Arden, North Carolina (September 3, 2021) — Few things are more exciting than new songs from old favorites, and though The Old Paths have been a steady presence on the Southern Gospel charts with selections from their 2020 EP, What Love Does, “How Good The Good News Feels” is their first release of 2021 to feature new music — and sure enough, it’s exciting both as a harbinger of things to come and on its own terms, too.
From the burst of twin guitar notes that open the song, “How Good The Good News Feels” signals its intent to celebrate the joy of the gospel message. Set to an energetic country-flavored backing, the song’s spirit of unbridled enthusiasm springs out from the opening chorus and never lets up:
That’s how good the good news feels
Go ahead and call it a miracle
Shake your head and say it’s impossible
…
Joy down deep that the world can’t steal
Can’t stop smiling ‘cause it doesn’t seem real
That’s how good the good news feels
From there, Tim Rackley’s lead vocal offers up a powerful distillation of the good news, as he marvels, “it’s amazing, almost hard to believe/the grace He’s given full and free.” After another chorus, the exuberance moves to another level, as the second verse builds through the addition of each of the quartet’s voices one at a time — and then, after another chorus, to an even higher state, as the bridge reminds us to cling to that good feeling before the final chorus:
May we never lose the wonder of the day we first believed
That a holy God in Heaven loved someone like you and me
“In a world full of nothing but bad news, the good news of the gospel is something to get excited about now more than ever,” notes bass vocalist Daniel Ashmore. “This is a great fun song that you can clap your hands to and be reminded of how good the good news feels!”Listen to “How Good The Good News Feels” HERE.
About The Old Paths
In 2003, The Old Paths began its ministry taking the group’s name from Jeremiah 6:16 which says, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for The Old Paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” With this vision in mind and a heart for ministry, founding members Douglas Roark and Tim Rackley started The Old Paths as a trio.
The group morphed into a quartet shortly after. They signed with Crossroads Music’s Sonlite Records in 2012. Their album Right Now was a breakout project for them producing two #1 hits, “Battlestand” and “God’s Great,” within a six-month span and the group was named Favorite New Quartet in the Singing News Fan Awards in 2013. Two more #1s followed with “Long Live The King” and “Love Them To Jesus.”
The quartet made the decision in 2015 to come off the road for a while due to family circumstances. While the decision was not easy, they left the door open for a possible return to gospel music and touring. When God opened that door for them in 2017, they were ready to walk through it. With a renewed passion for ministry, The Old Paths took the stage again at the Memphis Quartet Show in June 2017. In 2020, they had yet another #1 with “Come Sunday Morning” from their album, It’s Real.
The group now consists of founding members Tim Rackley and Douglas Roark, longtime bass singer Daniel Ashmore and tenor Steve Ladd.
Tim, Doug and Daniel found the right blend with Steve to be able to come together as The Old Paths again. The goal of the group has stayed the same after all these years to see people come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and to encourage fellow believers. They are thankful that God gave them the chance to return to the platform again to sing and encourage. They could not be more excited about this new stage of their ministry and to see what God has for the group in the future.
