Tag: Doug Anderson

A Roadside Moment Transforms into Musical Message of Compassion for Doug Anderson

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AMY TURNER

Doug Anderson, known as the Baritone vocalist for Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound, has released his second solo album since 2018 featuring his newest single, “Until It Was Me.” The song, found on his album titled Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, emerged from a simple yet profound experience that many people overlook.

Texas Gospel asked the Grammy nominated, multi Dove award winning singer about his songwriting process. He said it usually begins with an overwhelming stream of ideas. “I usually have about 1000 ideas a day and if one of those ideas is good then it’s been a good day,” he explains. This particular song grew from a personal moment of unexpected reflection during a frustrating drive to Nashville.

Stuck in heavy traffic, Anderson initially passed an older woman struggling with a tire problem. Later that same day, when he experienced his own tire failure, the situation dramatically shifted his perspective. “I didn’t think anything about the danger or the inconvenience that happens when you go through something like that until it was me,” he reflects.

The song’s core message challenges listeners to look beyond their immediate circumstances. “Sometimes we need to check ourselves and be honest,” Anderson says. “Can we be better? People are counting on us and we need to help others.”

With help from collaborators Wayne Haun and Jeff Bumgardner, Anderson transformed his roadside experience into a musical statement about compassion. The song encourages people to pause in their busy lives and consider others.

“Take the time to share a smile, a handshake or a hug,” Anderson urges. “You might be the only bright spot in someone’s life today.”

The response has been overwhelming. Anderson reports receiving messages from people who have found new perspectives through his music. “People look at themselves and have compassion for the world again,” he says.

“Until It Was Me” represents more than just a song. It is a reminder that empathy can emerge from the most unexpected moments and reflects what we are told in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you,” and also Matthew 25:40, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.” NASB

Listen for Doug Anderson’s Until it was Me throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada!

Finding Healing Through Music: Doug Anderson’s Journey of Loss and Hope

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

AMY TURNER

Doug Anderson has always been known as the reliable one, the fixer in his circle of family and friends. But his latest release, “Until It Was Me,” reveals a deeply personal struggle that even he couldn’t fix – the painful journey of watching his mother battle Alzheimer’s disease.

The four-and-a-half-year fight against Alzheimer’s took more than just Anderson’s mother; it took a piece of him too. “To be honest, it shut me down,” Anderson reveals, opening up about the emotional toll of the experience. As someone who had always been the go-to person for solving problems, he found himself in unfamiliar territory, facing a challenge that was beyond his control.

“I’m a fixer. That’s just what I do,” Anderson explains. “If anything’s wrong with anybody in our family or friends or anything, they come to me and I’ll fix it. I’ll make sure it’s right and everybody’s taken care of.” But his mother’s illness proved to be different. “For the very first time in my life, I couldn’t fix it.”

The struggle affected him profoundly, though he tried to maintain his public persona. While friends and acquaintances would express concern, asking, “Doug, are you all right? Is everything okay, man?” he would respond with the practiced smile of an entertainer: “Yeah, I’m doing great. Everything’s perfect.” The reality, however, was far different. “Inside, I was dying,” he admits.

Through this valley of grief and loss, Anderson’s experience reflects a truth found in Psalm 34:18, which reminds us that “God is near to those who have a broken heart and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” His new song, “Until It Was Me,” emerged from this journey, serving as both a testament to his personal struggle and a reminder that even in our deepest moments of sorrow, we are not alone.

Anderson’s willingness to share his story offers comfort to others walking similar paths, showing that it’s okay to not be okay, and that even the strongest among us sometimes need to acknowledge our pain and seek healing.