Saturday, October 8, 2011

Blessed Jesus – Joey Holder


He lived a short 51 years, but his beliefs were written for all to see in the song “Blessed Jesus” and several others that he composed. Though one could be sad, realizing that he died at a relatively young age, there’s a peace too, knowing that he lived to share His Spirit in music, and helped others worship that way too. Joey Holder, praise and worship leader at Calvary Fellowship Church in Florence, Alabama…that’s how his friends and loved ones remember him. He evidently touched many people, and was involved in producing music for albums for 20-30 years, quite an accomplishment for anyone. But, one suspects that Joey’s goals were not earthly ones, but ones best summed up in the words of the song that he composed in 1987.

Holder was 28 years old when he wrote “Blessed Jesus”, and had already been engaged in music productions for at least the previous five years. Let’s see, that means he began in his early 20’s, singing background vocals for an album Will McFarlane cut called “Right from the Start” in 1982. It wasn’t long before he took on more, for he’s listed as a songwriter, among other roles, on McFarlane’s 1984 album “A Colony of Heaven”. He also apparently wrote songs for Mylon LeFevre’s “Faith, Hope and Love” album in 1992, too. In between those two album efforts was the “Blessed Jesus” song he wrote. One wouldn’t have to read his biography (in his obituary) to assume he was gifted, given what we see of his ability in this one song. The tune’s words tell us he was looking to Him for peace, comfort, and communion. Joey must have been like many of the rest of us who’ve ever lived in their 20’s, with life having some dips, mingled with hopes and dreams propelling one forward. But, his song words suggest he was counting on Him for life’s accomplishments…”as I look to You alone”.  It’s good to know he’d figured this out then, and one can imagine it must have stuck with him and been communicated to others about him for the next couple of decades, given the role he played at the Alabama church.

What would people say about me if my biography concluded today? What would yours sound like? Joey Holder had dozens of people writing remembrances of him at his memorial. Will McFarlane, his partner on their 1982 album, evidently provided some of the music at his friend’s memorial. …think one of them might have been “Blessed Jesus”? That would be a pretty good line in anyone’s biography, one of which his family could be proud. His brother Jesus is perhaps blessing him right now, because of this. Think of it…Joey asked for a blessing in 1987, blessed us with a song, and now he’s blessed by the Blessed One. Kinda great how that works, huh?
   
This link is an obituary for Joey Holder, who died April 30, 2010 at the age of 51. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesdaily/obituary.aspx?n=joey-e-holder&pid=142455554&fhid=7055
 
This is the Facebook page for the Calvary Fellowship Church in Florence, Alabama where Joey Holder was the worship pastor/minister:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Calvary-Fellowship/334585099001

Other songs by Holder include:  “Holy Lord”; “ I Will Sing to the Lord Forever”; “Unto the King (Now Unto the King)”; ”We Are Your Treasure” , according to this site:  http://www.innerechos.com/authors/Joey+Holder

He’s listed as the songwriter on two albums by singers Will McFarlane and Mylon LeFevre at this link. He also contributed to two other albums by them. All four albums were produced between 1982 and 2003:

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Joey truly lovedJesus. I am honored he was my dear friend. Gone but never forgotten.