Signing set for Aug. 11 at Mustard Seed in South Point

 

KENOVA, W.Va. — Although he considers himself a private man, Wendell M. Tackett will bare his soul in the upcoming release of his new Gospel album.

The 66-year-old from Kenova, W.Va., will release his second effort, entitled “I Was the One,” Aug. 7. Tackett said the eight songs on the album are very personal and talk about his mother’s passing, his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, the Rapture and his relationship with God.

The title track of the album refers to the parable of the lost sheep in which a shepherd leaves his flock of 99 in search of the one lost sheep.

Tackett said although he hasn’t always been a singer, songwriting is a family trait.

“My great-great-grandfather was a songwriter and my dad liked to write songs,” Tackett said. “It’s just an inherited thing.”

Tackett has been in the ministry for 30 years and has preached in Pennsylvania, Illinois and West Virginia. He has preached on a part-time basis at Hopewell United Methodist Church in Wayne County, W.Va., for the pat 10 years.

“I started having medical problems and had to quit pastoring on a full-time basis and I needed something to occupy my mind,” Tackett said, explaining three stokes in the last year have led to his limited mobility.

For “I Was the One,” Tackett and his wife traveled to Mustang, Okla., in January to set his words and rhythms to music. The album was finished up in June and the release is set for Aug. 7.

There will also be a CD signing from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Mustard Seed Christian Book Store in the old Kmart shopping plaza in South Point.

“I don’t think there is a bad song on there, but I’m prejudiced,” Tackett said. “Most people that hear it really enjoy it.”

He also said the CD signing will help promote and bring business to the Mustard Seed.

“I’ve always been a private person,” Tackett said. “I would just like the Lord to get the honor and glory for it.”