Songs That Make You Smile

Deborah Malena & Garth Phillipsen

Smile! You are about to partake in a "Hot Dish" of nostalgic comfort food for the soul...

Deborah Malena Phillipsen and husband Garth Phillipsen have a mission to keep "Old Hymns and Her's" alive and kicking! Deborah and Garth come from two opposite spectrums in their musical journeys. Deborah was trained classically (but don’t hold that against

Smile! You are about to partake in a "Hot Dish" of nostalgic comfort food for the soul...

Deborah Malena Phillipsen and husband Garth Phillipsen have a mission to keep "Old Hymns and Her's" alive and kicking! Deborah and Garth come from two opposite spectrums in their musical journeys. Deborah was trained classically (but don’t hold that against her) and taught and directed music for many years. Garth started in the Gospel field and ended up making a living in the secular arena. He has played guitar for many country greats including Cliffie Stone, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Tex Williams and Stuart Hamblen.

Together the opera singer and the hillbilly have blended their talents together to make music like no other. The message is of grace and truth, the style is unique, mellow and sometimes downright quirky. You can hear the many influences that Debbie grew up with in her writings. i.e. Bossa nova, southern gospel, 60s folk, 70s rock and even Tin Pan Alley sounds of the 20s and 30s.

They come together in a hot dish (Deb has midwest roots) of nostalgic comfort food for the soul. We call it....Ta Dah! Pacific Gospel!!!

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Psalm Sundae

Deborah Malena & Garth Phillipsen

If you're a "Boomer", enjoy a walk down memory lane. If you're younger, dig the retro. Enjoy this tasty collection of songs (old hymns and her's) based on the Psalms & sprinkled with the the sounds reminiscent of the Carpenters, Johnny Cash & Elvis.

Psalm Sundae (Old Hymns and Hers) is another wild and crazy project of the Hillbilly and

If you're a "Boomer", enjoy a walk down memory lane. If you're younger, dig the retro. Enjoy this tasty collection of songs (old hymns and her's) based on the Psalms & sprinkled with the the sounds reminiscent of the Carpenters, Johnny Cash & Elvis.

Psalm Sundae (Old Hymns and Hers) is another wild and crazy project of the Hillbilly and the Opera Singer! Garth, an experienced former nightclub performer and Deborah a classically trained musician pair together for once again another adventure in making an album. (They are also married and spend an awful lot of time together). Garth plays guitar in whatever style is needed, but is a master of "Travis" picking. He also has an amazing vocal range. He sings alto to bass. You can hear him shine as he sings a low E flat below low C at the end of Precious Lord, number 7 and a DOUBLE LOW C at the end of You Hold Me and You Rock Me number 4. Deborah plays bass, keys, claps and snaps and plays Musical Saw on Mansion over the Hilltop, number 5. Vocally she has been compared to the mellow sound of Karen Carpenter. They are joined by Chet McCrackem of the a Doobie Brothers, engineering, "percussioning" and joint producing. Tom Tally on Viola and Micah McConnaughy on Euphonium add the frosting on the cake. The writings of Deborah are interspersed with some old time favorite hymns and songs. Why even Garth wrote a song for this album. It is a beautiful guitar solo, Angel's Lullaby. The messages of the Psalms are presented in a comfortable yet meaningful way filled with light and hope. It's hard to define their sound. One minute you are listening to a 60's Brazilian Bossa Nova version of Psalm 1 witnessing how to have a happy life on earth and the next song "Elvis" is singing about the glory train taking him to his heavenly home AND before you know it, Andy and Barney are singing on the back porch. You just need to sit back and let the sounds and words fill you with peace and fun.
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Old Hymns and Hers

Deborah Malena & Garth Phillipsen

Remember when music of faith was just that? Here again are those simple truths put to music that is comforting to your soul. Deborah’s music along with traditional hymns will bring you back to the innocence of your youth, sitting in church with your folks

*About Old Hymns and Hers Old Hymns and Hers is a collection of traditional hymns and some of

Remember when music of faith was just that? Here again are those simple truths put to music that is comforting to your soul. Deborah’s music along with traditional hymns will bring you back to the innocence of your youth, sitting in church with your folks

*About Old Hymns and Hers Old Hymns and Hers is a collection of traditional hymns and some of Deborah’s songs of hope and praise. The overall feeling of the album is one of nostalgia and comfort. Deborah’s songs range is style from folk to dixieland to old time gospel and beyond. Garth joins her as a vocalist and fingerstyle guitar talents that are second to none. Together Deborah and Garth have a magic mix that continues to surprise and delight the listener with many different styles and traditional sounds. From high heavenly floating melodies to rich bass singing, enjoyment abounds. You never know what to expect next whether it’s Deborah’s musical saw, Garth’s Meryl Travis style pickin’ or a dixieland horn band featuring Micah McConnaughy one of the rising stars in the brass scene. Tom Tally’s viola and vioin talents never cease to amaze.

With some of the best musicians in town this album is one that will surely become one of your favorite gospel albums. World Renowned Herb Pedersen, John Hobbs, J.D. Manness, Chet McCracken, Chris Pinnick, are just a few of the amazing musicians who helped make this album what it is. Cliffie Stone, Ray Ruff and Brian Friedman had their hand in the producing end as well as the artists themselves.

*A Few Words From Deborah I love to “sing a new song”, but I never want to forget the hymns of my youth that nurtured me and now fill my spirit with warm sweet memories. It brings to mind a true story of a prisoner of war in isolation who kept his sanity and hope alive by singing and resinging every hymn he learned in church and sunday school.

Where did all these hymns come from? Who wrote them? From the pens of slave traders, pastors, housewives and even clowns come some of the most beautiful and meaningful songs of faith.

To quote a famous man,(my dad) “The Lord works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.” I believe that the Good Lord speaks to those He chooses to write his messages in song. The chosen are not always the most pure or “religious”, but come from all walks of life.
(p.s. A clown wrote, “When They Ring Those Golden Bells” track 7)

Love you all. Deborah Soli Deo Gloria

*A Few Words about Deborah and Garth Deborah Malena, a southern California native has been a professional musician and singer most of her life. Once a teacher, she has done studio work, and has performed all over the world. She was the music director at a church in the San Fernando valley for many years. Deborah worked with country hall of fame member, Cliffie Stone and producer, Ray Ruff. She has sung on two of Pat Boone albums. Deborah plays bass, keyboards and musical saw. She began writing gospel songs about 10 years ago. Deborah has four sons Matthew, Joel, Micah and Benjamin, two dogs and a great husband, Garth, who is also her guitarist. Garth Phillipsen, born in Oregon, raised in southern California, and Alaska also made his living in the music field. As a young man, he performed with a gospel trio in California, then with his father performing and ministering to the native Alaskans for the Salvation Army. He then played in nightclubs, restaurants and Las Vegas. He too worked with Cliffie Stone and Ray Ruff. Garth had the opportunity to perform with many great musicians, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Stuart Hamblin, Tex Williams, the original champagne lady, Roberta Lynn and Molly Bee to name a few. Together, Deborah and Garth have a music ministry and a burning desire to spread God’s word. As a songwriter, Deborah writes in many different styles. Most of the songs the Lord gives her are filled with hope and peace. Enjoy, be filled and spread the Good News...

www.deborahmalena.com

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You Are My Rock

Deborah Malena

A cross of acoustic and traditional gospel sounds.

Deborah Malena is a multi-faceted entertainer. She is at home in the secular, Scandinavian as well as sacred forums. Deborah, a southern California native has enjoyed performing and working with many of the great musicians of our time. She composes, sings, plays bass, piano, musical saw and

A cross of acoustic and traditional gospel sounds.

Deborah Malena is a multi-faceted entertainer. She is at home in the secular, Scandinavian as well as sacred forums. Deborah, a southern California native has enjoyed performing and working with many of the great musicians of our time. She composes, sings, plays bass, piano, musical saw and whatever you may need. Joined by her husband Garth Phillipsen on the guitar they make “beautiful music together”. Deborah Malena, a southern California native has been a professional musician and singer most of her life. Once a teacher, she has done studio work, and has performed all over the world. She was the music director at a church in the San Fernando valley for many years. Deborah worked with country hall of fame member, Cliffie Stone and producer, Ray Ruff. She has sung on two of Pat Boone albums. Deborah plays bass, keyboards and musical saw. She began writing gospel songs about 8 years ago. Deborah has four sons Matthew, Joel, Micah and Benjamin, two dogs and a great husband, Garth, who is also her guitarist. Garth Phillipsen, born in Oregon, raised in southern California, and Alaska also made his living in the music field. As a young man, he performed with a gospel trio in California, then with his father performing and ministering to the native Alaskans for the Salvation Army. He then played in nightclubs, restaurants and Las Vegas. He too worked with Cliffie Stone and Ray Ruff. Garth had the opportunity to perform with many great musicians, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Stuart Hamblin, Tex Williams, the original champagne lady, Roberta Lynn and Molly Bee to name a few. Together, Deborah and Garth have a music ministry and a burning desire to spread God’s word. As a songwriter, Deborah writes in many different styles. Most of the songs the Lord gives her are filled with hope and peace. Enjoy, be filled and spread the Good News...

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Can You Hear Me Now?

Deborah Malena

An earthy acoustic blend of music with a message of hope and grace.

Deborah Malena, a southern California native has been a professional musician and singer most of her life. Currently, she is involved in studio work, live concerts, and has performed all over the world. Deborah worked with country hall of fame member, Cliffie Stone and producer,

An earthy acoustic blend of music with a message of hope and grace.

Deborah Malena, a southern California native has been a professional musician and singer most of her life. Currently, she is involved in studio work, live concerts, and has performed all over the world. Deborah worked with country hall of fame member, Cliffie Stone and producer, Ray Ruff. She has sung on two of Pat Boones' albums. Deborah plays bass, keyboards and musical saw. She has four sons, two dogs and a great husband, Garth, who is also her guitarist.

During the struggles and storms of living in the world, she has been blessed with a powerful faith. Her musical witness communicates God’s amazing truths filled with grace and peace.

Deborah as a song writer has discovered that the Lord really does choose the most unsuspecting, unworthy,and least likely of His children to spread His message. She found that through the struggles of her own personal life, God was whispering messages of hope. She started writing down the words that God was speaking to her and the words became songs and the songs became messages

Through the songs that she has written, she has been able to pass on the hope to all who are hurting. Knowing that music is a universal language, God has used Deborah and her music to speak to those who perhaps would not otherwise listen Through her testimony and performance, she is a witness and a living example of one who still struggles with daily living, but knows without question that God is carrying her through it all.

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Deborah and Garth Podcast

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