As the seven-year anniversary of the tragedy of Sept. 11 approaches, one local Contemporary/Christian Country artist is doing her part in making sure people never forget.Leah Faith said it is important to remember the people who lost their lives, their families who still miss them and all those who acted so heroically that day and in the days following the tragedy that changed the world forever.
“In the face of great adversity, there was great courage and strength shown that day in New York and that is a large part of what the American spirit is all about,” Faith said.
Faith is so excited about her song Red, White and Blue Night in Georgia that was selected by Sherry Johnson and Liem Walker to be released to the public in August on Seasong Records.
“This is a song from a woman's perspective that highlights her emotion as her husband is fighting for freedom in Iraq,” Faith said. “It's a song that constantly reminds others to continually pray for the troops and their families.”
Faith will be joining some of country music’s best;
O Two time Grammy winner Rebecca Lynn Howard.
O The legendary Charlie Daniels.
O The CD will feature new music from Aaron Tippin, Tracy Lawrence, George Jones, Pam Tillis, Tanya Tucker and Michael Peterson among other artists and some newcomers to be added.
Most of the CD’s original music was written by Anita Cox from Nashville. The album Never Forget will be available in stores and on digital download sites on August 26.
“I am extremely excited about the Never Forget project,” she said. “It's funny to think a year ago that I would be at this place in my life. Singing is not a hobby anymore, it's my calling from God.”
Faith said portions of the proceeds will go to Hope for the Warriors Foundation, a charity that was created primarily to assist men and women from the military who are returning from battle and who have suffered catastrophic injuries while in battle.
“The charity helps with the provision of various types of rehabilitation not often provided on a long-term basis,” Faith said. “It also assists family members with travel and a small per diem which allows them to stay by the side of their recovering loved ones during their rehabilitative process. It also provides retraining for jobs and adjustment to a new life for the soldiers who will be unable to return to active military service.”
Faith, 25, is the daughter of Larry and Laura Armstrong of Moody. She is married to Randy Knotts from Springville. She graduated from Moody High School in 2001 and from the University of Alabama in 2005 with a degree in telecommunications and film with a minor in business management.
Leah was such a quiet child. and just didn’t talk to anyone including her family,” said her mother. “One day when Leah was in the ninth grade she called me after school and said that she was going to sing at school for the Christmas Drama. I was shocked because I didn’t know she could sing. I had never heard her sing at home or anywhere.”
Laura Armstrong remembers asking her daughter if she could sing.
“Leah said ‘Sure I can sing,’” said Mrs. Armstrong. “I was very nervous about it. She was to sing at school during the day for the students and again that night for parents. I was so afraid that the students would be mean to her if she couldn’t sing. I prayed and I must admit worried. I just couldn’t go to the day performance because I was so nervous. I watched the clock all day and prayed. As soon as I knew she would be home, I called and asked her how did it go? She just responded, ‘Fine’. So her dad and I went to the night performance. I knew parents would be kind to her regardless. She came out on stage and she began to sing. Her dad looked at me and said, ‘My word, the girl can sing.’ Leah still laughs about that because she heard her dad on stage.”
Mrs. Armstrong said she knows God has given Leah a special gift to sing and as a parent, she is so thankful for those teachers at school and church who have encouraged Leah to develop her singing talent. People like Greg Cobb, Kim Swafford, Pastor Randy Williams, Pastor Ron Solomon, and others.
“Leah’s following God’s calling to sing has been tough at times,” said her mother. “David said in the Bible that he would not offer anything to God that did not cost him something. The many trips to Nashville to record, the production of the CD, photos, graphics etc, were costly in time and money. But when I see my daughter on stage ministering to people, it is all worth it.”
