blog #3 - The Music Of Danniebelle Hall

The late and the GREAT Danniebelle Hall was an amazing singer and songwriter, musician, arranger, and lyricist.  I remember when she came to our church (Prayer Garden Church Of God In Christ in San Jose, California) when I was about 4 or 5 years old.  My mom told me she was there.  It was during a Sunday night service, I think.  No one knew she was coming.  She just came unannounced. 
 
I used to sing solos in church when I was little, and my mom taught me to sing two of Danniebelle’s songs: (1) Mary Had A Little Lamb (2) Turn It Over To Jesus.  I never really felt that I did either one of her songs justice when I sang them.  But my mom said I sang them well and the people at church seemed to like them, so………
 
I used to sit in the backseat of my parents’ El Dorado Cadillac and listen to Danniebelle sing-----and of course I would sing along with her. I just loved her music.  I especially loved her live album recorded in Sweden entitled, "Live in Sweden with Choralerna".  I also remember seeing her in concert a few times.  Those were FANTASTIC memories.  Incidentally, before she became a solo artist, she sang with the unparalleled Gospel artist Andrae Crouch and the Disciples (#andraecrouchandthedisciples).  By the way, I LOVE ANDRAE CROUCH!  He will be featured in one of my future blogs.
 
Anyway, back to Danniebelle at my church.  My mom told me she was there so naturally, I wanted to hear her sing!  Somehow, my mom gave word to a lady in our church.  I do not remember who she was, but she told me that I would have to request for her to sing.  In my mind, I wondered how I would make a request.  And what was a request anyway?  I was only about 4 or 5 years old.
 
Toward the end of that night’s service, I was told that I was to make my request for Danniebelle to sing.  Appropriately, my mom told me what to say when it was time for me to go before the congregation to make my request.  I was just a little bit nervous, and extremely confused.  But I was willing to do whatever I had to do to hear Danniebelle sing.  
 
Finally, I was called upon.  I walked to the front of the sanctuary and there was a man who stood me upon the alter so everyone could see me.  He handed me the microphone.  In my little voice I said, “I would like to request Sister Danniebelle to sing a song.”  Those were the words my mom gave me to say.  Thank God for my mom. 
 
When Danniebelle came up to sing, she gave me that big wonderful smile of hers and she hugged me so tightly.  Then she told me, “You are so cute.”  Oh my gosh!  I did it!!!  I made my request!!!  I cannot even remember the song she sang.  But I do remember that I actually felt loved by Danniebelle Hall.  What an amazing night that was.
 
And now, without further ado, here are some of the greatest hits of Danniebelle Hall on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/user/4e0pz5p0leqwq8xnb0ccf6fwx/playlist/27rLBTe0Bt47lLHlBL2Hul?si=pAuszPXEQL2mrnkPZrHGwQ