If you find a major gospel music weekend, you’re probably gonna find an Urban Soul Cafe event.  They’re put on by Carlos Hale & Preacher Kid (aka “PK”).  This particular one was held at B.B. King’s.

The event was honoring Jacky Clark-Chisholm, whose daughter, Angel Chisholm, sang the daylights out of a tribute song.  Can we… uhh… get an album from you?

I wanna highlight TWO indie artists who performed that night and who are incredibly gifted.  I hope you’ll check ‘em out cuz they represent some GREAT music in the underground scene.  Jai is a phenomenal musical powerhouse, with tons of personality and charisma to boot.  Check out her MySpace page (better than many MAJOR recording artists) by clicking here. Then, there’s J.R., another gifted writer, singer and performer.  His MySpace page (also phenomenal) is here.  Make sure you listen to “Not A Slave” from him.  Both artists are St. Louis-based and have a refreshing sound.  Jai sounds like Missy Elliott merged into gospel and J.R. is like an Outkast meets gospel, but both are original and creative and unique and… just GREAT.  Check them out.  Plus, I met both of ‘em and they’re confident, but humble, which is great to see.  I may try to feature them at some point.

Okay, back to the show… a bunch of Zomba Gospel artists were also in the house and performed: Kirk Franklin with Da T.R.U.T.H., 21:03, Crystal Aikin and Shari Addison.

All in all, the show was fun, but crowded.  Somehow, I ended up sitting next to Kirk Franklin, which meant A LOT of fans coming over and speaking, and even more fans coming over and ACTING like they’re doing something else, but really just staring and being weird.  I left with the Zomba Gospel folks, and it was laaaaate… like 2am or something.  EXHAUSTING, but a great way to end the day!

Make sure to check back for photos in the 2009 Stellar Awards Weekend Photo Gallery!  And get ready for what happened on Saturday, the day of the show!

Back in a minute!