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David Crabtree
David currently is the prime anchorman
on WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has received 10 Emmys;
was named NC Journalist of the Year four consecutive years by the Radio
and Television News Directors Association of the Carolinas; and
recipient of the Gabriel
Award. |
"If Only"
One Christmas, years ago,
young Nashville broadcaster David Crabtree heard noted
newscaster Paul Harvey read a remarkable story on one of his radio
programs. It added a twist to the usual sort of Christmas story that
had been told for hundreds of years, and in a way that David thought
ought to be heard by a wider audience. In 1984 he enlisted the
assistance of record producer Gary S. Paxton and arranger Don Hart
to record the dramatic reading with a fully orchestrated backing. A
limited number of 45 rpm records were pressed and “If Only” began to
get attention around Nashville. A copy soon found its way to David’s
friend Brian Mason, who has featured the recording on his Christian
radio program each year since, always gaining a warm and
enthusiastic reception from Brian’s audience. |
|
 David
recently observed that, "If we try to evangelize in a way that
turns people off,
they will never hear it. ['If
Only'] is such a simple story, but still carries the only message of
hope."
"Every year, I am amazed at the listeners' response to 'If Only,'"
says Brian Mason. "I believe we've managed to complicate the
message of Jesus coming to this world. But because 'If Only' tells
the tale in such a descriptive, straight- forward way, its
accessibility simply draws us in - Just as it did to David back in
1984." |
