Roots Music Report

Liner Notes:

About the Album

In Bible Belt Blues’ second album release in five months’ time, husband and wife musical team, Harold and Paula Vega Vondenstein, attempt to do the near impossible: to craft an album that could literally change the direction of Christian music as we know it today. “My God, My God,” due to be released on June 1, 2019, is destined to become a game changer in the field of Christian music with its full-fledged repentance songs including special effects that can cross over genres, actual invitation prayer songs with belting vocals, and deep theological truths captured into songs where the listener actually gets it, memorizes it, owns it, and lives it.  

Bible Belt Blues’ music is both fresh and original with its musical roots distinctly early Mississippi Bentonia blues with a bit of 70’s retro mixed in for good measure. After intensive study of the history of Mississippi’s blues for over two years, Bible Belt Blues was officially created September of 2018 when Paula convinced her musician husband, Harold, to let her craft the lyrics first. Disturbed over a growing number of Christian songs where the lyrics lack depth and where the music is overpowering the lyrics, Paula was eager to make her mark in the field of Christian music while simultaneously making an eternal difference for the Kingdom of God. 

Paula crafts the lyrics first which sets the tonality and structure for each song making each one a musical work of art, yet remaining true to their own distinct genre, Bible Belt Blues, which falls under the sub-genre of Gospel Blues. Being led by the Holy Spirit of God, her husband, Harold, crafts the music around the lyrics adding numerous tracks on a looper, creating the illusion of a band which includes his vocals, guitar, “weeping” harmonica, drums, and special effects. 

“God has given each of us our own distinct gifts which work together beautifully when crafting songs,” remarks Harold. “We literally craft the songs together, I do the vocals, guitar, harmonica, and everything tech which includes mixing, mastering, and building our website and YouTube Channel: Bible Belt Blues. Paula is the lyricist for all of our songs, my vocal coach, our music producer, mixing editor, and does everything in regards to graphic design, marketing, media, and securing radio airplay. Paula is naturally very outgoing and will talk to anyone. Give her an mp3 boom box and some business cards, and she is a walking talking billboard for our music. I am a bit more reserved. I prayed to God to give me boldness, and He gave me Paula.”

Their very first album, “I’m Not Ashamed to Be a Christian,” released on Jan. 5, 2019, has already placed twice on the Roots Music Report for the top 50 Christian albums (#47, and #27). Four of their songs from this album have received radio airplay, an amazing accomplishment for a very first album. Bible Belt Blues has also been taken into the Bill and Kat Radio’s family with their (Cross 104) Gospel Blues Hour Syndicated Program which airs on 30 stations, across 6 genres, and in 4 countries. Bible Belt Blues’ music is currently reaching people in 45 countries through either streaming or radio broadcast. 

Bible Belt Blues has given the Gospel Blues Hour Syndicated Radio Program the Pre-Release World Premiere for their upcoming album, “My God, My God,” which airs on Sunday May 19, 2019. (Cross104.com). Once their second album, “My God, My God” is released, Harold and Paula plan to focus on booking events for their music, which is perfect for church revivals and other church gatherings, as well as Christian music festivals.

Paula and Harold Vega Vondenstein take their calling as Christian musicians seriously, believing that a song can soften a hardened heart to be receptive to the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. They also believe that a song can stir up a holy revival across the nations preparing hearts and minds to witness a shaking that this world has never known. It is their heartfelt desire to be used by God in a mighty way and believe that creating Christian songs with bold, biblically sound lyrics can do just that. According to Paula Vega Vondenstein, “It’s the lyrics that make a song Christian; the bolder, the better. Soft and fluffy lyrics do not win souls for Christ.” (BibleBeltBlues.com) https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/BibleBeltBlues

All glory goes our risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

ABOUT THE SONGS:

1 – Are You Ready?

Fasten your seat belts as Bible Belt Blues' high energy, BB King blues style song, "Are You Ready?" transports you to a much higher level of expectation where supernatural miracles are within the realm of possibility. Take your faith to a much higher level as you dive in deep to experience its jolting lyrics and belting vocals. Prepare your heart and mind to witness a shaking that this world has never known..!!

2 – Holy Revival

Imagine what it would have been like to be one of Jesus’ followers who were gathered together in one accord, after His ascension into Heaven, awaiting the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost! With lyrics and vocals portraying hearts that are humbled, prayerful, and fully repentant, Bible Belt Blues recreates a place of holy reverence for the Holy Spirit to feel welcome in their new song, “Holy Revival.” Close your eyes as you fully experience the violent rushing wind (at the end of the song) as the Holy Spirit is depicted in Acts 2:2.

3 – My God, My God

With its captivating rhythmic beat and its unbridled vocals overflowing with reverence, love, and gratitude to God, “My God, My God,” by Bible Belt Blues is the quintessential worship song. With its soft blues undertones and a style appealing to multiple music genres, “My God, My God” was created to capture the essence of the heart of worship. “A Testimony in a Song..!!

4 – If You Only Knew

"If You Only Knew” by Bible Belt Blues explores the extravagant and unapologetic depth of love and gratitude to one’s Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who has forgiven them so much and saved them for His very own. This song captivates its listener with its smooth rhythmic blues music and its reassuring message that we serve a God of second chances Who is ready to forgive us even our most grievous sins.

5 – Down the Rabbit Hole

With the song, “Down the Rabbit Hole,” Bible Belt Blues is attempting to do the unthinkable: to craft a full-fledged repentance song with a captivating slow blues beat, special effects, and dynamic vocals that totally envelop its listener, allowing them to experience a truly repentant heart, which is an integral part of the Salvation process.

6 – I Know It’s Easy

It’s easy to justify our sin, especially when no one is looking. As Christians we are called to be holy and to walk away from sin.  Bible Belt Blues’ new song release, “I Know It’s Easy” is written in conversation style between two friends where one is sharing the details of his or her sin, while the other is standing firm that sin is still sin, regardless of whether or not anyone sees it. A real eye-opener of a song with belting lyrics wrapped in 70’s retro style blues.   

7 – The Only Way to Heaven

Bible Belt Blues’ powerful invitation song, “The Only Way to Heaven,” dives in deep to tackle the false belief system that we can somehow earn our way into Heaven by doing enough good works. With bold, yet compassionate lyrics, its weeping harmonica, and heart-wrenching vocals, the Truth about Salvation through Jesus Christ is laid bare for all who have ears to hear.

8 – Fool, Did You Not Know?

Unfortunately, many people live their lives focused on worldly gain without giving much thought to God and to their eternity. With its weeping harmonica and jolting lyrics based upon the Parable of the Rich Fool, “Fool, Did You Not Know?” by Bible Belt Blues is a wake-up call to anyone who lives their life without God. Today is the day of Salvation..!! Don’t' delay..!!

9 – We Are the Body of Christ

All Christians are members of the Body of Christ, but each with their own special gifts to contribute. With its upbeat Bentonia blues resembling the sound of a marching band, “We Are the Body of Christ” by Bible Belt Blues will challenge its listener to discover their own spiritual gifts and find an area where they can serve.

10 – Teach Me to Number My Days, Lord

Guaranteed to grab your attention with its jolting lyrics, foreboding music, and special vocal effects, “Teach Me To Number My Days, Lord” by Bible Belt Blues is the ultimate “wake-up call” song. Life has a way of sneaking up on those who live their lives focused on pleasure and the temporal things of this world. “Teach Me To Number My Days, Lord” challenges its listeners to live their lives daily fully surrendered to Christ with an eternity mindset.

11 – Trust God

It is easy to trust God when everything is going well in life; It is often times difficult to trust God when our world comes crumbling down. With its compassionate lyrics, slow rhythmic blues, and weeping harmonica, “Trust God” by Bible Belt Blues will envelop you as you learn to trust God during very difficult life situations. A powerful song of healing and restoration.

12 – Holy Revival (Long Version)

Imagine what it would have been like to be one of Jesus’ followers who were gathered together in one accord, after His ascension into Heaven, awaiting the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost! With lyrics and vocals portraying hearts that are humbled, prayerful, and fully repentant, Bible Belt Blues recreates a place of holy reverence for the Holy Spirit to feel welcome in their new song, “Holy Revival.” Close your eyes as you fully experience the violent rushing wind (at the end of the song) as the Holy Spirit is depicted in Acts 2:2.