Behind the Songs

Having Church In the Studio!

Song: Last Night

Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.

Like so many young, aspiring songwriters before her, Marcia Henry found inspiration for her composing in the music of Southern Gospel songwriters Dottie Rambo, Ronnie Hinson, Rusty Goodman, Joel Hemphill, and Bill and Gloria Gaither. So well accepted were her early efforts that her first song went to #20 on the Singing News Top 80 Chart.

Marcia, born in Augusta, Georgia in 1962, was taught to play the piano -- starting at age six -- by her mother who was also a pianist. Her love for English literature greatly contributed to the effectiveness of her songwriting efforts, which began in her early twenties.

Since that time she has written some three to four hundred songs with approximately one hundred of them recorded or published in some manner.

Marcia said in a recent interview, “In 2003, near the Easter season, my mind was led to the Scriptures and the story of Christ’s death and resurrection. I loved reading those accounts in all four of the Gospels. They have become foundational and so meaningful to Christians. During this particular time of reading about those events I began to make notes.”

“Easter Sunday came and went with no song being written, even though I had plenty of material and a desire to compose something. I put the project away, in a special place, and from time-to-time would take it out and go over it. During those times I did not have a melody for the song. This process continued for more than two years. Finally, in 2005, I became quite serious about the project and was able to finished it.”

“I wanted to portray the full series of events leading up to and including Christ’s resurrection and His victory over the grave on our behalf. The song also focuses on the disciples -- their anguish and their hope.”

“I styled the song with a specific group of singers in mind, and in the spring of 2006 I sent it to them. However, I never heard from them concerning the song. I knew that it would be very difficult to get this song to the public without someone to sing it and record it.”

“I then heard, through songwriter friends, that Karen Peck and New River was looking for material for a new project. I quickly made a demo recording and sent it to Karen, who later called and excitedly said to me,’We love the song and have decided to include it on our new CD project.’”

Karen Peck later said, “When we recorded Last Night the power of God fell in the studio. We had church! I am very thankful that Marcia shared this song with us.”

Marcia, her husband Tim, and their three children continue their music ministry each week at the Westview Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia. She continues to write songs, individually and as a cowriter.