About
A veteran musician of more than a half-century, primarily as an instrumentalist and songwriter, Lee Schappell first stepped onto a stage in 1959, as a guest guitarist in a backup band. More than a half-century later, Lee has exchanged that rock’n’roll hairdo for flowing, snow-white locks, although the raw, rural juices still flow through his music today.
Lee’s early influences were Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, and that entire Sam Phillips Sun Record Company family of artists, such as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, and Bill Riley. Later influences on his music creation included Carole King, Phil Spector, and Leon Russell.
Lee did enjoy a brief “cup of coffee” (yes, it was decaffeinated!) with Cameo Records in 1961, as LeRoy & His Rockin’ Fellers, before a most memorable and fortuitous encounter with Chocolate Chip Cookie icon Wally “Famous” Amos, who was at that time a representative of the William Morris Agency, during which Mr. Amos offered Lee some sage, sound advice, which resulted in a major course correction in Lee’s life, placing him on a path that would eventually lead to a comfortable home in Country Gospel music.
Following stints with various local country and folk Gospel groups and individuals artists, Lee formed “The New Earth Band” in 2006, and began cooking up that down-home brand of loose-and-easy, organic, raw-boned, retro-Country-Gospel music, that has become his signature.
In reality, The New Earth Band’s music is entirely about the Gospel message that’s embedded in the heart of each song. Lee’s focus is on carrying God’s incredibly good news of rescue and redemption in Jesus Christ to a judgment-bound world that is now reeling and rocking like a drunken sailor. So, taste The New Earth Band's music and see for yourself - enjoy and share it!
Website
VISIT: www.thenewearthband.com
CONTACT: thenewearthband@gmail.com
Stats
He's My Friend
HE’S MY FRIEND (Lee Schappell) C
Copyright 2013 / Little Buford Music ASCAP
When God says, “Jump!”, I ask, “How high?”
He calls my name, I answer, “Here am I.”
Anything He wants is alright by me
He puts the funk in my functionality
His Word is sound and His promise is true
Whatever He asks I’ll gladly do
He’s my Father and He calls me “son”
Wouldn’t trade places with anyone
Chorus:
He’s the Alpha and the Omega
The Beginning, and He’s the End
He’s the Sov - ereign of the Universe
King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and He’s my Friend
King of Kings, Lord of Lords // He’s my Friend
(end) King of Kings // Lord of Lords // and He’s my Friend
- Instrumental Break -
He’s my Strength, my Joy ‘n my Song
A Mighty Fortress and a Re - fuge strong
He’s building me a mansion in His City of Gold
And He’s coming back to get me - soon, I’m told
His name’s “I AM”, that’s Who He is
The Kingdom, the power and the glory’s all His
He’s earned my trust and my loyalty
He says, “Whom shall I send?” I say, “Lord, send me!”
^Back to Chorus:
(Bridge)
He rum - bles high from the moun - tain tops
Flash - es His light-ning ‘cross the rolling sea
He’s Ma - ster of the howl - ing wind
Rock of all A - ges, cleft for you and me
^ Back to Chorus:
