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So, here's what really happened...

9/18/2020

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First off, let me say how good it feels to be back home writing for SP Radio! I've come a long way since 2012 and have done so much...it's hard to keep up with, sometimes! Everything used to emanate from this web space, now I have a radio site, a news site, a site about me and a site for my books. That'll make your head spin and keeps mine on a swivel...yet, here I am. I'm back in the radio space because I had to start all over again! Yep, you heard that right..I had to start ALL OVER AGAIN! 
Following a dispute with my stream host, my station was deleted from their server with no backup! Yep, five years of service with a stream host gone in mere seconds! I wouldn't have known had I not seen the message come through on my phone as I was walking through my bedroom. I glanced at it and went into immediate panic! I logged in and everything was gone as if it was never there! I couldn't believe it...to top it off, this is how I spent the first moments of my 38th birthday...chasing the ghost of my station! Because the hosting company is in England, I was able to reach out to them before going  to bed. As it turns out, they didn't like the way I handled my gripe about an ongoing billing issue! In fact, they hated it so much that they deleted my station "per my request" in the email. Oh, and did I mention that the stream that powered my app was also lost when my station was deleted. I would have to completely rebuild the app to replace what I had. 

Remember when I told artists to make sure that their songs were tagged when I got them? Well, as a professional courtesy, I tagged the music to make sure that they got royalty payments for when the song played but that is gone, too! As I reload all this wonderful music, there's a great deal that many of the songs won't make the cut because frankly, I don't want to do that again! Even worse, there are so many songs in the library that come in without cover art...we're not running a sham operation here and I cringe each time I see a song play without cover art...yuck! The problems were many and I'm still wading through about eight years of submissions that I'll decided whether they make it to the "new" station. 

To prevent this from happening again, I'm going to save all my playlists regularly...that would have been a snap to rebuild the station playlist by playlist instead of song by song. This is like individually planting seeds for a Chia Pet...painstaking and somewhat an exercise in futility! I feel defeated, but I've got work to do! 

Lord knows I wanted to punch somebody but there was nobody to blame but myself! The first lesson of my 38th year alive was one that I have long grappled with...my words have power. It's not like  the old "watch what you say" kind of stuff...for some reason, when I voice my disdain or call something/someone out, it gets the worse reaction out of people. I don't know why but I'm trying to harness the power of my words so I don't lose anything else...

So yeah, day one of 38 was sitting stuck at the computer trying to wrap my head around exactly how I would proceed. I even prayed and asked the Lord about quitting...it was perfect! There was nothing left to do except spend my energy on something else. There was nothing to shut down, nothing to delete, nothing to email and stop...it was all gone within minutes. That was, until I thought the people whose shows run each week on the station and the wonderful people that choose to listen. I thought about all of you and decided to build...AGAIN! 
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See the first picture? This was the happiest time of broadcasting, I was in the running for Internet Radio Station of the Year and thanks to all of your support, we made it to the final preliminary round. You see that second picture? That was the same year...I actually won the Prayzefactor Broadcaster of the Year Award. So, there's a lot that goes into the work I do at SP Radio and I can't let it be erased. Not for me...not for you! This work is not for naught! I see it each week when broadcasters from all over and from all experience levels make sure I have their shows in time to air for you! I can't let you down and I won't! 

That being said, I picked up and song by song, playlist by playlist, I began to rebuild. I wasn't completely satisfied with the other options out there and in a matter of a few weeks, I tried more than a few. I wasn't happy so I did some sleuthing and found a stream host I'm satisfied with enough to call home (again)! We're back up and running fully...some of my favorite tracks are not even on my hard drives and I'll have to spend the time to re-upload them, but that's ok. It's all part of the goodness of this journey. The rebuild was a good time to re-brand, too. Not a complete re-brand but to switch things up a little...no more hanging out in the middle of the pack. We're rewarding our listeners with an even better experience than before! 

It's been a challenging month of changes and truth be told, we're not completely back to where we were before we lost our station, but we learned so much more about hosting since August 13th and we're in a much better place of programming because of it. So...tell everybody you know that we're new and improved!
​SP Radio JAMZ is here for the long haul and we're playing all the music you love!

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Got new music we need to hear? Send it to: submissions@spradioshow.com. 
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​Got a press release, music or other news items? Send it to: info@soulprospermedia.com. 


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Everything Attached to Her Wins: A Look Inside Jekalyn Carr’s Winning Season!

3/9/2018

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Her single “You Will Win” is entering a new level of multi-week dominance atop the Billboard and Mediabase charts,  and her book “You Will Win: Inspirational Strategies to Help You Overcome” is inspiring readers everywhere.. A culmination of sorts for one of the youngest artists and ministers to ever grace a major platform, 2017 was a whirlwind year for the 20-year-old, Jekalyn Carr ending the year with a nomination from each major music industry award with a gospel category!

Though she didn’t win, she emerged from what could easily be viewed as a disappointing year to inspire winners, everywhere! “There is a champion in you” is what she preaches in the first single from her newly released album “One Nation Under God”.
“We were actually done with all the songs, but God was like there’s one more song that I need to birth through you and we wrote the song “You Will Win” and we knew that was the song for this time- just really encouraging the world that this is our winning season. It doesn’t matter what happened in your past and truth be told, you can’t do anything about what has already happened in your past and how many losses you took in your past. But you can do something about now and your future as well.

That song is just to push you and to motivate you to not settle losing. You are a winner, you are a champion and that’s how you’re supposed to live your life!”
She knows that winning doesn’t always equate to trophies and speeches on award platforms. In her book, she uses life lessons and practical scriptural application to inspire faith activation for a new level of awareness and an ultimately well-rounded winning life. The young author expressed that she doesn’t believe it to be God’s will for us to only win in one area of our lives.

She believes that God wants us to win in every aspect and facet of our lives. “In God, we win every day!”

“I’m all about giving people messages and information so they can get results. It’s not just speaking it. My songs, sermons and books give you information on what you can do on your end, so you can apply it to your life and get results.”

Are you a winner? You are as much as your words say you are. In ‘You Will Win’, she shares a more mature level of her walk as a minister and gospel artist.

You never know why God is speaking what He is speaking when He is instructing you to do a certain thing. When God spoke two to three years ago about this book “You Will Win”, I didn’t understand the place today we would be in and I traveled the world and I began to hear so many testimonies about how so many people were allowing their situations to defeat them when it’s supposed to be the other way around. So, in this book God has given me the opportunity to let you know that it is not His intention to see you defeated or bound by anything that you are facing in your life. Why? Because you are a champion, you are a winner you are an overcomer. And, it’s not something that you have to become, you were born a winner!   

With her bright past behind her, Carr is forging ahead with the spirit of a winner. Her past successes behind her, she is pressing toward the greater that is coming, still believing that something BIG is about to happen and that this…here and now is her winning season!
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You can purchase her latest album “One Nation Under God” in stores and on every digital music platform, and her book “You Will Win: Inspirational Strategies to Help You Overcome” is available online at every major bookseller. 


Read our review of "the life project" in an installment of "Here's What's Got my ear"

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Here's What's Got My Ear-March

2/28/2017

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It's that time again...time for me to share with you what I've been listening to! Since I began this series, I've actually had the opportunity to meet some of the artists and interact with them on social media. As with the over saturation of content online, many of the artists remained unaware of the list despite our best efforts. 

Still, I've kept my ear to the ground listening for more of the REST of the best in gospel music and I've found some good stuff. I'm sure you'll love this list. In the meantime and while I have your attention, let me encourage you add SoulProsper Radio to your internet gospel music listening options. 


ALBUMS &EP's

Jekalyn Carr- "The Life Project"

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Any shame I should feel for just now listening to this album is absolved with this one review. Good music will always find you at just the right time. I believe that! I have interviewed Grammy and Stellar Award nominee Jekalyn Carr a number of times and have found a deep appreciation for her ministry and voice since I first heard her in 2013. I was late then and I'm late now! It's no fluke that this project and hit single "You're Bigger" are tearing up the charts! It's a well put together album that does what many albums doesn't do...it brings you into the process of creating the album. How so? For one, the radio cut is actually on the album .You could argue that they were stretching the album but I call creative license on that one. Also, there's a track that's only praying. I mean, convocation warfare praying...that's not on everybody's album, these days. I mean, you can simply remix your last album's single and call it a new cut now so...well, in keeping true to her form this album is a clear indication of Carr's ministry direction, forward. The biggest marker for this album is the way the music stretches her, vocally. 

I begged and begged to hear something beyond a ballad and this album answered. It's easy to be typecast in music as well and I really hope that radio gets an uptempo or even mid-tempo single from her, next. Did I mention that "Something Big" was my mantra in 2016? It was, indeed. We got to experience her working a non-ballad with that song but not for long when it gave way to "You're Bigger" which is her biggest hit to date. Those uptempo songs I was looking for? They're on the album and I love each of them! In fact, the album starts strong "I Belong to You" and flows into "Stay Right Here" which reminds me of the energy in Tasha Cobbs' "Break Every Chain". The adlibs behind her was just as fierce as her lead on the track. The brief psalm "Your Presence Is Here" is more of an outro of the second song but it flows into a praise break where Pastor Stephen Brown takes the reins. I haven't experienced a praise break like that in a while. I actually put it on repeat! Good stuff, for sure! 

The thoroughly enjoyable "You Are Our Joy" follows the praise break and leads to "You're Bigger". Last Christmas, Carr released "You Are Our Joy Christmas" which is a remake of this song. Both versions are good and belong on the radio! Now let's talk! I LOVE "We Will Stand" and I think it's perfect for the time we're living in. It features a more than capable youth choir who back up the vocal veteran tremendously! Following all that excitement, Carr unleashes "I'm Beautiful" which features  a young Nariah Smith. My first thought when I heard this was that it reminded me of Maurette Brown Clark's "I Am What God Says I Am" featuring her daughter. This is yet another good one on the album. Nine tracks in and I have yet to be disappointed. 

The album's home stretch features the "You're Bigger" radio edit, the aforementioned prayer ("Curse Breaker Prayer"), Carr's current single "You Spoke Over Me" and the album closes with another good one: "You Are Good, Thou Art Good". Aside from the olde english ascription in the title, this song  jams something serious! Carr and her singers let loose on the vamp and Tim Mason (Kurt Carr) and the band are exemplary accompanying them. 

Would I grade this album? Not really? Just for good measure, I'd grade this A+. You like good music and you don't like wasting time looking for it, so here goes. Jekalyn Carr's "The Life Project" is what your collection needs! 


Cece Winans- "Let Them Fall In Love"

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Cece Winans returns to gospel music after somewhere close to 10 years with a single "Never Have to Be Alone" and corresponding album entitled: "Let Them Fall In Love". Oh boy! For the record, I'm a huge CeCe Winans fan so I was beyond curious as to what it would sound like then I had the chance to meet her at Tom Joyner's Red Velvet Cake Studio. It was so early...but oh, so worth it. 

Time indeed flies when you're having fun and for Winans, fun includes ministry and simply enjoying life. She didn't even really take note of her extended absence from music as a solo artist having recorded with her brother BeBe, earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and starting a ministry with her husband, Pastor Alvin Love.

By now you've heard "Never Have to Be Alone" on the radio but the album is replete with gems you absolutely must hear. Though I LOVE this album, it was much better the second time around. For some reason, it all came together after hearing the single (track seven).  If I had my way, I'd start the album at track seven and end it with what is currently track six. That's just me, but take my word for it. 

You may or may not know that her son Alvin Love, III is the album's producer and had a major hand in the album's musical direction. Along with her son, familiar sounds and production from Tommy Sims and horn/string arrangements by Phil Lassiter fill out the albums vintage Nashville big sound. Other notable musicians on the project are Dallas natives Robert "Sput" Searight and Jason Thomas who keep the beat for Grammy award winning jazz super group Snarky Puppy. It sounds like the 60's and whether that's good or bad or not is subjective.

FPersonally, I like it because of the live instrumentation, genuine good time and that little something that reminds me so much of an Andraé Crouch recording from back in the day. You know, the kind of stuff that made you want to listen to it all the time and leave the record on the player? It feels good! This is a CeCe album so you may not have many "Sunday songs" but the vertical experience is very much present. 

The album opens with a lovely waltz setting the tone with "He's Never Failed Me Yet" and flows into a Motown feel with "Run to Him" which actually reminds me more of  the fictitious trio Dreamgirls than any actual group from that era. You may choose to do as I did and sing over the outro on the opening track. Before I knew it, I was all in belting out the chorus as I drove down the highway.

 In a sock-hopping good time celebrating the Motown girl power, Winans teams up with Detroit's other big gospel family The Clark Sisters on "Hey Devil". This particular track caught the attention of NPR's Ann Powers and if the first two tracks don't, this one is sure to do the same for you! Each of the sisters riff on the song but Dorinda Clark-Cole gets the bulk of the sister feature, pushing the song through its vamp. This song should come with a warning: "Do Not Try This At Home"! 

The album inches closer to the 21st century with "Peace From God" which to this point sounds more like the Cece you know. She follows up the flower child, easy listening selection with "Why Me", by legendary songwriter Kris Kristofferson. I really love this one, it reminds me of Pastor Shirley Caesar's "No Charge" and "Faded Rose".  She returns to the groove with the soulful "Lowly" which picks up musically where "Son of  a Preacher Man" left off. I should add that this was the first song on repeat as I listened to the album.

Not so fast, though! The outro on "Lowly" is not to be looked over! It's a powerful song referencing the proverbial 'young man' and admonishing him to remember "the high is for the lowly". Following that good vibe is Winans' current single "Never Have to Be Alone" which is simple purity. Winans sanitizes radio and has washed the ears of gospel supporters with this one. No drums, no percussion, just Winans and that 40 piece orchestra...doesn't get much better than that! As great as this song is, I still don't want to hear it on the radio every other hour. I wish there was a way to preserve the song's purity without subjecting it to the over saturation that comes with commercial radio . 

If you're looking for a Sunday morning song from this album, without a doubt it's "Dancing in the Spirit" which features Bishop Hezekiah Walker's Love Fellowship Choir. They get down something serious on this one! It's sure to get you up moving and is singable for any choir. It's reminiscent of the gospel choir heyday and still doesn't cross the threshold of the 90's gospel music era, staying true to the album's core. 

"Gotta Keep Dancing!" 

What can I say about "Marvelous"...it's marvelous in our ears! This contemporary worship anthem is yet another Sunday morning favorite in the making. You've heard of people having to pull over as they drove and listened to music, well you may want to skip past this track if you're listening in the car. You definitely want to start this one with both feet on the ground. WOW! That choir is outstanding and the ministry moment that is "Marvelous" is simply superb! I just  love how well CeCe Winans pairs with a choir...simply marvelous!

The album closes with the title track which is not about starcrossed lovers. Rather Winans pleads for us to fall in love with God. Just as the album reaches its zenith, it's over! After the initial listen, this album remained on repeat for days on end. It contains all the elements that drew us into the sound and ministry of Andraé Crouch. 

This album deserves at least two plays to really understand and appreciate all of its nuance. Overall, this album feels as good as "Throne Room" which is a personal CeCe Winans favorite of mine. Matching its vintage vibe, you can order "Let Them Fall in Love" on vinyl for $25. You can opt for the signed sleeve as well as other merch at the digital store. My grade for this album is also an A+. I am definitely in love with "Let Them Fall in Love".


Jacquie Green- "New Beginning"

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I met Jacquie Green in Shreveport and put her album in on my way back home to Texas. I love the album's fast start but had to pause at track three which was the 'best' song so far. Green is a southern girl from Arkansas transplated to the DMV area which is overflowing with gospel talent. I love the album as a whole, not too thrilled with the excessive auto tune feature on most of the lead vocals. Still, I always have a great time listening to the album, here's why:

New Beginnings leads off with "Share My Praise" and "Nobody", both great songs! Track three "Best of Me" is something special and is uniquely Jacquie Green. It's on the way to radio so make sure your favorite station has it in rotation. This was the first song on repeat for me. Green follows the ballad with "No Reason" another urban sound with some bounce to it. You'll want to roll the windows down and turn this track up for the whole block to jam to. 

"Day Break" features Green doing a Kirk Franklin/James Fortune lead type of narration but is so inspiring that even my four year old son loves it as his favorite JG song! "I Can't See You" is a dance track.  Get up and to the beat as Jacquie Green sings about our creator who remains unseen though he's "all around us, everywhere we go!" "I'm Blessed" is reminiscent of the days when gospel and urban music first intersected. This song has an A-1 Swift and Buster and Shavoni feel to it. Green is joined by Chelsea Cymone, Deejay Lowery & Kimberly Walls on this one. Keep those windows rolled down, gotta bless the block with this one as well!

It's  a mom, it's a wife, it's a..."Superwoman"! Complete with the iconic "Superman" anthem intro, Green praises the woman who does it all "with just one flick of the wrist" in her ode to super women everywhere! The ode praises Mary the mother of Jesus who watched her son as He gave His life for all. I'm not sure why this song doesn't have a dance video, yet. I love to hear it and play it as well. It's a good exercise song, too...you can do just about anything to it, much like the super women the song celebrates! Look for this one at radio soon, as well. 

No super woman is complete without God. Green follows up the ode with a ballad "God Looks On Me" and celebrates possible new beginnings with the track. Green teams up with Terrell "TC" Carter for "Won't He Do It" and the two take us straight to church! The album closes with "Ever Wondered" and "Higher" the perfect end to Green's album celebrating "New Beginnings".


The Williams Singers- "In Real Time"

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The Williams Singers are revolutionizing quartet, or are they? Are they just a contemporary gospel group that loves quartet? The industry is still trying to figure that out...meanwhile, gospel listeners everywhere are falling in love with these brothers from Indianapolis, Indiana. 

The brothers released "In Real Time" to capture their live energy on some of their fans' favorite songs. The album features one studio track "Make Me a Way" but all other tracks were performed live. Their first single from the album: "There Is No Way" covered the "Tommies" classic penned by Percy Bady and re-popularized in the  90's by Ricky Dillard and New G. Their range is endless and they cover contemporary gospel and R&B hey-day with "Testify" and "Cant' Leave", quartet with the spell-binding "Soul Saver" and tip their hats to the past with the aforementioned: "There Is No Way". 

There's nothing they can't do nor any genre they can't sing. It's all on this album and your collection needs it. Joining the brothers on the album are the likes of Bishop Neal Roberson and Zacardi Cortez reprises his feature on "Been Good". 

Thurman B. Thornton II- "911...Save Me"

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I have placed the music of TB2 on this list before but now that I've heard the EP, I'm officially sold. This body of work takes you through his journey battling depression and other vices that challenge his walk with Christ. As I listened, I noticed that this EP in a way seemed cathartic for Thornton who paired the sound of the songs with the various needs for deliverance. As the album progresses, the use of reverb eases...bringing you closer to clarity! Ever been in a place where you felt like you were lost or maybe even drowning? Thornton shares his real life experiences in the EP "911...Save Me". 

It's this transparency that has made Thornton's transcendent and favored him with audiences of all sizes and demographics. He is a walking billboard for what faith can do. Having lost both his parents and other family members in a short span of time, Thornton has seen the worst of times. He has survived the worst and is ready to embrace his newest season with this album. There were times while listening to the EP I said "Man this is so dark. Pull him out Jesus!" before I realized that the work is a finished product.

That's it! He's working from a finished product to tell you about his process...I know it wasn't overnight! I met Thornton at the Rhythm of Gospel Awards in 2014 and I went home with his then single: "Fresh Start". I became a fan immediately as I listened to the song. Finally, this initial body of work is complete. 

"...pull him out, Jesus!" 

*Spoiler Alert* He comes out alright and lives to sing about it! The album starts out dark but breaks through like sunshine through clouds to a miraculous ending with "Better" and "Fresh Start" which are two of my personal favorites from the album. The choir on "Forgive Me" is working up a sanctified sweat! It's hard to imagine hearing TB2 with a choir, but it's a well paired situation you'll enjoy!

I used my journalistic privilege and made sure to express my personal disgust with the song length of "Better". It's like a danish...once you get to the middle; you're in Heaven but it's short lived because the best part is the end, and you got there way before you planned to! 

In fact, the same could be said about this amazing EP, you're definitely wanting more once you reach the end but the a repeat will suffice in the meantime. I normally fight with artists that don't release music on the industry-wide release date of Friday, but I gave him a pass to release on Wednesday March 22nd. It's his birthday and what a way to celebrate another year than by celebrating the many victories that have been a part of the previous years. 

The EP is already doing well as a pre-order on iTunes, so be sure to get your copy of this amazing EP once it releases!


Honorable Mention

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The city of Fort Worth is still making great music! I'm so proud of this song because I have heard it in each stage...and I LOVE this final stage! Gerald Davis has refined his sound with the help of Tatiana Mayfield. She is genius in her re-tooling of the original harmonies and melody. "Rescued Me Again" will be available on Friday March 24th. 

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Anya Dixon has a phenomenal album that you should hear! I love it from top to bottom and it stays on repeat in my car! I get a ton of music but only keep the best of the best in my car! Dixon is also one of the most astute indie artists out right now. She's leading by example and is positioning herself for bigger stages and opportunities with each conference and showcase performance! Get "Overcomer" by Anya Dixon, at any and all digital music outlets.

What do you think of my choices? I'm always listening to these artists and many of the artists from previous posts about what's got my ear. Indie music is just as good as major artists and speak to the listener just as powerfully. I don't just play indie music, it's my music selection of choice on many occasions. I'm still working to help build the bridge between indie and major artists and I hope that by sharing these artists, you familiarize yourself with these artists and their projects and support them as well. 

Until the next post...happy listening! 'Fred
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Here's What's Got My Ear-November

11/1/2016

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​I had such a great time sharing some of my favorite picks with you earlier this year. I've since decided to make this an ongoing series. With that being said, here's what's got my ear:


Michael Portley, Jr. & Students of DAvid

The Roof Is On Fi'yah
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More goodness from my Stellar Awards goodie bag...looking at the cd cover, I was very unsure if I'd like the project. It didn't take me 30 seconds to dive headlong into this album. I was dancing in the drivers seat around town as the album opened up with "Blessed Be" following an opening interlude. From there, the album thrusts forward with some stellar choir music that most choirs can actually sing at church! The album comes complete with a track dedicated to a shout and you know every good album needs a dance! I was enjoying the album and ready to pop in the next cd when my listening experience ground to a halt...I heard a dramatic introduction reminiscent of "The Passion of the Christ" coupled with Pastor Portley's exhortation. Then it happened..."Thank you for the blood...thank you for the blood..." A new favorite song gripped my musical palate. 

I was done! I stopped just short of pulling over, but I did sing as loud as I could with the choir: "Calvary, Calvary! Calvary, without it where would we be?" This song right here has changed me. I wish I'd discovered it sooner, I would've taught it to my church choir as we celebrated Resurrection Sunday. Don't worry about that...this song works ANY GIVEN SUNDAY! Calvary comes with a reprise and is followed up with a declaration that says all the doors of negativity "Have Been Closed". 

The album has some seriously creative songs like the title track: "Roof is on Fi'Yah" and "3-D Praise" which sings the message of due season and it's varying homonyms (Due/Do.) 

All in all, it's a great album and you should definitely add it to your music collection!

My faves:
  • Blessed Be
  • Thirst For Thee
  • Sneak a Preach (you know he had to pull it, don't you?!?)
  • 3-D Praise
  • Power For Deliverance
  • Calvary & Reprise

Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis

The Sound
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I heard VTK sing "The Sound" twice during Stellar weekend and not once did I fight the urge to MOVE!!! This song is a number of things: 1) Crazy GREAT and 2) My workout soundtrack. At one showcase, the group was nearly run off stage when their rounds and rounds of key changes bled into the next artist's time. As if that wasn't enough, watching them close Wanda Bell's event on Sunday night sealed it for me and I begged Vincent and Zantino Kimmons to please hurry up and release this to the masses! 

I'm not sure when it was released, but I GOT IT! I didn't hesitate and got it that weekend. I have been Tae-Bo'ing my way all the way through the house, since! "Halle-lujah, Thank You Jesus...Lord I...Love You...creaaaaaatttteeee" (in falsetto soprano, nonetheless). You have to hear the song to understand. I love the song and I'm sure you will, too. For me, I fast forward to the vamp, it's all about the vamp! Trust me on that. Since, you can't slice a song in half, I will tell you that the song is constructed in such a way that the entire song is palatable, but the vamp, the vamp is gonna make you dance! 

While I'm on the vamp, it's worth noting the different genres they take you through with each key change. It's a wild ride, and I'm thrilled for the release of "The Sound". Go get it, and dance!!!

Thurman B. Thornton II (TBII)

Fall Into You
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Even though he's totally gonna hate me for this, I love TBII's music because I feel like I'm listening to New Edition or Troop singing gospel music! No, really...when he sent me this song, I wanted to go grab a velvet track suit and shoot the concept video that day! All MTV Jamz references aside, his music is honest and that's what's refreshing about TBII. For the longest, I heard all this chatter about "TB2" and had no idea who he was until the 2014 Rhythm of Gospel Awards in Birmingham. After hearing " Fresh Start" I'd found my newest favorite indie artist. 

We talked about his follow up single: "Save Me" and the deep, personal story it told and then his EP which he released after that which features a heart wrenching arrangement of Fantasia's Bittersweet dedicated to his late mother (seriously, you really gotta hear that.)

Back to "Fall Into You"...dude brought it on this song! You'll definitely get with the vibe on this one and do as the song says and "fall into" the Lord. 

Ronnie Rucker & La Praise

Lift Him Up
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It was 2013 when I met Ron Rucker playing a Hammond B-3 in a music store in Shibuya, Tokyo. We talked briefly and exchanged pleasantries and compliments before discussing what he does in Japan. In a way, Ron Rucker is a gospel music ambassador for the Tokyo area and beyond. Yeah, really. GMWA in Japan...a soulful gospel choir in Japan actually connected to a church...yep, Ron Rucker's responsible for it. 

I have a few of Mr. Rucker's tunes with the Bright Lights Choir in the SoulProsper Radio rotation already, but when I heard his latest release "Lift Him Up" I was blown away. Those folks are singin' yall! This was some really good singing, too. Most often, we're plagued with finding songs any choir can sing and all five of the songs on this EP are singable on Sunday. Since I've traveled quite a bit, I've always tried to discover the gospel scene where I am and I must say Mr. Rucker and his choir are the bees knees! They have a genuine connection to not only the music, but God Himself, which is lacking internationally at times. 

He has brought gospel music to Japan and Japanese gospel music to America, namely the GMWA. He's got a GMWA chapter there now and had one years ago as well. He's the real deal and the way he's gotten this choir to not only sing, but minister is beyond incredible! "Lift Him Up" is a high energy hand clapping foot stomping choir favorite that will get Sunday morning off to a running start whether you have a mass choir or only a few. 

"Until We Meet Again" is reminiscent of gospel music glory days and you're halfway through the song before you remember this choir is from Japan. Another good service closer. The EP features one song completely in Japanese and if you're clueless as to what they're saying, let the music speak to you. It's the universal language, right? Well, of the five, three are on repeat and that's good enough for me to recommend to you! 

Tony Bush & The Deacs ft. Lisa Knowles-Smith

Shout For Jesus
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I'm fresh out of descriptive words for this song. To sum it up easily, it's a powder keg of praise! I was just recovering from "Wonderful Feeling" when this one reached me at SoulProsper Radio. From the first down beat, this song takes you by your ears and drags you to the front of the church to dance!!! This is quartet gold and has everything going for it you love in quartet gospel. Speaking of quartet gospel, the 'drive' will send you into overdrive! 

By the time Bush adlibs "just in cae you don't see me no mo...'!" it's over but the song keeps driving! For Bush this is a bit of a testimony, considering his medical struggles earlier this year. So do like Tony Bush if you're glad to 'see another day'. Maybe even, you're glad about another opportunity...whatever the case may be, join Tony Bush, the Deacs and Lisa Knowles-Smith who can literally sing anything and SHOUT FOR JESUS!

The Rance Allen Group

All Day Long
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Bishop Rance Allen and his brothers are often thrust into the world of quartet but I think it's time we re-consider that. Not because they're a trio but because their innovation far exceeds one sub-genre of gospel music. That's been the case since their days on Stax records and their first gospel release "He'll Make It Alright".

With their new release: "Live From San Francisco" they're back with new music and another go round of classic covers. "All Day Long" was the first single from the album and it is good! It's smooth, it's fresh and it's the Rance Allen group like you like it! He says it in the song and it's a good song to take to your church, considering their footloose like that! It's a good number for your male chorus, praise team or even choir of any size. 

You'll want to add this one to your collection as well and as the song says, you very well may be singing the Lord's praise in this song 'all day long'. 

Monica Lisa Stevenson

Kainos
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Two words...New & Fresh! I could end it right there...but you're like: "Gimme the deets!" Aren't you?!? I know, so here goes. It's MLS like you've NEVER heard her before! If you think she's bad singing traditional gospel...you ain't heard nothing yet and I mean it! At radio currently, you can request "Speechless" featuring Lisa Knowles-Smith and "He's the One" featuring Pastor Walter Ellis.

These two singles are good enough BUT...this EP features 7 songs and you definitely want to hear all of them! This music is smooth and Stevenson and Knowles-Smith are quite the tandem. The song will leave you speechless, it's so fresh! Teaming up with Pastor Ellis, Stevenson revisits a gospel classic and it's safe enough for gospel fans who are cautious about 'this new stuff'. It's still good and still smooth...give KAINOS a spin!!!!

While you're at it, go grab the MLS single "Testimony" featuring Doobie Powell and The Williams Singers. 

*Melvin Williams* (bonus)

Where I Started From
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This album will be released soon and I love it but I won't spoil it for you! I will give it high praise not only for the content but the spirit behind the album. Melvin Williams keeps root music alive in this great album and pays homage to those that paved the way for gospel music. He covers songs like: "How I Got Over", and the late great Willie Banks': "Lord You Been Good". The most impressive track for me was a track produced by Harvey Watkins, Jr., another quartet gem: "Don't Let Jesus Down". The shuffle on the drive is out of this world! It's got a mean bass drop and the drummer let loose something serious on this cut. 

Check it out when it drops. In the meantime, you can go to radio to request his perfect remake of The Williams Brothers classic "So Good" and the smooth ballad "Claim It Now." 

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A Note to Artists...

6/24/2016

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A few weeks ago, I hosted an experiment on my personal page. I simply asked: "WHo has recorded music for sale?" The response was overwhelming and some of the artists even interacted with each other on the thread. What I didn't see was a translation of that post onto their walls...why would nearly 100 artists let a radio announcer know they have music for sale and not their immediate audience, their facebook friends list...let's talk about that, today! -Fred


Before we get started I feel the need to qualify what I'm about to say. I have studied the music business for years, even before I went back to college in 2008. Many of our textbooks were already in my personal library before I began classes at Cedar Valley College. Many don't me beyond articles or a radio show/station but I'm going to be a lot more vocal in the very near future. This is the first of many pieces in this style, enjoy and please share with others!

 I'm not selling you anything or starting a sign up to another conference call or mailing list. What I want to do is encourage you! Yep, that's all. The music industry has experienced a seismic shift as of late and gospel music was situated squarely on a fault line. As the industry as a whole shifted, gospel music sort of well...sunk...is sinking...something like that. But you love gospel music and so do I so what's there to do? 

Many of you have recorded music because you felt as if you were called to do so. Some of you do it full time and some of you don't. Either way is cool and whatever keeps the lights on, gas in the car and food on the table, right? AMEN!!! Until then, pray for release AND provisions. I have observed many of you on Facebook and over the past six months, I've seen your posts about your music diminish. Why though? If it's old to you, surely it's old to people, right? Not necessarily. 

How many new friends have you made within the past six months? How many of them know that you have a project for sale? What about your latest single? See, we've fallen for the market trap but Facebook isn't the market. It's your life, compiled on a single web space. Don't believe me, fast from Facebook for a day. Some of you didn't even think about it! The reason many of you have chosen not to make people aware of your project may be that you're living a comparative life on Facebook. Comparing yourself to everyone else and trying to make the moves their making. Any truth to that? 

Artists...why have you put a shelf date on your music? Consider this: You have a product that is collecting dust and for no good reason. It's just sitting there, waiting on you to compel somebody to come buy it. How many NEW friends have you made on Facebook within the last six months? Do they know you have product and where to get it?
Change that, you may have prematurely ended your career when you shelved your viable product...

A few weeks ago, Anita Wilson (yes that Anita Wilson) put up a song from her first album and you know what? It still jams! It was a cover but it's great music. If you follow her on Facebook, you'll see posts about "Keep Doing What You're Doing" here lately. Music doesn't die! This is proven when artists literally die, there's a spike in sales the moment their death is announced. 

What I'm saying to you is this...as an indie artist, you drive your music sales. It goes way beyond flooding your timeline and posting in every gospel music/artist group on the site. Honestly, don't you know how annoying that is to other people? I'm in many groups and there are some artists that do nothing but post ads (singing engagements and where to download their music). But think about it, if you have music and I have music, what makes you think I'm going to blindly support yours with no guarantee of you supporting me? It's the same with radio announcers that spam these groups with announcements of their shows...you want me to do what exactly...turn my station/show off and tune into yours? 

Be very cautious with groups, you could very well be wasting time, unless you create an interest group of your own and  post to your bonafide fan base. Do you have a like page? If so, how is your engagement there? Do you have promo material/giveaways? Consider that. Do a giveaway, create some fresh, new engagement! I'm on the way to my PO Box today to pick up some promo material from an artist and I can't wait to give them all away! Of course, the end game here is drive CD SALES!!!  Never stop marketing yourself, EVER! 

CD sales are dipping everywhere, even the Grammy's made a move to include streaming music in their consideration for awards. The industry has adjusted to consumer behavior! Do you even know what that means? YES...! Take a minute, let that sink in...the industry has adjusted to consumer behavior! Have you?

So here's the deal, you've got a song or project...what are you doing with it? If your base audience has yielded little to no results, create a new audience and drive new engagement. You've gotta do what works and not what's comfortable. READERS ARE LEADERS! Take some time and discover how to successfully market yourself and your product. There is a plethora of educational material online for the independent artist. 

PROMO MATERIALS
That includes spending some money, not always a lot but at least some! Check Vistaprint for promo materials like postcards and other paper products. You even have the option to design pens, clothing, cups and more. For what it's worth, wristbands are a great idea! Do you have business cards? What do they say? Are they two sided, is your picture on it? If you have a business card, it should literally be your calling card. People should be able to tell what you do by looking at the card. They should also be able to contact you using your card. Current numbers, address and electronic contact info should be prominently displayed on the card.  

Also, freshen up your social media space. Also, print up some promo materials and send them to churches. Let the churches know you're available for bookings. Let local businesses know the same, get yourself out there but don't be drab! To get noticed, you must be noticeable! Also, you should consider a graphic designer to spruce up a new promo picture for summer. Think about it...It's summer, do you have a summer look? Nothing's wrong with changing with the seasons! It lets people know you're still around! (LOL) 

HASHTAGS
What about hashtags? How are you identifying your brand online? Recording artist and musician Tony Bush uses: #BushBrand and you could do something similar. You know Everette Drake, his catch phrase is: "Amen Goes Right There" and he's known as "Mr. Amen Goes Right There" which is his debut single. His album contains numerous gospel gems, but it's the #AGRT branding that has traveled with him to bookings all over the country. 

DO THE MATH
Alright, got it? Some of you had NO sales this week and some of you no sales all month! Do you want to change that? You should want to change it, even if you're currently in studio working on new music! The grind never stops and neither should the marketing of your music. What if you decided to personally sell 5 cd's a day? That's 150 units from you. Of those 150, how many people would tell somebody about the cd they got from you and get them to buy their own copy? At least check you out online? 

I know you want to sell more than 150 units each month, but what have you sold so far? If you're doing better than that, great-this is exactly what we want! Get great music in the hands of listeners! 

The top CCM album last week sold somewhere around 6,359 copies. The top gospel album sold somewhere around 2,291 copies. Hmm...that already seems dismal and these are major, national artists. Can you imagine selling a copy of your cd to at least half of the people on your friends list? Maybe not everyone is a gospel music lover so, let's be realistic and say maybe 30%. What's that number looking like? Some of you reading this are already at 5K friends and some of them have NO interest in buying your product. 

NETWORKING YOUR NET WORTH
Earlier this year, I posted the inaugural blog: "Here's What's Got My Ear". Of all the artists, there were only about five of the artists named in the blog that engaged or responded. I know we're all busy but what if that blog post came from a more well known entity and they ignored it? You can never afford to ignore free, positive publicity! Some of you reading this post will be named in my next installment or one to follow. When you see it, share it! Make people aware of what's being said about your project...your ministry! Not doing so is costing you sales, whether you believe it or not! 

Make connections! I can't spend all day on my computer or phone but there are times during the day that social media interaction is my MO. The same goes for other station owners, PD, publicists, journalists, bloggers and artists. NETWORKING STILL WORKS! Bishop Hezekiah Walker said when asked about the timing of pitching a product to your contemporaries: "It's all about relationship!" He further stated that you need to get to know people before dropping the weight of product on them. This applies to industry contacts and not potential customers. Some of you are struggling with the repercussions of 'too much too soon' when dealing with industry people. "Hi, I'm Fred. Please listen to SoulProsper Radio!" is NOT the way you want things to go! 

You need to find out who is who and what they do inside the industry. Are they an actual outsider? Can they help you? Have they tried to help somebody else and what were the results? Are they just somebody good to know (with no expectations)? Know this when you deal with industry people on social media or meet them face to face.

There are way too many fractured relationships within the industry based on social media suppositions. Think about it, I don't actually know Don Jackson from the Stellar Awards, even though he's my  friend on social media or personally approves my post in the Stellar Gospel Music Group on Facebook. When I see Mr. Jackson at the Stellar Awards, I greet him and introduce myself, even if I have to do it each time. 

Furthermore, I don't actually know Phil Thornton, even if I regularly comment on his success at eOne on Facebook or LinkedIn and even write articles about him. Not until I have personally exchanged information with an understanding can I count someone an actual associate or even friend. I did see him at the Virtue listening party at the Stellars but he left before I could speak to him, still doesn't count! 

I have met some Facebook friends and artists who I didn't recognize in person! LOL It happens but be gracious either way! I love meeting people so yes, I'm actually looking forward to meeting ALL OF YOU VERY SOON!

This is why you must take great care and concern of those you're connected to on social media. There is a fine line between social media contact and professional contact. Many of us do our business on Facebook but it is merely an extension of our business dealings. Handle real business outside of Facebook (what's your email address, where can I send you a copy, may I call you to discuss...?)

Your friends list is exclusive to you. Your taste in music, fashion, comedy, religion, regional interests and much more. You have an opportunity to introduce your music to those different markets within your friends list. Some have bought it already (YAY). But, some haven't because they haven't been compelled to. You have good music, don't you? Well stop depriving your most remote audience of it! You wouldn't imagine outselling a top national artist, now would you? It's quite possible, when you take care of business!

To reach beyond Facebook, Mr. Henry Harris posted this just this morning and I had to add it, you can read it below.

Read MAry Meeker's annual Report on Internet Trends 
Everything is happening online, these days!


Class In Session: Stop Debating Gospel Music Sales, Make Yours Count!
From Mr. Henry Harris

  • Read "How To Register With BDS, Mediabase And Soundscan"
  • Add your CD or Single to Nielsen Soundscan 
  •  Add your Music to Mediabase and Nielsen BDS Radio Monitoring Systems.
  •  Create an account with Atvenu, this site allows you to report venue sales to Nielsen Soundscan, the right way. 
  • ​ Market your music and build a Fan Base with everyone, don't depend on facebook, award shows, workshops, conventions but everybody.
  • The number 10 on Gospel sold 425 CDs last week so can you. Are you ready for an Emerging Artist Takeover? Stop debating those not willing to help, roll up your sleeves and get it done. We are here to help.

One Final Note...

It's been said that your attitude determines your altitude and that's very true! As an indie artist you will be working to prove yourself on a number of levels. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS!!! Instead, be gracious and embrace each opportunity to introduce yourself to more people, new promoters (with integrity), new stations, DJ's, writers and more. I worked with an artist recently who took every opportunity to rehearse their resume whenever things seemed to dip below their expectation. Handling people wrong as an indie artists very may well be the thing that keeps you an indie artist and creates an invisible ceiling for your career. Here's a rule for you...BE NICE! To tell the truth, we're pulling for the nice people! We really are! Be nice and let God do all the heavy lifting! Smile in the meantime! :)
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Is CCM killing Gospel Music?

6/3/2016

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No, Contemporary Christian Music isn't to blame. But the encroachment of the genre into gospel music is (partly), not at the hands of the CCM industry itself. Countless artists have chosen to emulate the CCM sound and package it to gospel audiences, which just doesn't work. In 2014 we dealt with the disparity between gospel and CCM audiences and industry. We determined that major factors were: 1) Money (which fueled the divide) and 2) Racial disparity (yes it exists in church). Here's an op-ed for your consideration.

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Alright, I've been silent on this for long enough. I was at a listening party for an artist the other day and about two songs in we got the Nashville spill...you know, BIG! CCM! As we listened I had a single question...WHY? I looked around the room and there were no CCM radio station reps, no CCM music journalists...none. That artist has built a great bridge between both audiences so for them it's safe. In fact the list of mainstream artists who can do it, doesn't exist. You'd lose money hiring people to compile a list. So, why are we listening to CCM music from a gospel artist? Most of the CCM styled singles don't fare well on gospel radio, the same way gospel singles do poorly on CCM stations. 

When Hezekiah Walker released "Every Praise" we loved it. It's singable and we could stop there. But, that vamp...it sounds eerily familiar. Naw, we knew exactly what it was. It was a motif from "Faithfully" by Journey. But, you'd have to be a Journey fan or casual fan of light rock to notice. In fact, the music of the song is a light rock smorgasbord. The music is set to The Police hit: "Every Step You Take". It was a great addition to the song and props to J. David Bratton for penning the global smash. The song was a crossover hit, much like many of Kirk Franklin's songs and Mary Mary's "Shackles" which still finds a place on CCM playlists. Songs like: "You Made a Way" by Travis Greene seem like viable candidates for crossover consideration but may never happen. 

Labels just don't know how to do it, because they simply get stuff wrong. All the time, they get stuff wrong, like smooth jazz. What is that? Jazz musicians hate it and other genres don't have the patience to to hear their a 'solo' of their favorite song. Unless you're in an elevator, or as a background music in a movie or commercial. 

​So, why are gospel artists continuing to appeal to the CCM audience within the genre? Sounds crazy, doesn't it. Well, it is. The gospel audience is very different from the CCM audience, night and day literally. Artists have changed arrangement, instrumentation and much more to appeal to CCM because let's face it, they sell better over there. As if more concerts are going to pop up because your song pattern is I-vi-IV-V (1, 6,4, 5 chords)? But why? Have you ever thought about that? I mean, the Hammond organ is just an ornament at some of these recordings. 

You don't hear an organ on a ballad unless there's a break with a hymn. Good thing, R&B and country (yep, country) music still know what to do with it. Did you see Jerome Harmon rock whip that Hammond on the Country Music Awards? Everybody was talking about it the next day. 

Organ progressed to be the featured instrument in gospel music and was part of the signature sound for years. Same for guitar in CCM (akin to rock and country music). Now whichever piano patch everybody is using on the Motif or Nord, or Ableton Live is the go-to sound for MD's and producers these days. Over in CCM, they pad...pad, man! 

It has very little to do with actual music and everything to do with community. Yep, I said it. It's in the fabric of the CCM community to buy their own music. More than that, most CCM listeners have similar interests all the way down to political affiliations. Their church support system is also much stronger than that of gospel music. For instance, a concert at a church may be free and the artist will be paid on time in almost each case. Plus, the artists don't mind doing free concerts. Another plus on the CCM side is that the artists are actually promoting Jesus. 

You mean to tell me gospel artists aren't promoting Jesus all the time? Not everybody, but you can tell. We've made it so much about business over here in gospel because that's the directive coming down from the top. Sell or get sold! How many major labels are there NOT under the umbrella of the big three? I'll wait...

Gospel sells but it doesn't make pop numbers nor does it appeal to the pop crowd. The black gospel message is different. We singing about coming up the rough side of the mountain when CCM is singing about the God that made the mountain. We're 'next in line for a miracle and CCM is blessed by its Good, good Father. Get my point...it's another extension of American race relations. Sure is. I hate to say it. Struggle vs. No Struggle. The message in the music mirrors the preaching from the pulpit. 

Look at the black people singing CCM. How many gospel collaborations have they been on? Where were they raised? Look at that and you'll see there's a pipeline to either gospel music or CCM. It's perfectly fine, and I'm not making this a complaint about people's upbringing, etc. What I am saying is that you can't fake the funk as a gospel kid in CCM clothing. 

Artists, have you reached out to CCM radio stations or journalists for reviews? Do you even know the CCM stations in your market? What about publications like Charisma News? Know them? You'll need to if you want your music to really make a statement in CCM. And that's after your mix matches what they're already used to hearing.

You're gonna need to pray. Ask God where your music belongs. Ask Him about your arrangement. Ask Him who is supposed to hear your music. Ask Him for songs! ASK HIM FOR SONGS!!! Covers are great and I'm sitting on a cover of one of Don Moen's funkiest (yep I said it) tunes. In time, it'll happen. I have a version of "How Great Is Our God" but the way publishing works and the fact that Christ Tomlin isn't the only writer credited on the song has made it another solid reference track! 

We don't care to hear your Michael W. Smith cover and the problem you may not realize is that Michael W. Smith fans don't really care YOU cover his song! 

So think about that as you create. Who is this music for? If it's CCM, send it to the CCM channels of media. Get into their audience, don't clog up gospel with what can easily be enjoyed as Contemporary Christian Music. 

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What I learned From Prince

4/30/2016

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The whole world is currently mourning Prince and rightfully so. Last Sunday, churches offered tribute in the most puzzling ways...E. Dewey Smith even offered his explanation for the brief tribute that took place at his church...not sure everybody gets it, though. That's the enigma of Prince Rogers Nelson, though...he was a lot to everybody. Whether you were wild, crazy sex driven Prince fan or the overall creative, innovative brilliant minded Prince fan, you like me were a fan nonetheless. 

Prince was the definition of an artist. There will never be another like Prince, all the rest are imitations. He was weird and made us ok with it! As enigmatic as he was, death was the only one who had him figured out. The bible says there'd come a time when we'd be glad to see 'em go and sad to see 'em born...if these aren't those days, I just don't know!

However, as all the tributes have poured in, I've silently sat back waiting for someone to steal my story! To my fortune, they have not. So let me share with you Prince's biggest influences on myself. This of course follows after the very obvious musical legacy. 

As a twenty something, it hit me early that I needed to study Prince's music. I got hold of my late uncle's 8-track collection as a pre-teen and was hip to most of what Motown had to offer before the age of 13. So when I began to study Prince, I really studied Prince. College was my first real Prince experience...the Gold Experience album. Of course the single was "Diamonds and Pearls" but there was a song one club in particular always seemed to be playing when we walked in..."P-Control". I laughed and never really danced to it thinking it was some EDM track from overseas or something! Yep, that's Prince, too! LOL

I studied his albums, I have a few LP's as well. Of all the albums he recorded, I loved his creativity and the album title: "Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic".  I was always kind of leary of Prince as a believer because of the obvious reasons. But when my friend Charles basically challenged me to check out his album "The Rainbow Children" I debated but finally ​acquiesced. It was actually one of the best musical decisions I've ever made. The reason it's not talked about much is because it's actually a biblical album. Prince was a devout Jehovah's Witness and while I don't know what the doctrine is currently, for years they didn't recognize Jesus as the son of God as "Christians" do. Listening to the album, I had a feeling that he'd tapped in to some deep truth that not many believers cared to discuss. "Who are the rainbow children"? Are those the Hebrews scattered, slaves? Who are they? It takes listening to the entire album to really begin to discover any remote possibilities to what that answer may be. The  album is a huge part of my development as a musician and for that I will always appreciate Prince. 

One of my favorite DJ's of all time is Rudy Vee. He was at 105.7 KRNB in Dallas for years on the Quiet Storm and he introduced me to Prince's track "Muse 2 The Pharoah". I loved it and then I knew that Charles was onto something, so I went out to get it. 

I love that album and it's my favorite Prince album. John Blackwell on drums just spoke the clearest drummer language I'd heard anybody speak and I'll never forget that summer! I was also really trying my darndest to woo this young lady named Angela and we spent many nights riding in my Volkswagen Passat (with the Rabbit engine) listening to tracks from the album with the moonroof open...the Angela thing didn't work out but the album stayed in my cd changer! ;) One thing as a producer I learned from Prince was the untitled/hidden track idea. I'd be riding in the car and a song would just start playing. I thought my cd changer was messing up until I realized that the cd was made that way! How genius an idea it was...I've done the same on albums I've engineered and mastered. 

"She Loves Me 4 Me" was the song I used to look for a wife. I heard the lyrics and I was like: "Where is she?" LOL I can definitely say that my wife Rhonda comes the closest to that, so yeah, Prince helped me pick a wife, too! 

Sign O' The Times
The summer of 2002 in what would be my last days at Weatherford College I went on a vintage music feast..."a smorgasbord at least" (from "Wedding Feast") I'd located a turntable and proceeded to spin every '33 I could find. One of the greatest treasures from that summer was finding Carole King's "Tapestry" LP. I loved it and played til I thought it would die right there on my turntable. I had also started my journey into adulthood...I finally had a video rental card in my name! I found the movie "Sign O' the Times". To this day, I don't remember what it was about, more like a concert video. I remember seeing Sheila E (I was in love) and hearing "Little Red Corvette" and a few other amazing tunes...the most vivid memory from watching that movie was watching Prince go around the bandstand and play each instrument like a virtuoso. You may remember Tonex doing the same thing on his "Out the Box" video. 

That solidified Prince's legacy as one of the world's greatest musicians, for me. I didn't think he'd know his way around a Hammond B-3...but he did, he absolutely did! I was a Prince fan, at that moment! 

As a fan I was disheartened that I didn't see or hear from him as much as I did earlier so I did a little research and discovered the NPG site. The site is no longer but it was more than a fan club...It was actually the hub for all things Prince! If he released new music, he released it there! If he was in concert, the only way to buy tickets was there! I hit the Prince jackpot..."so how much does all this cost, anyway?" Well, let's say that as a young college musician, I couldn't pay it! LOL

I remember seeing word of Prince concerts here and there and hearing people talk about music that wasn't for sale...but then it hit me, this guy is a real genius! He reinvented the whole music industry! This is the same guy who handed out cd's with ticket purchases...WOW! But he's Prince so this doesn't work for everybody. But could it? 

Since I've been working with and for indie artists, I want to share this with you what I learned from Prince:
1) Be Yourself, no matter how uncomfortable it makes others 
2) Find your audience
3) Engage them
4) Reward them
5) Use your platform the right way

The last point really speaks volumes in regard to who Prince was. He denied people the right to idolize him, declining a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame twice! He made his faith known, well known! He is quoted as saying: "Jesus is King" a number of times over the years. We spend a great deal of time in faith wars in our world and on social media, but when you're firm in your faith, nobody can war with that! 

So that's it, that's what Prince taught me! Not some musical epiphany, but those five things are solid Prince "things". So when I remember him and celebrate him, that's my Prince story and I'm sticking to it!


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But, What Do You Know...?

4/27/2016

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The world is ever changing and with it, everything within it. As a media person, I'm constantly overwhelmed by what's new, emerging and pertinent for success in this industry. I mean, literally each day I'm reading articles that clue me in on exactly how far behind the curve I am (LOL). Good thing is, I'm headed in the right direction and actually keeping pace with industry superiors. Just today, I read that small radio will be the ultimate salvation of the medium...what I've been saying a lot lately. 

That being said, there are moments when I feel inadequate. Times when I feel like people just don't see me (Brian Courtney Wilson has an awesome testimony about 'visibility') and times when I feel like it's just not worth it. I had a conversation with a colleague the other day and over the course of the conversation I had to just check myself and say something very true about the topic of the conversation (an actual person). I panicked over what looked like the spirit of encroachment. It looked like all of what I'd done and built was fleeting in favor or Instragram likes and Facebook re-posts. It was grim, I felt suddenly out-witted and well, inadequate (did I say that, already?). I was worried and borderline slanderous. 

I stepped back to not only be gracious but affirm the word on my life in this season. I know what God said and told me to do. I have to focus on that, only! What I also had to do was encourage myself to keep 'showing up'. Keep airing programs when they're supposed to air, keep Today's Top 10 lit at 4 pm and keep these articles popping! Just do what I'm supposed to do, believing that it's my assignment in this season. Be not only steadfast, be efficient!

Just yesterday I posted on the SoulProsper Radio Facebook page about listeners. I mean literally, 'are you listening yet?' It's a literal question, these days. Where are the people? Why aren't likes translating to listeners? It was a very hard day but there IS encouragement in the living word!


*KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING*

 Now, go with me to 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul here says for us to: "be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as ye know, your labor is not in vain in the Lord." But, what does that actually mean? 
  • Be Steadfast- Steadily...continuously do it. What is it? Your work in the Lord. Not sure about your work in the Lord? Feel free to ask Him. Donald Lawrence wrote a song that said: "If you need to know God's plan for your life, get in the spirit and let the Lord minister to you." Believe it or not, God wants to take the guess work out of discovering purpose for your life! 
  • Unmovable- In addition to showing up...stay there! Be "sober" like Peter says in 1 Peter 5:8 KNOW you're in the right place (assignment) and know WHAT to do while you're there! Be fully persuaded, thoroughly convinced!
  • Always abounding in the work of the Lord- Now do you think God would give you something and somehow be ok with mediocrity? NOPE, not at all! Not only are we expected to be in place and stay in place, but we are also expected to THRIVE IN PLACE! How do you that being still? Being unmovable in a state of mind, not body posture. 
  • Forasmuch as ye know- Here's the kicker, your knowledge or ignorance has the power to either sink you or propel you into the abundance of the work of the Lord in your life. Does your confession match the promises of God outlined in the bible? Can God do it? I don't know, why don't you ask Him?!?

Try me now herewith and see if I don't...(Malachi 3:10)

  • ​Your labor is not in vain in the Lord- If nothing else helps you, you've got to know that this makes a difference. There's  a saying: "only what you do for Christ will last". The older saints say: "Payday is coming, afterwhile". I believe both and you should as well. In life, we can find ourselves doing a number of things, while achieving nothing. This is brought on by distractions. When we're dissatisfied or discouraged we allow our mind to wander (remember to be unmovable) and we can go from wandering to meandering to being completely losing course. Your labor in the Lord is what counts..."remember what you do for Him will be counted in the end". Don't allow yourself to get distracted and lead yourself away from the purpose of God in your life! Do what you're supposed to do, when you're supposed to do it and how you've been commanded to do it!
Now, let's say it together...

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

And now, the glue

You may have identified the 'shout' in verse 58, but that's not it. The real shout in this text is in verse 57. 
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.                     1 Corinthians 15:57
 Now, how cool is that? Victory in Jesus is literally guaranteed! That's why we can be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord...God has given us victory through Jesus! So, when you like me find yourself questioning your assignment or not sure when it's 'gonna happen' remember this. 1) We already have victory and 2) We have been commissioned to succeed in and on purpose! How ya like that? 
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
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Here's What's Got My Ear...

4/20/2016

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I haven't written in this particular column in a while BUT...I had to return to my own site to talk about this topic! I have come into some great music as of late and I love every beat of it! I mean, I really do! I could do a formal review in one of my columns but I need to use my own voice and not third person as I tell you about these artists! If I were to listen to everything I've encountered, I'd still be listening, studying and learning music as I type this. So, with that being said, let's establish that I'm not excluding music, just sharing what I love at the moment. In fact, if you want to experience that, you should check out Today's Top 10 at 4 pm CST each day on SoulProsper Radio!
Maybe you'll dig it too, maybe not. Still, I think the artists I name here are pretty good and worth at least a casual glance! 

As a journalist and radio programmer I come in contact with a lot of music. Most of it is good, some is GREAT and some of the submissions are so bad I have to vent on Facebook about it! Seriously, I have taken to Facebook to make general posts brought on by music submissions. Some of the posts were in reference to mixing and mastering, some were in response to communique, some questioned the artist's motivation (skill) and some were general, 'why don't you know this?' posts.        All in all, music has been great to me over the last few months. 

SP Radio was at the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and while we were there, we came across some amazing artists. We also came across some...well, you get where I'm going with this, don't you?!? I want to share some of these artists and their projects with you. This is from me, the owner and programmer of SoulProsper Radio. So, here goes...here are a few artists whose project/single I'm currently enamored with (in no particular order).

Kanesha "NeeCee" Trott

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When Fred Stewart hit me up about NeeCee a while ago, I was anxious to hear her music. Fred has been the greatest connection for me since I began this level of journalism. Bishop Carlos Cannon hit me up and told me to expect NeeCee's project and I have...I promised a review but was too busy listening to it to get to work on it! I did jot a few thoughts down to share with you. 
  • ​​"The best part of the album is its honesty. Though there are commercially appealing elements throughout, you get the notion they didn't set out with a Grammy in mind. It's like they said: "let's go out there and make some great music and present it to God and His people!" 
  • The album gets off to an "Amazing" start. Singability is a constant throughout. The chant on "Everything You Need" reminds me of "Gotta Be Starting Something" ...she saved her best for the last four tracks. Amazing!


Dasha Moore

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Last year, as I was adding new music I came across Dasha Moore's version of "My God is Big", not to be confused with Myron Williams/Karen Clark-Sheard's "Big Victory". I fell in love the song immediately and added the song to the station. Fast forward to a few months ago when I saw pictures of her album release...I was so down because I couldn't be there! I really wanted to be there but of course I couldn't. My Pastor, Alvin Pope told me to remind him to bring me a cd his brother sent him. 

He'd said that the Minister of Music at his church released a cd and he wanted to send me a copy. Gary Pope is a strong supporter of SoulProsper Radio in California and I thank him for it! Pastor Pope walked into rehearsal and handed me the cd...IT WAS CHRISTMAS at the organ! LOL

I was literally giddy when I saw the cd and just could not believe I had the project in my hands! As I listened to the album, I was in pure music Heaven. I love the album, its flow and of course the voice of Dasha Moore. My favorite song on the album (now that I have it) is Ascend. I love the song and as I listened, I prepared each song to teach at church. Can you imagine us singing the whole album? We just might! ;) 

My favorites:
  • My God Is Big
  • I Am What God Says I Am
  • Ascend


Pastor David Wright and The N.Y. Fellowship Choir: "Clap Your Hands"

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I hadn't kept up with Pastor Wright following "We Made It Through the Storm" but meeting him at Trenia Moore's All White Party at the Stellar Awards, I got a hard copy of the New York Fellowship Choir's latest single! I again waited to try this one out on the kids and again, they loved it! I guess they've got an old soul like me...time will tell. This is perfect church music for any choir wanting to keep that Sunday morning feeling strong! The first line of the song says: "I don't know what you come to do", it's hard to go wrong from there and the N.Y. Fellowship choir doesn't disappoint at all. 

Pastor Wright deserves a great deal of recognition for keeping his father's legacy strong and helping push it forward. We spoke briefly about it on the red carpet at the all-white party, I'll share that interview in its entirety at a later date on SoulProsper Radio.


James Jackson & Atlanta Praise: "We Make Your Name Great"

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After listening to this song on repeat for at least five times, it hit me...this is a great choir anthem! It didn't take that long for me to figure it out, but it did replace Ricky Dillard's "Amazing" which currently held that spot for me. This song is a great choir anthem with an easily lovable refrain: "He is great and greatly to be praised". 


Kevin Monroe & DEvotion

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While at the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, I met a few artists at the official kick-off of the weekend. One of them was Kevin Monroe. Mr. Monroe was actually one of the friendlier artists there when I introduced myself. I took his album and card and put his cd in my bag. I didn't really hear the song until I got home but when I did listen to the single "Heaven" I was blown away. The single is produced by legendary composer and artist Edwin Hawkins. 

In today's industry, securing a high profile producer is not a formula for success but I love the tandem of Hawkins and Monroe. "Heaven" is the only song on the cd and it replayed constantly as I drove, sometimes the whole way to work and back home. 

There is nothing about this song I don't like! The music, the lyrics, the mix...it's top notch and PERFECT! 

"We're on our way to Heaven just to behold His face. 
​He'll wipe all our tears and pain away, when we get there!" 


I'm using all my journalistic authority to proclaim this song the new funeral song! It can easily be a praise and worship song, as well. But I think it's time to celebrate earthly transition the way Heaven does and this song is the perfect soundtrack for your celebration of life! 


Rock Boy Fresh

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Let's see if I can remember...Jesus is the ROCK...We should come to him like children...BOY...and He makes all things new (2 Cor. 5:17...FRESH! This group is crazy talented and I have no clue why they aren't in the mainstream conversation as of yet. This group ministers the gospel with rap, rop, hip-hop and urban gospel. By the time you get to "All I Wanna Do" on their Love.Forgive.Restore. album, you've already gone through most of the aforementioned genres. Imagine the Fugees doing a gospel album. Not exactly Lauren Hill, Wyclef and Pras...but imagine the unrivaled musicality and lyrical content wrapped up in the gospel message...you'd have this one on repeat, as well!


Infinity's Song

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album is beyond measure! When I met this group of siblings, I had no idea they'd completely captivate my senses with their self titled album. When I asked their manager which song was their single, I was told it was "Dreamfighter". I listened to the song but I just couldn't separate myself from the opening song, "Beautiful". WOW, what a song. These voices are so robust you're not really sure if it's gospel, but rest assured the message in this music is crystal clear.

I love classic easy listening music so the cover of BJ Thomas' "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" made this album extra special. The group has a unique style and they give Thomas' classic their treatment. "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" is also delivered in their style but the refrain: "...watching over me, watching over you" gives the song new life and is an escape to new creativity for such an iconic song. 

"Love Is Watching" is a cool tune. Infinity's Song's voices are so beyond their years and I enjoy it on each track! It's like listening to the very best of modern jazz singers sing a plethora of songs in each genre. The album closes with "What the World Needs Now". You remember that song, the Burt Bacharach classic...well it's got new life in the 21st century thanks to IF. The album speaks to the time the world finds itself in. "Dreamfighter" is an ode to the new struggle and challenges those breaking beyond the struggle. "Why" lets you know that there's a daily choice to be made, "there will always be a sad song to sing..."

My overall favorite is "Walking In Your Eternal Love". I encourage you to have a listen, and see why for yourself! 



Giel (God Is Eternal Love)

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I accepted Frankie Wilson's invitation to cover Inside Gospel's SXSW (South by Southwest) event "LIVE". After setting up, I got things cranking with a few on-air interviews. One of my first interviews that night was GIEL. At the time, all I'd heard about her was everybody hyping up her song "130:5 HOPE". I couldn't wait to hear the song but once I actually heard the album, I never took it out. Seriously, the whole time I was in Austin (and San Antonio-I love sight seeing) I played her album "The Decree) in my car.

I'm not actually sure what I actually love more, the artistic genius or the actual music. In between songs are powerful vignettes of scripture, affirmations. The affirmations are segues between songs and actual art themselves. With so much of this new thought stuff going around, it's great to hear someone create positive affirmations actually derived from scripture. She channels Cyndi Lauper in "Never Change" and I always have to do a double check as if I forgot which cd is in the player! 

I took everyone's advice and I listened to "My Hope". But when I heard...K.O.H. I was floored! As a musician, there are certain elements that really stick out to me and grab me in a song. The meter of this song, grabbed me from the down beat. The bgv work is incredible,too! The vamp is killin' so hard, the only comparison I can find for it is Mint Condition...I'm telling you the truth! 

A few vignettes later, we get to my 'take this secular music!' song...Forever! Yesterday after church, we came to my mother's house and she was having some work done outside. While we were all outside, I turned my car radio up and blasted this song on the same street that was flooded with blues and R&B the night before. 

I LOVE THIS ALBUM! It's only 40 minutes but it's a jam packed forty minutes! 


PAstor James Powell

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I met Pastor James Powell on The New York Fellowship's single "We Made It Through the Storm". I knew of his singing but not enough to really call myself a fan on any level. I met Pastor Powell in passing during Stellar weekend and shook his hand. My kids love him on the song with Pastor Wright and the NY Fellowship choir. I don't remember exactly at which event I got his album in my bag...but from the first track, I was hooked! Powell's treatment of hymns and classic gospel songs are immeasurably great! 

Powell's  arrangements of "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name", "There's Power in the Blood", Victory in Jesus" and "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power" place this album in my top 10 of all time. The creativity that drives this album is off the charts. His current single "Recover" is making the rounds and he's even released a video for the song, but it won't be a single song on this album that'll make you love it! The whole album...get the whole album! You will NOT be disappointed, in fact you will be inspired whether you're a singer/musician or not! 

Add James Powell "Reconstructed" to your music collection, today!

Favorite Tracks:
  • Victory in Jesus
  • The Heavens Are Open
  • Hold On (It's Almost Over)
  • All Hail the Power of Jesus Name


The Abyssinian Mass Jazz at Lincoln center with Wynton Marsalis featuring Damien Sneed and Chorale Le Chateau

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As a young musician, I had two favorites: Edward Kennedy Ellington and Quincy Jones. As a matter of fact, watching Q's transformation of Michael Jackson's sound, I knew with absolute certainty that I wanted to be a producer. Now couple Q's genius with Berry Gordy's ingenuity and there ya have it...my future! Duke Ellington's lush compositions made me a young fan. I studied his music and knew nearly each member of his band by name. Tricky Sam was my hero! When I started playing trombone, I immediately started working on my plunger technique. As a young drummer, Sonny Greer was my inspiration! I mean, he kept time for my favorite musician of all time! As a young believer, I searched for a dynamic that melded the sacred with my love for swing and I found it when I discovered Ellington's Sacred Music concert. With this I experienced Duke's divine compositions, thus solidifying his place at #1 on my list. 

Fast forward to 2016 and Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra has released the only contemporary to Ellington's iconic Sacred Music offering. In 23 tracks, Wynton Marsalis has masterfully composed original tunes that swing from the call to order the benediction/doxology. I love this one because jazz literally comes to church! The overlapping dynamic here is one that may be intrinsic to my experience...jazz and church, it's me all day! The genres are also fleeting in the marketplace while at the same time experiencing new creative heights. 

*I met Wynton Marsalis as a senior in High School. LCJO was performing at The Bass Hall in Fort Worth and I'd been given tickets. Ironically, I met a few band members and showed them to the hall. The doorman held the door for me and I followed them inside. It happened just like that. I met the band and Herlin Riley gave me his home number (504 something)-he'd been on the cover of Modern Drummer that year so I was completely geeking out! Wynton was cool and I even got to hang with them after the show. Unforgettable night, LCJO will always be one of my favorite bands.*

Each song has a scripture assigned to it! Wynton dug in and really made this a genuine worship experience, through the vehicle of jazz. I can't really say enough about this project other than to say that for jazz lovers, this is the perfect contemporary blend. Add in the choir and what you also have here are a fair share of selections for Sunday morning. Who'd be willing to take this on? I'd love to see it, and allow this music to move during the corporate worship service setting. 

Here's a little something from the original press release:
The Abyssinian Mass - a landmark collaboration of jazz, gospel, instrumentation and vocals -marks Marsalis's first original recorded composition in six years. 

In 2008, nine-time GRAMMY® award winner Marsalis was commissioned to write a piece commemorating the 200th anniversary of Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church. The result was a sacred celebration: a sweeping composition for big band and 70-piece gospel choir conducted by Damien Sneed. The work's popularity sustained a 16-city, 19-concert tour that brought the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, award-winning recording artist Damien Sneed and his choir Chorale Le Chateau across the American south and into deep dialogue with the black tradition.  


Bonus Track: Gerald Davis

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Being in journalism has its perks. I've been listening to an unreleased version of one of Gerald Davis' songs for the past few weeks. Gerald is a close friend and I played for him when he was here at home in Texas. Since moving to California with his wife and now children, we continue to keep in touch. Gerald released his first single "The Earth is the Lord's" and continues to  prep for his full album release. This track "Rescue Me Again" is pure fire! FIYA, I tell ya...and you'll have to take my word for it, until he releases it. 

As a writer, Gerald's got a lot to say and not many singers can really bring that through. Tatiana Mayfield is a solid singer who brought the vision through with clarity and ease! In fact listening to the song's "throwback" groove made me reminisce of George Duke and Rachell Ferrell's good days in the studio. This song is different for both Gerald Davis and the gospel music industry, but the message..."you rescued me..." is plain enough for the newest convert to understand! 

​I have no idea about any potential release date but I will tell you that whenever you get to hear it, you'll be glad you did!


** Bring Back the Hymns

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I'm jumping the gun on this one, but when this project is released it's definitely on my list! Roy Cotton has assembled a number of amazing musicians and singers for this project which features hymns of the church. The musical foundation, if you will. Let's see, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Pastor Darrell and Latonya Blair, Crystal Rucker...the list goes on an on. The album is being released this weekend at the Pastors and Leaders Conference this week in Florida. 

We'll see, but I hope while Roy's "Bringing Back the Hymns" in Florida, he remembers to 'bring back' a few copies to DFW next week! 

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SHould Kim Davis keep her job or resign?

9/10/2015

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I'm gonna file this one on the Op-Ed side and just go for broke. While I do agree that Christians in America are being shut out as the world turns in favor of darkness, I don't completely agree with Kim Davis' denial of same sex marriage licenses. In this article, I'll detail why...I'll take as a pretty good indicator this article being unpublished on Examiner.com (typo in the headline) that it's still a hot button issue. Hotter than that, the manifold opinions flying around about it. Well here's my crack at it, this is what Fred said...
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Is Kim Davis a household name,yet? The Rowan County Clerk was released from jail on Tuesday and seems to have strengthened resolve following her stint in jail for not issuing marriage licenses to gay couples in her county. What many wrangle with is the legality of Davis' marriage license denial. The bible does speak of end time persecution, but is Davis precipitating her own brand of persecution by defying the Supreme Court ruling in her county? It remains to be seen, is Davis' situation persecution or obstruction? If your calendar isn't set to 'end times', this probably won't register...close, but no rapture! With so much negative chatter surrounding it, could this spectacle be a black eye for the Kingdom? Undoubtedly, the Davis is fodder for gossip tv, talk shows and just about every social media outlet on the planet. With an ally like Mike Huckabee, you'll be seeing more of Davis than you bargained for!

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

I've got rights, right?
The main premise brought up in the Kim Davis conversation is persecution. By definition, it is actually insubordination and worthy of a recall vote. Too much? Five days in jail is also overkill, in case anyone is interested. Here's the deal, what you're seeing play out is a gross misinterpretation of scripture on Davis' part. While not defending the newly awarded right to gay marriage, Davis is also free to express her belief in God that decries gay sex and forbids gay marriage. The two intersect across the counter in her office but what shouldn't be lost in all of this is citizen rights. Davis does NOT have to approve of the gay marriages validated by her signature, but she does have to fulfill the responsibilities laid out in her job description.

Upon clocking in, Davis is at work for the people she serves in that county, not only those she worships with at church. In practicality Davis, whose marriage license refusal works to her discredit could benefit from a resignation. Unencumbered by her job as an elected official, she could work like Madelyn Murray O'Hair and campaign against gay marriage right there in Rowan County. O'Hair's infamous ruling eliminated corporate prayer in schools. 

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

In this climate, believers everywhere are going to have to seek the wisdom of God almighty when faced with circumstances like this. It will no longer be enough to operate with a religious understanding. Believers must know what God is saying in every situation and about every situation in order to face a maddened public, dissuaded against Christ. If Davis has such a problem with the ruling as it pertains to her job as an elected official, she is compelled to resign. Perhaps she could join up with the Westboro Baptist (also in Kentucky) protesters, wherever they are these days. On a serious note and with both religious and secular methods considered, here are four options for Kim Davis in lieu of denying marriage licenses:

  • Consult with the County leadership on the matter and come to a compromise somehow
  • Resign and wash her hands of it altogether
  • Pray and ask God for guidance before doing or saying anything else
  • Ask God for provisions as she would then be jobless following her resignation
Do the work of an evangelist
What ever happened to evangelism? Davis came in contact with people who needed to hear the convicting gospel she stands by each day. What did she do with that opportunity? Even believers have been torn since the story broke, not sure how to balance the word with everyday legal matters. You can't legislate morality and with each ruling that goes against the word, believers must understand the new burden to evangelize and immediately pick up the slack. This includes increased vocality when there was previously no need to speak out, providing input to buffer throngs of advocates for godless agendas like the removal of the 10 Commandments or the placement of yet another Bophamet statue.

County Clerk Kim Davis is not alone in this madness, however. In 2012 Texas Judge Tonya Parker, a lesbian came under fire for her unwillingness to perform heterosexual weddings in Dallas County. The judge didn't back down and was not reprimanded. To add insult to injury, Parker was re-elected in 2014 and is currently serving her latest term which expires in 2018. Parker is just as wrong as Davis and deserves some level of punishment or professional reprimand for her contribution to the hate filled drama played out in public office. 

All in all, this isn't about belief, it's about adherence to what the law says. What about the muslim who won't ring up ham or the pro-life cashier who refuses the purchase of contraceptives? Don't think that's relevant? Continue to celebrate Kim Davis and you'll run into that sooner than later. Again...what happened to evangelism? Are believers tethered to their professions and church affiliations, only? Does your relationship with God exist outside of work and church? Can Kim Davis shine the light of Christ as County Clerk whose signature validates gay marriages in her county? If your answer is no, perhaps your expression of God needs a retouch and enlightenment. 

This isn't a "God is love" or grace to all end all. This is a new question that the Lord has already answered (wise as serpents, harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16). Is the body of Christ listening? Is God calling believers off their jobs? NO and run very far away from any semblance of that message! If Davis won't resign, she's got to be forced out. How many souls are saved with her defiance? Believers can't rule out God's ability to be glorified even when adherence to His laws are seemingly trampled on. 


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    In this blog, you will hear from Fred directly about a broad variety of subjects. Though Fred normally expresses his thoughts in his columns, he has created this space to share his most intimate thoughts concerning everyday life!

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