David Tew

By Ava Leigh Pope
Assistant Editor

A Local Radio Ministry is hoping to Transform Lives and is now selling cds of the songs its listeners have requested so much.
David Tew organized 10 of his most requested songs from the Transforming Lives Radio Ministry and produced his first ever cd, one which he hopes will bring people closer to the Lord.
Tew said he had always wanted to produce a cd and this couldn't be a better reason to do so. All the proceeds from the sell of Tew's cd will go to support the radio ministry, which can be heard at 2 pm every Sunday on 1170 AM and 1440 AM.
Pastor Ken Smith said Tew starts out every radio program by singing at least two songs. After two years of reaching out through music, Smith said many people have asked how they can get copies of their favorite songs from the program.
After much prayer, they decided to do the cd and Tew got right to work. A year later, the finished product is " On The Winning Side".
The cd is a collection of 10 songs, three of which Tew wrote himself--On The Winning Side, Happy Day a'Comin', and Little Country Church. Smith says the 10 songs are the most requested songs that Tew sings during the weekly radio broadcast.
The cd encompasses the vocals and mandolin playing of Tew, along with his sister-in-law Gena Britt Tew on banjo, bass, and harmony vocals; brother Timothy Tew with vocals; nephew Jason Johnson on guitar; and Chris Hill from The Grass Cats on fiddle. The cd was produced by Circle Sound Studios in Newton Grove NC.
Tew hasn't always sang just gospel music, he explained. When he was just 7 years old, his mama taught him chords on the guitar. When he was 15, he learned to play the mandolin.
In the 1960s, Tew sang in the church and was a member of "The Three D's"-- himself, Danette Tew, and Debbie Hope. They would perform at the Fleet Sessoms sing in Salemburg during the 1960s.
He played Bluegrass music with Phillip Burke and Tom Langdon for several years. Then, he began playing country music.For seven years he sang country music all over, but a greater calling was coming to him.
"I was singing a song by Vince Gill and a line in the song says "standing at a crossroad with just one concern, which bridge to cross, and which bridge to burn," said Tew. "God was speaking to me when I sang that song. I needed to burn that bridge and start singing for Him again."
On the inside of his cd cover Tew wrote, " He used an old fashioned preacher to make me realize I was a sinner and I needed to make a change in my life. He used the words of a country song to tell me I needed to sing for Him. We should always obey the Holy Spirit when He speaks to us."
"I am truly thankful for the talents that God has given to me and for the opportunities that He gives me to share those talents with others," he continued.
Tew shares those talents every week on the Transforming Lives radio ministry. Smith said they reach people in Sampson and all surrounding counties through the radio ministry.
As where Smith may preach to a congregation of 100 or so each Sunday, he said they can reach many more people through the radio ministry." Countless people can be touched by singing and the message of gospel music," he said.
- The Sampson Independent