“Applause,” the first single from the Talley Trio’s Stories and Songs project, is making a strong showing as it debuts on Southern Gospel radio. SouthernGospelBlog.com posted an interview today with “Applause” co-writers Lee Black and Ben Storie.

A highlight from Ben:

My wife and I used to be big fans of Extreme Home Makeover. We’d record it on Sunday nights and watch it after church. I don’t even know how many times we’d both break down and cry hearing these folks who had come through such adversity as they told their stories. Then the Extreme crew would come in and build them a mansion far beyond what they could have ever imagined. And the best part is the big reveal. The family drives up (in a limousine, no less) and are received by this huge crowd of people who are wildly cheering and holding up “welcome home” signs. They’re excited because they have already seen the house. They know what’s in store for these precious people who have been through so much loss, so much hurt, so much tragedy.

Isn’t that picture a shadow of what’s to come when we enter into eternity? The heartache will be behind us. The tears will by long dried. Our faith is no longer needed. Because we are finally seeing heaven. Finally strolling on golden pavement. Finally beholding Jesus. And there’s an multitude who have gone before us. And they’re beside themselves to welcome us home… with deafening applause.

How could I not write that song?

And from Lee:

I LOVE what they did with this song. I hope it ministers to a lot of people. I hope it comforts people who have lost loved ones. I hope it challenges people to live lives worthy of hearing “Well done…” when they finally see Jesus face to face.

The full interview is here. Stories and Songs is available now; the Crossroads Soundtrack Series version arrives next month.