One of my all-time favorite country singers is touring this summer on behalf of her new CD "Better Days." It's a collection  of 12 songs that  Dolly wrote with an upbeat and sometimes inspirational message. Along with  songs from the new CD, Miss Parton sojourned along a career that spans over forty years of recording. This upbeat, high energy, over 2 hour concert was simply incredible to say the least. Featuring songs from every decade of her career, with humor and conversation between, it was a night that fans old and new relished. One of the highlights of the concert was the introduction of the new Gospel inspired movie  "Joyful  Noise" that  she  co-stars  in  with  Queen  Latifah  and  Kris Kristofferson which will debut next January. Dolly sang two of the songs that she wrote for the film and they were amazing. I sat 8 rows from the stage at the Rosemont Theater in Chicago and enjoyed every moment.

I had a  wonderful  time  in worship at  the First  Baptist Church  of Ashville last Sunday. It has been 7 years or so since I've sung there. In fact, it was so long  ago that one of the gals at the church figured that I'd be bald by now! LOL. This was the church back in 1998 that I sang in revival at and later that week wrote, "Sweet, Sweet, Jesus." The congregation is warm and friendly, and they've been working on updating the building  and grounds so  that it's very  appealing. The new Pastor is Mike Sutherland from Groveport. He has a gentle and kind spirit and can preach. 'Nuff said!

Today I had the  wonderful  opportunity  to sing at the Belle Center  United Methodist Church in Belle Center, Ohio. My dad, Rev. Julian Taggart was asked by Pastor Kevin Smith to fill i n for him while  he was on vacation, and I got to come along and sing a few songs  as well. It was great to be able to  be with  my folks again  and to sing for the Belle Center United Methodists. Their youth had just gotten back from a missions  trip and  were  on  fire. This  church has  much potential, and  in fact, has  doubled  in  attendance  over the past  four years. My thanks to all the kind people  there! In addition  it was  also  great  to  see  friends  from  the  Belle  Center Presbyterian Church where my dad had pastored for 13 years, as a  number of them  sneaked across the street for the service!

I am excited to report that eBros have posted two songs from my "Heart Songs" CD on YouTube! "Sweet, Sweet, Jesus" my most  requested song  is now up  and running, as well as "God Help the Struggler" which is a  personal favorite  of mine. Check  them out on my YouTube (Gospel) page on this website!

I really enjoyed my visit to Emmaunel UMC in  Circleville  on Sunday morning, July 10th. Phyllis, the lady who books special music, had been trying to get me to come sing for 4 or 5 years,  and each  time I'd say "no" since  I wasn't  really singing  outside my  home church. When the Lord gave me the new album, Phyllis was the first one I called and she cleared the calendar to get me in. What a welcome! The folks were so gracious, kind  and generous to boot! My parents were able to be there as well, so that was very special also!
Pastor Ty Myers takes care of the people of God here.

I had a wonderful time singing for the folks at Zion UMC in Ashville on Sunday, July 10th. It had  been 5 or 6 years  since I had  sung there and felt good  to reconnect with old friends. I sang the duet with Diane for the first time live using her track. It's a work in progress but seemed to go alright. Pastor Ty Myers oversees the friendly saints of God here.

My friend Jim Elswick informed me today that  he has added two of my vintage recordings to You Tube. "Hold Back the Morning" a duet single that  featured Peggy Riffle  and peaked  at 17 on  the  WMNI country music chart in  July of 1981. The second  cut added is "I've Been Everywhere" the  old Hank Snow  hit that I sang live for many years after  recording it  in 1978. Go  to my  You Tube page to see more strange hair, but pretty decent country music!