Description
Never Too Late is a solo album by the American singer, songwriter, and producer Tom Stipe (October 9, 1950 – December 30, 2020) of Country Faith fame, released on BlueStone Records in 1991, distributed by FMG (Frontline Music Group) Distribution. The album was produced by Tom Stipe, John Macy, as well as Randy Rigby of Bethlehem fame. Featuring guest vocals by Richie Furay, Kelly Willard, and Ricky Skaggs. Includes a cover of “Down the Road” written by Mac McAnally.
During the 1970s Tom Stipe was a member of three country rock groups: Country Faith, Wing & A Prayer and the Richie Furay Band. Country Faith was a group formed in the beginning of the 70s and featured Stipe, Chuck Butler and Scott Lockwood (the latter an original member and lead guitarist of Joy, a group cosidered to be the first Contemporary Christian country rock band in the US). Country Faith actually never recorded a full album of their own, though various recordings by the group were featured on a few multi-artist compilation albums released on Maranatha! Music during the first part of the 70s. «Two Roads» (co-written by Chuck Butler and Tom Stipe) was featured on The Everlastin’ Living Jesus Music Concert released in 1971 (a.k.a. Maranatha 1, actually the very first release by the Maranatha! Music label). «Come Quickly Jesus» and «Ballad Of Luke Warm» (written by Stipe and Butler respectively) were featured on the compilation album Maranatha! 2 released in 1972, and «Big City Blues» and «Nursery Rhyme» (also written by Stipe and Butler respectively) were featured on Maranatha! 3 released in 1973.
Country Faith soon folded and Tom Stipe became a founding member of Wing & A Prayer (while Chuck Butler formed the band Parable). Following the breakup of Love Song in 1974, three of the members – guitarist Tommy Coomes, bassist Jay Truax and drummer John Mehler – formed Wing & A Prayer along with legendary pedal steel player Al Perkins as well as Tom Stipe on keyboards. The band was considered by many as the next Christian “supergroup” but they never really ever reached that status, perhaps due to the fact that they were pretty much just another country/rock sounding band like so many others from the Calvary Chapel scene. Just like Country Faith, Wing & A Prayer never recorded an album but two of their songs – «Old Gray Ford» and «Jesus Is Standing Here» – were featured on the Maranatha! 4 multi-artist compilation released in 1974. That compilation also features one track written by Chuck Butler entitled «Pearly Mansions».
Tommy Coomes went on to be the force behind the Maranatha Praise albums and Jay Truax and John Mehler joined up with Paul Clark‘s band (with whom they recorded two albums, Come Into His Presence and Good to be Home, released in 1974 and 1975 respectively) and later formed the Richie Furay Band, again with Tom Stipe on keyboards. The Richie Furay Band (fronted by Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield and Poco fame) released a sole studio album on the mainstream label Asylum Records in 1976, entitled I’ve Got a Reason (which was re-issued by Myrrh Records in 1981, featuring new cover artwork).
After The Richie Furay Band folded, Tom Stipe continued as a session musician as well as a producer. He produced the multi-artist compilation Come Back Soon featuring various artists connected to the Warehouse Ministries located in Sacramento, the self-titled and sole album by Bethlehem, as well as Hold On Tight by Sweet Comfort Band.
CD tracklist:
01. It’s Never Too Late – 4:02
02. Down the Road – 3:13
03. Twelve Days Out – 4:52
04. You Should Have Stood by Her – 3:53
05. Would It Turn Out This Way – 3:16
06. Another Day – 4:05
07. Sweet Forgiveness – 3:19
08. Hide Away – 3:13
09. A Time to Weep – 4:05
10. Living Sacrifice – 3:43
11. Voice of the Father – 5:31
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by BlueStone Records.
CREDITS. Produced by Tom Stipe, John Macy, and Randy Rigby. Arranged by Tom Stipe and Randy Rigby. Engineered by John Macy, Kevin Clock and Mark Derryberry. Mixed by John Macy. Mastered by Chris Bellman. Art Producer: Ed McTaggart. All songs written by Tom Stipe, except “Would It Turn Out This Way” co-written with Milton Carroll, “Sweet Forgiveness” and “A Time to Weep” featuring music co-written with Randy Rigby, and “Down the Road” written by Mac McAnally.
Musicians: Tom Stipe (Piano, Hammond Organ), Jeffrey Lams (Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizer), Pete Wasner (Piano, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Synthesizer), Hadley Hockensmith (Acoustic Guitar, Hi String Guitar), Randy Rigby (Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Hi String Guitar, Vocal Harmony), John Macy (Pedal Steel, Slide Guitar), Tommy White (Dobro), Glen Holmen (Bass), Dennis Holt (Drums, Percussion), Dave Spurr (Drums). Vocals: Tom Beard (Background Vocals), Mark Oblinger (Vocal Harmony, Background Vocals), Julie Meyer (Vocal Harmony). Guest Artists: Richie Furay (Vocals, Background Vocals), Kelly Willard (Vocals, Vocal Harmony), Ricky Skaggs (Fiddle, Guitar, Vocals, Vocal Harmony).
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