While I was in the early planning stages of putting this series on the Inspirations together, I had considered reviewing “Old Time Religion” along with “Thank You Lord” in one article, because not only do they have very similar covers (which were both designed by Ronnie Hutchins) with almost the exact same lettering and layout, they also have similar cover shots with the group members standing in the exact same positions with almost the exact same poses. Additionally, both recordings have a very similar feel and sound, almost like “Old Time Religion” could have been titled, “Thank You Lord – Volume 2”! Both recordings are so similar to me, that I even have a hard time remembering which songs are on which recording, which I suppose could possibly be my own doing, as I did not obtain these recordings until about 2 or 3 years ago, and I have not “lived” with these recordings as long as most of the other releases by the group. If you recall in a previous article, I shared that I kind of lost touch with the Inspirations during most of the 1990’s, and I didn’t purchase a lot of their music during this period until many years later. Ultimately though, I decided to review these recordings separately, because although they are very similar to one another, there are some unique characteristics that do set them apart.

“Old Time Religion” was produced by Martin Cook, and the group returned to Southern Sound Studio in Knoxville, Tennessee to record. They utilized the same musicians as “Thank You Lord”, which were Otis Forrest playing piano/organ, Tim Compton on bass, Roger Fortner playing lead guitar, Mike Riddle playing rhythm guitar and David Johnson playing steel guitar, dobro, acoustic guitar, fiddle and mandolin. Overall, the tracks are very well done, and these musicians knew how to create some memorable music in that classic Inspirations style!

The recording kicks off with the dramatic feel of the song, “The Son Rose”, which features Archie. Written by Gene and Val Johnson (songwriters of the Spencers’ #1 song in the late 1980’s titled, “Coming Soon”), this Easter themed tune is one of two songs that charted for the Inspirations from this recording, with this song doing a respectable job, peaking at #10 in the June and July 1998 Singing News chart.

The fun convention feel of the up-tempo, “It’s Glory for Me” follows, and with its slight bluegrass feel featuring mandolin and acoustic guitar, along with step out lines by Mike on the chorus, make this a true highlight of the recording. Written by Henry L. Thompson, and published in 1936, the song is a seldom heard tune from the classic Red Back Hymnal (page 262), and it is probably my favorite song from this recording (along with the title track), before Archie is featured on the testimonial tune, “More Than I Could Tell”. This has that classic Inspirations’ feel to it (very closely resembling the song “While the Ages Roll On” from their “Thank You Lord” recording), and it was written by Reagan Riddle of the Primitive Quartet, who recorded the song the same year, on their “Love Came Down” recording. The campmeeting feel of the song was a perfect fit for Archie, and it’s actually one of my all-time favorite Archie features, as he gives an outstanding and fervent performance on the song. I think that this would be a great song for the current group to bring back for Isaac to sing!

With some nice steel guitar and dobro highlights, Ronnie is featured on the heartfelt song of comfort, “He Hears the Breaking of Your Heart”. Published by the Inspirations, the song was written by Ben and Robin Durr (who wrote “Nails in the Carpenter’s Hands” from the “Cry for the Children” recording), and Ronnie does a good job interpreting the warmth of the lyric, before Eddie authoritatively sings, “Under the Blood”, which was written by Robert Deel. With Eddie being a preacher, his interpretation of the song definitely conveys a deep faith and firm confidence that only comes from a true preacher of the gospel as he reminds us that, “our sins are under the blood!”.

The second half of the recording kicks off with the title song, “Old Time Religion”, featuring a snazzy and fun arrangement, allowing Mike to dig deep on some nice low bass notes. With Ronnie, Eddie and Archie each taking their respective verses, it’s a highlight of the recording and was a popular concert favorite for the group. I love the jaunty feel of this arrangement, especially as they get down to the final choruses. It’s one of my favorite songs from this era of the group, and one that would be such a fun song for the current group to bring back! The song has roots as an African American spiritual, and it appears that the song was first published in 1889. It’s been linked with the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a renowned African American ensemble, even prior to its “official” publication in 1889, and the song has been found in movies and musical recordings that encompass all types of cultural and musical backgrounds. Though I have enjoyed many versions of this song over the years, the Inspirations’ rendition is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite performances of the song!

Slowing things back down a bit, we come to the poignant prayer in song, “Flow Through Me”, which was written by Colbert and Joyce Croft. The Inspirations have probably recorded a couple dozen songs written by this husband-and-wife team over the years, and it had been a few years since they had recorded a song written by the couple. The Crofts pitched this song to the Inspirations for them to record as they gathered around their piano in their home singing for them their latest written tunes, and it eventually became a radio release for the group, charting for a few months, cresting at #33 in the October 1998 Singing News chart. With some nice steel guitar and piano highlights, this song was a little different for the Inspirations, but ironically, it fit them perfectly and was a popular concert favorite for the group. In fact, Archie recorded it several years later, on his 2010 solo recording, “Worthy”.

Ronnie comes forward once again as he takes the lead on the comforting, “I’ll Be Resting in God’s Hands”, which was written by a gentleman named Lou Hunt, who was a singer/songwriter that had a popular group called Lou Hunt & Shining Stream. This soothing tune features some nice acoustic guitar work, as well as some steel guitar highlights throughout the song, complimenting the lyric, “don’t worry about me, I’ll be resting in God’s hands”, before the tempo picks up for the highly enjoyable tune, “I Will Win This Battle”. Featuring Eddie, along with some nice fiddle and steel guitar embellishments, the song was written by Robert Deel, and it’s one of my favorites from this recording.

The final song is another classic hymn from the Red Back Hymnal called, “A Beautiful Life”. First published in 1918 and written by William M. Golden (the same gentleman who wrote the classic, “Where the Soul Never Dies”), legend has it that Golden wrote most of his songs while serving an 8-year sentence in a state penitentiary! This quartet favorite has been recorded by countless other artists from the gospel, country and bluegrass genres including the Chuck Wagon Gang, Red Sovine, Cathedral Quartet, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Blackwood Brothers, Statler Brothers, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Jim Reeves, and Masters V. The Inspirations do a really good job with their version of the song, which features some deep low notes by Mike Holcomb, finishing out the recording on a “low note”!

As I had previously stated, I bought “Old Time Religion” and “Thank You Lord” a couple of years ago around the same time (thanks eBay!). The overall look, feel and musicality of both recordings are nearly identical, and I pretty much have the exact same opinion of both recordings as well, and honestly, I can’t pick one over the other as a favorite of the two. Some of this may be due to me adding them to my collection and listening to them around the same time, whereas those who have lived with these 2 recordings all these years, had about a year to digest the first one before taking in the other, so it may be easier for those individuals to find the real individuality and uniqueness of both recordings. There are songs I deeply love and appreciate from both releases, and I’ve actually thought about creating my own CD of my favorite songs from both recordings, and titling it, “Thank You Lord for Old Time Religion”! (I can hear the collective groan from everyone! Ha Ha!)

Unfortunately, “Old Time Religion” would be the last recording featuring this iteration of the group, as after 5 years with this iconic vocal line-up, Ronnie would end up leaving the Inspirations due to on-going health issues. In November of 1997, Ronnie ended up taking a leave of absence from the group, citing health concerns, and Matt Dibler began filling in during this time. By early 1998, Matt had become a full-time member of the Inspirations as their lead singer, because Ronnie was simply not able to return because of his health. Ronnie would return though in 1999, albeit very briefly, as a “part-time” baritone (sharing duties with Jack Laws who had returned to the group to play guitar), but essentially this time, from 1992 through 1997, would be his final tenure as a full-time member of the Inspirations. Even so, Ronnie would remain an integral part of the group by working in the Inspirations’ office and managing their website. Many fans would regard him as the “official” historian of the Inspirations, as he kept a strong on-line presence, engaging with fans from around the world, ensuring the rich legacy of the Inspirations remained in-tact and well documented. Sadly, Ronnie would pass away several years later, at the age of 72, on May 21, 2021, and he is deeply missed. As I prepared for this series on the Inspirations, how I wish I had the chance to talk with him about the history of the Inspirations…oh the stories I’m sure he could tell!

The next couple of years was a bit of a transitional time for the Inspirations, as changes in the vocal line-up would be taking place, showcasing new and familiar faces with each of their next 3 recordings. One unique thing I deeply appreciate about the Inspirations over the years, is that despite the changes in their vocal line-up, they almost always preserved the same sound, as they tried to find vocalists who fit the Inspirations’ mold. This spoke volumes about who they were as a group (and still are) and how they fully embraced their musical style and distinct vocal blend. It’s for this very reason they have been able to maintain that identifiable Inspirations sound that their fans have come to love and expect for 60+ years!

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