He’s baaaaaaaaaack!

One of GospelPundit’s fave guest bloggers, Brian Courtney Wilson, has shared another blog entry exclusively from the heart.  If you haven’t seen his earlier entries, click here to catch up.

His debut album, Just Love, is doing very well at Billboard, but he managed to take a moment to talk about one of his inspirations in the gospel game.  It’s all yours, Brian…

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‘Thank You’ To One Of My Favorites…

One of the things I am thankful for as we continue to promote Just Love across the country is the opportunity to meet and thank some of the artists who have served as inspirations in my continuing quest to be a credible witness for the Kingdom. Canton Jones is one of those artists.

Canton has been able to articulate in a distinct way what it means to struggle with doing right in the eyes of God and doing ‘real life’. In fact, I believe the stories he has been able to chronicle and put into christian perspective are critical to transforming our ‘real lives’ into kingdom living.

If you don’t know what I mean, then take a listen to his classic “Stay Saved” which is in regular rotation on my MP3 player (I highly recommend it for yours as well).  Canton, thank you again for sharing with the world what God allowed you to see.

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Well, how often do you see THAT?!  Thanks, Brian.  Canton Jones is a great artist (with some of the catchiest hooks…).

Make sure you guys leave a comment to share your thoughts with Brian.  And connect with him at any/all of the following:

Official Website: www.briancourtneywilson.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/brianwilsonmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bcourtneywilson

Brian Courtney Wilson is back with a new guest blog exclusively for the GospelPundit readers.  If you haven’t seen his earlier entries, click here to catch up.

His chart-topping debut album, Just Love, is still making waves on Billboard, yet he takes time to show some love to us.  Much appreciated!

In this timely entry, Brian shares a story to demonstrate the importance of serving in your local body FIRST.  Go ‘head, bro!

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I have always wanted to do what I am doing now (travel, sing all over the country, hear myself on the radio), but I wouldn’t have anything of value to present if I had not spent considerable time serving in my local church.  And I don’t mean finding a church so you can get discovered or connected.  I mean finding a community of faith so you can connect God’s dream for your life with what the community needs.

Every good thing that has happened to me musically has happened when I was willing to contribute to meeting the need right in front of me.  To consistently meet the need, you have to lay aside concern for yourself long enough to recognize the need.  After you recognize the need, you have to be confident and capable of being used to meet the need.

The first song I ever had on the radio was called “Awesome God” (it’s on iTunes if you would like to hear it. Cross reference Windsor Village).  I was a volunteer in my church choir when the music department decided to record an album almost 9 years ago.  The writer of the song wanted the Music Minister at the church to sing the tune.  The music minister turned it down because he said there was a B-flat in the first part of the song that was too high for him.  He suggested I do it because I always said yes when he asked me to sing something…I didn’t care how high it was…I just wanted to sing….and I could hit the note.

My rendition made the album and ended up being my first national recording.  It didn’t cost me a dime and no one can take it away…all because I was there and capable of meeting the need. 

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True words!  There’s something to be said about being prepared and willing to do what needs to be done in Kingdom work.  Great encouragement!

Make sure you guys leave a comment to share your thoughts with Brian.  And connect with him at any/all of the following:

Official Website: www.briancourtneywilson.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/brianwilsonmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bcourtneywilson

Hey folks– Brian Courtney Wilson sent me another blog exclusively for the GospelPundit readers.  If you didn’t see his first blog, click here to see what else he’s been saying.

And if you don’t already have his chart-topping debut album, Just Love, now is the time!

In this timely entry, Brian shares something from the heart about his father.  I’ll let him say the rest.  The floor’s yours, man!

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“Influences”

People sometimes ask me who my greatest musical influence is.  I have listened to many people coming up… they have all had a positive influence or inspired me in some way.  But my greatest musical influence without a doubt is my father.

For over 30 years he served as a custodian in the district where I went to school.  He was so dependable that he became the head of custodians in the school district.  Every morning he would get up before dawn and many evenings he had a side hustle painting the homes of the teachers he worked around.

I remember him coming home to tell us that he lost his management position in the district where I went to school.  They told him the custodial service was being outsourced.  For another 10 years, my dad humbled himself and took a position as a custodian in another district to support his family.  With all that he was doing he still found time to be a faithful member of the Rock of Ages Male Chorus.

One day they decided to adopt 3 kids and mentor them.  I was one of those kids.  He has since retired from being a custodian, but remains in the male chorus.  He told me that they recently received their first paid gig.  They were invited to a banquet and received their dinner for free (he said this with a wink and a smile).  When I sing today, I sing on his shoulders. Thank you dad.

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Wow.  That’s an awesome testimony, bro.  Gotta love a transparent artist– thank you for sharing!  Makes me wanna go hug MY Daddy…

Make sure you guys leave a comment to share your thoughts with Brian.  And connect with him at any/all of the following:

Official Website: www.briancourtneywilson.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/brianwilsonmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bcourtneywilson

We’re back with another post in the Artist Connect series, where some of your favorite gospel artists blog exclusively to GospelPundit’s readers about what they’re up to in the industry.

As I mentioned on Wednesday, Brian Courtney Wilson’s debut album, Just Love, JUST debuted at the #2 spot on Billboard’s Gospel chart and at #6 on the Christian chart.  His single, “All I Need,” is being played in stations across the nation.

He’s a genuinely great guy with a heart to worship God… and he’s a friend of the site.  Ladies and gents, here’s a quick blog entry from guest blogger Brian Courtney Wilson:

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“Just Love”

I am overwhelmed by the type of recognition the album ‘Just Love’ has received so far.  I didn’t think many people would even hear the album a few months ago.  Now the lead single (a song that has been out for more than a year) is the #16 gospel song in the country with room to grow.

There have been days since I started this musical journey 5 years ago when I thought I must have missed God. There were days when I doubted myself, my faith, and my ability to lead my family. There were days I just wanted to give up, and face the fact that my dream was just that…a dream.

I feel better now, but it’s not so much about releasing the record. People will care about me and this music for a little while and then move on to the next thing. What feels good is knowing that I didn’t miss God…not because I am so faithful…but because He wouldn’t let me miss Him.

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God is definitely showering Brian with grace in this industry.  Awesome.  Thanks for the blog, dude!  Make sure you connect with him via any of the following three online resources:

Official Website: www.briancourtneywilson.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/brianwilsonmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bcourtneywilson

Also, make sure you leave a quick message for Brian HERE to welcome him to the site– I do believe he’ll be reading…