As you know, I attended the kick-off concert of the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour this past Saturday (click here for my recap on the tour and to see why you NEED to make plans to attend it when it comes to your town).  Bishop Hezekiah Walker is headlining the 9-city tour.

Before the event, Bishop Walker took a minute to chat with me about a few things, including his involvement with McDonald’s and plans for a new album!

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EJ: How are you?

HW: I’m good, thanks!

EJ: Thanks for taking a quick minute to chat with me.  I’m curious about your experience with McDonald’s and this tour… what prompted you to become a part of it?

HW: Well, this is our first night, so I’m really excited about that. The experience has been great so far.  I’ve been a part of McDonald’s for quite some time, actually. Back in New York, the McDonald’s Gospel Fest is the thing that really took off my career, back in 1985!

EJ: Oh, right!

HW: So I’ve partnered with them for years now. But as far as the Inspiration Celebration tour, there’s an amazing connection there. I’m really all about community and to see McDonald’s giving back and wanting to embrace our community, and embrace what we do, I think it’s big.

EJ: Absolutely. I know you’ve been able to visit some of the Ronald McDonald Houses as well.

HW: Yes! It’s been amazing.

EJ: You’ve seen what they’re doing first-hand. How has that impacted you?

HW: It’s amazing! Growing up, you hear of the Ronald McDonald House, but you never really know what they do. A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting St. Jude’s and I thought it was the only institution that does what they do– taking care of children and their families. But when I really got involved with the Ronald McDonald House, it blew me away.

EJ: Yeah.

HW: It brought tears to my eyes– just to see the kids there. They had smiles on their faces, they weren’t complaining, they were happy. The establishment was a very good environment– good to live in, good to eat in, to socialize in… they have really good, positive people around them.

EJ: That’s great.

HW: And the craziest thing– it’s right in my backyard! Right in New York, you know what I’m saying?

EJ: And you didn’t even know about it.

HW: Yeah. And it really made me feel good to know that there are other people, outside of all I knew (St. Jude’s), that are doing things on this level. Especially where I live, there’s a McDonald’s maybe every 10 blocks.

EJ: Absolutely.

HW: And when you see one, you think of hamburgers. *laughs*

EJ: *laughs* Right!

HW: But to see them working outside of just serving hamburgers, but really giving back… that made my heart feel glad.

EJ: Sure. And it’s a reality of that we don’t often get to see.

HW: We don’t get to see that. Not at all.

EJ: Well, that’s awesome. Congratulations, by the way, on being installed as Bishop! That’s tremendous.

HW: Thank you very much!

EJ: And are you working on a new album?

HW: Yes, working on a new album. Right now, we’re still trying to figure out which way to go. I have a big pull to do something in South Africa, so I’m debating whether to do the next album in South Africa.

But, if not, we’ll do it here in the States and we’ll wait until next year to do something in Africa.

EJ: I love it. I’m looking forward to it, for sure.

HW: Definitely!

EJ: Well, thanks for taking a quick minute to chat with me. Congrats on everything and great work on this tour!

HW: Thank you, man. Good to see you again.

EJ: Yes, sir!

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And there you have it, folks.

I don’t know how many more ways I can encourage you to attend one of these FREE concerts, but I think you’ll really enjoy it. Get there, if you can! Click here for more info on the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Tour.