I Love To Tell The Story

It’s hard to imagine a fan of country or gospel music who hasn’t been touched in some way by the music of the Chuck Wagon Gang. But then again—that’s what happens when you’ve been doing what you do for 90 years.

On this new episode of I Love to Tell the Story, we’re thrilled to peel back the curtain on the Gang’s remarkable legacy with someone who offers a truly one-of-a-kind perspective: Shaye Smith.

Shaye isn’t just the group’s owner, manager, and alto singer in the legendary ensemble—she’s also the granddaughter of original alto Anna Carter Gordon Davis and longtime guitarist Howard Gordon. For Shaye, the story of the Chuck Wagon Gang isn’t just history—it’s family.

This is Part 1 of 2 from  an unforgettable conversation, 

🎥 Watch the video on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ILove2TelltheStory-xd9fg

🌐 For more stories like this, visit:www.ILove2TelltheStory.com

We’ve got a brand-new episode of I Love To Tell The Story, and you are going to love this one.

Our guest is the legendary Johnny Minick—singer, songwriter, producer, piano player, and pastor. His journey alone is remarkable… but when you add in the unforgettable years he spent as a member of the Happy Goodman Family, you’ve got stories (and laughter!) that could fill several episodes.
In this conversation, you’ll discover:

* How to say Willie Nelson in Spanish.
* What Liberace may have learned from Howard Goodman.
* The one thing Johnny was told to never do again by the Goodmans.
* And perhaps most meaningful of all—a powerful lesson in servanthood from someone who has truly lived it.

It’s heartfelt. It’s hilarious. It’s inspiring. And it’s exactly why we love to tell the story.

Don’t miss this special episode of I Love To Tell The Story.
🎥 Watch the video on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ILove2TelltheStory-xd9fg
🌐 For more stories like this, visit:www.ILove2TelltheStory.com

Our guest on this episode of I Love To Tell the Story is singer, songwriter, speaker, author, and worship leader — John Chisum.

For more than 40 years, John has faithfully served the Church through his songs and leadership, while quietly mentoring countless young artists and songwriters along the way. Many of his songs will be familiar to you, and you’ll especially enjoy hearing the stories behind them — including his co‑write on one of the most beloved Southern Gospel songs of our generation.

John’s journey is both challenging and inspiring. But just as meaningful is the easy, genuine conversation shared here between three longtime friends. It’s the kind of conversation where stories unfold naturally and time seems to slip by.

We’re glad the cameras were rolling — and we’d love for you to join us.

This week we welcome Craig Nelson — a legendary Nashville studio musician whose five-decade career shows no signs of slowing down. You may recognize his name from iconic Christian music records, or hear his double bass on countless Nashville Symphony sessions.

Believe it or not, his playing may even appear on some of your favorite video game soundtracks. Craig’s professionalism, versatility, and diligent work ethic have taken him on a fascinating journey — one packed with stories you won’t hear anywhere else. 

This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

How does a kid barely out of his teens leave Oregon with no industry experience and become one of Nashville’s busiest recording engineers? Tune in to hear the inspiring story of Justin Kropf (pronounced KRUP).

For three decades Justin has served as the in-house engineer at Daywind Records in Hendersonville, TN, and his name shows up on an astonishing number of southern gospel credits. In this episode we’ll laugh, learn, and be surprised — from Christmas trees to cattle auctions and, of course, a whole lot of music stories.

More than a career retrospective, Justin’s journey is about the power of relationships, following your heart, answering a call, and living your dream. Don’t miss it.

Join us as we welcome Phil Johnson, one of the most influential voices in Christian music since the mid-70s, whose impact still resonates today.

Phil’s remarkable journey spans a dazzling array of roles: record producer for artists including Reba Rambo, Andrus Blackwood & Company, Dallas Holm, and Karen Peck; songwriter of classics like "Give Them All To Jesus," "The Day He Wore My Crown," and "When It’s My Time" (which was sung at Elvis’s funeral); and record executive at GreenTree Records and Spring Hill. His list of credits is simply staggering—it's hard to believe that one person could achieve so much and yet remain so unaffected by all the success.

This episode runs a bit longer than usual, but trust us, it’s absolutely worth your time. Join Dave Clark and Dusty Wells for a captivating look at Phil’s incredible stories—tales you won’t hear anywhere else. 

In this exciting new episode of I Love To Tell the Story, Dave and Dusty are thrilled to sit down with Dana Williams, the talented bass player and singer from one of country music’s most successful groups, Diamond Rio. 

Dana's journey is a remarkable blend of talent, perseverance, family, faith, and a healthy sense of humor that brings balance to it all. 

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Dana joined Diamond Rio in 1989 as the sixth and final member of this award-winning group, and as you can imagine, in all those years, he has enough stories to fill several episodes! 

Prepare for an engaging conversation filled with laughter and insights from someone who offers a unique perspective on life and the music business—plus some unforgettable stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Tune in at www.ilove2tellthestory.com or wherever you find your podcasts. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for more episodes: I Love To Tell The Story YouTube Channel.

On this episode of I Love To Tell the Story, Dave and Dusty peel back the curtain on their own journeys to mark a truly special occasion. 2026 is a milestone year, as they celebrate 50 years each in the music business.

It was 1976 when Dave Clark left his home and family in Jackson, Michigan, answering a call that would lead him into a lifelong career as a songwriter. That very same year, in Twin Falls, Idaho, God opened a door for Dusty Wells—igniting what would become a lifetime passion for working in and alongside Christian music.

If you know someone who shares that same fire to pursue their own musical journey—or if you simply want to hear the stories that shaped Dave and Dusty along the way—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Check out our YouTube channel to watch this episode, along with all the episodes from past seasons:https://www.youtube.com/@ILove2TelltheStory-xd9fg

We have a brand-new episode of I Love To Tell the Story—and it’s one you won’t want to miss.

Joey Hemphill, the oldest son of one of Southern Gospel’s most beloved families, found his place in the story at an early age. He began playing drums for the group and eventually stepped into the role of baritone singer, even contributing as a songwriter along the way.

The group made their mark with tight family harmonies and some of the most iconic songs of the era—many of them written by Joey’s father, Joel Hemphill.
When the family came off the road in 1990, Joey and his brother Trent formed the Hemphill Brothers Coach Company, which in time became the largest coach company in America, providing transportation for a wide range of singers, actors, and politicians.

If you think a journey like that leads to some fascinating stories, you’d be exactly right. This is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Video of this episode can be found on our YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@ILove2TelltheStory-xd9fg

And if you’d like to catch up on what you missed before then, you can find all of our previous episodes at ILove2TelltheStory.com.

Over the past few seasons, the topic of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs has surfaced again and again in our conversations. So we decided it was time to devote an entire episode to exploring it more deeply. We’re joined by two dear friends—Dr. Bruce Chesser and Mike Harland—who also happen to be two of the most thoughtful and insightful voices we know on this subject.

We didn’t come in with a rigid agenda, and honestly, we weren’t sure where the conversation would lead. What we didn’t expect was just how invigorated, encouraged, and challenged we would all feel by the end. We have a strong feeling you’ll experience the same.

Video of this episode can be found on our YouTube Channel 
https://www.youtube.com/@ILove2TelltheStory-xd9fg

And if you’d like to catch up before the new season begins, you can find all of our previous episodes at ILove2TelltheStory.com.