A Reason for it All

I no longer have a CD player at home that works, so when my boss Steve Bell gave me a preview copy of his new album "The Glad Surprise," I waited to play it until I was in my car on the way to work.

Steve sang at my husband Darrell's funeral in 2023. For the recessional, at my request, his manager Dave played the song "A Reason for it All," written by Steve's dear friend Byron O'Donnell, who passed away the same year.

Steve decided to add a cover of that song on his new album, which will be out in October, 2024 called "The Glad Surprise".  I had only heard snippets of songs during the period of recording when I was at the office, so hearing it all in one shot brought me to tears.

Steve's version of "A Reason for it All" is a more upbeat rendering of Byron's beautiful words and melody, and his version is added as a bonus at the end of the album. This song alone is a great reason to purchase this album. "A Reason for it All" doesn't just comfort those who are bereaved, but encourages all who are suffering in different ways.

In my seventeen years of working at Steve's office, every new album has been a joy and a wonder, but this latest one is one heck of a glad surprise. The album focuses on the fact that every human being is different, and that Jesus loves every single one of us. Steve has a huge heart of love for everyone, including the marginalized.

I don't listen to music much anymore, since it was something I loved to do with my late husband when we would play pool together on the weekends. We would have lights twinkling and music blaring as we played. I miss those times. But this new album makes me want to listen to it over and over when I drive my car. 

Steve's music has given me back music. Now I have to buy a new CD player...

The album won't be available until October, but we have put up a "pre-purchase" page at Stevebell.com.