Stephani Ezatoff delivers a powerful interpretation of the traditional African American Gospel hymn “Run On,” approaching the song with deep reverence for its spiritual weight and remarkable history. Inspired by Elvis Presley’s celebrated 1967 rendition, Ezatoff honours that influential version while bringing a distinctive identity to the timeless material. The result is a dramatic and haunting cover that captures the tension between divine love and judgment, allowing the song’s message to unfold with increasing intensity.
Recorded at Nashville’s historic Sound Shop Studio on Music Row, “Run On” carries an added sense of occasion. The studio’s location, just steps away from RCA Studio B, where Elvis recorded his own version, creates a fascinating connection between the two interpretations. Ezatoff worked with producer Brian Speer and an experienced team of musicians and engineers, while Aaron Minick crafted an arrangement that gives the traditional hymn a cinematic sense of scale. Every element is carefully placed to complement the song’s powerful subject matter and enduring Gospel roots.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Ezatoff’s version is her decision to perform every vocal part herself. In keeping with the song’s traditional call-and-response structure, her lead vocal is gradually surrounded by her own harmonies and background parts, creating an increasingly ethereal and layered atmosphere. The arrangement continues to build throughout the performance, growing from a controlled intensity into a dramatic climax. This approach gives the recording an almost otherworldly quality, while preserving the urgency and directness associated with the song’s message.
“Run On” also holds special historical significance as one of the final recordings made at the Sound Shop before the legendary Nashville studio closed permanently. Having hosted generations of influential artists, the studio provides an evocative setting for a recording rooted in tradition and reinterpretation. Stephani Ezatoff approaches this Gospel classic with conviction, respect and a clear understanding of its spiritual depth. Her version does not attempt to replace the iconic interpretations that came before it; instead, it offers a carefully considered tribute that brings a familiar hymn into a dramatic contemporary setting while preserving the force that has allowed “Run On” to endure across generations.
