Music has always played a big part within my life.

At  the age of 5, I began singing in church. My first song for the  congregation was an old spiritual, "Standing in the Need of Prayer". Dad  was pastoring the church in Osceola, Arkansas at the time. From there, I  continued to sing in not just our local pastorate, but in churches  throughout the South and Midwest. Soon I was also able to offer songs of  praise at camp meetings and conventions.

At   14, I began writing songs. To date I have written over 300 songs. Many  of those songs are Gospel. But at times, I have also written a few  Country songs too.

Singing  solo or with Southern Gospel quartets has always been a thrill. The  last quartet of which I was involved was The Crystal Valley Quartet. I  was even blessed to write their theme song, "Crystal Valley".

Today, I am adjusting to a new reality - life with one functioning lung. Thank God, I can still sing.

While  I do not claim to be a great or even good singer or musician, I have  uploaded a few songs from when I was with Crystal Valley. I not only was  occasionally featured on some of the CDs and in concerts, I was also  the pianist for the group and arranged many of the numbers.

For those so inclined you can download and listen to some of the songs while I was with Crystal Valley by going to: http://marksden.com/crystalvalley.

Here are the song titles and a description:

1 How Long Has It Been.wma - I am the featured lead singer on this Gospel classic from Stuart Hamblin and the pianist.

3 Fall Now On Me.wma - I not only am the lead singer and pianist, but this is a song I wrote.

4 Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey Now.wma - Classic written by Rusty Goodman of the Happy Goodmans. I sing lead and play piano.

5 Till the Storm Passes By.wma - On this reassuring Gospel classic, I play piano and featured on the 2nd verse.

7 Meeting in the Air.wma - This rousing Gospel spiritual has me featured on the 3rd verse. I also am the pianist.

8 Crystal Valley.wma - The theme song for Crystal Valley, which I wrote, sing lead and play piano.

Hope you enjoy and receive a blessing.

From Mark's Den overlooking the Cornfield, there's a small dose of Gospel for a Sunday in June.