ByJohn Stallings
Thirty-four years ago this month, in 1976, with $4,500 borrowed from a friend, we went to the Mark 5 studios in Greenville, South Carolina to record 10 of our brand new compositions.
The songs included “Learning to Lean.” Of course we had no idea that song would emerge & be embraced by so many.
It would be easier to tell what gospel singer/singers have not recorded the song than to tell which ones have recorded it.
I noticed that YouTube has put that early recording up for everyone’s listening pleasure. If you click on the link below you’ll hear “learning to lean” in it’s earliest form & before the words were even available in any book store.
Though Cecile Blackwood & all the guys who made up The Blackwood Brothers became my friends many years before most of them went to heaven, I never learned how they got the song so quickly, but they did & had it on the national charts before I could blink.
One year later learning to lean was awarded Nashville’s prestigious “Dove Award” & the rest is history.
We weren’t responsible for putting this song on You tube, but it’s there at least for now. If you click the link below you’ll be able to hear that first historic recording & it won’t cost you anything but about four minutes.
I guarantee you’ll be blessed if you can take the time to listen.
Blessings,
John
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2qXZhmTXhA
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8 comments:
John, I was a young boy who was deeply affected in the 60's as you annually came to our church in Camp Springs Maryland. It was an example of your love and dedication to ministry that later drew me to preach and minister. "Learning to Lean" may the one song that most people know of your music, but lyrics of songs like "Sitting in the Pew" and "Daddy, I can't go with you..." still go through my mind. I've looked for years for your music. Are your old songs still available anywhere. They were such a mark on my young life. And the preaching? Who could forget the illustration about "the lemon" that was used so many time. Thank you for your faithfulness in song and word. If your early music is available, could you let me know so I could buy it? Thanks so much
John, I was one ofthose kids who was deeply affected in the 60's as you annually came to our church in Camp Springs Maryland. It was an example of your love and dedication to ministry that later drew me to preach and minister. "Learning to Lean" may the one somng that most people know of your music, but lyrics of songs like "Sitting in the Pew" and Daddy, I can't go with you..." still go through my mind. I've looked for years for your music. Are your old songs still available anywhere. They were such a mark on my young life. And the preaching? Who could forget the illustration about "the lemon" that was used so many time. Thank you for your faithfulness in song and word.
Where can I get a copy of words & music before Sunday, December 15?
Hi John,
So good to have found you on here. I have sung your songs many times and what a blessing they are. They never get old as the anointing doesn't. I only met you once at first assembly in New Philadelphia , Ohio. You encouraged me in my Piano Playing and Today I hold concerts . Hopefully I will hve the privilage og meeting you again on this ole earth before we check out. God's blessings !!
Hi John,
I had the pleaure of playing bass behind as you sang & played the piano at Dardanelle First Assembly
in Dardanelle, Arkansas many years ago.
Always loved your music and have sung many of your songs thru the years. Your talent has been a blessing to many people down thru the years.
I'll see you again, either here or there. Al Chenowith
Hi John,
I had the pleaure of playing bass behind as you sang & played the piano at Dardanelle First Assembly
in Dardanelle, Arkansas many years ago.
Always loved your music and have sung many of your songs thru the years. Your talent has been a blessing to many people down thru the years.
I'll see you again, either here or there. Al Chenowith
John, I'm caring for my mother as she is dying of brain cancer. For the past week I've been singing "Learning to Lean" over and over again. It begins to sing me in fact as I wake each morning for another day of leaning on Jesus. I'm so grateful to you and for the ministry that this song continues to be. Thank you.
Good Morning , I am a huge fan of John Stalling’s music. Learning to Lean is my favorite song he wrote, but I am unable to find the sheet music. Is there any way you could send me the sheet music? I have been trying to find it in F. I greatly appreciate any help you can provide. God Bless.
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