Stumbled upon this little nugget and knew I had to post it.  I got so excited, not by Donnie McClurkin’s lead vocals, but by how tight the BACKGROUND vocals are.

I’ve always thought that Donnie has some of the best background vocalists in gospel music– their sound is tight, their blend is on point, the dynamics are always in sync with one another.  Plus, the arrangements are usually quite intricate, whether he’s got 3 singers or 9.  In this particular video, I see his sister Andrea Mellini, Duawne Starling and Sherry McGhee.  That’s it. And they kinda don’t miss.

Whichever aspect of this video you choose to pay attention to, I think you’re gonna love it.

What do you think???

I think folks kinda Slept On this album and I’m humbly urging you to reconsider.

The McClurkin Project released We Praise You, their sophomore album, in 2006.  The family group included Donnie McClurkin and his sisters Tanya McClurkin, Cheri McClurkin, Andrea Mellini, and the late, never EVER to be forgotten, Olivia McClurkin.  Long-time family friend Carol Carter is also a member of the group.

Their sound was incredibly reminiscent of the Hawkins family– that tight-knit sound with rich background vocals and memorable leads.  I love just about every track on this album, with my faves being “We Praise You,” written and led by Andrea Mellini, “I Am Your Servant Lord,” “If You’re Ever Feeling Lonely,” and ”Precious Lord,” led by Olivia McClurkin.

And who can deny the incredible imagery and power in the instant classic “As Long As There’s You” led by Andrea, Olivia and Donnie?!  Listen to a snippet of that here:

Also, watch this video clip of Andrea leading the album’s single, “We Praise You,” at the live recording:

Who has the album?  Who decided to pass on it?  Why?  Talk to me!

Ok, folks… after the Central Park Summer Stage concert (click here to read my recap from yesterday), we grabbed some grub and rushed to the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ for the annual McDonald’s GospelFest.

The GospelFest used to be in NYC, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, but they moved it to Jersey a coupla years ago and I hadn’t been since then… going all outta state and what not.

But, I was thrilled to be in attendance this year!  Performers included J Moss, CeCe Winans, Regina Belle, Cissy Houston, Vickie Winans, Hezekiah Walker, Donnie McClurkin and Patti LaBelle.  WOWWWWWWWWW.

J Moss tore that stage APART.  He’s not playing, folks!  CeCe Winans was also incredible and she brought her brother, BeBe, out to sing their new single, “Close To You.”  I’m growing increasingly excited for the reunion album and tour!

Regina Belle ministered like you wouldn’t believe!  Remember how I posted something months ago about her being sidelined due to a sudden illness?  Well, she testified about that trial– what should’ve been one 2-hour surgery ended up being an 8-hour surgery, followed by FIVE more surgeries.  She was told she would be deaf in one ear, but she’s healed and in business!  She sounded great.

Hezekiah Walker & LFC also gave a rousing performance (as always), with Donnie McClurkin joining the tenor section, just for kicks.  Up next was Donnie’s set, full of energy, classic songs, GREAT singing and some of my favorite background singers on Earth.  I was backstage by the time Vickie Winans went up, but I could HEAR her loud and clear– she never disappoints on the vocals.

Behind the scenes, even more folks were milling around– Melinda Watts, Jason Nelson, Jerard Woods, Andrea Mellini…

At a certain point, the security backstage got SOOO tight, you’d have though President Obama was coming through. You know how sometimes folks take their jobs a bit too seriously?  Yeah… shout-out to the security team for being super duper EXTRA with your little walkie-talkies.

Turns out it wasn’t the Prez… it was Patti LaBelle.  Close enough, if you ask me! She closed out the show in grand fashion, looking and sounding SPECTACULAR at age 65.

All in all, a GREAT time.  Met some new folks and re-connected with old ones… I’m grateful.  You can check out some GREAT performance pictures at the website of The Star Ledger, a local NJ paper.  My own backstage pics follow:

And, of course, I didn’t forget to get a quick word on video from Melinda Watts:

Whatd’ya think???

She’s one of my favorite singers to EVER walk planet Earth.  And I interviewed her.

Melonie Daniels is revered by many for her incredible range, her unique and distinctive tone, and a precise vocal agility.  She is multi-faceted and has sung with just about everyone– from her long career backing Mariah Carey to BGV’s and guest solo spots with gospel’s greatest artists (if I name them, we’ll be here all day, but for starters: Kim Burrell, Karen Clark-Sheard, Donald Lawrence, Andraé Crouch, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond…).  Most recently, you’ve prolly heard her voice in the background on the theme song for BET’s Sunday Best.  And since she stepped out as a solo artist a coupla years ago, she has been gaining even more attention among consumers.

We talked for so long that I’ma have to split the interview into 3 parts.  People, gather round and read PART ONE of my chat with my buddy, the INCOMPARABLE Melonie Daniels…

*     *     *

EJ:  Hey!

MD:  Hey!  What’s going on?

EJ:  Nothin’, except we’re doing our interview! YAY!!!

MD:  *laughing*

EJ:  I’ve been so excited for this interview.  You’ve been on my list.

MD:  Yeah, I was watching your progress as you interviewed Andrea [Mellini] and Jerard [Woods], and I was like “HEY!  When’s he gonna call me?!” *laughing*

EJ:  Are you kiddin’ me?!  You can ask my wife, ask anyone.  Everyone knows that you’re my fave.  And I kept saying “and ONE day, when I’ve ARRIVED…”

MD:  *laughs*

EJ:  Plus, I had a hard time when I was thinking about you because I wanted you for the “On BGVs” series, but you’re also really pursuing the solo career hard right now, so I didn’t know where to place you.  Same thing with Jerard [Woods] and Candy West.  I thought it would defeat the purpose of what you’re trying to do to feature you on the background vocalist tip.

MD:  Not necessarily.  Being part of a worship team at the church, and as a servant, you’ll always be called back and forth.  A lot of times, a lot of artists forget about the process because they’re busy doing what their goal was.

But one of my ultimate goals WAS to be a background singer.  All the rest is whatever God wants me to do, but I TREASURE that and I love doing it.

EJ:  I’m so excited right now.

MD:  *laughs*

EJ:  Really.  Because I love that we’re gonna get that perspective, and here’s why:  A lot of people– and it’s not a bad thing at all– but a lot of people intended to be solo artists and background work was a stepping stone to that end.  But you’re saying that background singing WAS your goal?

MD:  It was my plan from the time I was 4 years old.

EJ:  Why?!

MD:  Here’s the thing.  I’ve been in the church since conception, went back a month after I got out, and I’ve been in the church ever since.

EJ:  *laughs* I’m mad at “got out.”

MD:  *laughs*  Yeah, when I got out!  Cuz I was there from conception to birth, I waited for about a month, then I went on back to church.

But my mom and dad were both very active in ministry.  They were presidents of different auxiliaries at different times, superintendents of the Sunday School, ushers, pastor’s secretary, trustees, deacons… all that stuff.  So, I was always at church.

And, my parents (around the house) played every kind of music.  I was born and raised Baptist…

EJ:  Are you Baptist??  I thought you were COGIC for some reason.

MD:  What?!  Baptist born, Baptist bred, when I die, I’m goin’ to see Jesus. *laughing*

EJ: *laughs*

MD:  But, my mother tells me that, when I was 3 or 4 months old, she would say “hi,” and I was matching pitch with her.  I’m like “are you crazy?” So, from the time that I could function, cognitively, I was sitting on the bench next to the musicians of the church, listening to them teach parts to the choir.

EJ:  You were BORN to do music.

MD:  I definitely believe I was.

EJ:  Wow.  Ok, so this was the plan.  Talk to me about that, though.  Growing up, if this was the plan, how did you know HOW to do it?  Because there’s no roadmap.  People don’t write books on how to become a background vocalist.

MD:  Right.  And that is one of my desires, to do that, because there is no handbook.  Most of the time, like you said, they fall into it because they have a good voice, they’re teachable and they wanna help.

For me, I grew up listening to cartoon music… The reason I can identify certain pieces of classical music is because of Bugs Bunny.

EJ:  *laughs*  Right.  That’s true.

MD:  Ummm… TV commercials.  I was always intrigued by people who did those things because they weren’t seen.  And it’s like, “who’s DOIN’ that?”  Or TV theme songs.  You never knew who was doing that either.

EJ:  So, you specifically did NOT want the glory of being seen?  Cuz, as a kid… kids often wanna be singers because they think of the spotlight or the solo mic, or the glamour.  At age 4, you didn’t want that?

MD:  Mm-mmm.  My parents are ministers and they’re behind-the-scenes people.  They never exhibited that desire to be in the front– they always wanted to help.  And that was my example growing up.  So, I never wanted to be in the front.  Actually, I was anti-front. *laughs*

EJ:  Why?

MD:  It just didn’t intrigue me.  It didn’t capture my attention.  I was just like “as long as I can be a cog in the wheel, to help it get to the destination, I’m good.”

EJ:  But Mel, you have one of the greatest voices around.  Are you supposed to BE a cog?  Some people would say you’re not a cog-in-the-wheel voice… you’re a spoke-in-the-wheel or something.

MD:  Hmmm… No.

EJ:  You don’t take that?

MD:  No.  Because I think of it as the Body of Christ– everybody’s got a function.  And I don’t think anyone is more important than the other because we all need each part to function, interdependently and independently, in order for the Body of Christ to be effective.

Because if there’s just one person that always wants to be at the top, and they don’t offer anything to the Body, the rest of the Body can become ill.  Or, because of a lack of a function, it can become dormant or cause disruption.  And I don’t want that to be the story.

When I was growing up in my church in Long Island, I was an usher, I taught Sunday School, I worked in the kitchen.  I’ll STILL do it.  When Judy [McAllister] did her recording at [Greater Allen AME Cathedral], I was one of the sopranos.  And one night, we decided we would feed them.  Now, I don’t cook, but I was in the kitchen helping.  Had the hair net on and the plastic apron…

EJ:  Stop it. *laughs*

MD:  *laughing*  You know?!  But I don’t think that’s a take-down… it’s a part of being a servant.  Because, unfortunately, a lot of people reach an area of prominence and… I mean, the word “minister” in Greek, doesn’t that mean “servant”?

EJ:  Right.

MD:  And they forget that.  They think that they are to be served.  No, you are to serve.  That was the whole crux of Christ’s ministry.  So, I find it very very foreign for people to want to be served when they’re in a place in which they’re supposed to be serving.  It’s just strange to me.  And actually, it saddens me and sometimes sickens me when I see people that call themselves Minister, or Elder, or Apostle… Evangelist… and they want to be served instead of serving.

EJ:  This ain’t an interview– this is SERVICE!  *laughs*

MD:  *laughing*

EJ:  Okay, wait… cuz I’m getting sidetracked.  This is about to be my own personal convo.  Can you rattle off a quick list of people you’ve worked with?

MD:  A short list?

EJ:  I dunno how you can, but try. *laughing*

MD:  Okay, I’ll give you three and three.  And I’ll explain why cuz this is another area where people don’t understand why I do what I do.

EJ:  I know what you’re gonna do.  SAY IT!

MD:  Mariah Carey, Kim Burrell, Ricky Martin, Karen Clark-Sheard, Marc Anthony, Donald Lawrence.

EJ:  Perfect set-up for my next question!  Now, you just gave a very diverse list…

MD:  Exactly.  A little Spanish, a little R&B… *laughs*

EJ:  Right!  Respond to those critics, first of all, who say “if you sing gospel, you’re not supposed to be doing R&B.”

MD:  Oh, you’ve not read the comments, huh?  There have been major debates on YouTube– and I don’t even have an account there, other people put that stuff up and I just read the comments.  There’s a video where I’m singing “If Only You Knew,” I’m wearing a Hello Kitty t-shirt.

EJ:  At the Village Underground.  I’ve seen that.

MD:  Yeah.  And this woman was like “it’s amazing… she has a wonderful voice, but I thought she sang gospel.  I hope she did this BEFORE she committed her life to Christ.”

EJ: *laughs*

MD:  And one of my best friends responded and said “obviously, you don’t know who Melonie Daniels is because you would understand that she is very focused, she knows who she belongs to, and that Jesus Christ is her source.  She loves music, and she sings all kinds of music because of that.”

My opinion, and my opinion does not agree with everyone else’s– I believe that God created all music.  What happens is that the deceiver gets in the ear of the gifted, who are supposed to translate that message to glorify God, and perverts it and twists it.  But I believe that the source of every bit of inspiration is from God for music.  So, I love all music.

I have everything in my collection from Yo-Yo Ma to Slum Village.  And everything in between.  Big Band, Rosemary Clooney, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie… all the way down to Aerosmith, Def Leppard, to Journey, REO Speedwagon.

I just believe that music is made to give God glory.  The gift comes perfect, but the gifted are not perfect.  And I’ve gotten to a place in my walk with God where I can see Him in stuff.

EJ:  So, He’s there in “If Only You Knew”?

MD:  Yeah.  And people have talked to me, expressing their disdain or disappointment with me for the choices I’ve made, career-wise.  And it’s like, why are you mad at me because of the assignment God gave me, just because He couldn’t trust you with it?  God is able to trust me because he knows how far I will go.

EJ:  And how do you draw the line?

MD:  Ummm… there are certain things, like I’ve had rappers approach me like “Yo, Ma, your ‘bleep’-ing voice is incredible.”  And, first of all, I won’t do the cursing thing.  Your song can’t be profane, and it can’t demean women.  And then, you’ve gotta get into the whole hip-hop culture, too– it’s anti-Christ anyhow.

It’s all about getting money, gettin’ paid… women, trying to get respect and have street credibility.  I’m not with that.  My audience is God and I want HIM to be pleased with me.  I couldn’t care less what other people think.

I’ve grown to that point, but it wasn’t that way always.  I was bound for MANY years by what people thought of what I did.  And I had to come to the realization that GOD is the one I need to be pleasing, and nobody else.  And if He trusts me enough to be in these places, to be a light for Him, I have to (with integrity and a good work ethic) just do what I’m supposed to do.

EJ:  I hear that.

MD:  When I was singing with Mariah, she wasn’t singing all that stuff about “Touch My Body,” and all that.  And she knew there was a line that I wouldn’t cross, so there were songs that she wouldn’t even have me on, because of the subject matter.

And, you know, there’s that story in the Bible where there was a king who didn’t believe in God, but had one of the children of Israel in his court.  And when people tried to challenge him for that, he said “no, no… he worships the God of Israel and I respect him for his God and how he carries himself.”  That’s what God did for me in that season of my life.

EJ:  Amen.

MD:  And it was great.  SHE was covering me and the church people that are supposed to have a relationship with God didn’t do the same thing.  But she covered me.

*     *     *

So, that’s Part One, folks.  What did you think???

I think, for your musical pleasure (and mine), I’ma feature a different musical clip of her at the end of each interview segment.

First up is one that I’ve posted here before, but it REALLY embodies why she’s one of my favorites.  Her range is nuts, she finesses a song cuz she FEELS it, not cuz she’s trying to impress folks.  This clips makes me go wild, thinking about the glory of our God.

This is her singing “Forever” at her church, Greater Allen Cathedral.  It’s a longer clip, but worth EVERY SINGLE MINUTE.  Watch it, PLEASE, and worship the Lord:

The anticipated release of one of gospel’s top vocalists, Donnie McClurkin, is due in stores on March 31st!

The project, We All Are One (Live In Detroit), features the smash hit that we’ve aaaalll been raving about, “Wait On The Lord,” with Karen Clark-Sheard. 

Other collabos are with CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams and Mary Mary.  Plus, he gives his background vocalists some great exposure, with Andrea Mellini (click here for my earlier interview with her), Sherry McGhee, Nancey Jackson and Duawne Starling taking lead on a couple of songs between them.

You can pre-order the CD beginning TODAY at www.verityrecords.com, where you can also begin previewing the album on March 23rd.

Who’s buyin’ it?

At the end of December, I announced this new series, On BGVs.  Click here if you don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, but make sure you come back.

Well, the first post of the series is finally here!  I chatted on the phone with a great vocalist (and a great friend) and I’m REALLY excited that she agreed to do this… just for ME.

In the gospel industry, Andrea Mellini is probably most frequently seen singing with her brother, Donnie McClurkin.  But she’s an artist herself, singing lead with, and writing for, her family’s group, The McClurkin Project.  And there’s much more to tell, but I’ll let the interview do the rest…

* * * * *

EJ:  Hi!

AM:  Hi!

EJ:  You ready?!?!

AM:  Okaaaay…

EJ:  *laughs* So, how long have you been doing background vocal work?

AM: *sighs* It has to be since the early 90’s.  No, no that’s not true. It has to be … since age 17 or 18.  Wait.  Let’s just say 16. And that’s the age I’ll stick with for all eternity.

EJ:  How did you get started?

AM:  I was singing for Donnie McClurkin and The McClurkin Singers.

EJ:  And since then, who are some of the artists that you’ve worked with?

AM:  Oh wow.  Kurt Carr…

EJ:  Yeah, I remember seeing you on that video.

AM:  Uggghhh… Yeah, they told us to be trendy and my idea of trendy was this see-through dumb shirt that was too big for me… I should have been on somebody’s “worst dressed” list because it was horrible!  Oh gosh, who else?  Andraé Crouch, Sandra Crouch… I did some work on a BeBe & CeCe [Winans] greatest hits album, Vickie Winans, Marvin Winans… Michael Jackson…Martha Munizzi…

EJ:  Kirk Franklin?  Yolanda Adams?

AM:  Yeah, yeah.   Y’know, I don’t remember all of them.  I’m not wired that way.  I don’t make a mental log of who, when, what CD…  you know, it all just goes with the territory.  It’s not my “woo” factor.  My “woo” factor is living my life to please God.

EJ:  I get that.  Do you prefer studio work over live performances?

AM:  I prefer live performances.  When you’re in the studio, you have to be precise and if you work for a perfectionist, you’re in there for hours.  If it’s not right, you do it a million times.  A live performance, you give your heart, your passion, and you walk away.

EJ:  You’ve been doing this for a while now.  What do you think are some “must-have” attributes of a successful background singer?

AM:  Hmm… These days, everybody can sing.  You can get somebody from a grocery store who’s a good singer.  But to be a background vocalist who impacts people, you need a working relationship with the Lord.  You need to know Him and be in constant communication with Him.  I know that what I’m about to say is not really popular, but we need to live a holy lifestyle, a life completely surrendered to Him, so that what we sing affects people… because people come to concerts and church with all kinds of issues.  Some have been molested, they know someone who’s been murdered, they beat someone up or they’re being beat up at home by their spouses, they’re living in cars… all kinds of issues that are real issues.  Those people are coming to church and they’re coming to the concerts desperate for an answer.  Now, if I’m living a life of the devil, trying to sing songs of redemption, what I’m saying is not going to affect your spirit and minister to you.  I’d just be singing a song that makes you feel good.  But living a lifestyle that is holy and pleasing to the Lord is a must-have attribute if you are a background singer who wants to impact somebody’s life.

EJ:  Amen.  And from a musical standpoint?

AM:  You just have to be able to sing. *laughs*  Let’s just say that.  Because sometimes you need to learn stuff on the fly.  And if you can’t, as I say, “lock and load,” y’know.. grab it and go… you’re going to be a liability to whoever you’re singing with and a great frustration, too.  You have to be able to sing and do stuff in a moment’s notice.

EJ: Andrea, how glamorous is it all?

AM:  *quickly responds* Not at all… Well, not entirely.

EJ:  What?!  But what about the nice clothes and the makeup and stuff?

AM:  *sucks her teeth and laughs* It’s exciting and really cool the first two or three times, but after that it kind of loses its excitement.  Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do.  But do anything more than a handful of times and the excitement level goes way down!

EJ:  *laughing* I hear you.  Now, you’ve ventured out as an artist a bit with The McClurkin Project and doing some guest spots on TBN’s Praise The Lord. Any plans to do more?  Maybe a solo project?

AM:  Yes, actually, I’ve got some things in the works as we speak.

EJ:  REALLY?!

AM:  Mmm-hmm… I’ve written a handful of the songs already, but I’m in the “embryonic stage.”  I’ve written a handful of songs and a handful of people have them.  We’re just in the beginning stages.  I don’t have a timeline, no date as to what, when or how, but it’s in the works.

EJ:  Who would you like to work with?

AM:  I don’t know…. it really doesn’t matter.  As long as they can bring out what I’m trying to give.  Maybe… Tommy Sims seems to have a magic touch, so maybe Tommy Sims.  But it doesn’t matter to me.

I have a song in mind that’s been sung a million times, way back in the day, and I want to put a Latin twist to it. I thank God for my beginnings– I listened to rock and a lot of everything else.  So now that Christian music has all those elements in it (cuz I don’t listen to secular music), I can still listen to all of those sounds.  And I wanna be able to do it without a label saying “we don’t want that.”  I just wanna be able to do what I wanna do.

EJ:  Makes sense.  I think that’s a common concern for artists.  Ummm… what’s the best part about doing background work?

AM:  The best part of doing background work?  Umm… *her eldest son says something inaudible from the background and she responds to him: “Yes, praising Jesus Almighty.  Thank you.”*  The best thing, outside of people coming to know the Lord at the end of the concert (cuz that’s top), is traveling to places you’ve never been, experiencing cultures you’ve never seen… seeing how people praise the Lord in places outside of America… it puts America to shame.

EJ:  I know! Like in Africa.

AM: Yeah, like Africa– this thing we just did in Lagos, it rained like Noah’s Arc… I mean, pelted and pummeled rain until it flooded the whole area.  There were 300,000 to 400,000 people out there.  It rained and those people did not move!  They lifted their plastic lawn chairs over their heads until the rain finally canceled the sound and they were forced to leave.

EJ:  The sound system went out?

AM:  The sound system went out.  It was raining that hard.  There was no way to keep the equipment dry.  So, stuff like that… seeing how other people worship is great.  Anything outside of America– it’s like they worship the Lord for points!  They get it.  We’re the only ones like “yeah, whatever…”  He’s great to a point… we don’t really get it.  But if we were denied the basest comforts, like in other countries, we’d see how much God means to us and how desperate we are just to be in his presence.

EJ:  That’s incredible.  Speaking of traveling, how grueling is touring?

AM:  *sighs* For me, personally, I don’t like being away from home more than 3 days.  Anything past that, I lose focus on reality.  Being on the road is not completely fun.  The perfect example is Hopeville.  We were on the road for 6 months straight.  You had to pick the day you wanted to go home, on your own dime, and you’d better make sure you were back at the appointed time.  But if you didn’t have money to go, or the schedules didn’t work, or whatever, you were on the road for 6 whole months away from home.

That almost killed me because you have the whole “road mentality,” like “hey girl… you going for breakfast?  Let’s go.”  And where it’s fun, it’s fun.  But where it’s not, it’s not.  A lot of people on the road… we say we’re saved, but we turn into the biggest devils trying to get into all kinds of stuff.

See, no one talks about the ROAD… if you’re not careful, y’know, staying strong… You can get into all kinds of “devilment.”

EJ: *laughing*

AM:  So, y’know, I bring my bible, my bible aids, my notebook, and I stay in my bunk, and I read and pray.  If I don’t have to be somewhere, I go nowhere.  And whenever I do go out, I stay in a group with people.  See, full-time ministry will make or break you.  If you don’t have the right mindset, and realize that it’s all about souls… you can be tricked.  When you’re out of your element, on a bus, city to city, hotel to hotel… If you are not careful and if you are not focused, and stay in the presence of the Lord, the lines and boundaries that you have drawn for yourself start to blur and you will fall for everything!

EJ:  What?!  Are you serious?

AM:  This is the reality.  The road experience can kill your testimony if you are not careful and staying prayed up.  Now I understand why CeCe [Winans] has Alvin [her husband] with her everywhere she goes.  I understand that like you wouldn’t believe.  And it forces me to take stock in who I am and what I’m doing at all times… to know my strengths and weaknesses… to have that accountability factor and stick with people who have your best interests at heart.

Cuz you don’t have your mom, your husband or your wife with you on the road, unless your lucky… You can stay up all night.  You can bowl until 5 a.m. and go to a late movie, or stay all night at a restaurant… If you’re really not focused on what is REAL, you can get caught up.  This is real.  Here at *she rattles off her home address*, this is real life.  The only thing that’s real out there are the souls.  Everything else is dynamite if you are not careful.

EJ:  Wow.  Folks really need to hear that.  Hey, how’s the pay?

AM:  *chuckles*  Ummm… this needs to supplement something.  *laughs hard*  Maybe if you’re singing for Sting, you’re making a bunch of money.  But in the gospel music community, I don’t care who you sing for, you’re not making millions and trillions of dollars.  Y’know?  You’re not paying a college tuition by being a background singer.  And that’s why you have to have a passion for it.  It can’t be for money.  AT ALL!  I love what I do and the fact that I get paid to do what I love is awesome!

EJ: Which pays better?  Studio or live stuff?

AM:  Studio.

EJ: Really?  But live, you get your hotels paid for…

AM: Yeah, you get hotels paid for and you get per diem.

EJ:  But don’t some people do it?  Like Patti Austin?

AM:  Y’know, I don’t know. I don’t know what anyone else makes.  I never get into all of that.  I just… what I bring home is nice and if you do a string of stuff, it’s real nice.  But, studio seems to pay best, especially if they pay union wages.

EJ:  Okay.  Suzie and Tommy want to be background singers. How should they get started?

AM:  It’s kind of who you know.  Because you never see a “Calling All Cars, I’m searching for a background singer.”  It’s done in-house.  Someone refers someone, like “I can’t be there, but I know someone who can fill my space.”  And sometimes, it’s hard to get in, especially if it’s like a family thing.

EJ:  *laughs* Yeah, like with YOU all.

AM:  *laughs* Yeah.  This is how bad, though– I had a date to sing in Florida that conflicted with [Donnie's most recent live] recording.  Roger [Donnie's manager] called me about the recording and I said “I can’t go cuz I have to sing in Florida.”  He said “Andrea, you HAVE to do the recording.”  And I did.  I don’t know how– they moved heaven and earth to get me at the recording.  I’m sure someone could have sung in my place, but I let them move heaven and earth to do it.

EJ:  Hey, do you get to keep your clothes?

AM:  *laughs*  If I’m doing something that has a budget for background vocals, but 9 times out of 10, there’s not.  This is gospel, y’know, it’s not Mariah Carey or something.  And mostly, they don’t include background vocalists’ wardrobe.  Whoever handles wardrobe for the artist, the stylist or whoever, just says “wear black” or “I saw something in a magazine and let’s try that… so WHEN YOU GO SHOPPING, try to get it.” *laughs*  Normally, you’re just told the color and style and what to bring.

EJ:  Cool.  Andrea, who’s on your background vocalist dream team?  Like, if you were singing with the IDEAL group of vocalists, who would they be?

AM: Ummm… well, for starters, Duawne Starling.  His voice is amazing… He and Jerard Woods are, hands-down, my opinion (and of course I haven’t been everywhere and don’t know everyone)… oh, and Anthony Evans… they have some of the most amazing male voices I’ve ever heard.

EJ:  And who else?

AM:  Umm… Can I say their names even if they’re not background vocalists anymore?

EJ:  Sure.

AM:  Ok, all of CeCe’s old singers– Tiffany, Duawne, Cindy.  Even the more current ones– Leann, Jerard, and Christy.  But her singers– they’re ideal… Every one of Kirk Franklin’s singers, past, present and future!  And Angie & Debbie and Sherrie Kibble from the BeBe & CeCe days… ohhh, like, the greatest ever.

EJ:  What about Sherry McGhee?

AM:  OF COURSE!  All of Donnie’s singers– Sherry McGhee, she’s awesome.   Queenie, Ayana George… that goes without saying.  Seth Ready, Shawn & Rhonda McLemore… you’d have to name everybody I’ve ever sung background with.  Vince Freeman and Troy Bright!  The list goes on and on.

I think, when I do my thing, I want an all-girl band and all-male backgrounds.

EJ:  Why?

AM:  I think girls aren’t really given their due musically.  Gospel music is like a “boy’s club”… maybe one or two females are playing keyboards once in a while, but you don’t see a lot of female drummers or guitarists.  And I’m sure they’re out there because Beyonce is rocking those girls in her band.  But no one in the forefront of gospel has an all-girl band and I wanna be able to have one.  And if anyone has one after this interview, you know where they get their idea, so WHATEVER!

EJ:  *laughing*  And why a background full of guys?

AM: Why not?! *laughing*

EJ:  *laughing* “Why not.”  Andrea, I’ve really enjoyed chattin’ with you.  Thanks for being my first victim.

AM:  Thanks for having me!

* * * * *

Hope everyone enjoyed the interview. Lemme know what you think!

And if you wanna check out Andrea doing what she does best, watch the YouTube link of her singing “We Praise You,” the single (which she wrote) from the latest album from The McClurkin Project:

My wife suggested that my first blog be about Olivia…

Though I didn’t “report” it, Olivia McClurkin passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 and her homegoing service was held this past Tuesday, the 11th, at Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, New York.

She was eulogized by her younger brother, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, and the service was an incredible tribute to her amazing life.

I want to give you details, but I wouldn’t remember it all.From all of the words spoken to all of the songs sung, the service was fitting and phenomenal.

A host of family, friends and church members showed their love for Olivia that night.

Reflections were made by many, including her three daughters, Daesa, Crystal and Jada, and two of her sisters, Marlene and Andrea.

Also speaking about Olivia were Kirk Franklin, Cissy Houston (Olivia used to provide background vocals for Whitney Houston), Teresa Hairston (Gospel Today), Andraé Crouch and Sandra Crouch.

Perhaps one of the most moving tributes came from the doctor who treated her for the past decade, as he discussed how Olivia’s fight shaped his own posture in medical treatment– one of reliance on the master Healer.

And I won’t even talk about the music.

Or, maybe I will… Folks who grabbed the mic in honor of Olivia included Pastor Marvin L. Winans (co-officiant), Pastor McClurkin, Kirk Franklin (with a special group of vocalists in “My Life, My Love, My All”), Andrea Mellini, Sheila Carpenter, Arnelia Lomax and Andraé Crouch.

To cap it off, Louis Mellini (Olivia’s brother-in-law) compiled an awesome video presentation about Olivia, which included some hilarious home videos and inspiring documentary footage.

On a personal note, I am going to miss Olivia terribly.

She had a remarkably quick wit and was an absolute riot. While I often enjoyed just sitting around, waiting for her to do or say something stupid, I also looked forward to hearing her speak words of wisdom and faith.

It was by that faith that Liv battled and beat cancer many times over, for nearly a decade.

She is the true definition of a Christian soldier and I’m excited to see her again in glory.