Step into the Water

 

 

 

Kirk Talley was born June 9, 1958 in Johnson City, TN.  He grew up in a small Free Will Baptist Church in rural East Tennessee.  His dad was the song leader at that church so he was naturally interested in music at an early age.  Kirk's brother, sister, and himself stated singing in a kids trio before he could even read.  His dad taught him to sing first tenor.  They would sing at their home church and anywhere they were invited.  He knew he wanted to be a professional Gospel Singer after attending his first concert at the Kingsport, TN Civic Auditorium after seeing the Inspirations and the Hoppers perform.  Talley began performing Southern Gospel Music in 1972.  He has been a member of groups such as "The Hoppers", The Cathedrals, and the Talleys.

He became a member of the Cathedrals in 1979.  It was during his years with the Cathedrals that he wrote his first song (yes you guessed it) "Step Into the Water".  Kirk told the story behind this song in the video posted below.  The Cathedrals were singing at a revival in Lenoir, North Carolina.  Phil Haskins was preaching and Kirk was sitting with the choir behind the preacher in which Phil stated that it was time we as Christians need to step into the water.  Kirk wasn't sure why that struck a bell with him, he just knew there was a chorus there and so he took out a pen and piece of paper and wrote the chorus.  He then later added the verses but not growing up in a quartet didn't here the bass part that George Younce added during their practice one evening.  This song made it to #1 on the charts and remained at the top of the charts for nine months. 

 

In early 1984 Kirk left the Cathedrals to join his brother and sister in law, Roger and Debra, to form The Talleys.  He then went on to write "He is Here".  The Talleys received the 1992 Dove Award for 'Song of the Year' for this song.  It was also nominated for the 34th annual Grammy Awards that same year. 

 

In 1993 Kirk began his own solo career and performed across the United States and Canada.  "I Speak to You" was his first soloist project in which his #1 song "Joy On the Other Side of Jordan" came from.  His next project was "Serenade" which produced two Top 10 charting songs, "Serenaded By Angels" and "If He Hung the Moon".  He also received several awards at the 1996 National Quartet Convention.  The Gospel Voice magazine presented him with three Diamond Awards; Soloist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Song of the Year for "Serenaded By Angels".  The Singing News magazine presented him with the 1996 Fan awards for ; Favorite Male Vocalist, Favorite Songwriter, and Song of the Year again for "Serenaded By Angels". 

 

Life changed for Kirk in 2003 after he made a life changing decision that I choose not to post.  You may research all the information on any search engine for yourself. 

 

Lyrics

 

Chorus

Step into the water

Wade out a little bit deeper
Wet your feet in the water of His love
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Come join angels singing praise to the Lamb of God

I.

It's time we, the people, stand up for what is right.
It's time we squared our shoulders back and raised our
swords to fight.  For the Bible is my weapon and the Spirit is my shield.
The Church needs more of its members to be workers in  the field.

II.

There is victory for the Christian who walks the

narrow way.  There has been a prize appointed for the soul who does
not stray.  Though I want to live for Jesus, and be all that I can
be. So, that I can rest with Him forever, live eternally.

 

  

YouTube post

                                   Ernie Haase and Signature Sound singing "Step into the Water"

Other songs he has written:

He is Here

 

 

 

Serenated by Angels

 

 

I Start my Day

 

Sources: 
Most of this information was collected from many different posts of Kirk's personal testimonies.