The message inside the CD cover reads...
It wasn't long after Alan received Christ as his personal Savior that he attended a 1949 Youth For Christ rally on a Saturday night in Miami, Florida. At the end the rally, the speaker gave an invitation with the question, "How many in this auditorium tonight under 30 years of age would be willing, if the Lord opened the door, to go into full-time Christian service?" Alan thought for a moment about how unlikely it would be, since his very recent conversion, that a door would be opened to him, having never attended a Bible College or seminary. He was under 30 years of age, however, and with a little more thought, he reasoned that The Lord probably wouldn't open that door, but if He did -- HE WOULD BE WILLING! He responded to the invitation, and the Lord began to open doors.

One singing opportunity after another opened up in youth rallies, Christian Businessmen's meetings, radio broadcasts, tent revivals, Christian banquets and conferences, etc., and then, a recording contract was offered him by SACRED RECORDS, INC in Hollywood, CA (the largest in the country at that time), whose recording artists were active professing Christians.

Alan was completely convinced after these experiences following the Miami youth rally, that God was directing his life and had given him a musical ministry, in the same manner in which He calls preachers into the  preaching ministry. For over 53 years now (at this writing), he has been engaged full-time in this calling.

With regard to Christian recording artists in the 1950's and 1960's, Alan was one of the most recorded, and his records were among the best selling in that era.

It has been said numerous time that his trained baritone voice easily adapts to any type of song, and his interpretive skills bring the most out of its message.

Although there were many opportunities to do so, he has never had the slightest inclination to include current "rock contemporary" music into his Gospel presentations or recordings. Likewise, he also turned down offers in Christian "show business", since his desire is to continue in the musical ministry The Lord has given him, without appearing to be too sanctimonious about these issues. In fact, his Scotch-Irish wit, so evident in his presentations, dispels this concern.

Interestingly also, is the fact that he has never made any financial stipulations or demands of any kind regarding personal appearances, and has never let anticipated attendance or remuneration play an important part in accepting or rejecting and invitation.

The Lord has been unusually good to him in so many ways, including no serious health problems, and a voice that hasn't yet been  affected by age. In fact, he is frequently reminded by others that his voice on records over 50 years ago sounds the same today.

"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." -- II Corinthians 5:17

Our Kind Of Music
(8703)

This album was first released in the early 1980's on Christian Melody USA label. At that time, it was available on Long Play Records, Eight Track Tapes, and Cassettes. The individual songs, however, were recorded in the 1950's and 1960's on other McGill albums, and were selected in the 1980's for "OUR KIND OF MUSIC," which has since been digitally re-mastered to be included on CD-408.

Song #1, "EACH STEP OF THE WAY," Alan originally recorded with a small instrumental ensemble at Hollywood Radio recorders in December 1951, and was released on a 78 RPM record (as were all records then), and it became the best-selling Sacred Record in the country. His friend, Redd Harper, composed the song for the world's first Christian western motion picture, MR. TEXAS, in which he had the leading role.

On August 4, 1958, Alan's first STEREO recording session in Hollywood's Capital Recording Studios, and along with eleven other songs, "Each Step Of The Way" was recorded again (this time in stereo), with Ralph Carmichael conducting his new arrangements which included background voices. Song #7, Ted Silva's 'SHOW A LITTLE LOVE," was recorded in this same session, as were songs #3, "OVER THE SUNSET MOUNTAIN," and #11, "SHOW ME THE WAY," by the prolific Christian composer, John R. Peterson. (incidentally, Alan and John first met in the early 1950's at Moody Bible Institute radio station, where Alan, as a guest singer, was accompanied by Dick Anthony at the organ, and John Peterson playing guitar.)

Time Spencer, another friend of Alan McGill, was very well known in the Country and Western field of music prior to  his spiritual conversion. He wrote many secular songs; including, "Room Full Of Roses," which stayed at the top of radio's "Hit Parade" for 14 consecutive weeks, setting an all-time record. After he came to know Christ as his personal Savior, he "converted" the song lyrics to "CHRIST IS A WONDERFUL SAVIOR," #6, using the same melody line which you will probably recognize. He became President of the Hollywood Christian Group, formed to reach people in the entertainment field with the Gospel. At different times, both Alan and Dale Evans served a vice-presidents of the group which met on Monday Nights, so as not to conflict with  regular church services. Tim Redd, Dale Evans & Roy rogers (also active in the group) are now with the Lord.

"THE DARKER THE NIGHT," song #10, was composed by Alan's good friends, Dave Hendricks (a fine Bible scholar and gifted songwriter), whom he first met in the early 1950's, when he was an interview guest on a Doylestown, PA radio station where Dave was an announcer and disc jockey. Dave later became the successful owner/operator of WBYO-FM, a Christian radio station in Boyerstown, PA, that seved a great gospel testimony for many years prior to its ownership change.

Three of the songs recorded on this album were recorded before the introduction of stereo recordings. They have been electronically enhanced to provide "Pseudo Stereo" status. He hope you can't easily detect them, but felt we should mention it. They were originally recorded monaurally.

The Glory Road
(8714)

The title of this album was selected from Redd Harper's composition of the 1950'a, "I WALK THE GLORY ROAD," song #19 on this CD. It is only one of many songs by Redd that his friend, Alan McGill, recorded over the years for several different record labels.

Like the 8703 album (described above), these songs were selected from previously-recorded McGill albums/ "the Glory Road" album was released on the CHRISTIAN MELODY USA label in the early 1980's on Long Play records, eight track Tapes and Cassettes. The backgrounds are reminiscent of the 1950's and 1960's and pleasingly rendered by orchestra and singers under the direction of Ralph Carmichael, Kurt Kaiser and Les Barnett. On two of the selections, Alan is accompanied by his friend, Lorin Whitney, at the console of the famous Robert Morton pipe organ in Glendale, California.

Song #13 was composed by Nancy McGill and her mother, Katherine Gilpin. Nancy, who wrote the lyrics, was Alan's first wife, and traveled with him, as piano accompanist, until becoming incapacitated by multiple sclerosis. They were married for thirty years, prior to her going to be with the Lord in August of 1984.

Nancy's mother, Mrs. Gilpin, also a fine Christian lady, composed the music. In April of 1996, at age 89, she was reunited with here daughter in heaven.

Over the many years that Alan McGill albums have been available, it has been observed by numerous listeners, that with few exceptions, there is always a variety in the types of songs and backgrounds among the selections. Some very devotional, and others quite spirited, or "upbeat" (without venturing into modern "rock-contemporary music"). This variety of musical moods usually contributes greatly to the listener's desire to "hear it again," as opposed to 12 consecutive sounds that sound very much alike.

In these McGill double-album CD's there are 24 songs played consecutively. Even so, we think you'll want to play this CD over and over again, perhaps because of the album's "listenability" (homemade word) factor, which seems to be compatible with Alan's "easy-to-listen-to" style. The last two songs on this CD are good examples of the variety in format.

Prior to stereo recordings in 1958, three of the selections on this album were album were originally recorded monaurally and later enhanced to "Pseudo Stereo" status, and we feel certain it will not detract from your pleasurable listening experience.