Wal Spencer came to Narrandera in 2002, with his one man Gospel Drama, "Grunt, and the Miracle of the Nails". Hearing it announced at church, we decided to attend the performance that evening. As Wal began reciting his second poem about the demoniac and the drowning pigs, I was caught up by one of the most thrilling events of Jesus’ life (one of my favourite passages), told in an original, entertaining, and edifying way (did I mention, Ozzie?). It just needed music. Could this be a musical? But who was I to start making musicals out of someone else's hard worked gospel drama? I didn’t even know the man. Quietly, I asked God to take the silly thought out of my mind. By the end of the presentation, I had clearly decided, not to approach Wal, or offer any musical suggestions. As if I had time to write a pile of songs anyway! In the gathering after the show, I looked for my wife (we had been sitting at opposite ends of our five children). She explained that she happened to have met Mrs. Spencer and discussed the possibilities of a musical with her, and that we would meet for supper! Who was I to argue? I saw this as a sign from above. As we met, Wal and Elizabeth explained that in their travels presenting this gospel drama from church to church, people often explained that the story helped them to see that Jesus truly was, and is, for ordinary people, “like you and me...” To test the waters, it was decided that Wal would choose one set of lyrics, I would set them to music, and if we were both happy with the result, we would continue with the transforming of the drama into a musical. Wal returned home to Sydney, and wrote the words to a new song, “Ordinary People”. Needless to say, we liked the song it inspired. At Easter 2004 (coinciding with the release of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ) a group of ordinary people, with ordinary faith, and a willingness to work together, presented Grunt to over two thousand people, young and old, during eight live performances. It was a resounding success. With the decision in 2005, to re-perform the musical at Easter 2006, and with encouragement from David Maegraith (and Rachel Maegraith), my wife and I felt it would be good to record these songs professionally. This CD is a studio recording to tape with real instruments and vocalists, no computers, no autotune. It was an amazing and blessed experience, the entire recording completed in one packed week. Compliments to Jeff Cripps at A sharp studio for his engineering mixing and co-production, and to a group of at least 20 talented musicians and singers. The songs really came alive for this recording. Joe Romeo 14-1-06 For more information, visit www.gruntthemusical.com .