The Power of a Simple Song “If I had to pick my favorite Overstreet song, it would have to be ‘Forever and Ever, Amen’ … Over the years, I’ve recorded quite a few Paul Overstreet songs. I consider myself very fortunate each time I stand before and audience and sing his songs. More often than any other time, I see the powerful effect his words have on people.” —From the Foreword by Randy Travis … Foreword by Randy Travis
Seldom has an American Country musician changed the face and tenor of the modern-day genre with as much impact as has Paul Overstreet– the humble songwriter who chose to stop writing songs about misery and start writing songs that affirm family, the joys of marriage, staying faithful and finding happiness, and honoring your parents. These songs have gone on to become huge hits for Country artists such as Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Paul Davis, and the Judds. In his own words– and with the voluble agreement of his hundreds of fans, who wrote e-mails to his website– Paul tells how he was inspired to write such hits as “I Fell in Love Again Last Night,” “Same Ole Me,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Heroes,” “On the Other Hand,” “Sowin’ Love,” “Til the Mountains Disappear,” “When You Say Nothing at All,” and so many others. Forever and Ever, Amen is a celebration of life once lost, now found– and a man who has written songs that have touched so many others in their everyday lives.
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Good stories about how his songs came about and who sang them. If you enjoy the country music world, you will enjoy this book.
I have liked Paul Overstreet’s songs since I bought a CD of his on a whim many, many years ago. I had no idea about some of the songs he has written that were done by other artists. The book gives insight into who he is and why. I enjoyed reading this and learning more about him and his music.
It wasn’t fictional. It was quite good. I like to know the stories behind good music.
Forever and Ever, Amen is a very enjoyable memoir from not only a legendary artist, but a legendary Christian, and legendary human being. Randy Travis opens up about his early rough beginning, his determined rise to fame, his personal tragedies and ultimately his resilience, his perseverance, and reconnection with his faith.
Mr. Travis’ trials and tribulations reveal the underlying facets of character that undoubtedly play a huge part in his success in music and in life. We are treated to a front row seat of the career of a man who wanted to be true to his art form of pure Country music. In divining that truth, Travis remained in awe of his professional predecessors as well as his fans. The book is rich with anecdotes of the very humble Mr Travis being awe inspired by the many closet celebrity country music fans’ awe of him.
This book takes the reader behind the scenes of the evolution of the Randy Travis catalog of country hits from the creator’s perspective. I found myself further engrossed, as I felt compelled to cue up that very catalog to step through the audio and reconnect with it musically as I read. While that took some extra time and slowed my reading pace some, it was well worth the investment.
Read Forever and Ever, Amen, and not only will you learn more about the stellar career of a legend and sometimes tragic life episodes he endured, you may end up with a new and very worthy hero. The world would be a far better place with more people like Randy Travis.
Every country western lover, please read it! Thoughtful, edifying, family building.
So nice to know the man behind the music. So many books are full of immorality and obscenities. This was uplifting and left you feeling good!
Thought provoking
Heart warming and uplifting.
It was just an honest look at a great story
I have loved a lot of Paul Overstreet’s music and it was good to learn more about him and how his music has touched the lives of others.
This wasn’t as biographical as I expected. I thought the story of each song would be more in depth. It included too many comments from listeners about each song and not enough about Paul’s ideas behind the song. I was disappointed with this book.
Interesting comments from listeners touched by the words of his songs
This book is truly inspirational. As I read the book I realized that even though I did not know the composer’s name I recognized the songs he has written.. It is good to know the reasons behind each song..
Very interesting and true story.
Primarily a collection of fan reactions to his music. I was hoping for more about the actual composition and inspirations of the songs.
To much filthy language!
i really didn’t know paul overstreet til I read his book and was quite impressed
this book gives many accounts of other people’s favorite songs of the artist. If you like this country music you may like to read how the music ministered to other people.