Photo by Mississippi Snopes on Foter.com / CC BY-NC

Today I am beginning a multi-week celebration of gospel music by country artists. This week’s post features music by three popular male singers.

Johnny Cash–He Turned the Water Into Wine

Johnny Cash included “He Turned the Water Into Wine” on the album The Gospel Road.

The Gospel Road is a double album, the fourth gospel album and 45th overall album by Johnny Cash, He released the album in 1973. It is the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The movie and the soundtrack tell the story of the life of Jesus. The album consists primarily of spoken-word recordings taken from the film of Cash describing the action on screen.

Additional vocalists are featured on varying tracks. This includes The Carter Family, The Statler Brothers, Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge. Additionally. June Carter Cash portrays Mary Magdalene in the film and on the album.

Willie Nelson–Uncloudy Day

Josiah Kelley Alwood wrote the gospel song Uncloudy Day, also known as Unclouded Day, in 1879. Originally popular in church hymnals, it has come to be recorded many times over the years since, including being an early attention-getter for future star act The Staple Singers in 1956, their version serving as an inspiration to a young Bob Dylan, who called it “the most mysterious thing I’d ever heard”.

I prefer Willie Nelson’s version of Uncloudy Day.

Alan Jackson–I Want to Stroll Over Heaven With You

Alan Jackson Included his version of “I Want to Stroll Over Heaven With You” on the album Precious Memories. Precious Memories is Jackson’s thirteenth studio album. Notably, it is his first gospel 
album.

Unlike his previous albums, this is a side project composed of traditional gospel songs. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) gave the album platinum certification. However, it contained no singles.