An incredibly personal, and impressive, debut album.
Up-and-comer Belle Frantz released her debut full-length country album Hymns From A Barstool, which is a Gospel album full of songs that have deeply influenced her life.
Belle first gained popularity on TikTok posts videos singing so many amazing classic country songs, with a voice that’s kind of a mix between Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline, with some Dolly in there too. She would often share videos delivering classic country song and hymns with her incredibly unique voice, and it’s turned into a very promising music career that leads us to today.
Belle included 17 songs on this album, and it features some really impressive artists, notably icons Wynonna Judd and Reba McEntire, as well as Ashley Monroe, Karen Fairchild (of Little Big Town), Jimi Westbrook (of Little Big Town), Meg McRee and Larry Strickland (from the Stamps).
There is one original song on the album, which is the title track, and it finds her reflecting on how she can always feel the presence of God, even when you’re falling short or down on yourself and the decisions you’ve made.
In fact, she found inspiration for it at Fox & Locke in Tennessee, which is a venue that previously hosted Gospel Sundays, where locals would go to church and then gather at the bar for a beer and a few hymns.
Sounds like the perfect inspiration for a country song if you ask me…
Belle first found country music by listening to the greats with her grandpa, who sadly passed away when she was 12. She inherited his CDs, and when she discovered one she had never heard before, Reba’s The Last One to Know, she cried because it was one of the first times since her grandpa died that she felt less alone.
Belle says it’s been a labor of love, and to have her family so deeply involved, from the inspiration to the actual music, has made for a very special project:
“I’ve been working on this project for more than a year so it feels very surreal that it is finally out. This record means so much to me, especially having my mama featured on the project and to be able to honor my granddaddy and brother with ‘Taps,’ it is always going to hold a special place in my heart.
I put so much of myself into it— it I’ve been calling it my childhood record.”
Of course, having two of her heroes in Wynonna Judd, who is featured on “How Great Thou Art,” and Reba, who reads scripture, is a dream come true:
“Having my heroes Wynonna and Reba on this project, plus Karen, Ashley, Jimi, Larry and Meg means everything to me. God really held my hand on this one and I’m honored to use my gift to comfort others and let them know He walks with them too, wherever they are.”
Her family is also involved in the project, as her mother starts and ends the record playing the piano.
Belle also included the “Taps” interlude to honor her grandfather and brother who are Navy veterans, and had it recorded in Nashville’s military cemetery. She also recorded “Amazing Grace at Paine Memorial” and “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus at Paine Memorial” with just a piano in her hometown church.
In addition, “How Great Thou Art at First Assembly of God” and “Softly & Tenderly at First Assembly of Go” were recorded inside the historic East Tupelo First Assembly of God Church, which was her great-grandfather Otis’ church in Mississippi. If it sounds familiar, it’s because it’s also where Elvis Presley, worshipped, learned guitar, and first discovered his love of Gospel music.
The album was produced by Gena Johnson, and for a young country artist to make their debut album a gospel album says a lot about Belle. I think it’s incredible, I love that she’s making such a statement about her faith and who she is, and the fact that so much influence from her childhood and her family that clearly means so much to her is absolutely incredible.
Belle is certainly one to watch, if you’ve never heard her before, you’re in for a real treat… this is pure country, and it’s one of the best country gospel albums that’s been released in recent memory for me:
“How Great Thou Art”
“Reading of Scripture”
“Amazing Grace at Paine Memorial”
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
“Taps”
Hymns From A Barstool Tracklist:
“Prelude & Prayer”
“He Walks With Me”
“Amazing Grace at Paine Memorial”
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus at Paine Memorial”
“How Great Thou Art at First Assembly of God”
“Softly & Tenderly at First Assembly of God”
“The Old Rugged Cross”
“How Great Thou Art (feat. Wynonna Judd)”
“Interlude: Taps”
“I’ll Fly Away”
“Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
“I Saw The Light”
“Only Trust Him”
“Where No One Stands Alone”
“Reading of Scripture” (Reba McEntire)
“Hymns From A Barstool” – (Written by: Belle Frantz, Roger Springer, Wyatt Mccubbin)
“Reprise”
