Joni Wallace - Saturday at 5

The songs on this CD were written at a time in my life where I started to question many things - God, my relationships, my career on Wall Street. I was really worn out and I had lost my joy in life. I had hit that dark night of the soul where you aren't sure you will see the light again. I felt like I was on the proverbial treadmill just working to make money to keep a certain lifestyle, and I had grown weary of it all. And then I started singing with a Contemporary Christian group, Saturday@5. It was like a window opened and a breeze started blowing again. The songs started falling out of the sky like rain. I would wake up in the middle of the night and had to write things down. 'Too Many Times' was actually written in 45 minutes on a commuter train from work in NYC on a hot summer day. In four years, I wrote 23 songs, and it hasn't stopped. The ten originals on this CD reflect the different sides of my life as a wife, a mother, a Wall Street woman, a daughter, a sister and a friend. I'm sure many women out there are experiencing the same feelings I've been going through and my hope is that these songs motivate and inspire them to know it's going to be alright. 'Raise My Eyes to Heaven' is all about holding on to your faith one more time when life throws you yet another challenge. That theme is echoed in 'We Walk by Faith'. 'Hey, Hey Jesus' is actually a prayer asking God for help and strength, hidden in a rockin' Bo Diddley beat. And 'I Have All That I Need' was written about a friend of mine, Janet, who reminds me that all we really need is very simple - those we love and a roof over our heads. 'Grateful' is another reminder that every day is a gift to be cherished not wasted. 'You are Here' came about when I realized that every time I felt at the end of my rope, God threw me a lifeline. I was never truly alone. Although I am very proud of all the songs on the CD, the one I hope people take a moment to really listen to is 'I Will Walk'. I have had several good friends go through a breast cancer experience, and I am an avid participant in walks to raise money for cancer research, specfically the Relay for Life. This song was written as a tribute to women going through the experience, and how it feels to be someone supporting those women. My heart goes out to every woman who has to have this moment in their life. My hope is that people will hear it and share it and share it and share it so these women know we are there for them. And last, the song 'I Want To Know What Love Is' is a heartwrenching remake of the Foreigner hit by Mick Jones. My producer, Angelo Natalie, brought it to me after he had been listening to my songs and said 'the lyrics really fit into your message of searching and believing'. The Nashville players did an outstanding job making it a soulful ballad reminiscent of 'Dust in the Wind'. I can't thank them enough for taking the vision Angelo and I had for it and making it incredible. The experience of going to Dark Horse Recording Studios in Franklin, TN, and having the opportunity to work with the caliber of musicians that came together for this recording was truly awe-inspiring. At the hands of an extraordinary engineer, Ronnie Brookshire, we have created a powerful CD to provide hope and strength when you are weary. May it restore your joy and show you that there is plenty of good in life. Just believe! It is truly my joy now to bring light and hope to others, and making this CD has been a highlight of my life. May you find some light and joy as you listen to the music and share it with others. Enjoy! Joni.