Today we are on our way to Haldern to Matthias and Klaus-Dieter's recording studio in Haldern Today is a very special day, because the first time I didn't write the song myself, Klaus-Dieter wrote the song for me. It was recorded with fantastic musicians and the choirs have already sung. I am very excited and happy to be able to experience this day. For me, a day in the studio always starts like this. I pick up my 78-year-old manager Ulla Bitz from Cologne and then we drive the hour to the studio. We stop in town and go shopping first.

We buy drinks, cakes, and also something hearty to eat. When we arrive in the studio we first go to the kitchen, where the coffee is ready and we start the studio day comfortably. We talk about the upcoming project, talk about things that have happened in the last few days and we are happy that we can be together. You always feel at home in Klaus-Dieter and Mathias's studio. There is a very friendly atmosphere there and you feel safe.

This way you are able to develop something really great. Klaus-Dieter in particular is one of the best engineers I have ever met at the mixing desk. He is very calm, thoughtful and always tries to get the best out of my voice. Just a dream to sing in that Studio, all the equipment is absolutely top class and you are always automatically asked to give your best. I always try to give my best to my friends and fans. Before Klaus-Dieter sits at the mixing desk, I always go into the recording room, sit down at the grand piano and play a few songs to warm up my voice. Mostly I play Andraé Crouch songs. It's not only that I'm recording my voice, but with the Christian songs I'm also releasing my spirit.

When everything is ready, the microphone is set correctly, the sound in the headphones is pleasant, I listen to the first verse of the song again. What is very important is that the microphone and the headphones bring harmony to my ears. You have to feel good in the sound, then, you can give a lot more. During the warm-up, it may be that you change something here and there in the lyrics. When Klaus-Dieter looks at me and I can see him through the window, I always pay attention to his face. When I see his face laugh then I know I was awesome, when he doesn't laugh that says I think we'll do another track. Of course, I also like it directly if I could have done it better. It's a fantastic collaboration. We get along like brothers.

When I've finished singing, we'll go back to the kitchen for a coffee and relax. Studio work is really hard work. The tones have to be correct and the emotions have to be right. And listening carefully requires that your head be clear. That's why a prayer before singing is very important for me personally. When it comes to the final mix, they sit together concentrating and then bring the music and the voice together in a wonderful harmony.

A lot of work is also done here to ensure that my voice is worked out in an expressive way, its warmth and emotion. In my recordings, the voice always comes before the music. For me it is very important that my fans and friends later understand the text very well. Since Klaus-Dieter knows my voice very well, he also knows how to mix it on the mixer.

When the song is finished, we are all happy but ultimately very tired, then comes the hardest part of the whole day for Ulla. In the car I then listen to the song again and again for more than 1 hour and when I am enthusiastic I know that we have done the right thing. A new typical Hildebrandt song was born.

I usually laugh at myself, when Ulla is happy, after 1 hour, that she doesn't have to listen to the song anymore. But I know she's happy too. I really enjoy this time with Ulla. I thank God that she exists and without her my musical career would not be where it is now.