From the recording Closer Than I've Ever Been

Producer: Donna Ulisse
Executive Producer: Daniel Crabtree
Recorded at Digital Underground Recording Studio
Recording Engineer: Scott Vestal
Lead Vocals: Daniel Crabtree
Harmony Vocals:
Donna Ulisse
Rick Stanley
Aaron McCune
Photography by Nancy McAllister
Guitar: Cody Kilby
Banjo: Scott Vestal
Dobro: Gaven Largent
Fiddle: Patrick McAvinue
Mandolin: Harry Clark
Bass: Evan Winsor
"Several passages in the Bible refer to living life as running a race, with the runner winning the prize at the end. We know that the prize is eternal life, and I'm nearer now to heaven than I've ever been." - Daniel Crabtree

"Closer Than I've Ever Been" is the title cut and second single from the upcoming gospel project by Daniel Crabtree. The album's first single, "John the Baptist," charted on Bluegrass Today.

Daniel released a stellar fourth album, The Way I See It, in 2021. Crabtree wrote all 13 tracks and has become one of the celebrated singer/songwriters in today's gospel, roots, and bluegrass music. His songs embrace the human spirit through clever lyrics, for which Daniel's writing is known. The project is a mix of secular and spiritual songs produced by award-winning artist/songwriter/producer Donna Ulisse. The tracks were recorded and engineered by the multi-talented Scott Vestal.

Daniel's recent accomplishments include recognition by the Independent Music Awards, which named "Piedmont Train" as the "Best Bluegrass Song of 2019," and a nomination by the International Acoustic Music Awards for "Best Bluegrass Song" ("Sally Sunday").

Famous bluegrass artists Larry Sparks, Valerie Smith, and others have recorded his songs. Recently, the gospel songs recorded by Sparks "Don't Take Your Eyes Off of Jesus" and "All Over Me" have charted on Bluegrass Today. Daniel's "He'll Change Your Life" charted on the Gospel Bluegrass Today Charts in 2021.

His first two albums were original gospel songs. "I recorded two full gospel projects first because I felt that was my strongest material," Daniel says. His next album was secular material, and his fourth album was a mixture of secular and gospel songs. Donna produced all four of the albums. Daniel records at Scott Vestal's Digital Underground Recording Studio in Greenbrier, Tennessee. 

Lyrics

Closer Than I’ve Ever Been
Daniel Crabtree

I’ve been traveling on a journey
Through this world, biding time
Praying every road I’ve taken
Leads me to the other side

My race is nearly over
The victory is mine to win
I’m nearer now to Heaven
Closer than I’ve ever been

In this world of sin and sorrow
One more mountain left to climb
With the Lord himself to guide me
I’m gonna leave all my troubles behind

My race is nearly over
The victory is mine to win
I’m nearer now to Heaven
Closer than I’ve ever been

I can see the gates to glory
When I close my eyes to pray
The passage to that great city
My lord has shown me the way

My race is nearly over
The victory is mine to win
I’m nearer now to Heaven
Closer than I’ve ever been



Daniel Crabtree