Country star Ronnie Milsap talks about country music's church roots

MAINSTREAM country star Ronnie Milsap, who has enjoyed numerous number one hits in his long career, spoke recently to Christian Retailing magazine about gospel music and the way it continues to impact today's country stars. He said, "The church is the centre of the social community in rural areas, it's the place where everybody comes together - people who have money, people who don't have money - so I'm sure that's why we've all grown up singing gospel. Most all of us country singers grew up singing in church. The first time I ever performed live for anybody was at church at four years old." Milsap is one of the contributors on the recently released RCA album 'How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites Live From The Grand Ole Opry'. Milsap also told Christian Retailing that he would like to record a full gospel album.