Norman Lee Schaffer

Album Review: By Christian Music News

Norman Lee Schaffer’s "One More Sinner Saved" is more than just an album—it is a masterfully crafted musical journey that tells a compelling story of faith, redemption, perseverance, and bold living for Christ. Produced by Schaffer and Trace Collins, this album is a shining example of Christian Country music at its finest, blending deep gospel messages with heartfelt country storytelling. Every song is woven together seamlessly, creating a narrative that flows effortlessly from one track to the next. With Ronny Cates on electric, acoustic, and bass guitar, Trace Collins handling programming, arrangement, and keyboards, and Eirinn Abu adding soulful saxophone melodies, the album benefits from a polished yet organic sound. Recorded at Blue Camel Studios in Belleview, FL, mixed by Ronny Cates in Atlanta, GA, and mastered by Joe Causey at Voyager Mastering in Baton Rouge, LA, "One More Sinner Saved" is an exceptional project that is both musically engaging and spiritually powerful.

About Norman Lee Schaffer

Schaffer, a veteran entertainer who has shared the stage with legends such as Johnny Cash, George Jones, Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn, and Willie Nelson, blends his love for country music with an unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel. As the pastor and founder of The Garden Worship Center in Belleview, FL, Schaffer has spent the past 15 years building a ministry that brings the Bible to life on 55 acres, serving his community near The Villages, the world’s largest retirement community. His passion for both music and ministry shines through in "One More Sinner Saved," making it not just an album, but a powerful testament to his life’s work in faith and music.

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Track-by-Track Breakdown

One More Sinner Saved

The album opens with a high-energy anthem of salvation, setting the stage for the transformative journey ahead. This is a truly HOT TRACK, featuring an electrifying mix of banjo, fiddle, steel guitar, and dobro, giving it a rich, authentic country feel. The song takes things up another notch with a bridge that double-times, showcasing blazing hot instrumental licks from mandolin, fiddle, and banjo. The instrumental breakdown is a showstopper, bringing an exhilarating burst of energy that makes this track an undeniable standout on the album. With powerful acoustic-driven instrumentation and a commanding vocal performance, the song declares the life-changing impact of God’s grace. Inspired by 1 Timothy 1:15, the lyrics celebrate salvation and newfound faith, making it an instant classic. This track establishes the album’s central theme, the undeniable power of redemption.

Rest A While With You

After the exhilaration of salvation, this song slows things down, offering a moment of rest and peace. The track opens with a classic country piano kickoff, featuring a Floyd Cramer-style flare that immediately sets a nostalgic yet comforting tone. This distinctively country piano intro adds warmth and authenticity, drawing the listener in before the soothing arrangement unfolds. Built on Matthew 11:28, the song’s soothing arrangement reflects the deep comfort found in God’s presence. Trace Collins’ elegant piano work and Schaffer’s heartfelt delivery create an atmosphere of worship, reinforcing the idea that after salvation comes intimacy with Christ.

Me And Jesus Gonna Get It Done

This is another HOT TRACK that kicks off with a unique blend of electric guitar, piano, and a screaming saxophone, laying down a groove so infectious that Elvis Presley himself could dance and sing to it. Adding to the vintage feel, the vocals are expertly produced with a classic echo effect, enhancing the song's nostalgic yet electrifying energy. Transitioning into an upbeat country-gospel number, this song reminds listeners that faith is meant to be active. Ronny Cates’ expert guitar work drives the rhythm, supporting lyrics based on Galatians 6:2, which encourage believers to live out their faith by helping others. The album’s story moves from personal salvation to faith in action, reinforcing the idea that a life transformed by Christ must also be lived in service.

Everything You Do

This song takes a moment to marvel at God’s creation, drawing from Romans 1:20 to emphasize His divine presence in nature. It carries a distinct swampy feel, kicking off with a lively mix of dobro, banjo, and fiddle that immediately sets an engaging tone. Even as a mid-tempo track, the instrumentation makes it feel dynamic and exciting, pulling the listener into its rich, organic soundscape. With a laid-back country groove driven by dobro, banjo, and fiddle, the track is both worshipful and immersive. The seamless transition from faith in action to worship through appreciation of God’s handiwork keeps the album’s story flowing.

You Are My Jesus

At the heart of the album lies this intimate worship ballad, reaffirming Christ’s identity as Savior and King. The song opens with a unique blend of cello and dobro, creating a rich and soulful introduction that sets the tone for this deeply reverent track. The contrast between the classical warmth of the cello and the earthy resonance of the dobro adds a distinctive texture to the arrangement, making it a standout moment on the album. Rooted in Romans 10:9-10, the song’s lyrics magnify the many attributes of Jesus, solidifying the faith journey’s foundation. The layered harmonies and Schaffer’s moving vocal delivery create a deeply reverent moment, making it one of the album’s standout tracks.

Keep On Walking

From worship, the album transitions into perseverance, reinforcing the idea that faith must endure challenges. This track carries a swampy feel but also introduces a funky, bouncy atmosphere that drives with such power and depth, it cuts a groove so wide, a Mack truck could drive through it. Ronny Cates lays down both exceptional guitar work and a deep, funky bass groove that anchors the song’s infectious rhythm. The choir-style background vocals add an almost ethereal edge, creating a rich and immersive sonic experience. Keep On Walking, inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:7, is a song of encouragement, urging listeners to press on in their walk with Christ.

Show Me The Way

As the journey continues, this song shifts to a plea for divine guidance. The track features a beautifully layered 12-string guitar blended with other organic instruments, creating a rich and textured sound. The unique melodic choices give it a distinct quality that almost evokes a classic CCM feel, adding a timeless and deeply engaging element to the song. Based on Psalm 25:4-5, the lyrics express the desire to stay on the right path. The emotionally charged vocal performance and uplifting instrumental arrangement make this track a powerful prayer in song form.

Less Of Me

A defining moment on the album, Less Of Me captures the essence of Christian humility, inspired by John 3:30. The song kicks off with a lively fiddle and dobro intro that immediately transports the listener to a country gathering, where a barn full of lights and a hardwood floor set the stage for an upbeat line dance. This spirited opening contrasts beautifully with the song’s deeper message of surrender, creating a dynamic and memorable listening experience. With minimalist instrumentation that allows the lyrics to shine, Schaffer delivers an authentic and raw performance that calls for selflessness and total surrender to Christ. The album’s narrative shifts from perseverance to deep, personal transformation.

Waiting On You

A slow and deeply moving track, Waiting On You shifts the album into a more orchestral space, setting it apart from the other songs. Based on John 14:1-3, the lyrics reflect on faith, loss, and the anticipation of reuniting with Christ. The introduction features a delicate piano melody accompanied by a fully orchestrated string arrangement, creating an atmosphere that is both tender and cinematic. The sweeping instrumentation enhances the emotional depth of the song, making it a standout moment of reflection. The gradual build throughout the track allows the listener to be fully immersed in its heartfelt message, reinforcing themes of patience, trust, and divine timing.

Represent The King

The album’s closing track is a powerful anthem of faith, urging believers to represent Christ in their daily lives. The song begins with a single piano note repeated eight times, creating a moment of quiet anticipation before the vocals enter. As the song unfolds, the instrumentation intensifies, mirroring the growing conviction to live boldly for Christ. The lyrics emphasize the believer’s responsibility to share Christ’s message and reflect His light. The song’s dynamic arrangement propels the listener forward, reinforcing the urgency of sharing the gospel. Represent The King serves as a triumphant and emotional conclusion to the album, leaving listeners inspired to carry out their faith with boldness. Based on 2 Corinthians 5:20, the song reminds listeners that their transformed lives must reflect Christ. The strong orchestral arrangement, driving beat, and Schaffer’s commanding vocal performance make this the perfect ending to an album that tells a complete story—from salvation to action, from struggle to victory.

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Final Thoughts

With "One More Sinner Saved," Norman Lee Schaffer has delivered a career-defining album that seamlessly blends a variety of musical styles, from high-energy country and gospel influences to orchestral depth and intimate worship. The diverse instrumentation, from energetic country rhythms to soaring orchestral arrangements, enhances the album’s depth while maintaining its heartfelt message. Each track contributes to an overarching narrative that guides the listener through a journey of salvation, perseverance, worship, and ultimate victory in Christ. The album’s seamless progression—from vibrant country anthems to deeply reflective orchestral moments—ensures an engaging and emotionally stirring experience.

The production is exceptional, with Norman Lee Schaffer and Trace Collins at the helm, ensuring every song is crafted with precision and heart. Ronny Cates also brings a masterful touch to the album’s intricate layers of sound, particularly through his dynamic guitar and bass work. Whether through the high-energy instrumental runs, soulful string arrangements, or carefully placed harmonies, every detail is finely tuned to enhance the emotional and spiritual impact of each song. The balance of celebratory anthems, heartfelt worship, and deeply introspective ballads ensures a rich listening experience that inspires, uplifts, and challenges listeners to live out their faith boldly.

Norman Lee Schaffer, with his deep roots in country music and ministry, has crafted an album that resonates both musically and spiritually. His ability to write, perform, and minister through song is fully realized in "One More Sinner Saved," making it a standout release in Christian Country music.

This is more than just an album—it’s a powerful testimony set to music, where each instrumental choice enhances the storytelling, drawing listeners into its journey of faith. The dynamic shifts in arrangement, from upbeat, celebratory moments to sweeping cinematic compositions, reinforce the album’s spiritual depth and message of transformation. Masterfully written, produced, and performed, it stands as an undeniable statement of faith and artistic excellence.

Reviewed by Top Christian Music News on March 7, 2025.

For the last 15 years Norman has been the Pastor of the The Garden Worship Center in Florida, a church that he planted. Check out my earlier reviews to read about some of the innovative ways that Norman has looked to do church in that location. Alongside this full-time day job, Norman has found the time to write and record 10 Christian albums. He has even co-produced some of them, including this latest release “One More Sinner Saved”. This album features 10 original songs which tell of his passion for Jesus and the saving message that he wants to communicate to people around the world.

The album opens with the upbeat title track for this album where Norman shares the difference that Jesus has made to his life. “One More Sinner Saved” has a rock-country feel which bounces along nicely. The testimony of this song is positive and strong, but it’s definitely the music that makes it memorable as there is a middle section of instrumental that just goes a little mad in a very country way with fiddles and guitars.

Things calm down a little for the beginning of “Rest A While With You”. It certainly feels more relaxing from the opening few seconds. While the Christian life is wonderful, it can also be really hard, so we trust in God to see us through and that’s what this second track is all about. When we get to the other side of our life’s journey we can look forward to resting a while in God’s presence.

There is another change of pace and style for “Me and Jesus Gonna Get It Done” which opens with quite an upbeat and sax infused intro. We are meant to be Jesus’ hands and feet in our communities, so this is a practical offer of help to those who are hurting and at the end of themselves. We can offer practical help and we can bring them into the presence of Jesus as well through our prayer and encouragement. This song has a very catchy chorus which encourages those who are struggling to hold on, and that help will be on the way.

If you didn’t think that this album could get any more country, then you were wrong. As Norman moves into “I Love Everything You Do”. This opens with a banjo sound before the fiddles and then the vocals with even more of a southern drawl added for good effect. This is all about the wonders of creation that we take for granted but realizing that God is behind it all. This is a song of praise and awe about creation and, more importantly, the creator.

The next song focuses on the person of Jesus and includes many of the names of Jesus and it reminds me a little of a toned-down version of the famous “That’s My King” preach from Dr S M Lockridge. This is a beautiful worship song to whom Jesus is and what He came to do, and it’s called “You Are My Jesus”.

As Christians we talk about our faith-life as a journey, or a walk, and this is what Norman uses as a practical example in his song “Keep On Walking”. This song acts as a prayer for our lives because we know we will end up in some times where life is tough. In those moments we know God is with us, but we can ask Him to take our hand and help us continue to move forward, even though we are tired we don’t get defeated, and we don’t give up.

We continue with the idea of the walk and asking Jesus to “Show Me The Way” in the next song.

This is all about seeing Jesus' example and applying it to our lives everyday as we literally follow Jesus.

A few reviews ago I reviewed an album called Valley of Salt which is a rock-opera written about John the Baptist. We don’t know many of his words in the Gospels, but we do know he told his disciples that Jesus must increase, and he must decrease. “Less of Me” is a worship song that is the natural outworking of the last song. As we follow Jesus we will look at people around us and love them more, this will lead to us wanting to share the gospel with them, we want these people to see more of Him as we are His hands and feet to the world around us.

Some of the hardest times many of us have to walk through is undoubtedly when a loved-one dies, particularly when it is a Father or Mother. “Waiting on You” is about how we cope in the immediate aftermath of an event like this. We have the feelings of a young man experiencing his Father’s passing, and then as a man who is informed of his Mother’s passing. His reaction is to draw close to Jesus on his knees as he feels alone. This song’s narrative jumps to facing his own death and Jesus reveals that instead of us waiting on Him, He’s been waiting on us to join Him.

This thinking about the end of life is also present in the last song, but now he’s taking stock of the things that are past and asking, did I “Represent the King”. The point of us being born-again, and being saved isn’t just for us to get into Heaven. The Christian life isn’t about just us being OK, but we are meant to love the way that Jesus did, we are meant to speak and show Him in all we do. This is a challenge for all of us because we know that we can do more, we can speak up more for our faith and tell people about what Jesus has done for us.

This is a solid 10-track album which has moments of comfort, moments of challenge and lots of encouragement to keep on walking the path, following Jesus every step of the way. If you love country music then this will be right up your street because Norman uses lots of different types with strong, clear instrumentation, lots of steel guitar and fiddles too. If you like lyric videos then you can find all of these available on youtube – although I’m not sure what animated farm animals have to do with “Less of Me”! You don’t really need lyric videos to follow the songs themselves as they are nice and clear and they never get too complicated.

This whole album is centered around the idea of our faith being practical for us in our walk and how we follow Jesus, even in those moments of greatest loss, but also to our community, showing them love, coming alongside people in their hardships and being Jesus to them and representing our savior in this world.

It’s a nice clear message, and one we need more of.