I want you guys to pay extra close attention to Alex Williams.  He’s been working in the industry for a minute now, in various capacities, and is finally stepping out on his own as an artist and worship leader.  He’s got great music and a great message.

In addition to writing “Invitation” and “Rain On Me” for Byron Cage’s album, “An Invitation To Worship,” Alex has served as a worship leader for Lifeway’s Going Beyond conferences with Priscilla Shirer.  No novice to the business side of things, he’s also worked as a road manager for several artists.

Alex recently released his first single “Everybody Needs A Hero,” and it’s available on iTunes, Amazon and Rhapsody.  He’s in the process of finishing up his first EP, due later this year.

Before you buy the single, you can take a listen to it here– I’ve just added it to the Pundit Player.   Click here to listen!!!

You can also check him out on Twitter, on Facebook, and on MySpace.

Lemme know what you think!!!!

I wrote an album review of Yunek’s Exodus Three: Seventeen a while ago.  I loved the way that she deals directly and Biblically with some tough topics, including her past struggles with sexuality.

This particular song, “Straddle The Fence,” is in line with her general mode of operation– it’s real and honest, with a good message.  I like the song.  I didn’t at first, but I do now.  Plus, the chorus reminds me of something that Aaliyah might have recorded, which is always pleasant to hear.

Peep the video:

Production-wise, I think it’s a quality video with solid camera angles and videography.  I like the storyline of the video, though I know some of you are gonna give her grief for that club dress she was rockin’.

And I may be gettin’ old– all of the dance shots looked the same to me, but maybe that’s what the young people are doing these days.  LOL

All in all, I like.  What about you?

Folks– take a listen to “Champion,” the first single from Darwin Hobbs’ upcoming project of the same name.  As a reminder, the full album– the first live recording of his career– is due on June 8th.

“Champion” is a song empowering and encouraging people– we’re overcomers… we’re champions.  The track is already ripping through radio and I think you’re gonna like it.

It’s got a praise & worship, battle cry type of vibe to me… definitely a song intended to be DECLARED!  I can see praise teams giving it a go on Sunday mornings…

AND, word has it that Darwin Hobbs has just signed a recording deal as the FIRST artist on Imago Dei/Universal, a new label venture by none other than MAX SIEGEL (former President of Verity Records).  WOW… Congrats Darwin!

Click here to listen to “Champion,” then leave a comment to let me know what you think!

Quick heads-up, folks– Bishop Hezekiah Walker will be co-hosting gmc’s Joyful Noise Café tomorrow, March 12th, from 11am to 1pm ET.

Tunin’ in???

A new Bishop Paul Morton compilation album, Memorable Moments, debuted at #8 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week.  The project features some of his greatest hits, including “Cry Your Last Tear” and “Let It Rain”.

I love to hear Bishop Morton sing– even more, I love to WATCH him sing.  Great man of God with lots of gifts…  Did anyone pick up the compilation project? Check it out by clicking here.

In related news, WOW Gospel 2010 still sits at #1 on the chart, followed by BeBe & CeCe Winans and James Fortune & FIYA at #2 and #3, respectively.

Tamela Mann’s The Master Plan is at #4 and Fred Hammond’s Love Unstoppable rounds out the top 5.

And that’s about it.

Word has it that Richard Smallwood & Vision will be recording a new album later this year.

The upcoming project is tentatively titled Promises and may feature both live and studio tracks.

I’m SUPER excited for this.  They had their first rehearsal a few days ago and I hear the music is as moving and powerful as we’ve come to expect from Richard Smallwood… thank God for that guy.  His music is a big part of the soundtrack of what we know as “contemporary gospel music.”  And Vision… the vocals are downright heavenly.

Anybody else love ‘em like I do???

Word has it that Karen Clark Sheard’s fifth solo album, All In One, will be available for pre-order from iTunes beginning on March 23rd.  The project will be in-stores everywhere on April 6.

Featuring guest vocals from her sister, Dorinda Clark Cole, daughter Kierra Sheard and niece Angel Chisholm, keys by her cousin Bill Moss Jr., and production by both her son, J Drew Sheard II, and cousin J Moss, this project is definitely a family affair.

The lead single, “Prayed Up,” is already doing well at radio (and you can hear it on the Pundit Player here, too).  Make sure you call your local stations to request it.

What do you think of the album cover?  What do you think of the single?  Who’s gettin’ excited???

A month or so ago, I revealed Kirk Franklin’s book cover and shared my initial thoughts on it.

I’ve just received word of a book tour that Kirk is launching, beginning on May 18th, the release date of his new book, The Blueprint: A Plan For Overcoming Life’s Obstacles.

May 18 - Atlanta, GA
May 19 - Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD
May 20 - New York, NY
May 21 - Cleveland, OH
May 22 - Detroit, MI
May 23 & 24 - Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
May 25 - Houston, TX
May 26 - Lexington, KY
May 28 - Los Angeles, CA

Specific locations will be released later, I do believe.  Check his website for updates– http://www.kirkfranklin.com.

*pauses* So, no Nashville date, eh?  HMPH!

I think they’ll be great– Kirk is a dynamic dude.  Who’s gonna try to go to one of the tour dates? 

I can’t recall the last time I posted something in the Buggin’ Me series.  But this particular issue has really been buggin’ me over the past few weeks…

I get press releases all day, every single day.  By way of background, GospelPundit.com is not a media source that re-publishes press releases– I decide whether I wanna talk about the topic and, if I do, I re-write what matters and put my own slant on it… I don’t cut and paste.

The purpose of press releases is to alert the press/public of some newsworthy event or occurrence.  But lately, I’ve been getting several press releases that don’t just announce something– they announce something while making a dig at someone else.  Some are implicit, others are downright blatant.

A few weeks ago, Label A and Artist A launched a very public feud by way of press releases.  First, the label sent notice that Artist A violated his recording contract by recording for another label.  Then, Artist A’s team shot a press releases in response, essentially saying “no, I didn’t… you’re trippin’.”

What surprised me was that my inbox was being made privvy to a dispute that had been brewing for months and suddenly spilled over into the public arena.  And, because other media sites do simply republish press releases (especially the ”juicy” ones), the entire gospel community is now privvy to your drama.  But now that we all know that… so what?

Another situation– three weeks ago, Artist P’s latest single hit #1 at radio and a press release was issued by his label.  A week later, Artist Q’s single was #1 at radio and a press release was issued by his label.  That’s normal– we get those all the time.

Last night, I saw another release from Artist P’s label, saying that his single is back at #1.  It then went on to clarify that, in actuality, the only reason his single was even #2 last week (instead of staying at #1) was because of this factor and that factor.  The press release sought to discredit the press release issued about Artist Q, so that we’d all understand what’s “really” going on and that Artist P still runs the show at radio.  But again– now that we know that… so what?

I’m weirded out by it.  It makes me wonder what matters most to some of the artists or their teams.  It makes me wonder how authentic the artists are being, laughing with one another in-person, then swiping at each other with press releases.

In my opinion, there’s a way to give notice of your accomplishments without slinging mud.  There is a way to build yourself up without chipping away at someone else.

I think, as professionals, we can do that.  I think, as Christians, we’re called to.  But maybe I’m just being naive…

What do you think?

I may start calling them The Nelson Twins to save on keystrokes.

You folks already know that Jonathan Nelson recorded his live album a couple of weeks ago.  Word has it that it’ll be in stores on August 24th from Integrity Music.

On Friday, I posted a lil’ video of his twin brother, Jason Nelson, and some of you commented that you didn’t even know of him.

After I the shock wore off and I regained consciousness, I saw that he sent a Twitter message saying that his live recording is taking place on Friday, April 23rd at his church, Greater Bethlehem Temple in Baltimore, MD.

I think the industry’s about to be doubly blessed! LOL