On Monday, my wife and I accompanied a friend on a roadtrip to Memphis for the Verizon Wireless How Sweet The Sound choir competition.  The event was at the FedEx Forum and it was pretty packed.

The evening began with a performance of “Let The Word Do The Work” by Donald Lawrence, who co-hosted the evening with Lisa Kimmey-Winans.  I never get tired of that song, nor any others on The Law Of Confession: Part 1… I’m like a junkie. But whatever!

After his performance, Donald introduced the judges– Kurt Carr, Michael Davis (Memphis’ Hallelujah 97.5FM) and Marvin Sapp– before moving swiftly into the small choir competition.  The Good Hope Sanctuary Choir, of Memphis’ Good Hope Church, won in that category for their awesome performance of “When The Saints Go To Worship.”  They really looked and sounded great!

Before intermission, Kurt Carr and a few of his singers sang “Peace And Favor Rest Upon Us” and dazzled the crowd.  The second segment of the show began with Marvin Sapp ministering with “Never Would Have Made It,” a song that is proving to NEVER grow old.  Those saints were jumping up and down, screaming for him like a teenage girl at a Michael Jackson concert.  It was incredible!

The second segment featured the large choirs and the Greater Community Temple Voices, of Greater Community Temple COGIC, won that set with their jaw-dropping performance of the O’landa Draper CLASSIC “My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord.”  That church was O’landa’s home church before his sudden passing in 1998… they did him PROUD and were just on another LEVEL.

They were also the big winner of the ENTIRE night and will represent Memphis at the national HSTS competition.  I am kinda predicting that they’ll actually win the whole competition this year– just a phenomenal job.

The night ended with a grand finale of “The Blessing Of Abraham,” led by Donald Lawrence featuring the choirs and a BUNCH of singing fans in the audience.  To be honest, I didn’t expect to enjoy the event as much as I did.  I dunno how good other cities are, but good singin’ is in the water in Memphis.  And choirs are just… not a game.  Plus, the production of it was superb (kudos Verizon Wireless!).  I had a really great time.

Special shout-out to Monica Coates, Sheri Jones-Moffett & Dion Moffett, Donna Creer, and Donald Lawrence.  It was great to see you guys!

I hadn’t planned on pulling out my camera, but… I didn’t wanna leave y’all hanging.

I headed to Memphis last night for Sheri Jones-Moffett’s album release concert.  It’s about a 3.5 hour drive from me, so my wife and I jumped in a car and headed down I-40.

About 2 hours into the trip, we got a blow out on the highway!  I’m talking sudden, tire ripping up, rim bent, huge trucks pushing 80 mph all around us, forced to veer into the grassy middle section of the highway to avoid being taken OUT.

In no time, God sent three troopers, in three separate cars, to guard us from oncoming traffic and to help me change the tire.  My wife called all the necessary auto companies, arranged everything, and we were at a Firestone auto place getting a new tire in no time (dunno how she does all of it– she’s just kinda fly like that!).

ANYWAY, she drove us to Memphis with 4 minutes to spare for the release concert.  We got in and grabbed our seats before the event began.

Ken Pennell, President of EMI Gospel, took a moment to share his thoughts and enthusiasm about Sheri’s release.  He spoke about her artistry, her passion, her message… it’s refreshing to see a label head who is so supportive and so sold-out for an artist’s ministry.  It says a lot.  He capped off his remarks by reading Colossians 3:16, which he said exemplified Sheri’s work: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Up next, Jai came to the stage.  You guys remember me talking about Jai?  Click here if you don’t.  She’s one of the newer developing artists that has snatched the attention of lots of industry folks within the past year or so.  She’s got a phenomenal gift (great voice, awesome communicator).

Jai opened the concert with a heartfelt, rock ballad “I’ll Wait,” and captivated the entire audience (many of whom prolly didn’t really know her just yet).  By the time she finished, we were compelled to give a standing ovation– she just blew EVERYONE away.  Great job.

Sheri came out immediately thereafter, lookin’ amazing and sounding even better!  Backed by three singers and a live band, Sheri opened her set with the bangin’ track “Free Indeed.”  Her voice is limitless (I think, one of the industry’s best-kept secrets) and she was MORE than ready to handle a full concert on her own.

During the concert, Sheri said “I’m not gonna be one of those people that say ‘I didn’t come here to entertain.’  Yes, I did.  Because to ‘entertain’ means to hold one’s attention.  But while I have your atention, I plan to make a deposit into your spirit.”  And she did just that.

From making us dance on the hotttt single, “Renewed,” to encouraging us on “Not Too Late To Dream,” to leading us in worship on “Grace Of God” and “I Feel Jesus,” Sheri demonstrated a personable and loving solo artistry with her supporters.

Sheri thanked family, friends and co-laborers in the audience (and gave huge props to Donald Lawrence, who she says was very involved in making sure this project was RIGHT), before performing her last song of the night– the New Orleans-styled “I Feel Your Spirit.”

She was mindful of the fact that it was a Tuesday night, so we were out of there in NO time (but she managed to do a bunch of songs!).  I was back on the road and home by 3am-ish.  And now, I’m exhausted. LOL

Special shout-out to Sheri’s assistant, Dave Burns, who put the whole event together (you’re great, dude!), Dion Moffett (an awesome & supportive husband), and EMI Gospel folks Ken Pennell, Larry Blackwell and Shelly McBride (great to see you guys!).

If you don’t have the album, pick it up NOW.  It’s a great body of work and I think you’ll be blessed by it.  Holla!

Oh, a quick pic of Sheri and me (I don’t have shots of the event cuz somebody said “no cameras,” and I wanted to respect the sanctuary… plus, I was too busy being a fan to be snappin’ pictures! LOL)…