“Wash My Feet” by
Stone Campbell Revue
Release date: April 14, 2024
Imagine setting out in 1937 with audio recording equipment into the rural regions of the Southern US to collect the music being made and shared in out-of-the-way spots. Now imagine a collected set of these recordings that paint a picture of some of the religious/spiritual culture of the region and times.
Stone Campbell Revues's "Wash My Feet" is an album project that attempts to imagine just that.
The tumultuous divisions within the Stone Campbell Restoration Church Movement during the early 20th century coincided with a transformative period in American history, marked by the Great Depression and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal initiatives. While the Stone Campbell Movement grappled with theological disputes, the Federal Music Program (FMP) sought to cultivate cultural enrichment and unity through music amidst economic hardship. As the Stone Campbell Movement wrestled with disagreements over musical practices in worship, the FMP aimed to employ musicians nationwide, fostering live performances and music appreciation. Despite challenges such as Eurocentric preferences and budget cuts, the FMP documented a diverse array of American musical traditions. Despite debates, divisions and a tendancy toward isolationism, churches tracing their roots back to the Stone Campbell Restoration Movement developed rich musical traditions that set them apart from many mainstream churches that were leaning away from congregational singing that gave focus to individual and group singing.
Stone Campbell Revue's album, "Wash My Feet," is a creative reflection of these intersecting narratives. Inspired by the legacy of the Stone Campbell Movement and the cultural vibrancy documented by the FMP, "Wash My Feet" weaves together themes of unity, struggle, and resilience. Through an eclectic blend of musical styles and lyrical exploration of faith and community, the album serves as a testament to the enduring power of music to bridge divides and inspire hope in times of uncertainty.
Stone Campbell Revue is an ai-assisted collaborative dedicated to nostalgic, lo-fi explorations of faith expression and Americana roots music.