With Amanda Hagel
Amanda is a Saskatoon-based country/gospel artist who also has a passion for personal fitness. Here are five songs she considers favourites. /Gregory Beatty
“Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)”
Amy Grant | Home For Christmas (1992)
This is one of my favourite songs to listen to over the Christmas season. The melody and lyrics are so captivating and beautiful. To me, it captures the true essence and spirit of the season! I’ve always enjoyed performing this song so I included my own rendition on my 2016 Listen With Your Heart Christmas album.
“I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Martina McBride | Eleven (2011)
This is a perfect example of a Martina song that speaks to the heart and delivers a powerful and inspiring message. I’ve had the privilege of performing this song on numerous occasions over the years and have had people in the audience approach me after with an emotional thank you and explanation about how much that song means to them.
“The House That Built Me”
Miranda Lambert | Revolution (2010)
If there was ever a song I could say is about me and my life, this would be the one! The first time I heard it, I was in tears and even today, each time I hear it, I feel it deeply. The lyrics take me back to my childhood growing up on the Hagel family farm near Lancer.
“Coat of Many Colors”
Dolly Parton | Coat of Many Colors (1971)
Dolly Parton is one of the greatest songwriters of all time and this is one of her best! Its message speaks to the heart of what’s really important in life. This fall, I released a compilation album called Collection of Covers Vol.1 which featured 10 cover songs I’ve remade and released over the last three summers. My rendition of “Coat of Many Colors” is the final song and two of my sisters performed it with me.
“Suds in the Bucket”
Sara Evans | Restless (2003)
Sara Evans has had great musical influence on me as an artist and it was hard to pick just one song of hers! The vibe and energy of this song is infectious. If we need a song to get the dance floor rocking, we choose this one! Any time I need to bring the country girl out in me, I crank this up!
