On Friday, January 13, 2012, BMI held its annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music awards luncheon at Nashville’s Rocketown. The invite-only industry gathering has become the hottest ticket in town.

This year, BMI saluted the music and ministry of Bishop Hezekiah Walker and Kirk Franklin.

A virtual who’s-who was in attendance… Kim Burrell, Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond, Isaac Carree, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Jason Nelson, Jonathan Nelson, Jessica Reedy, Virtue, Asaph Ward, Ricky Dillard, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, BeBe Winans, DJ Rogers, David & Tamela Mann, Dayna Caddell, Brian Courtney Wilson, Dorinda Clark Cole, Marvin Sapp… my fingers are tired, but just think of EVERYONE in gospel music.

Check out these photos from the event!

This coming Tuesday, August 30th, the incomparable Dorinda Clark Cole returns to the marketplace with her fourth solo album, I Survived (Light Records).  Dorinda’s powerhouse vocals meet expert production (Asaph Ward and Warryn Campbell) and skillful songwriting, to make I Survived a winner.

The album opens with the high-energy praise & worship “Holy One.” The band hits are absolutely infectious, punctuated by Dorinda scatting and soaring like only she can.  The momentum continues with excellent production and performance on “God Will Take Care of You,” which showcases Dorinda’s unique ability to drive a song.

The next cut, “He Brought Me” is (in my opinion) THE standout of this album. It’s the type of song that Dorinda does, and does well. It’s where she shines brightest, and her performance on it is evidence of that. It also appears to be poised as her next single– good choice!

Other great tunes on the project include ”We Believe” and “For My Good,” as well as ”Welcome,” which serves as a nice departure from the high energy and excitement of much of the other tracks on the album.  It’s a sweet and simple congregation-ready invitation for God to be among His people.

No solo album from one of gospel’s famed Clark Sisters would be complete without at least one track featuring one or more of her siblings.  And I Survived comes through on “Thank You,” written by (and featuring) Twinkie Clark. It sounds a bit more “Twinkie” than “Dorinda,” but I don’t think most Clark Sisters fans will mind.

If I had any contention about the project, it would be that its last two tracks– “This Is Why” and “Don’t Give Up”– don’t seem to be the strongest songs. They’re a bit less high-energy than the other tunes (they’re studio tracks amidst a bunch of live/”live”-styled ones), so I Survived doesn’t have the strongest finish.  I might have placed the hand-clappin’, foot-stompin’ “For My Good” here instead. Regardless, Dorinda’s vocal performance on each is undeniable, so they’re worth a listen for that reason alone.

All in all, I’m more than pleased with this project. Again, it’s one of my faves to date because of how well it showcases Dorinda Clark Cole at her best, in her element. It’s worth adding to your collection, and I’ll probably bump it up to high “Dorinda rotation,” just under her debut album.

The last time Kim Burrell chatted with GospelPundit.com, she spoke of her No Ways Tired album, her desire to work with Prince and lots more.  If you missed it, click here to read it!

This time, Kim is BACK to talk with Associate Editor Troy Lilly. He sits with her to discuss her new project, The Love Album and the backlash that the mere notion of it received from the church community last year (including the COGIC church’s response).  She also chats about her favorite remake on the album, her friendship with Whitney Houston and much more!

Without any delay, here’s Troy’s chat with Kim Burrell…

*     *     *

Troy: Thank you for joining me this morning to talk about the album and… everything else that’s going on with you. I’m excited.

Kim: I really am too, thank you.

Troy: Great, so let’s get started.

Kim: Ok!

Troy: How did you come up with the concept for The Love Album?

Kim: Well, the concept for the album is strictly trying to get the church folks to have a different language of love outside of John 3:16 because it kind of balances things out.

And I’m hoping and praying that the message of love will be interpreted from my heart to those who will hear it … that it will be nothing opposite of God’s love and our ability to love one another. And that’s just my desire.

Troy: It’s no secret that people adore the unique, jazzy characteristics of your voice. How has the hallmark of jazz translated into the sound of The Love Album?

Kim: You know, I think it’s a misconception that I either trained that way or intentionally sounded like jazz. I think my direction – that is expressing myself through music – has caused me to include a lot of notes I felt were missing in instrumentation or accompaniment, and that caused me to sing in a jazzy way.

I can’t deny that it’s reflecting the jazz influence, and I can’t deny that… but it was so not intentional to be that way.

Troy: Wow.

Kim: Folks say, “You know the notes you’re about to hit, and you know whether they’re jazzy or not.” Well, no, I didn’t know it would classify itself as that. But with that in mind, when I sing I sing to tell the story of whatever the words are, and whatever those notes end up being for me to tell that story is just what it is. It’s never an intentional sound.

People ask me to scat, you know, and I hate that almost because I’m like ‘Geesh… I’m so not the scatter…’

Troy: (Chuckles)

Kim: I mean I probably would do it as a fun thing, but you know… it’s not a part of my art form.

Troy: Well, that’s a revelation even for me! Kim Burrell’s not jazzy. Who knew?!

Kim: Well… (chuckles).

Troy: So since you haven’t included jazz as an influence of your sound – at least not intentionally – what do think about the fact that many people consider you to be the premier song stylist of our time, even outside of gospel?

Kim: It’s extremely flattering, and I’m very, very blessed to have this gift that has drawn so much attention, mainly because I have great interest in letting everybody know that it’s a gift from God.

I didn’t train under anybody, I just developed this gift and I’m very grateful for it because of what it has done for people… it’s brought a lot of joy and fun for a lot of singers and musicians. And I enjoy having it because of the good that it is doing for others.

Troy: I noticed you worked primarily with Asaph Alexander Ward, who produces nearly every song on The Love Album. Why do you work so well together?

Kim: Alex and I have at least a 15-year relationship, and we were going to take cameras in for our studio moments, but we’re so much like family that even some of our outfits we wouldn’t want people to see them (laughs). We’re so laid back and we do a lot of work.

Alex… he holds my voice in the highest regard, as I hold his ability to document it the way that he does with his talent. Working with Alex is always a treat because of our long relationship and what our chemistry brings.

Troy: I was going to say, the chemistry is definitely tangible. Anyone who really listens can hear it.

Kim: Thank you.

Troy: On this album you also covered two songs by R&B royalty, Earth Wind & Fire and DeBarge, as well as a classic by the Clark Sisters. Which was your favorite to record?

Kim: For me, “Jesus is a Love Song” by the Clark Sisters. I’ve spent all my life in gospel and to be able to pay homage to someone as valuable as Twinkie Clark… I think if musicians who have great talent were to take songs that she did over 25 and 30 years ago, they would really see the value in her songs.

And that’s one of the reasons I did it, because Earth Wind & Fire are renown all over this world and I felt they have received their just due, as you can see, because I’m still covering their tunes to this day.

And the DeBarge tune is an endearing song to me, but my favorite was ‘Love Song’ by the Clark Sisters.

Troy: Personally, I have to say, I was raised on the Clark Sisters and I absolutely love them. But what you did with DeBarge’s “Love Me in a Special Way,” was special to me. It’s probably because the song already had a gospel vein starting off with the keyboards.

Kim: Yeah, it did!

Troy: It was kind of Pentecostal already. But I especially love what you did with that one, just to let you know.

Kim: Thank you so much.

Troy: So you mentioned that the concept of the album was to show people about God’s love and loving one another. Is that why some songs specifically mention God while other songs don’t?

Kim: I have a range of lyrics because we need to learn to speak about love without having to preface it with a scripture. I feel like our lives ought to have a sense of love. Church people work hard to prove their love and sometimes they choose to use their gift to say ‘this is my way of loving you.’

But I feel if you have this God in your heart, you can have a conversation without mentioning Jesus and God and the Trinity and all that, and people will know that there’s love in you. I just feel like I don’t have to go and be extreme to get a point across.

Troy: Ok.

Kim: During the campaign for this album, I would like to interview a lot of church officials and church goers and ask them: when they decided to get married and have children and they shared those “magic nights,” was it to ‘The Greatest Hits of Mahalia Jackson?’ (Laughs)

Troy: Oh my goodness! (Laughs)

Kim: I’ll prepare myself for whatever [answer I may get]. But I just feel like at some point in their dating lives theyenjoyed soft music that didn’t have C.L. Franklin doing a prayer, you know?

Troy: Uh huh!

Kim: You know what I mean?!

Troy: Oh, I understand completely.

Kim: Have they ever said to their spouse, “Love me in a special way … or love me like none other?’ Or what did they say in their vows? “I vow to love you as long as the Holy Ghost quickens me?” I think not!

Troy: (Laughs)

Kim: (Laughs)

Troy: Well, the saints enjoy fried chicken too, but we don’t sit down and discuss how it was fried in Virgin Olive Oil, we just eat the chicken. I think it’s good to enjoy music, too, and love between people without being [so] deep.

Kim: Yeah (Laughs).

Troy: Since we’re talking about how rigid folks can be, I want to ask you about the controversy that surrounded the initial announcements about this album. People were all over the Internet saying, “Kim Burrell is doing a secular album, she’s doing a jazz album, and she’s leaving gospel.

Kim: Ok

Troy: Was there ever a time when you considered recording an album that was mainstream or secular music and not necessarily a “gospel” album?

Kim: Everything you hear on this album is what I was trying to tell the world I was going to do. But they took” secular” and made it a vulgar term. They limited it to what they’ve known it to be.

And I felt like I’m not going to spend my life trying to break that down. It’s unfortunate that the people of the church thought I was turning my back on God… just because the word secular was mentioned in my bio, by my team, on the ‘Backstage with Kim Burrell’ website.

Troy: Ok.

Kim: I have a 92-year-old grandmother, a 67-year-old mother, and a 73-year-old father who raised me in the church. As long as they have breath in their bodies, I’m never going to do anything to disrespect the value and deposit they’ve made in my life.

Think about it; even if I tried to sing “Baby, baby, come on meet me in the sex room,” it’s going to sound like I’m having a revival. It’s in my voice. I can’t even convey words that represent that type of thing.

Troy: Yes.

Kim: I’m a pastor of a church. I don’t promote that.

Troy: After the uproar, the Church of God in Christ’s International Music Department released a statement exonerating you and your music. Did you feel it was necessary and appropriate at the time?

Kim: I accommodated what they asked me for and I gave them as much as I could. And it was released based on my agreement to let them release whatever was going to make them feel better.

Troy: So that was something of a concession on both sides?

Kim: Sure.

Troy: Ok, I understand.

Kim: Yes.

Troy: Let’s move past the controversy to the BET performances.

Kim: Indeed!

Troy: Your tribute to Whitney Houston at the BET Honors is probably your most publicized performance ever. What was it like to sing about your love for her?

Kim: It was fulfilling, mainly because I was singing to a person who God has blessed me to spend time with… Godly time, friendship time. I first became acquainted with Whitney when her father died, which was a terrible time, and when she went into rehab for the first time.

We share over a 13-year relationship. And it was my goal to be there to celebrate her new album and return to let her know (publicly) that I’m that ride-or-die friend behind the scenes, but I’ll also come out to let people know I’m not judging her for the rough times.

Troy: Right.

Kim: I was singing to my friend. That’s really what that moment was about. If you notice at the end, I had to remember to blow a kiss to everyone else because that moment was about her.

Troy: Yes, you and her.

Kim: I believe that the world felt that.

Troy: I do too.

Kim: Yeah.

Troy: How has your work life balance shifted now that you’re officially pastoring the Love and Liberty Church down in Texas, in addition to your many other endeavors?

Kim: Pastoring is the greatest agreement with God that I’ve [ever] made, because it is motivating, fulfilling… taxing on areas of my life that needed to be challenged. It has helped me to see people in a whole other light and has given me a lot more patience than I knew I had.

I’ve met a lot of pastors who kind of wipe their forehead and say, “Oh, Lord, what have I done?” But, fortunately, I don’t see myself getting there. I’m proud of the fact it’s one of the greatest that I could have ever agreed with God to do.

Troy: Good.

Kim: It’s not a Kim-Burell-meet-the-stars type of situation. It’s wholesome, it’s balanced with old people and younger people. It’s a glorious thing.

Troy: Awesome. Can I ask you one last question? (Laughs)

Kim: Oh, sure!

Troy: If you weren’t a singer or minister of the gospel, what’s the one thing you’ve always wanted to do?

Kim: I’d be a lawyer.

Troy: A lawyer, really? Wow.

Kim: Yeah, because people are my thing. They are God’s creation. The birds and the lions have the natural instinct and know how to take care of each other. Everything else that God made knows how to replenish and protect itself.

When it comes down to mankind, I have an interest. And if I hadn’t gone this route, Iwas going to be a lawyer.

Troy: Amazing answer! I love to get to the heart of ‘you the person’ because I know you so much more than a performer, and I’m glad I asked. Hope you enjoyed our time…

Kim: I really did, Troy!

Troy: I’m excited about the release of the album. I send my love your way, to the church, and everything else you’re doing.

Kim: I appreciate you. Thank you.

Troy: You’re welcome.

*     *     *

Kim Burrell’s latest project came out THIS week and was already #1 at iTunes on its first day.  You can hear the project’s lead single, “Sweeter,” on the Pundit Player’s playlist.

And, check out our review of the album right here… then, make sure you grab your copy. It’s one of her best works to date!

I’ve blogged and tweeted about this until I can’t blog and tweet about it anymore. But I’ll try! If you don’t go and buy this incredible Kim Burrell album today, I don’t know what to tell ya…

The Love Album is available NOW in stores.  Produced by Asaph Ward, the 10-track project is sonically and stylistically reminiscent of her Everlasting Life album [read: all of you who've been saying "I want an album like Everlasting Life... this is it.]

The vibe of the album is jazzy and playful, with each tune being pretty strong on its own.  Some of my favorites are “Let’s Make It To Love,” “Sweeter,” “Love So Pure” and “Open Up The Door.”

Perhaps most incredible, however, are the remakes that Kim takes on– Earth Wind & Fire’s “Love’s Holiday,” DeBarge’s “Love Me In A Special Way,” and the Clark Sisters’ “Jesus Is A Love Song” are all tastefully done, paying homage to the originals while spinning them a bit as well.

The perspective that The Love Album puts on “love,” and our relationship with God, is progressive. Lyrically, it is filled with love songs that one might not immediately think to associate with Jesus, but the fit is not strained or unnatural.  Musically, it’s a jazz/R&B-styled project that works well with Kim’s voice and approach.

This is a must-have for your music collection.  Kim Burrell fans will not be disappointed, nor will fans of tried-and-true classic love songs.  Beyond that, I’m betting that this album will pick up a bunch of new followers, which means an increased listening reach for Kim Burrell and, most importantly, for the gospel.  And that’s nothing but… love.

To listen/buy it, visit Amazon.com right here.

The incomparable Kim Burrell is prepared to release her newest album, The Love Album!

Peep the album cover–

Though earlier reported that this project would be on Miralex Entertainment, the newly formed label of producer Asaph Ward, some reports are suggesting that it will be released on Shanachie, the label that released her last album, No Ways Tired.

The project doesn’t hit stores until May 17th, but you can pre-order the album now by clicking here.

Word has it that Kim Burrell is back in the studio, working on new music for what she has referred to as “The Love Album.”

No word on whether that’s the official title yet, but she is working with producer Asaph Ward, who produced her highly-acclaimed Everlasting Life album.  Also no word on a release date, but the project will be released on his newly-formed Miralex Entertainment (distributed by Universal).

Last week, I was fortunate enough to attend the Gospel Heritage Foundation’s Praise & Worship Conference in Jacksonville, FL, which is the vision of Gospel Today’s Dr. Teresa Hairston.

I was a featured speaker on two panels for the youth and college division along with Carla Williams (General Manager of Kirk Franklin’s Fo Yo Soul Entertainment), Monica Coates (author/speaker/industry vet), Asaph Ward (super producer), Grant Jenkins (artist manager/artist development consultant, the point5ive agency) and Myron Butler (artist/songwriter/producer).

On the first panel, we talked about the “new” music industry and how the current industry differs from what it used to be.  And we talked about what it means for people, in both the short-run and long-term.  After a quick break, the second panel featured us sharing more about our unconventional careers in this “new” music industry.  Of course, we had lots of time for Q&A, which is generally my favorite part of any panel discussion.

I can’t recap all the nuggets of wisdom that each of the panelists gave– you shoulda been there. In short, we really tried to equip and challenge people to be better, not just to do “business as usual.”  And the audience was of a perfect age to take it and run with it (cuz some of you “seasoned” saints get so set in your ways!).

I’ve been thinking about the panel discussion since then, and I wanted to share some concepts from it with the general readership of GospelPundit.com.  One thing I wanna stress is that it is not enough to look the part– you actually have to be competent.

The “do-it-yourself” theme of the industry is both a good thing and a bad thing.  It’s good because the playing field is being leveled– anyone can promote, market and further their careers from a home computer.  Trust me, I love it.  However, the unfortunate reality is that, of those who do it themselves, only a handful are actually artists or executives of substance.

Don’t be fooled by the current music industry’s resources, now replete with social networking and opportunities galore… you STILL have to do the work, lest you be found severely lacking when the spotlight is on you.  And don’t think that a bunch of views on your YouTube video automatically translates to album sales, ministry bookings, OR (most importantly) impacted lives.  Remember– your shortcut doesn’t speak for you.  You’ll still have to be a person of substance once your arrive at the destination.

That goes for everyone.  It’s not enough to just “look like one,” whatever the “one” is.  Songwriters need to dig deeper; artists, musicians and producers need to be more creative; executives need to actually be educated in what they’re doing.

This is an age of information– but anyone laboring in the gospel industry needs to be more than just informative, they must be transformative.

So, as you’re carving out your niche in this industry, do the gospel community a favor– be a person of substance and refined professionalism, not just someone who grabbed an opportunity and fooled people into buying your hype.  Do your work, beforehand and during, so that you’re actually contributing to, not just taking from, the Kingdom of God.

Cool?

The latest project from The Anointed Pace Sisters, titled Access Granted, is a collection of music that has utterly snatched my attention from among the other recent releases in my collection.  And I’d be remiss in my duties here if I didn’t urge you to check it out.

With more than masterful production from Alex Asaph Ward, the sisters provide tight and intricate vocal harmonies with powerful lead vocals on every track.  Recorded live recently in Atlanta, Access Granted captures an energy-packed experience well worth a purchase.

After opening with a brief musical overture of some of The Anointed Pace Sisters’ hits over the years (i.e., “Jesus Be A Fence” and “Safety Zone”), the album launches into the melodic “A Friend,” before settling at the beautiful worship ballad “Daily.”

The project moves seamlessly into “Finally,” a jazzy groove with a driving churchy vamp that transitions well into the next track, “Praise And Worship” (one of my personal favorites because of the complex harmonies and intense band hits).

Proving that the ladies can dominate in any genre, they lay their vocals to “Jesus Will (Do It Again),” a track prepped and primed for a traditional Sunday morning worship service, before sweetly finessing the inspiring “It’s My Time To Blessed.”  The album continues to impress through the end, with tracks like “Get In His Presence” and the hit single “If I Be Lifted Up.”

The greatest hurdle that I see the sisters having is one that has less to do with their music and more to do with their artistry– it’s one of branding.  With eight sisters in the group, consumers may have a difficult time connecting with any one of them and, as a result, with the sum of them.  It would be nice to know more about them as individuals, rather than simply as one group.  But as far as the music is concerned (and that’s what I’m actually reviewing here), you won’t want for much more than The Anointed Pace Sisters have given.

As a final note, I want to point out an obvious, but oft-undiscussed trend in our industry.  Gospel consumers don’t always seem willing to make room in the industry for multiple types of similar artists.  Such is the case as it relates to the concept of a group of sisters, with similar tones, who sing in unison, then split into harmony.  The average consumer might say “like the Clark Sisters do?”  But the reality is that we can’t allow any artist to have the corner market on a certain style of artistry, especially when God doesn’t dole out grace in limited portions.  As evidenced by the Clark Sisters, the Pace Sisters, the Nevels Sisters, and others, excellence abounds in our industry, in this particular style.  Let’s support all of ‘em.

*steps off of soapbox*

Buy the album.  You will adore it.  Click here to check it out.

I got a chance to catch-up with Jamiene “J Skills” Thompson, one of the most popular brand-spankin’-new producers in the gospel industry.  And, I was honored to have done so– this is GospelPundit.com’s FIRST interview with producer (but it won’t be the last).

You’ve heard J Skills’ work on George Huff’s latest project (he wrote and produced the hit single, “Don’t Let Go,” along with half of the entire project) and, most recently, on the awesome track, “This Is Me,” on Coko’s new album, The Winner In Me.

I wanted to chat with him NOW (before he gets any bigger… and he will), so that we can all say that we knew him “back in the day.”

‘Nuff intro… here’s J Skills:

*     *     *

EJ:  Hey bro, how are you?

JSkills:  I’m doing pretty good, man.

EJ:  Very good.  Thanks for chatting with me, I really appreciate it.

JSkills:  Oh yeah, yes sir.

EJ:  Folks might say that you’ve blown up in a relatively short time.  I think the question on a lot of folks’ minds is “where did he come from?”  But it may not have been a short journey for YOU, so tell us… where did you COME from?!

JSkills:  Well… *laughs*  It’s funny that you ask.  I’ve been around for a while.  I’ve actually been producing for about 11 years and God just allowed things to happen for me in the past couple of years.  But I’ve been around– producing for 11 years, I’ve written for a lot of different artists.

EJ:  You were a songwriter first?

JSkills:  Yeah.

EJ:  Who were you writing for?

JSkills:  Well, at the time, I was doing a lot of ghostwriting.

EJ:  Oh, wow.

JSkills:  Yeah, for different artists.  And I was singing background as well.  If you know of a guy named Carnell Murrell, I was singing with him and his group when I was a little younger.  And I got my start there for singing.

EJ:  Yeah, I’ve heard of him.  Now, you mentioned ghostwriting and a lot of times, we hear about ghostwriting in hip-hop… is it popular in gospel, too?

JSkills:  Well, in some sense, it is.  Sometimes, as a writer, you don’t get full credit for writing songs.  I won’t name some of the artists, but I’ve been in the studio with different artists, wrritten songs, and never did get any credit for ‘em.

In the early days, when I started writing and doing things, I was young and just wanted a chance to write, so…

EJ:  That had to be discouraging.

JSkills:  It was.  It was very discouraging, you know… being in the studio, writing, and you think people will give you credit or tell others about you, but they don’t.  Or, a year later, you hear the song come out, go buy the CD and your name is not on there.

EJ:  Man!  Knowing that you worked on it?

JSkills:  KNOWING that you worked on it.

EJ:  And hearing your ideas on there.

JSkills:  Right.  Right.  So, I would encourage all producers, writers… whenever you’re working with a known producer or writer, make sure you do a split sheet after everything is completed.  Make sure you handle your business.  Make sure you have your information about who contributed to the song.

EJ:  And that’s unfortunate, that we’d have to do it in gospel for fear that someone is gonna steal your stuff, but it’s real.

JSkills:  Oh yeah.

EJ:  How would you characterize your production style or sound?

JSkills:  I would say definitely a lot of vocal harmonies, very urban… in a sense, there’s a church element to it, but a very urban type of sound.  That’s my sound.

EJ:  And I think you do it well.  A lot of people can’t merge urban with churchy, but some of the stuff you’ve done with George Huff and, most recently, with Coko, you managed to pull the churchy sound into the urban gospel genre.

JSkills:  Thanks.

EJ:  How long does it take you to create a track, from concept to completion?

JSkills:  Well, it depends on how I’m feeling the track.  If I’m REALLY feeling the track, I can do a full track in about 30 minutes.

EJ:  No way!

JSkills:  Yeah.  And just to let you know, George Huff’s lead single, “Don’t Let Go,” that track was done in about 45 minutes.  And after I finished the track, I wrote the song in about 30 minutes.

EJ:  And that’s an awesome song, dude.  I remember hearing it and thinking that it reminded me– and I told George this too– reminded me so much of Kim Burrell’s Everlasting Life album and the work she did with Asaph Ward.

JSkills:  Wow.

EJ:  Yeah, the vocal and musical production of it sounded like that album to me.  And I don’t think anyone was prepared to hear George Huff like that… you kinda brought that outta him, I think.

JSkills:  Alex Asaph Ward is one of my favorite producers.  I have really been influenced by his productions.

EJ:  He does some phenomenal stuff.  I dunno if you saw my interview with George Huff a few weeks ago, but he recounted the story of how you two hooked up– how he blew you off at first and wasn’t too sure about you once he saw your studio set-up…

JSkills:  Right.  Lemme just say this… *chuckles*

EJ:  *laughing*

JSkills:  I had more equipment than he really said I had.  It wasn’t just a computer… *laughing*  Cuz I sure did call him, I said “George, what are you talking about?!” *laughing*  He said it was just a computer and a small mixer, but it was more equipment than that!

EJ:  *laughs*  Thanks for setting the record straight!  What was that experience like for you?

JSkills:  Wow.  It was great.  George is a very comical type of person.  He’s very funny, but he’s also very spiritual.  As far as working with him in the studio, it was great.

Vocally, I just feel like he’s one of the best out there and I feel like a lot of people, in the past, have overlooked his true vocal ability.  The Lord allowed me to pull stuff out of him– it was already there, but I think that when you get a good producer and a good artist together, and they have that chemistry in the studio, magic happens.

EJ:  Absolutely.  And I think that a lot of people, though you’ve been around for a minute, a lot of people took notice of you.  Did that lead to your placement on Coko’s latest project, with the track, “This Is Me?”

JSkills:  Yes and no, in a sense.  We did a song together when she was on George’s project, the song “Destiny.”  I submitted a song to her and God allowed me, at the last minute, to get the song on the project.  She heard it and said “this really fits with where I’m going.”

EJ:  Awesome.  That’s one of my favorite tracks on her album, too.

You just announced on Twitter that you got an endorsement deal.  Can you talk more about it?

JSkills:  Yes, I can.  It’s an endorsement deal in the works with an audio production company.  I’m in the process of getting a deal for the software that they’re releasing this year.  So, God is really blessing me, man.

EJ:  That’s awesome, man.  And for readers who don’t know, what is an endorsement deal and why is it important?

JSkills:  With an endorsement deal, the producer endorses the product and the company allows you to use it.  So, whenever you go somewhere, whether you’re endorsed by a drum company, a keyboard company, or whatever, you use their product for free.

EJ:  Good for you.  Can you tell me what else you’re working on right now?  What’s coming up, where are people gonna start seeing you?

JSkills:  Right now, I’m working on my wife’s project.  For those of you who don’t know, her name is Cassandra and she’s an artist in her own right.  We’re working on her project right now.  And I’m actually submitting some songs and doing some work for The Church Girl, Onitsha.

EJ:  Nice!  Wow, that’s gonna be good.

JSkills:  And then I’ve got some other artists in the works.  Let’s just say that I’m producing and working with an artist that was on Sunday Best.  So you’ll be hearing from her soon.

EJ:  Really?  And you can’t say anything about who it is? *laughing*

JSkills:  *laughing*  Well, I’ll say it like this… I’m actually doing something for TWO people from Sunday Best.

EJ:  Okay, now you’re just teasing people.

JSkills:  *laughs*  I’ll say that one of them is out of Chicago.

EJ:  From THIS season?

JSkills:  From the first season.  But you’ll find out soon enough.

EJ:  *laughs*  Fair enough.  Well, this seems to be your year, where everyone is starting to take note, finally.

JSkills:  Definitely, man.  I just believe that when you’re faithful to God, when you’re a giver, and when you pour out to others, God will bring that blessing back to you.  I really believe that.  When you seek God and stay humble– a lot of producers get to a certain point and don’t stay humble… they change in a lot of different ways.

But I believe, if you really stay the same way that allowed you to GET to that point, and you stay humble,  God will continue to bless you.  And that’s for artists, producers, or whoever you are in the industry.  We have to stay humble because we’re just people who got an opportunity.  There’s always somebody out there that can take our place.

EJ:  That’s the truth.

JSkills:  Especially in gospel music, we have to learn how to fellowship with one another.  It shouldn’t be about competition because we’re building the Kingdom of God.  We gotta show more love, man.

EJ:  I agree.  Listen, man, I’m a supporter in a big way.  I think you’re a good guy, but I also love the music.  I’m following your gift because I think you’ve got a lot going for you and the Lord is going to open many doors for you.

JSkills:  Thanks, man.

EJ:  No doubt.  And thanks for taking the time to chat with me.

JSkills:  Man, I thank you for the opportunity.  And I thank God for you and what you’re doing over there at GospelPundit, man.

EJ:  I appreciate that.  And let’s keep in touch.

JSkills:  Definitely, man.

EJ:  Alright, bye-bye.

*     *     *

So, that’s my chat with J Skills.  I’m thrilled that I got to chat with him because I think God has great things ahead for him… excited to watch the progression.  And some great advice for all of you aspiring producers/songwriters– get your business in order!  That’s real talk.

Visit http://www.myspace.com/producerjskills to connect with J Skills.  And follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/JamieneJSkillsT.

What do you think about what he had to say?  Holla at me!

A Clark Family Christmas will be the first project released on the newly formed Karew Records, and is expected to drop on OCTOBER 13.  Shout-out to Neily for keepin’ folks informed (and for the great family photo below).  Other industry execs in attendance included Karew Records General Mgr. Darrell Thompson, Assistant General Mgr. Cynthia Ellis, EMI Gospel’s Marketing Team (Larry Blackwell & Karen Jackson), and Walter Kearney & Paul “PDA” Allen of PAJAM.

Am I buggin’ or is anyone else extremely eager to hear this?! *marking my calendar and savin’ my pennies NOW*