The long-awaited sophomore project from Syreeta Thompson, dubbed “The Trumpet Lady,” is in stores TODAY. The album, In His Presence, features guest vocals from Dorinda Clark Cole and DeWayne Woods.
Having studying under Wynton Marsalis, Syreeta has toured with Beyonce and Lauryn Hill, but the gospel industry probably knows her best as a vital component of Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship’s band.
In His Presence is said to be a solid blend of gospel and jazz and, while it is largely instrumental, Syreeta sings on a few tracks as well.
In a statement issued last night, Music World announced that Mathew Knowles will no longer be representing his daughter, mega star Beyonce, in her musical career, but will focus on the entertainment company’s gospel and inspirational endeavors.
Music World Gospel boasts a roster of Brian Courtney Wilson, Juanita Bynum, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Micah Stampley and more.
Word has it that Juanita Bynum just signed a management and recording contract with Mathew Knowles and his company, Music World Entertainment. Celebrity journalist (read: the-guy-who’s-always-in-the-know) Jawn Murray broke the story via AOL BV Buzz and live on the Tom Joyner Morning Show.
The international minister, author and recording artist just released a new album last Tuesday, entitled More Passion, and is already prepped to release another, The Diary of Juanita Bynum, later this year.
Knowles is best known for guiding the unstoppable entertainment career of his daughter, Beyonce. His company, Music World,is also home to chart mainstays Brian Courtney Wilson and Trin-i-tee 5:7.
Think it’s a good move for Juanita Bynum? What about for Mathew Knowles?
I caught up with Brian Courtney Wilson the other day. Aside from being an absolutely great dude with a great voice, his album sales have been consistently good, proving that he’s gonna have some staying power in this industry. I love that.
With the exception of this week, his debut album, Just Love, has stayed within the top 15 at Billboard since its release last JUNE, when it debuted at #2 on the chart!
Brian was recently nominated for two Dove Awards and I wanted to catch up with him to see how he’s taking everything in, how things have been, and what he’s got planned for the near future. I even touch a lil’ bit on how he felt after being passed up for nods at the Stellar Awards.
It’s just a quick chat, but I think you’ll enjoy it! Here’s Brian Courtney Wilson…
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EJ: Hey man!
BCW: Hey, EJ! What’s going on, man?
EJ: All’s well. How are you?
BCW: I’m doing good.
EJ: Good, man. Well let’s get to it– what’s going on?!
BCW: Aww, man. The record’s been doing well– it’s been in the top 15 since we got started and I’m happy about it. It’s just what was in my heart. When I recorded it, I wasn’t sure that anybody was gonna receive it, you know? But people have been receiving it and that’s been really gratifying to see.
EJ: That’s awesome, man. You’ve had great success at radio and great sales. I’ve not seen you far from the top of the charts since you started and there are people who’ve been in the game for years that still can’t get there, so you’ve definitely made an impression on people.
BCW: Thank you, man.
EJ: I need to ask you– you’re signed to Music World, which is Mathew Knowles’ company. This is just a question that I’ve gotta ask… you know, we’ll deal with it and move on. Do you ever get to hang with Beyonce?
BCW: *laughing* Man, the last time was probably two years ago and I would call that an “interaction.” It was more like she flew in, said hello and flew out. She’s doing her thing.
EJ: Nah, that’s cool. *laughs* It’s something I think the people have needed to know, so I figured I’d ask… like, “how often does he interact with Beyonce, or with Mathew.”
BCW: Well, I just met up with Mathew yesterday. We sat down and talked for a long time about the direction of the album and my career– where we’re going next. And Solange, Beyonce’s sister, she reached out to me the other day, just wishing me well. But, you know, I didn’t get into this to hang around them. It’s cool that they’re there, but I’m hard after God.
EJ: I love it. Lemme ask you– you’ve got two Dove nominations, one for New Artist Of The Year and another for Urban Recorded Song Of The Year for “Just Love.” What does THAT feel like?
BCW: Man, it feels extremely gratifying. For real. Especially… you know, because we got missed for the Stellars.
EJ: Oh yeah, well I’m coming to that in a minute. *laughs*
BCW: *laughing* I KNOW you are! But for the Dove Awards to come out and acknowledge what I’m doing– and we don’t have any Christian radio airplay to speak of, that I know about– so, for them to reach out and say that we’re doing something worth acknowledging, that really means a lot.
EJ: Sure.
BCW: And it means a lot for our supporters because they have the opportunity to vote for Best New Artist… To be able to tell the supporters “hey, they’re thinking about giving us an award for what you’ve been listening to, for what’s been enriching your life…” It means a lot to them as well.
EJ: Absolutely. Now, for my clarification– did you say you were “missed” by the Stellars or “dissed” by the Stellars?
BCW: I said “missed!” It’s hard to diss me, man. I try to stay as humble as possible, so I just figured that they knew what they were doing and knew who they wanted to nominate.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed with how it went down, but it wasn’t devastatingly disappointing. It would have been nice to get that, because you’re only Best New Artist once.
EJ: Right.
BCW: And I knew that we had done a lot of good work, and we put up a lot of good numbers. But beyond the numbers, I’m talking to the people everywhere we go, listening to their stories, and I’m getting messages on Facebook that what we’re doing is enriching lives. It seemed stellar to me.
EJ: Yeah, and I remember the day of the press conference, as I’m sending out my tweets, kinda being surprised. Not to rehash any of that drama, but by the time I got home, a lot of people were blowing up Twitter and my blog about YOU not being on the list, in particular.
BCW: Really? Is that right?
EJ: Oh yeah, they were about to cuss over you and J Moss, but J will be eligible on this year’s ballot. Was there not a moment where you kicked somethin’?
BCW: Nah, man. Absolutely not. The reason being– a year before that album came out, I wasn’t even sure if it would come out at all. I wasn’t even sure if I’d made the right to decision to step out on faith and do music.
By the time the nominations came around, we had already gotten so much love from radio and from the supporters… that was already a reward in and of itself.
I was a little disallusioned by the process, but I just figured that maybe I didn’t have a full understanding of what was going on and what we needed to do to make sure that we were acknowledged by the Stellars.
EJ: Yeah, I don’t think anyone did.
BCW: And I remember the blogs you did. My wife and I both were like “man, this is so insightful.”
EJ: Thanks, man.
BCW: But the other thing that I have to remember, as an artist, is that I wasn’t the only one who felt that he was passed over or missed. So it wasn’t just about me. If there are things that need to be done or corrected– and I’m not saying that there are… you know, Don Jackson has been doing this a long time and I think he knows how to run his company. But if there are things that need to be corrected, I pray that they are because the Stellars are important.
EJ: That’s a great response and outlook to have, man. What would you say has been one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced, breaking into the gospel industry? I ask from the standpoint of you being a new artist and not necessarily having a bunch of established artists endorsing you out the gate. You know? There wasn’t a whole church or Bishop T.D. Jakes’ endorsement, or some GMWA feature and guest solos for years… what has been the greatest challenge coming in as a virtual newcomer?
BCW: I think the challenge was before everything broke. It was the waiting and believing that what you’re waiting on is actually worth waiting on. Because like you said, no one like T.D. Jakes was callin’ me to say “man, your music… we need to have it out there.”
Now, I have people in my life that were doing that– great people, but you may or may not have heard of them. They showed me love and respected what I was doing. But that was the challenge– waiting. And not aborting what God was doing before the people got to hear it and experience it for themselves.
EJ: And I’m glad you endured. How often are you traveling? What is your gig-load like each month?
BCW: I probably get 40-50% of the month. I’d like to do more. It’s been picking up, but I want to get to 60-70% of the month.
EJ: So, what is next for you– are you back in the studio soon, are you riding this album out for a while?
BCW: Well, we’re gonna do a couple more singles and we’ll look at putting out a new album next year.
EJ: Sounds great, man. I know it’ll be great. Umm… I think that’s all I’ve got for ya– just wanted to touch base and see what’s up with you.
BCW: You do a great job, man. I follow what you say and it always makes great sense to me, so I appreciate that.
EJ: Well, I appreciate you for that, man. I’ll talk to you soon.
BCW: Alright, man.
EJ: Alright, bye.
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And there you have it!
I’m very proud of Brian– he’s such an incredibly humble dude with no frills or pretenses… what you see is what you get. And that’s refreshing.
It doesn’t hurt that his voice is dope, either. LOL
Peep this video of him singing one of my favorites from him– “Already Here”…
Do you guys have his album? If not, click here to listen/make a purchase. If so, what do you think of it?
The long-awaited sophomore project from Syreeta Thompson, dubbed “The Trumpet Lady,” is in stores TODAY. The album, In His Presence, features guest vocals from Dorinda Clark Cole and DeWayne Woods.
EJ: Hey man!
EJ: Sure.
EJ: And I’m glad you endured. How often are you traveling? What is your gig-load like each month?
to listen/make a purchase. If so, what do you think of it?
