IndieShark Music News, Reviews & Interviews
High Road’s newest single, “There Is A Rock,” is a stirring reminder of why this Nashville-based ensemble has become one of the most respected groups in Gospel, Country, and Roots music. Featured on their Dove-nominated project Straight From The Heart, the track brings together everything the band does best: rich harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and a musical foundation rooted in faith. Written by Sarah Davison and Kristen Bearfield alongside celebrated songwriter Kenna Turner West, the song feels both timeless and fresh, evoking the comfort of a traditional hymn while wrapped in a modern, country-gospel sound.
URL: https://www.highroadmusic.com/
From the opening line—“This world is shifting sand / Sometimes it’s hard to stand”—listeners are met with honesty and vulnerability. The lyric captures the disorientation so many feel in today’s world, but the group quickly anchors us in reassurance with the refrain: “There is a Rock, a firm foundation / His name is Jesus, the way of Salvation.” High Road’s ability to move seamlessly from lament to hope is not only a testament to their songwriting, but to the lived faith behind the music. Sarah Davison often references Proverbs 3:5-6 as her life verse, and that theme of trusting God through uncertainty runs like a current through this single.
Musically, “There Is A Rock” leans on the rootsy instrumentation that has long been High Road’s trademark. Mandolin and fiddle intertwine with warm piano lines, while the group’s harmonies soar over the chorus like a congregational echo. It’s not just a performance; it’s worship, and one can imagine the song resonating just as deeply in a small-town church service as on the stage of the Dove Awards. Ben Isaacs’ production keeps the sound clean but dynamic, allowing every voice and instrument to shine without overshadowing the message.
The bridge—“Rock of ages, beneath my feet / That’s what He’s always been for me”—is a standout moment, connecting the old hymn tradition with High Road’s contemporary delivery. Here, the repetition feels like both a declaration and a prayer, grounding the song in generational faith. The track concludes with a renewed sense of confidence, leaving the listener not just comforted, but empowered.
What makes this release particularly significant is the season in which it arrives. Following the success of “There’s A River,” which topped both the Singing News Bluegrass Gospel Chart and the Bluegrass Today Gospel Weekly Airplay Chart, “There Is A Rock” feels like a natural next step. It showcases High Road’s ability to balance artistry with ministry, broadening their audience while never losing sight of their calling. With the official music video filmed in scenic Hendersonville, Tennessee, the visuals further underscore the natural beauty and spiritual grounding that the song embodies.
High Road’s journey—from Sarah Davison’s Iowa hometown to Grammy nominations and performances on the Grand Ole Opry—has been marked by steady growth, but also by steadfast conviction. That journey mirrors the message of “There Is A Rock”: even when life feels unsteady, there is always a firm foundation to stand upon. In an era when many songs chase trends, High Road has delivered something far more enduring: a declaration of faith set to music that will outlast passing styles. It’s a song that feels like it has always existed, waiting for the right voices to bring it to life—and High Road is the perfect vessel.
Mark Druery
