This Motor City Hymns collection features performances and production by Nick Smalls and his talented musical collaborators. Recorded over 2025, these takes on original works by hymnwriter Carl Thomas Gladstone are designed to help your faith community sing beloved community, joy, and justice into the world.

Proceeds from sales of this album support Immigration, Law & Justice - Network in their work to bring peace and hospitality to the increasingly militarized immigration system in the United States.

Credits

Nicholas Smalls - Vocals, Bass, Piano

Aiden Smalls - Guitar, Vocals

Ethan Ashoo - Audio Lead, Percussion Lead

Hannah Akerley - Art and Visuals Lead

WORDS AND MUSIC CARL THOMAS GLADSTONE (ASCAP)
© 2025 CARL THOMAS GLADSTONE (ADMIN BY SONGTRUST.COM)

Except “Maker In Whom We Live”
WORDS Charles Wesley
MUSIC CARL THOMAS GLADSTONE (ASCAP)
© 1999 CARL THOMAS GLADSTONE (ADMIN BY SONGTRUST.COM)

Debut album of original worship and faith-inspired music from Motor City Wesley students and friends. Proceeds from sales of this album go to support clean water efforts globally.

Become a patron of Motor City Wesley to receive chord charts, behind the scenes interviews and more: patreon.com/motorcitywesley

credits

released May 31, 2018

SONGWRITERS:

Wayne State University Students
First Line & Song Theme Suggestions

Sari Brown (saribrown.com)
Our Thin Power, Real World, Upside Down King

Carl Thomas Gladstone (carlthomasgladstone.com)
Lamentation Song, Wisdom Feast

Will Lobb (www.facebook.com/wlobb)
Past Behind


MUSICIANS:

Alyson Barra - Piano, Vocals
Tom Bartelmay - Electric Guitar, Vocals
Sari Brown - Acoustic Guitar, Ukulele, Vocals
Rachael Davis (rachaeldavis.com) - Vocals
Grant Fadden - Percussion
Carl Thomas Gladstone - Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocals
Will Lobb - Acoustic Guitar, Flute, Keys, Rain Stick, Saxophone, Vocals
JJ Stanbury - Bass


RECORDED AT:

United Methodist Communications Studios (www.umcom.org)
with special thanks to Harry Leake, Andrew Jensen and Phil Arnold

Wayne State University Studios (music.wayne.edu)
with special thanks to Jake Halkey


MIXING/MASTERING:

Jake Halkey at Wayne State University Studios

license

Creative Commons, some rights reserved

This collection of new worship songs was recorded live at Vanderbilt Wesley in Nashville, TN. Our vocalists included choir members from French UMC in Detroit. Generous support for Motor City Hymns provided by our patrons at Rochester St. Paul’s UMC.

This album is a benefit for refugee services providers in Metro Detroit.

Download includes mp3s and a songbook with lyrics and chord charts.

WORDS AND MUSIC FOR ORIGINAL SONGS BY CARL THOMAS GLADSTONE (ASCAP)
© 2021 CARL THOMAS GLADSTONE (ADMIN BY SONGTRUST.COM)