“Thankful,” The Larry Stephenson Band’s new CD, hit retail shelves Wednesday on the heels of several favorable advance reviews.

It’s Stephenson’s fourth gospel album and, according to the band leader, a CD that marks a shift in the band’s musical pilgrimage.

“Our fans like our gospel music and I truly enjoy performing them,” Stephenson said. “Our most requested song to this day, after almost two decades together, is a gospel song titled ‘Yes, I See God.’”

The album’s songs all focus on the theme of gratefulness.

“These songs came from everywhere,” Stephenson said. “I co-wrote ‘Everyday Is Mother’s Day’ with Tom T. and Dixie Hall and also co-wrote ‘Open Up The Window (Let The Angels In)’ with Jerry Salley.

Several new writers including Tonya Lowman and Berry Clevenger, have songs on the collection. The Louvin Brothers penned title track “Thankful” features close harmony singing reminiscent of the Louvins.

The album is also a landmark of sorts, marking the first time a female voice has been heard on any of Stephenson’s 16 albums. The voice belongs to acclaimed vocalist Sonya Isaacs. Other notables in the supporting cast are Missy Raines on bass, Dustin Benson (lead and harmony vocals, guitar), Shad Cobb (fiddle and harmony fiddle), Warren Goad (bass vocals), Aaron McDaris (lead and harmony vocals, banjo) and Ben Surratt (harmony vocals).

Stephenson, SPBGMA’s 2008 Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, is being joined by another 2008 SPBGMA honoree as he kicks off a tour promoting the gospel CD. Multi-instrumentalist Josh Williams has joined Stephenson’s band. Williams, SPBGMA’s Guitar Performer of the Year, is playing guitar with the band. He previously was a member of Rhonda Vincent & the Rage and prior to that, played mandolin and fiddle with Special Consensus.