Circuit Rider, created by Suzanne Jennings and Woody Wright, is the real-life account of the spiritual formation of a nation and the church we have today shaped in part by the dedication and vision of these circuit riders.
These musical performances and readings, sung and read by some of the most well-loved gospel artists, tell the story of these preachers who blazed the trail to share the gospel of Jesus with people of every race and nationality living in little towns and settlements across the nation. These brave men and women, from every denomination and creed, understood the meaning of perseverance and sacrifice. Their stories are not often told, but they are as much a part of the American landscape as Mt. Rushmore and the Grand Canyon.
That story of hardships, revivals, baptism, sanctification and suffering is captured through performances and readings by award-winning artists including Guy Penrod, Russ Taff, William Lee Golden, Gloria Gaither, Lynda Randle, Tanya Goodman Sykes, Mark Lowry, Benjy Gaither, Woody Wright, Buddy Greene, Judy Martin Hess, The Isaacs, Joy Gardner, Reggie Smith, Charlotte Ritchie, Angie Primm, Michael Sykes and more. The DVD is hosted by former governor of Arkansas, talk show host and presidential nominee Mike Huckabee.
“I had been a Baptist boy all of my life when I attended two Wesleyan congregations in Nashville,” recalls co-creator Woody Wright. “I read a few books to study up on the theological differences. When I began to look at the history of where the different church groups came from, I began to read the autobiography of Peter Cartwright and I could not stop. His colorful detail of life as a circuit-riding preacher in the 1800s left me spellbound.
“I sent a copy of the book to my songwriting partner Suzanne Jennings, and after she read it I asked her if she would like to ‘tinker’ with the idea of a concept recording spotlighting those early, equestrian, Bible-toting preachers. I was thrilled when she said she would, and she began writing incredible lyrics. Her imagery dictated every melody I put to them. So we started recording….”
“We had such a wealth of artistry to draw from,” stated Suzanne. “I’m familiar with all of these people, and I’m familiar with some of the things they’ve been through over the years, so I had certain people in mind for specific songs. It was interesting to match that up and then watch them bring their own experience to it. We later decided to hook it all together by using excerpts and actual quotes from some of the circuit riders, chronicling their own stories. So all of the pieces except for the introduction are from the people who actually lived this life.”
Gaither Music Group brought in the acclaimed Michael Merriman to direct the filmmaking, and he and Stephanie Reeves produced the LIVE performances taped at Fiddler’s Grove Historic Village in Lebanon, Tennessee. Suzanne and Michael Nolen teamed up for the screenwriting.
“My hope for the viewer is that they will find it uplifting, historically interesting and, to be honest, maybe even a little convicting,” stated Suzanne. “When Woody originally called me to talk about doing this project he said, ‘How many of us today sitting in our padded pews all over America would be willing to do something that drastic?’ To be a circuit-riding preacher took dedication and perseverance; it took suffering and sacrifice. Their stories inspire me as a believer and cause me to reevaluate what I can do for the cause of Christ. They gave us a strong history to live up to.”
The Circuit Rider TV special is currently airing on a large number of networks including PBS, DirecTV, Dish TV, AT&T U-verse, TBN, RFD, GaitherTV, FamilyNet, CTN, GMC, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, TCT and TLN. In Canada it is airing on Vision TV, The Miracle Channel, CTS and Hope TV.
