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P.O. Box 296
Chetek, WI 54728
Wednesday 2 January 2008
 

Sara Groves
c/o INO Records
210 Jamestown Parkway, Ste 100
Brentwood, TN 37027
 

Dear Sara,

Although your latest album title, Tell Me What You Know, and lyrics in “In The Girl There’s a Room” are obviously inspired by those who have had tougher faith struggles and deeper life-changing experiences than me—a thirty-something Scandinavian Lutheran male from smalltown Wisconsin—I do hear echoes of an open call for any believers who encounter your music to speak out to you and those around them with words of encouragement, honest admissions of fears, and proclamations of God’s goodness; therefore, Mrs. Groves, I offer here in this letter some of what I know.

I know that our meeting was no accident. My younger sister Chris had been singing your accolades for years. She loaned me CD’s, warmly quoted your lyrics, and passionately relayed moving concert experiences, but I somehow wouldn’t be drawn in. Then last spring in the middle of hundreds of CD’s packed into the plywood tables of a liquidation center I spied several copies of The Other Side of Something.  At that point in my life, I had no fight left in me. I sheepishly admitted my defeat and walked out with my $2.77 sign from God. One listen to those painfully human, glowingly faithful and astoundingly musical songs set my feet on a new path, one where you seemed to be walking right beside me, feeling what I felt, seeing what I saw, and saying what I truly wanted to say. Eventually I snatched up the
remaining copies of that stellar CD from Bargain Bill’s and passed them out to friends and family. Four full-priced albums, one DVD and one live concert later, I’m adding my voice to Chris’s to sing thanks and praise to God for you and your music.

I know that your fan base represents what the church should be. As my sister and I waited in the lobby of Maranatha Hall at Northwestern College for your CD release concert in November, I felt as if I were in the narthex of a perfect church: families, elderly folks, young hipsters, everyday people of all ages gathering to share faith stories and music. When you stepped out from the wings to introduce your own opening act, Joe Rogness, you—the  “star” of the evening—modeled a humbleness that often gets buried in church politics and zealous religious pride. You openly welcomed the children, too, with your traditional “improductions” by Kirby and Toby, as well as your gentle introduction of the newest Groves child, little Ruby. And this may sound like an odd compliment to offer a professional musician, but I think it’s fantastic that you’re not perfect. You forgot a few words (and almost forgot to take out your gum), choked back tears, and told embarrassing
stories of baby vomit. Some of this you chalked up to your postpartum condition; regardless of the cause, I find it reassuring to see that you’re not some super-human, untouchable Christian telling me how to live. Instead, you are a wife, mother, and faithful believer following her vocation the best she can.

I know that your music stands firmly on its own against any other in the secular or Christian market. While some of the most precious moments both in concert and on record are those that feature just you and a piano, you surround yourself with gifted musicians who create stunning backgrounds over which you paint your striking life portraits. Your band at Northwestern—Ben Gowell (guitar), Aaron Fabbrini (bass), Zach Miller (drums), Faith Miller (violin/keys/backing vocals), Melody Olson (vocals) and your husband Troy Groves (percussion)—brought your songs to life as I never imagined possible: tasteful, stylistic guitar; charging, bobble-head-beat drums; subtle, sweet female harmonies; smooth, confident bass; and funky, peppered percussion. The passion you exude obviously overflows onto those around you, and you have been blessed with outside ears that hear the true soul of your music and willing hands that transform your songs into incredible experiences.

I know that there’s a magical simplicity in your work that makes me and other fans believe we can be part of something larger than ourselves. The wife and mother sitting next to me at the concert captured this best when she told me, “It’s not just her music, it’s her heart.” The back stories you revealed in concert further explained the meaning of several songs but also opened a “window to the world” in your soul. Sara, you have a heart to give, you have a heart to love, you have a heart to praise, and thankfully, you have a heart to sing. I’m sure it’s not easy weaving your own failings into your music, but every time you admit your sinfulness or show your human fragility, there are countless listeners like me nodding in recognition of those same misgivings and mistakes. And yet, you keep writing, you keep
sharing, you keep giving. We can too.

May God continue to bless your work, your family, and your music, Sara. I know you are a blessing to many.

Sincerely,

Greg Adams