Tuesday, April 8, was interview day for David Phelps, who talked by telephone from his home south of Nashville with various media outlets around the country.
Phelps had set aside the day between for various other projects he had going.
"We're filming a Christmas video on the 12th," Phelps said. The video will be released next October in conjunction with the re-release of his Christmas album, "One Wintry Night," which tells the story of Christmas.
He also has a new studio project, "The Voice," which will be a mixture of gospel and pop music.
"It is quite a departure" said Phelps, who said the album "really feels right. I'm a singer and I'm going to use the gift God gave me."
"The Voice" will have gospel music, but it will also have songs that Phelps enjoyed when he was a child, brand new songs, and songs that are "nearly 100 years old." It even includes an aria from an opera.
Phelps said the new album will be mainly gospel, but all the songs will have a positive message. He wanted songs on the album that will affect people in a spiritual way, whether or not they are gospel or come from a more secular background.
Wednesday, Phelps started a tour that will have 14 dates in 14 states. Grand Island will be the third stop on that tour, with Phelps performing at Evangelical Free Church in Grand Island Saturday.
"We'll have everything together by then," Phelps said.
Thor Ramsey, a Christian comedian, will also be part of the show.
"He'll be with us at all our shows," Phelps said. "He's just a blast. I wanted to inject some levity. We can take ourselves too seriously."
The entire tour will be made via bus, but Phelps said bus travel is one of his favorite parts of touring. He said it gives him a chance to talk with band mates, tell jokes and "watch funny movies."
Phelps noted that he has performed in Nebraska previously, but doesn't believe he has ever had a concert in Grand Island.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said.
After his 14-date tour, Phelps said, he will return home to work on "The Voice," which he described as having "an unplugged kind of feeling."
He plans a fall tour featuring songs from that album.
Phelps spent eight years with the Gaither Vocal Band, which had earned Grammy and Dove awards, and which also had produced gold and platinum albums.
Phelps was nominated in 2007 for a Dove Award as Male Vocalist of the Year by the Gospel Music Association.
In 2007, Phelps released a CD/DVD project, "Legacy of Love: David Phelps Live." In 2008, he released a DVD, "No More Night: David Phelps Live in Birmingham."
Other albums include "Life is a Church," "Revelation" and "David Phelps."
If You Go
- David Phelps Concert
- Includes appearance by comedian Thor Ramsey
- When: 7 p.m. Saturday
- Where: Evangelical Free Church, 2609 S. Blaine St.
- Information: 382-1898 or www.gief.org
- Tickets: $25 Artist Circle, $15 general admission in advance, $20 the day of the show.
