Mark Stoffel Turns a Gospel Classic into a Glistening Instrumental

Acclaimed for his polished style and compositional depth, mandolinist Mark Stoffel has already released two distinctive originals ("Curious Times" and "Barnyard Funk") since his last full-length project, Coffee And Cake (2020). Now the long-time member of Chris Jones & the Night Drivers is back with a third single, and this time, it's a glistening instrumental version of the beloved bluegrass gospel classic, "I'm Using My Bible for a Road Map."
First recorded by its writer, Don Reno, and his longtime musical partner, Red Smiley, in 1952, "I'm Using My Bible for a Road Map" is among the most widely recorded numbers in the bluegrass canon. But though it's a long time favorite, it's been offered only once before in an instrumental version, by the award-winning resonator guitar trio of Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes. But where that all-star group served up a legato reading that featured only their three instruments, Stoffel has opted for a fuller, if no less relaxed take that backs his deliciously elegant approach with an impeccable rhythm section and a couple of well-known friends - including, in a fitting nod to the song's legacy, a return appearance by Ickes.
Says Stoffel, "Years ago, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers were booked to play a Sunday morning show at the Blueberry Music Festival in Stony Plain, Alberta. I suggested we add 'I'm Using My Bible for a Road Map' to the setlist because I just love the simple beauty of this Reno & Smiley classic. I was lucky enough to record my version with Chris Luquette on guitar, Ross Sermons on bass, Tony Creasman on drums, Rob Ickes on dobro, Niall Murphy on fiddle, and Alan Bibey on mandolin. Alan contributed a super tasteful mandolin twin part on the last go-around of the tune. Check it out - I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed recording it!"
Listen to "I'm Using My Bible for a Road Map" HERE.
Tags : Mark Stoffel I'm Using My Bible for a Road Map Chris Jones & The Night Drivers Bluegrass Gospel
Hot Trends
-
CCM Artists Call for Reform Amid Allegations Against Michael Tait: “Secrecy Always Destroys”
-
Michael Tait Accused of Watching Woman Raped During Newsboys Tour
-
Newsboys Dropped From Label Amid Michael Tait Scandal
-
TobyMac Accused of Dabbling with Satanic Occult
-
Cory Asbury Speaks Out: "Everyone Knew" About Michael Tait Allegations
-
Michael Tait Faces Additional Allegations from 6 More Men, Including Two Minors
-
Newsboys' Michael Tait Joins Capital Chuch for their 37th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial
-
Christian Author Lysa Terkeurst Divorcing Husband After 'Worst Kind of Betrayal'
-
Chuck Girard, Founding Member of Love Song, Shares Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis
-
Bishop Thomas Tyrone Tribbett, Father of Gospel Artist Tye Tribbett, Passes Away
-
Tasha Cobbs Leonard Steps Into New Era with First-Ever Studio Album "TASHA," out July 25
-
Kevin Max Explains Audio Adrenaline Departure in Open Letter (Read Here)
-
The Rise and Fall of Michael Tait
-
Lysa TerKeurst’s 22-Yr-Old Daughter Breaks Silence About Her Dad’s Affair
-
Chris Whittington Revisits "Bright Portal" and Shares Testimony of God's Faithfulness
Most Popular
-
CCM Artists Call for Reform Amid Allegations Against Michael Tait: “Secrecy Always Destroys”
-
Michael Tait Accused of Watching Woman Raped During Newsboys Tour
-
Newsboys Dropped From Label Amid Michael Tait Scandal
-
TobyMac Accused of Dabbling with Satanic Occult
-
Cory Asbury Speaks Out: "Everyone Knew" About Michael Tait Allegations
-
Michael Tait Faces Additional Allegations from 6 More Men, Including Two Minors
-
Newsboys' Michael Tait Joins Capital Chuch for their 37th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial
-
Christian Author Lysa Terkeurst Divorcing Husband After 'Worst Kind of Betrayal'
-
Chuck Girard, Founding Member of Love Song, Shares Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis
-
Bishop Thomas Tyrone Tribbett, Father of Gospel Artist Tye Tribbett, Passes Away
-
Tasha Cobbs Leonard Steps Into New Era with First-Ever Studio Album "TASHA," out July 25
-
Kevin Max Explains Audio Adrenaline Departure in Open Letter (Read Here)
-
The Rise and Fall of Michael Tait
-
Lysa TerKeurst’s 22-Yr-Old Daughter Breaks Silence About Her Dad’s Affair
-
Chris Whittington Revisits "Bright Portal" and Shares Testimony of God's Faithfulness