JFH News: Mark Bishop's "Unpack That Suitcase" Reminds Us Jesus Can Relieve Our Burdens

Mark Bishop's "Unpack That Suitcase" Reminds Us Jesus Can Relieve Our Burdens

Listen to it now and in Dolby Atmos spatial audio

NEWS SOURCE: Crossroads Entertainment & Marketing
October 23, 2026

October 23, 2026 -- Premier traditional and Southern Gospel artist, singer-songwriter, and GRAMMY-nominee Mark Bishop's brand new single for Sonlite Records is "Unpack That Suitcase," a twangy and energetic country number about the baggage we all carry around with us every day - and how Jesus can always help relieve our burdens.

"Jesus knew that everyone around him was carrying all the worry and baggage that they had accumulated through their lives,"Bishop says of the track. "When He said, 'Come to Me� My burden is light,' He knew that He could lighten their loads."

"Unpack That Suitcase," produced by Jeff Collins, is bold, toe-tapping country and directly references these words of the Lord in its second verse, with Bishop singing:

Maybe you're thinking you've got it all covered

And you're strong enough
That's fine going downhill but now you're going uphill
It's gettin' kinda tough
You carry that suitcase both day and night
Jesus said, "Come to me my burden's light"

"Unpack That Suitcase" is yet another superlative original from Bishop -- a prolific songwriter and Dove Award winner -- with Jeff Collins (piano), Tony Creasman (drums), David Johnson (acoustic guitar, fiddle), Jeremy Medkiff (electric guitar), and Mark Fain (bass) backing him up in the studio. While the track confronts the baggage we each face in our day-to-day, it's still effervescent and joyous, sonically reinforcing the lightness our burdens can have through Christ.

"In my own life, I take on a little more baggage every day,"Bishop continues. "It's so subtle and gradual, I tell myself that I can handle it fine. But then there just comes that one day when it all feels overwhelming. All of those little things that I just knew I could handle, suddenly the sum total hits me and I can feel the weight."

It's a hallmark of Bishop's music across his lifelong career that he can examine such heavy, real issues with songs that are catchy, engaging, and that channel the love of Jesus.

"Do you keep holding on to things? Do you carry around grudges, hurt feelings, jealousy or anger?"Bishop asks, in conclusion. "Let Jesus help you unpack that suitcase."

"Unpack That Suitcase" is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music and TIDAL. Listen to it HERE.

About Mark Bishop:

Mark Bishop is a GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning Christian music artist who resides in east-central Kentucky with his wife Carolyn. In 2024, Mark celebrated a 40-year career in gospel music as a recording artist and songwriter.

A music reviewer once said, "Mark Bishop's music gives us the glasses to see the bigness of God in everyday happenstance." An Amazon reviewer said simply, "You just need Mark Bishop's music in your life."

In 1984, along with his father and brother, the Bishops began a recording and touring career that would span seventeen years, reaching millions for Christ. The family enjoyed appearances on popular TV programs such as TNN's Nashville Now, Crook & Chase, The World Today with John Hagee, the Bill Gaither Homecoming video series and many more, as well as appearing on the Grand Ole Opry. They were blessed with 27 Top 40 songs and numerous No. 1s, along with countless awards and industry recognitions.

Many of the group's most popular songs were penned by Mark. He continues to be a prolific songwriter today, writing music for his own recordings and other artists such as Brian Free and Assurance, the Kingdom Heirs, the Kingsmen, Legacy Five, Allison Durham Speer, and many others.

Mark's solo career began after the family group retired in 2001, with that yielding more chart-topping and No. 1 songs. Mark was voted "Soloist of the Year" in 2005 at the Singing News Fan Awards. In 2020, Mark's Beautiful Day album was a GRAMMY nominee for Best Roots Gospel Album. In 2022 he was the recipient of the "J.D. Sumner Living Legend Award" from the readers of SGN Scoops Magazine.

About Crossroads:

Crossroads is a market leader in the Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and Americana fields. Established in 1993, following the combination of Horizon Music Group and Sonlite Records, Crossroads now operates several divisions including Crossroads Label Group (Horizon Records, Sonlite Records, Mountain Home Music, Skyland Records, Pisgah Ridge Records, Crossroads Records, and Organic Records), Crossroads Distribution, Crossroads Radio Promotions, and Crossroads Recording Studios. Led by a strong executive team of Christian music and Bluegrass music veterans, Crossroads combines cutting-edge technology with creative innovation to connect fans with our artists' music.

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