The Singing Contractors on Sharing Their Faith Through Song

Guideposts Video: Inspiring True Stories

[singing] Well, I’m workin’ on a building.
Yes, I’m workin’ on a building.
It’s a true foundation.
Yes, it’s a true foundation.
I’m holdin’ up the blood-stained banner for my Lord.

Aaron: I’m Aaron Gray.

Josh: And my name is Josh Arnett. And we are the Singing Contractors.

Aaron: Well, I grew up singing gospel music with my family in church camps and revivals, and we was kind of drug all over the country singing, you know, with my brothers and sisters. And then I grew up doing construction with my dad and my brother. And so both have been a major part of my life.

Josh: Yeah, I would say my background is similar as his. And so, what better way, when you are working on a job, to sing? And we got the opportunity to do that, and it’s kind of stuck with us.

Aaron: I had received a message on my personal messenger. A guy said, “Hey, would you guys seen How Great Thou Art?” We was on a full basement remodel, and we sang How Great Thou Art in that basement.

Josh: And within 32 hours since posting it, it hit a million views. And we were like—we were flipping out. We didn’t know what to do. But it’s amazing what a simple song of encouragement can do and how far that can spread.

Actually, we’re workers by day and singers by night.

Aaron: Yeah.

Josh: Yeah, we’re really excited about the album. I mean, it’s an album plus a DVD, also. It’s a combo called Working on a Building. And we have a lot of favorite songs that we like on there.

It was an incredible opportunity to make this album. Not only do you hear a capella songs, you’ll hear a little bit of acoustic. But then we have a live band with us as well. And so the combination of all—and the whole site makes us feel more comfortable because the stage setting is tools and sawhorses and stuff like that.

Aaron: Construction. [chuckles]

Josh: We felt right at home.

Aaron: Yeah. We feel like our purpose for doing this album is to encourage people and somehow, some way show Jesus through these songs. A message of hope—that’s what we’re all about is just sharing encouragement.

These songs always encourage us as well. And a lot of the songs that we picked to put on this project were songs that encourage us, you know.

Josh: Yeah.

Aaron: And we hope they do the same for others.

Josh: This song is called Working on a Building. And the reason we like this is it describes what we do actually on the job, but also working on ourselves. You know what I’m saying?

Aaron: Well, we’re…

Josh: We’re working for His kingdom.

Aaron: We’re doing it for Him, you know.

Josh: That’s right. So let’s sing this song.

Aaron: All right.

[singing] Well, I’m workin’ on a building.
Yes, I’m workin’ on a building.
It’s a true foundation.
Yes, it’s a true foundation.
I’m holdin’ up the blood-stained banner for my Lord.
Well, I never get tired, tired, tired
Workin’ on a building.
Yes, I’m workin’ on a building.
I’m goin’ up to Heaven,
A-goin’ up to Heaven,
Gettin’ my reward, my reward.
I’m goin’ up to Heaven,
A-goin’ up to Heaven,
Gettin’ my reward.

Aaron: All right, this song is actually what started our journey. And it’s just called How Great Thou Art. And it’s just singing how great our God is.

Josh: Mm-hmm. [hums]

Aaron: You got that key ready?

[singing] Then sings my soul,
My Savior, God, to Thee,
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul,
My Savior, God, to Thee,
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art.