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Paula Vondenstein

n the midst of this pandemic, my
“I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO MY JESUS” Ihusband, Harold, and I have been busy gathering more followers as God continues
to open up doors for their music ministry.
-------------------------------------------------- doing what we love the most- creating They have created a genre of music that is
distinctly their own with lyrics that are bold
music that glorifies God with our Bible Belt
and brave. Harold and Paula Vega Vonden-
Blues music ministry. Our most recent song
©2020 Bible Belt Blues release, “I Pledge Allegiance to My Jesus” on stein have dared to tread where many other
May 1st, 2020, is our very first song about
Christian songwriters have dared not tread:
Lyrics by: Paula Vega Vondenstein the Cross. I drew inspiration from a parallel to address sin, repentance, and salvation in
their songs. During 2019 they released two
between a steadfast allegiance to the
------------------------------------------------------------ American flag and to what our allegiance Christian albums, “I’m Not Ashamed to Be
as Christians should be to Jesus, the Savior
a Christian” and “My God, My God,” and
of our soul. There are many songs with the won the coveted 2019 Josie Music Award
lyrics “Jesus died for me” but very few songs for Gospel/ Christian Duo. Amazingly,
that address why Jesus died for me, which twenty two of their Bible Belt Blues songs
is where I wanted to go with these lyrics; have already received radio airplay (Cross
that Jesus died for my sins and took my 104’s Gospel Blues Hour Syndicated Radio
place on Calvary. Nothing less than com- Program, WQFX Gospel Radio, Country
plete allegiance to Him who died for me is Blast Radio’s Multi-Genre Hour, and WNIR
acceptable, hence, the creation of the title, “I National Indie Radio). They have recent-
Pledge Allegiance to My Jesus.” The verses, ly charted month after month on WNIR
“To trust Him and obey Him; To relinquish Radio, a station known for popular, secular
all control” speaks of asking Jesus to be music, and were the inspiration behind the
both Lord and Savior of one’s life and also radio’s new “Spirit & Soul” inspirational and
to obey all of His commandments. (John 7Christian Radio show.
14:15) Jesus said, “If you love Me; keep my
commandments.” This is how we demon- Bible Belt Blues has also received extensive
strate our love to Jesus. media coverage including recent articles in
Write Away Magazine, professional song
The creation of this song was a serious labor reviews in “Please Pass the Indie” and
of love requiring numerous vocal retakes to “Indie Spoonful” Music Blogs, print and
capture the full range of emotions I needed TV interviews, and numerous press releases
from my husband, Harold, to produce this published in national media sources. Ready
song the way I envisioned it. The sorrowful to evangelize the world one song at a time,
wailing at the end of the song leaves the lis- this award winning duo are determined to
tener feeling like they were actually there at cross over genres and across continents to
the foot of the Cross on that fateful day. reach lost souls for Christ. With their recent
2020 GCGMA (Gulf Coast Gospel Music
There is a lot of space throughout the song Awards) nomination for Song of the Year for
leaving room for reflection as well as a “Down the Rabbit Hole” they have s
consistent drum beat reminiscent of sol- ucceeded in crossing over to the gospel
emn military services. Similar in style to genre. They were also recently nominated
the “Pledge of Allegiance to the (American) for Ministry of the Year in The Best of
Flag,” which has a mere 31 words, the lyrics Mississippi Awards for 2020. Bible Belt Blues
to “I Pledge Allegiance to My Jesus” are is actively seeking radio airplay on larger
also brief (45 words) and are repeated twice radio formats as well as bookings at
throughout the song for effect. An churches and colleges. www.BibleBeltBlues.
emotional instrumental solo, which is also org. Listen to/purchase at the Bible Belt
repeated twice, creates space and time for Blues music store: https://www.websites.
reflection. rocks/music-store and on all major
music distribution outlets such as iTunes
Bible Belt Blues is gaining momentum and and Spotify.

www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk 41