Ernie Cox's photostream

Just a few years ago, Reverend Ernie Cox—already a well-known musician on Ottawa’s gospel scene—retired from the ministry. He wanted to make his music accessible to everyone, to perform beyond just Sunday mornings—so he put together a band and gospel choir, and headed to Montreal to record this album of blues and gospel numbers, all resting comfortably alongside each other.

It isn’t much of a stretch, really—despite the hardship and heartache, these blues songs often strike a note of hope, just as his gospel numbers speak of a higher hope. But for Ernie, gospel music isn’t really gospel unless that hope is realized in a better, fuller, more meaningful life, today—and that’s the same inclusive, second-chance message he’s always preached. “One More Time” is the musical culmination of his long, storied career.

Cox has previously performed with the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir, opened for Ray Bonneville, and played at the Tulip and Perth Summer Festivals, among others. He also led Ottawa’s Fourth Avenue Baptist Church in the Glebe for many years, and became acclaimed for his preaching and musical gifts. Ernie both sings and plays piano, and has been frequently compared to Ray Charles, Dr. John, and Charles Brown