parsons; ???? Once Again)
• Lamar Sego Family (1975 Hold Me Lord)
• Lesters (1982 Family Portrait; 1990 Vol 1 1925-1990)
• Lewis Family (1976 Alive And Pickin’)
• London Parris And The Apostles (1974 The Best Yet)
• Masters V (1986 Have A Little Faith)
• Melody Boys Quartet (1992 Requests; 1999 Classics Collection)
• Nelons (1981 Sing The Gospel)
• Palmetto State Quartet (1995 Classic Touch)
• Perfect Heart (1993 Request Time)
• Plainsmen (1974 The Plainsmen Sing All Time Hits)
• Roger McDuff (1976 Roger McDuff)
• Rosie Rozell (???? Alive An Well)
• Sego Brothers And Naomi (1975 Down Home Singin‘)
• Singing Americans (1994 Sing The Old Songs)
• Singing Cookes (1975 Beautiful)
• Southmen Quartet (???? Singing Southern Style)
• Spencers (1991 Country Gospel Favorites)
• Statesmen (1981 Sweet Beulah Land)
• Teddy Huffam And The Gems (1975 The Inner Soul Of)
• Thrasher Brothers (1974 One Day At A Time; 1978 Live)
• Toney Brothers (1974 He’ll Hold My Hand)
• Uncle Alf And The LeFevres (1980 Reborn)
• Various Artists (1976 The Gospel According To Music; 1986 All Night Singin’ With The Gospel Greats; 1990 Number Ones…Southern Gospel Most Loved #1 Hits)