Significant Artists

As with any subjective topic, opinions vary.  The artists I spotlight on this page are artists that impacted me with more than a single song or two - artists who consistently and repeatedly offered “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” that ultimately became the soundtrack of a new life in Jesus. I tend to be a bit schizophrenic where music is concerned, so this will be an eclectic listing of Christian songwriters and performers. 

Bob Ayala 


Joy By Surprise
1. "Do You Know Him"
2. "Ancient of Days"
3. "Silent Witness"
4. " Joy by Surprise
 Loving the singer/ song writer era of the early 1970's (Jim Croce, James Taylor), it should come as no surprise that I connected with Bob Ayala.  That said, Bob Ayala did not connect with me immediately. I purchased his first LP, "Joy By Surprise," based on the song "Ancient of Days" - one of the songs on the SuperJubilation Word compilation album.  I really liked that song but didn't really hear anything similar on the album.  As a result, I put the album away. A year or two later, I purchased Ayala's second LP, "Wood Between the World" hoping for an album full of "Ancient of Days."  The LP was a bit darker, and again, I put the album away without much of a listen. 
Wood Between the Worlds
1. "Empty Cup"
2. "Pamela"
3. "Born on Easter Morning"
 		  Months later, I took a trip to Fort Wayne, IN (a five hour drive), and made an interesting choice.  I decided to put both Ayala LP's on one cassette, and listen only to Bob Ayala for the entire trip. My reasoning at the time?  I paid for these LP's, I should at least give them a fair hearing. Now, I believe, God designed that plan for my spiritual benefit. 
Journey
1. "Anna"
2. "Dear God"
3. "We've All Seen Them"
4. "Journey"
5. "Vanya/ Little Praise Song"
6. "Positive Confession" 		  For five hours I listened only to Ayala's first two albums, and then, just as I arrived in Fort Wayne, something happened. I knew Bob Ayala was blind, and I was listening to the song "Pamela." As if my ears were suddenly opened, I heard this line - "now I'm not saying I don't believe that He, could work a miracle and make me see.  But you know if I could ask God for just one more miracle, you know what I'd pray for?  I would pray that God would give me a love as deep as yours."  That line, at that moment, broke my heart.  I came undone. I wept, and I listened to the song at least five times in a row absorbing every single word.  I kept asking myself, if I lost my sight, could I pray that prayer? Sadly, I knew myself well enough to know, I could not.  
Bob Ayala also had three other albums "Rescued" "Meet Me at the Summit" and "Who Was This Man."  For the purpose of this post, I've only mentioned songs from the initial three albums since these are the albums that had the greatest influence on me.    After that deeply spiritual and emotional reaction I began listening to Bob Ayala's lyrics.  His songs were personal, thoughtful, challenging and practical. His first two albums became regulars on my turntable, and when "Journey" arrived, I was solidly in Ayala's corner.  I cannot say any other artist impacted me so deeply and personally. Of course, there are many great artists and songs that influenced and impacted me, but Bob Ayala became my essential guide in living this life as a believer. Twice I had the privilege of seeing him perform live - once in Decatur, IL and once in Vancouver, WA.  On both occasions, I left blessed by a man I've grown to love deeply even though I've only known him through his songs and lyrics. 



Video: "Ancient Days"