It is No Secret
Encyclopedia
It Is No Secret is a Southern Gospel
song composed by Stuart Carl Hamblen
in the 1950s.
A version was also recorded by Jo Stafford
for her 1954 album Garden of Prayer
.
was Steve Sholes
.
he began to lose favor with Hollywood. He was ultimately fired by the radio station when he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor. Hard times were upon him. During his struggle, John Wayne
took him aside and told him all your troubles started when you 'got religion' and asked if it was worth it all. Hamblen answered simply, "Yes". Then he said, "You liked your booze so much. Don't you ever miss it?" And the answer was, "No". John then said, "I don't understand how you could give it up so easily.' And Hamblen response was, 'It's no big secret. All things are possible with God.' To this John said, 'That's a catchy phrase. You should write a song about it.'"
Certain details of the above account, including the misspelling of Hamblen's name, are contested.
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
song composed by Stuart Carl Hamblen
Stuart Hamblen
Stuart Hamblen , born Stuart Carl Hamblen, was one of American radio's first singing cowboys in 1926, and later became a Christian songwriter, temperance supporter and recurring candidate for political office....
in the 1950s.
A version was also recorded by Jo Stafford
Jo Stafford
Jo Elizabeth Stafford was an American singer of traditional pop music and jazz standards and occasional actress whose career ran from the late 1930s to the early 1960s...
for her 1954 album Garden of Prayer
Garden of Prayer
Garden of Prayer is a 1954 album of songs recorded by American singer Jo Stafford. Each of the eight tracks on this album has a religious or inspirational theme...
.
The Elvis Presley version
Presley recorded his version in Radio Recorders Studio 1, Hollywood, on January 19, 1957. It was released on Elvis Christmas Album (RCA Victor LOC 1035) in November 1957. The producerRecord producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
was Steve Sholes
Stephen H. Sholes
Stephen H. Sholes was a prominent recording executive with RCA Victor.-Career:He was born Stephen Henry Sholes, in Washington, D.C.. His family moved to Camden, New Jersey, where his father worked in the RCA Victor plant. Sholes started work at RCA Victor as a messenger boy in 1929...
.
Legend circulated via e-mail
"When Hamblin quit drinking thanks to Billy GrahamBilly Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
he began to lose favor with Hollywood. He was ultimately fired by the radio station when he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor. Hard times were upon him. During his struggle, John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
took him aside and told him all your troubles started when you 'got religion' and asked if it was worth it all. Hamblen answered simply, "Yes". Then he said, "You liked your booze so much. Don't you ever miss it?" And the answer was, "No". John then said, "I don't understand how you could give it up so easily.' And Hamblen response was, 'It's no big secret. All things are possible with God.' To this John said, 'That's a catchy phrase. You should write a song about it.'"
Certain details of the above account, including the misspelling of Hamblen's name, are contested.