Personnel: Charlie McCoy (tin whistle, harmonica, vibraphone); Hoot Hester (acoustic guitar, fiddle); Pat Flynn, Vip Vipperman, Bruce Watkins (acoustic guitar); Jimmy Capps, Bill Hullett, Gregg Galbraith (electric guitar); Russ Hicks, Lloyd Green, Sonny Garrish, Tommy White (steel guitar); Craig Duncan and the Smoky Mountain Band (hammer dulcimer, fiddle); Wanda Vick (mandolin, fiddle); Clayton Ivey, John Hobbs, Hargus "Pig" Robbins (piano); Larry Paxton, Wayne Moss, Craig Nelson (bass instrument).

Audio Mixer: Bil VornDick.

Arranger: Charlie McCoy .

Charlie McCoy is surely among the most iconic and ubiquitous sidemen in all of country music; his harmonica has been heard on a staggering amount of albums by a dizzying range of artists. On CLASSIC COUNTRY HYMNS, though, McCoy's harp shines in a spiritual light. This all-instrumental album finds McCoy tackling songs from country's gospel side, like Hank Williams' "I Saw the Light," as well as classic gospel tunes that have been recorded extensively by country artists. The arrangements are uncluttered, leaving plenty of room for McCoy's big, expressive harmonica tone to do its thing, reaffirming his utter mastery of the instrument.