SPOTLIGHT = Isaac Hayes (1 song) & Brandon Heath (1 song)

A Covington TN native & a Nashville TN native….

#1
Isaac Hayes is a Covington TN-native singer-songwriter-producer who also acted in movies (‘Truck Turner’ & ‘I’m Gonna Git You Sucka’) & had a memorable recurring role on TV’s “The Rockford Files” as Gandolf ‘Gandy’ Fitch, as well as guest appearances on “The A-Team”, “Hunter”, “Miami Vice” & “That ‘70s Show”. He was also a creative force behind the southern soul music label Stax Records. He wrote & recorded this song, released 09/30/1971 as the theme to the movie ‘Shaft’; it wasn’t originally intended to be a single, but the film’s success & the song’s popularity in nightclubs prompted a record release. Then, this single claimed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (2 weeks) & notched at #2 on the R&B charts, while peaking at #4 in England; it also won the Best Original Song Academy Award. Other familiar tunes include 1969’s “Walk On By” & 1971’s “Never Can Say Goodbye”.

#2
Brandon Heath is a Nashville TN-native Christian musician; he began his career writing songs as a teenager. This song, inspired by seeing an old photograph of someone he hadn’t been in touch with in a long time, was released in 2007 as the lead single from his debut album ‘Don’t Get Comfortable’. This single claimed #1 on the Christian charts in mid 2007. I heard it during a road trip, & instantly identified with it. He has notched 7 more Top 10s, including 2 chart toppers: 2008’s “Give Me Your Eyes” & 2010’s “Your Love”.