Music Monday: Ryan Clair - I Want Jesus To Walk With Me (The Valley) single
Release Date: August 4, 2017
If a song can be an introduction to an artist (a “hand shake” of sorts), then it has to leave an impression on the listener that beckons them to come further and lean in a little closer. Over the past few weeks of listening to Ryan Clair’s “I Want Jesus To Walk With Me (The Valley),” I have immediately been drawn to the heart of the artist and wanting to hear more. I know in my circle of worship leader and songwriting friends, I have heard many other similar stories as folks have taken a listen to Ryan’s debut single.
I must digress slightly as I feel like I have already known Ryan and been friends for some time even though we have never met face to face. We have a mutual friend in church ministry and I have the wonder and power of social media to thank for our acquaintance. So if I can peg Ryan’s personality somewhat through his musical style, I imagine him as an old soul…someone who feels a pull to the deep truths of the Gospel and seeks to convey them in a way that harkens back to a familiar sound of decades past.
One listen to I Want Jesus To Walk With Me (The Valley) and I think you will agree. There’s a style that mixes a little bit of rock, some country, some blues, and brings it all together in a down-home, old spiritual feel. The song is a rework with this version expanding upon the original hymn. The idea came to Ryan while attending a small country church in Minnesota as he was visiting family. The hymn was sang during the service and Ryan, being a worship pastor himself and a songwriter, was immediately drawn to the lyrics.
I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
All along my pilgrim journey
I want Jesus to walk with me
In my sorrows walk with me
In my sorrows walk with me
When my heart within is aching
Lord I want Jesus to walk with me
Even though I walk through the valley
O Lord I know that you walk with me
And when I dwell in your house Lord
Oh Lord it’s in Your goodness
You walk with me You walk with me
In my troubles walk with me
In my troubles walk with me
When my life becomes a burden
Lord I want Jesus to walk with me
Produced by Chris Hoisington (Brothers McClurg) at Old Bear Studio in New York, Ryan’s single is available for download on iTunes here and is also available in CD format directly from www.ryanclairmusic.com. As I type this, Ryan is prepping for his full-length project which will be available in early 2018 through Old Bear. Stay tuned for more on that project; it will be a must-listen! I am excited for what is ahead for Ryan as he follows the leading of the Lord in his ministry.
Until the next #musicmonday, God bless!
Derek Charles Johnson is a Christ-follower, Worship Leader, & Songwriter residing in Spring Hill, Tennessee. He can be reached at info@derekcharlesjohnson.com