Gospel-rooted music carries emotional weight, especially when it explores the tension between faith, love, and accountability. With “Run On,“ Stephani Ezatoff combines these into a rock version of Elvis Presley’s famous 1967 version of the traditional African American gospel hymn.

Ezatoff doesn’t simply retrace history but surrounds it with a unique atmosphere of powerful vocals and an ever-intensifying arrangement. The single was recorded at the legendary Sound Shop Studio on Music Row in Nashville and has an interesting connection to Elvis Presley’s own recording history. The studio session was located a stone’s throw from RCA’s Studio B, where Elvis recorded his own version of the hymn.

This adds another layer of meaning to an already meaningful release, placing Ezatoff’s take within Nashville’s musical heritage. Aaron Minick’s arrangement plays on the contrast between divine love and judgment, which is central to the track’s identity. The production builds slowly, and the song becomes a dramatic, cinematic experience. Ezatoff also makes a unique contribution by singing all the vocals herself.

The story of how the recording was made adds to the poignancy of “Run On.” This is one of the last releases made at Sound Shop Studio, which hosted artists like Dolly Parton and Brenda Lee, but closed for good just days after the session. For Stephani Ezatoff, “Run On“ is a vital link between generations of musicians preserved in a recording that’s a piece of Nashville history.

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Stephanie Porter‘s latest release, “He Thinks That I’m Wonderful,” is about a romantic relationship that looks good on the outside. Dates, compliments, and things done together all suggest a relationship is going well. Yet beneath that outward affection is a more complex emotional reality. The song creates an interesting contrast in its subject matter, exploring the difference between how someone is perceived by another person and how they feel about themselves.

The song is built on beautiful piano chords, drums, and guitars, creating a clean jazz foundation. A catchy trumpet adds another expressive layer, elevating the emotions as the song develops. The arrangement gives the release a warm musical identity and supports the tension in its story. The track’s blend of jazz instrumentation and personal reflection makes it engaging without losing the emotional complexity at its center.

Stephanie Porter brings that tension into focus with a thoughtful narrative and an arrangement that lets the emotions come through. The result is a jazz record with personality, musical warmth, and a reminder that what you see isn’t always what you get.

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