Simple Gifts

My favorite song on this first album is “Aunt Katie “ – based on a remarkable woman
that I met in an Essay by Emma Lou Thayne. I was so inspired by the strength,
fun and goodness in this woman that I wanted to capture her essence in a song.
Decades later Kate continues to inspire me.

Songs of the Heart

About 30 years ago a knock came on my door and opening it I found Bishop
Naylor from my local congregation standing there. Without even coming in he
asked, “Tricia, would consider recording an album of hymns?” The project was
humble, but all these years later I still have people from around the country wanting
a CD when their old records or tapes wear out.

My favorite number on this album is “This Earth Was Once A Garden Place.” (This is
Marvin Payne’s great arrangement.) There’s a good story connected with this song.
I had given Michael Moody a copy of this record when it first came out - at the time
he was head of LDS Church Music Committee. Among his many responsibilities he
was in charge of bringing out a new hymnbook, and in that process a lot of the more
old-fashion hymns were dropped. After the new addition came out, he told me why
this hymn made the cut. The committee wanted to leave it out, feeling it was too
antiquated to be relevant to today’s congregations. Michael told them to hang on,
ran to his office and found a copy of Songs of the Heart and played this number for
them. They all liked it – and that’s why the song is in the hymnbook today! (It still
sounds better with guitar.)

Fires of the Soul

This album’s tunes provide a snapshot of life. There is the anticipation of romance,
the joy of everyday family, the growth that can come from pain and suffering. There
is the hope of a new day, the contentment of kindness and the wonder of seeing the
gifts of life all around us.

No More a Stranger

Here is a collection of Christian hymns all about God’s love and grace. The title of the
project comes from the lyric, “ There would I find a settled rest while others go and
come, no more a stranger or a guest but like a child at home.

Christmas

This project was funded by patrons of the arts who are presently doing humanitarian work in
Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.Because of their work, as I produced this project I thought a
lot about the great people in that part of the world. Most of them will not have heard any of
these songs, and many of them have no concept of what Christmas means to me or to other
Christians. But even so, the medium of music can bridge language, cultural, even religious
barriers. Since Christmas celebrates a time of miracles, the greatest gifts and the love of God,
it is my hope that all listeners, wherever they are, will feel the peace and warmth this season
offers to all.