News

“Jesus Is My Lifeline” Hit by Stonewall & Donny Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

Written by Staff on 9 November 2021

In the 1990s, while visiting Nashville, singer Donny Richmond had the thrill of meeting Country Music legend Stonewall Jackson. When Donny performed some original music for his hero, Stonewall was quite impressed with the young man, and suggested Donny should go right into the recording studio. At the time, Stonewall was recording his legendary “Stonewall Jackson & Super Friends” Album, along with a large collection of Country Music’s biggest all-time artists, and Donny found himself in the studio alongside such greats as Garth Brooks, Connie Smith, Lynn Anderson, and Hank Snow, to name a few.

Stonewall also decided that Donny would be ideal to record some gospel songs he had recently written, and arranged for Donny to record them as part of an album. He even brought in his son, Stonewall “Turp” Jackson Jr, to produce the sessions. Stonewall recounts how he felt inspired to record a demo to send to Donny of “Jesus Is My Lifeline”, and another song he had written entitled “Holy Spirit, Come On In”. It was soon decided that “Jesus Is My Lifeline” would be ideal for a duet of Stonewall Jackson and Donny Richmond. This recording was released in 1996, and immediately rocketed up the National Charts of Music City News and The Gospel Voice magazines The song proceeded to become the longest running #1 Chart Hit in their history, spending 4 months at #1, and 6 months in the Top 5 during 1996/97.

Donny Richmond, Stonewall Jackson, and Garth Brooks in the recording studio for “Stonewall Jackson & Super Friends”

Stonewall and Donny recorded a TV Special at Christian Television Network’s studio in Nashville, and were recognized on the popular TNN TV Network. During an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, they were presented several Awards for the record breaking recording, including the Legendary Achievement Award, Vocal Collaboration Of The Year, and Vocal Event Of The Year, from the National and International Country Gospel Music Associations.

The song was a monumental hit. But the story didn’t end there. In 2006, while Donny Richmond was performing in England, “Jesus Is My Lifeline” was released throughout Europe on the NCM(New Christian Music) CD, where it once again swiftly reached the #1 spot on both the Country Music and Contemporary Christian Charts. A decade later, in 2016, the song was re-released internationally, reaching #1 on the “God’s Country” Music Charts, among others.

Stonewall Jackson and Donny Richmond Receiving Awards on the Grand Ole Opry

In 2018, the South African based international Airplay Express Charts once again found “Jesus Is My Lifeline” in the #1 position. And in September 2021, the song again reached Airplay Express #1 internationally, this time in 3 different categories; the Gospel Charts, the traditional Country Charts, AND the Pop Charts! Additionally, the recording has now reached #1 on numerous Spotify playlists, and has charted at #1 on both Stonewall’s and Donny’s Spotify listings.

It is well known that during Country Music’s golden “honky tonk” era of the 1960’s and ’70’s, Stonewall Jackson clocked up more than 40 Chart Hits. Of ALL of his top hit successes, this Gospel recording consistently ranks among his Top 5 on the “Shazam” Charts. The song; “Jesus Is My Lifeline”, is considered “evergreen”, to say the least!

Stonewall Jackson and Donny Richmond – #1 on Spotify Playlist

In addition to the achievements mentioned, “Jesus Is My Lifeline” kicked into high gear what is now a legendary career for Donny Richmond. Since the time of their recording, Donny has received numerous Awards from various Music Associations, including Artist Of The Decade, Entertainer Of The Decade, The Living Legend Award, Top TV Host, and Awards for Male Vocalist Of The Year, Songwriter, Producer, and more. Donny was recently nominated Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film for his starring appearance in the faith-based film, “Saving Faith”. And Donny is now an inductee internationally of 5 different music Halls Of Fame.