Classic worship songs are finding new life through Old Bear Worship, Vol. 1, a collection that reimagines beloved anthems with fresh arrangements while preserving the timeless truths at their core. Spearheaded by recording engineer, songwriter, and worship leader Eric Matthew, the project brings together a talented group of artists to revisit songs that shaped a generation of believers.
One standout is a beautifully understated rendition of Bill and Gloria Gaither's "There's Something About That Name," featuring Candace Coker's heartfelt vocals alongside lush harmonies, Rhodes piano, subtle loops, and tasteful electric guitar. In this conversation, Eric shares the inspiration behind the project, the personal stories woven into the music, and why giving familiar songs a fresh voice can help listeners hear their message in a whole new way.
Listen to Matthew's version of "There's Something About that Name" here.
Q. Eric, for readers discovering you for the first time, can you tell us about your musical journey-from writing songs with your brother Nate to joining Old Bear Records as a recording engineer?
I grew up writing songs with my brother Nate. I would play piano and he would either sing or play saxophone. We eventually formed a band in college, which really shaped my style of playing and arranging songs. I wanted to come up with parts for each band member that were quirky and eccentric, but that could still be played live in a small coffee shop or bar. After college, I worked in a restaurant until I received a job offer out of the blue from Chris Hoisington of Old Bear Records. He needed an engineer, and I was wrapping up my time at the restaurant at just the right time. This is how I met the wonderful artists that are featured on Old Bear Worship, Vol. 1.
Q. What inspired you to create Old Bear Worship, Vol. 1, and what was your vision for the project?
The inspiration behind Old Bear Worship was that I grew up singing '90s and early-2000s worship songs in church, and I wanted to hear those songs in a more diverse array of styles and genres. My parents used to sing on the worship team and for women's Bible study, and I wanted to make versions of the songs that would be unfamiliar to them-to give each song a different vibe than the original. Hearing a new arrangement of an old song can help listeners hear the words all over again, which I think reinforces the timeless truth of these songs.
Q. Why did you choose "There's Something About That Name" for the album, and what makes the song especially meaningful to you?
I decided to revisit "There's Something About That Name" because Candace asked me to. I'm confident that any song Candace decides to tackle will be a success. On a more sentimental note, my grandpa just passed away recently, and he spent a lot of time at the end of his life listening to the Gaithers. So there's a certain nostalgia there.
Q. What has "There's Something About That Name" meant to you personally, and how did your upbringing influence your interpretation of the song?
I grew up in a church that sang mainly hymns with no instruments. So my family and I always sang a cappella at home for fun as we prepared for Sundays. This song was a favorite of ours. It was the one my siblings and I would randomly break into in public spaces because it's lyrically simple yet profound, and musically gorgeous. It gets me every time.
Q. What was the experience like working with Adam Falco on this arrangement, and what did he bring to the recording?
Being in the studio with Adam Falco is a delight because he's spent time playing a variety of genres on guitar, so he always draws from a deep well when composing parts.
Q. Finally, your faith is clearly central to your life. What has God been teaching you in this season, and how does that shape the music you create?
My faith is everything to me. It is the only element of my life that makes me more sane, more grounded, and more loving toward the people around me. God reminds me every day that life is not centered around me, but that it is meant to be about flourishing communities of deep relationships. So when I'm able to arrange a song that focuses on Jesus, like this Gaither tune, it is a blessing to me.
