Why I Thank You Jesus

About This Song

Original Artist: Phillip Rogers
Songwriters: Donnie McClurkin, Phillip Rogers
Duration: 4:35
Performance Type: Solo Acoustic
Loop Type: Vocal
Equipment: Guild M-20 Acoustic Guitar

Original Song Story:
Cover / Performance Story:
Personal Note: One of my favorite original songs. One of my favorite cowrites as well, even though I never really met the co-writer. Back in the early '90s, I discovered black gospel choirs, and I just fell in love with that style of praise music. This song was written—or the chorus was written—by Donnie McClurkin. Over the years, anytime I was grateful to God about something that had just happened, that chorus would pop into my mind, and I always thought the song needed some verses. I joke and say now that I prayed and asked God to give me a version; he gave me two in the bridge. It's a fictitious story. I never grew up like that; it just came to mind. I know a lot of people who grew up in deeply rooted Pentecostal families that went to camp meetings, so I know the stories. It's a little difficult to set this one up when I perform it because I have to get the chorus belt before the song ever starts, but it works out pretty good for my purposes. I'd love to record this song with a choir someday.