Darst’s Song Emerges As Best In Song Of Faith Contest

It’s been a long musical row to hoe for David Darst of Chandler. Poised to take on a country music career 20 years ago, Darst said “God interrupted my plans, and called me to preach.”

But perhaps those plans for the son — and grandson — of a preacher man have been restored a bit. Darst was overwhelmingly chosen on Friday as composer of the “Best Song” for the 2009 Song of Faith contest run by the Tyler Morning Telegraph’s Religion section.

Song of Faith 2009 winner David Darst (center) shakes hands with Tyler Morning Telegraph Managing Editor Dave Berry while being presented the plaque for winning the Song of Faith contest at the Tyler Morning Telegraph on Friday. Tyler Morning Telegraph CFO Thomas Clyde looks on.
Darst’s song, “When You Can’t Get To Him,” was chosen as the top pick by seven of eight judges who enthusiastically received the country style ear-pleaser, cutting across preferential genre lines.

“The sky was black as midnight, as they strained against the oars,”the song goes.

“As the wind waged war against them, they fought to reach the shore.”

“It’s just great story-telling” said judge Jim Fielder, formerly of legendary Gold record winning Blood, Sweat & Tears. “You can just see men pulling at the oars in the middle of a storm. It’s the kind of story-telling absent in so much of Christian music today.”