I remember when Dorinda Clark Cole’s debut solo album came out. She was my favorite Clark Sister that year (it changes almost annually) and I remember grabbing my copy of the project– you know, the one with the red cover.

I supplemented that buy with a purchase of her DVD and I think I watched the DVD more than I did regular television for several months. One of my favorite performances from it is actually the reprise of “I’m Still Here,” because I love the ministry (and singing, of course) that she does on it.

Check it out–

Who remembers that?! Love it!

True Worship Retreat 2010, hosted by Lance Williams, returns to New Jersey from September 9-11, 2010.  This year’s conference is titled “Pursuing His Glory & Your Purpose.”

Speakers include Dr. John Guns and Bishop Liston Page.  On tap to perform this year are Dorinda Clark Cole, Sheri Jones-Moffett, Kathy Taylor-Brown and Martha Munizzi in a “Women In Gospel” concert.  In a “Next Generation” set, attendees will get a concert featuring Tye Tribbett, Jonathan Nelson, Kierra Sheard and JJ Hairston.

For more info, visit the official website for the retreat by clicking here.

Anyone planning to attend???

The hottest choir competition in the nation, Verizon Wireless’ How Sweet the Sound, is just about ready to begin its nationwide tour dates, hosted by Donald Lawrence and featuring performances from some of the sangin’-est choirs in the country and some of the top gospel artists in the game.

I attended one of the sold-out events last year and it was INCREDIBLE. I strongly urge you to attend one in your area, if you’re at all able to do so.  Tickets for the events go on sale on July 10th.

Details on dates, cities and performers are as follows:

Houston, TX
September 9, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Byron Cage

Jacksonville, FL
September 11, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, James Fortune

Memphis, TN
September 14, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Dorinda Clark Cole

Philadelphia, PA
September 17, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Lonnie Hunter

Washington, DC
September 18, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Richard Smallwood, Maurette Brown Clark

Newark, NJ
September 22, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Kurt Carr

Cleveland, OH
September 24, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, James Fortune

Detroit, MI
September 25, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Kurt Carr

Chicago, IL
September 27, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Dorinda Clark Cole

Charlotte, NC
September 30, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, John P. Kee

Atlanta, GA
October 2, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Israel Houghton, Tamela Mann

St. Louis, MO
October 5, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Dwight Stone

Oakland, CA
October 9, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Byron Cage

Los Angeles, CA
October 11, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans

Visit http://www.howsweetthesound.com for more updates and info.

Who’s attending???

We had a great time praying for Kierra Sheard all last week. I wanna encourage you guys to remain steadfast and intentional in prayer.  I don’t want us to be legalistic, but I do want us to challenge ourselves to be disciplined in this.  If you want a reminder of why we’re doing what we’re doing, click here.

Ok, this week, we’re shifting gears a bit in that we’re not praying for a recording artist– we’re praying for an industry executive.  He’s actually one of my favorite folks in this business– Benjamin Jeffrey Grant Clark (Jeff Grant).

Jeff Grant is the Vice President of Radio Promotions & Artist Relations at Verity Gospel Music Group.  Aside from being at the helm of chart-topping radio successes like “Never Would Have Made It,” he’s been at Verity for quite a while, helping to guide the recording careers of Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Richard Smallwood, Hezekiah Walker, Dorinda Clark-Cole and more.

One of my favorite pieces of trivia about Jeff Grant is that he wrote Hezekiah Walker’s “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow” yeeeeears ago (yes, the one that Kim Burrell covered and the one we’re still going bananas over.  He’s a gifted musician and wise business man, but he’s also a great husband (like, one of those that you’d wanna watch to learn from), father and grandfather.  So let’s go!

Father, thank You for the life of Jeff Grant.  Thank You for his gifts and his abilities.  Thank You for all of the opportunities You’ve given him– they allow him to be a capable, grounded and effective vehicle for ministry in this world.  Thank You for investing time and love into him.

God, I pray that You would continue to be attentive to Jeff Grant.  I pray that You will continue to remind him of the great responsibility on his life and I pray that he is perpetually aware of his unique purpose here.  Cover him– physically, spiritually, emotionally– by the blood of Your Son, Jesus.  Bless his marriage, his role as a father and as a grandfather.  Allow him to be God-led in each of those roles and guide him to be an example of Christ’s love for us.

For Your glory’s sake, allow his labor in this industry, and in the Kingdom at large, to be fruitful.  Give him wisdom and discernment.  Allow his decisions to be sound and full of compassion.  Please continue to reign on the throne of his heart, so that You will forever be his focus and his God.  I pray this in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Okay, folks… let’s hear ‘em!  Post your prayers for Jeff Grant in the comment section.  Thanks!

I could’ve sworn that I had posted this a long time ago.  It’s definitely been one of my favorite YouTube videos for YEARS now… *shrugs* oh well.

You’re gettin’ it now!

This is Yolanda Adams singing the classic tune “Expect A Miracle,” in tribute to the Clark Sisters a few years ago.  With a little audience participation, Yolanda soars over this performance… she is in great voice and does some bananas ad libs.

Check it out–

Whatcha think???

If you recall, J Moss, The Clark Sisters and Kierra Sheard recorded a special track a while ago for a tribute album that was released in Frankie Beverly’s honor.

The Trumpet Awards, the annual awards program honoring the achievements of notable African-Americans, honored Frankie Beverly and had the Moss/Clark family on hand to perform that song back in January.  The broadcast of the program is FINALLY hitting television this Sunday, April 4th at 9pm ET on TV One.

Their performance was incredible.  They sound and look great (the Clark fans are gonna looooove the hair)…

OMGEEEEEEEEE! There’s NOBODY in gospel like that family.

Whatd’ya think???

It’s one of my favorite songs on my favorite album from one of my favorite vocalists… “Couldn’t Tell It If I Tried” on Karen Clark Sheard’s Finally Karen project.

This particular video has been one of my favorite performances of the song for quite a while.  I love it for three reasons:

(1) She’s in great voice;

(2) When she tries to end the song, Dorinda (who’s directing the choir) doesn’t give a rip.  Dorinda just keeps going, forcing Karen to work overtime (to our delight);

(3) The video opens with Karen giving almost nervous/shy expression like “I dunno… I guess I’m gonna sing… I hope they like it,” before DEMOLISHING THE ENTIRE SITUATION like only she can.

Enjoy:

LOVE IT!

Word has it that Karen Clark Sheard’s fifth solo album, All In One, will be available for pre-order from iTunes beginning on March 23rd.  The project will be in-stores everywhere on April 6.

Featuring guest vocals from her sister, Dorinda Clark Cole, daughter Kierra Sheard and niece Angel Chisholm, keys by her cousin Bill Moss Jr., and production by both her son, J Drew Sheard II, and cousin J Moss, this project is definitely a family affair.

The lead single, “Prayed Up,” is already doing well at radio (and you can hear it on the Pundit Player here, too).  Make sure you call your local stations to request it.

What do you think of the album cover?  What do you think of the single?  Who’s gettin’ excited???

One of the most widely discussed events of the Stellar Awards weekend was not really planned at all; rather, it came suddenly, in response to the earthquake in Haiti.  Kirk Franklin successfully brought together the gospel and Christian music communities to record a new song that he wrote, the proceeds from which will be donated directly to the relief efforts in Haiti.

Though Franklin wrote and produced the track, entitled “Song For Pain,” he’s not getting a cut, nor are any of the dozens of artists and musicians who participated.  And I mean DOZENS.  Some of the artists and musicians who rolled through the session include Mary Mary, Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin, J Moss, CeCe Winans, Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Marvin Winans, Micah Stampley, Karen Clark Sheard, Smokie Norful, Shirley Caesar, Amy Grant, BeBe Winans, Brian Courtney Wilson, Stephen Hurd, Nicole C. Mullen, and MORE.  Every penny is going to Haiti.

Over the course of several recording sessions throughout the weekend, Kirk (who also co-hosted and performed at the Stellar Awards, and had to attend rehearsals and run-thru’s for the same) spent every moment of his “spare time” in Nashville’s Quad Studios, generally until around 6am.  I don’t think he got any sleep all weekend.

Let’s continue to pray for Haiti, that the offering of our music community would be used greatly to take Christ and His healing power to that nation.  And, let’s pray for our own artists and musicians, especially Kirk Franklin, who selflessly gave of their time and energy for this cause.

AAAAND, when the single hits the internet stores this week, BUY IT.  I’ll be sure to let you know when and where.  Deal?

Aside from the actual taping of the Stellar Awards, folks eagerly anticipate the BMI Trailblazers Awards each year.   In fact, people often say that the BMI event features greater and more memorable performances than the Stellar Awards taping, though, this year… that MIGHT not be the case… I’m gonna call it a TIE!

In any case, BMI annually honors folks in gospel who’ve made significant contributions to the genre.  This year, Donnie McClurkin and Andraé Crouch were honored.  The celebration consists of a great lunch and some incredible tribute performances.  It went a lil’ something like this…

Before the honoring went down, Dorinda Clark-Cole came to the stage to perform her hit single “Take It Back,” which received a BMI Song Of The Year award (songwriter, Derrick Starks).  You already know that Dorinda brings it like none other and I was on my feet before I could even finish my salad.

Following that, we got a surprise performance from Jessica Reedy, who sang “God Has Smiled On Me” like a seasoned professional.  She really holds her own in this game and it’s great to see how welcoming the industry is of her.

The vocal production for the afternoon came from the incomparable Donald Lawrence and DeWayne Woods.  In the background– Tobi Darks, Dawn Jordan, San Franklin, Latrice Pace, Blanche McAllister and Anita Wilson.  YES!  The band– Joe Wilson on keys, Stanley Brown on organ, Kevin Stancil on bass, Jonathan DuBose on guitar, Marvin McQuitty on drums and Lloyd Barry on horns.  GOOD LORD!

The formal program began with the tribute performances to Donnie McClurkin, hosted by Byron Cage.  The background vocalists did a snippet of “That’s What I Believe” before Latice Crawford came to deliver her rendition of “I Call You Faithful.”  After that, Micah Stampley sang his heart out on “Speak To My Heart.”  McClurkin’s best friend and pastor, Marvin Winans, set the room ablaze with his performance of “Stand” (for which he also brought up BeBe Winans) before Yolanda Adams came to the stage to perform “We Fall Down.”

The McClurkin tribute performances were great, but I wish they had done some more songs for him– they could’ve dug a little deeper into the New York Restoration Choir days, pulled some more tracks from the Live In London album, or even focused a little more on songs that he’s written for other artists (like, “This Is The Gospel Of Jesus Christ” for Hezekiah Walker or “It Is To You” by Byron Cage).  Still, awesome job and I’m glad he was honored for his great contributions to the game.

After McClurkin accepted his award, it was on to the Andraé Crouch tribute, which was hosted by Yolanda Adams.  First, Donald Lawrence led the singers in a mindblowing medley of classic Crouch tunes including “Right Now” (led by Blanche McAllister), “Quiet Time,” “Soon And Very Soon”… it was just incredible.

Up next was the one and only Táta Vega, a longtime friend of, and singer with, Andraé Crouch.  She did an intro of “Speak Lord,” (which she recorded for The Color Purple decades ago) before transitioning into a soul-stirring performance of “Oh It Is Jesus.”  It was at THAT moment that the atmosphere of the entire room shifted from tribute to worship, and the event wasn’t the same again.

After that, Yolanda Adams couldn’t even regain her composure to introduce the next performance– BeBe & CeCe Winans singing “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.”  They just came on stage and took us to new heights, followed by Mary Mary’s staggering performance of “We Are Not Ashamed.”

Finally, Marvin Winans returned to the stage and shared some great stories about how instrumental Crouch was to the career of The Winans, even down to changing their stage name from “The Testimonial Singers” to simply, “The Winans” (thank God!).  He wrapped his segment with a performance of “Jesus Is Lord,” for which he simply had to call the legendary Karen Clark Sheard to the stage!

Andraé Crouch accepted his award and shared how he had been recently diagnosed with diabetes.  His doctors wanted to amputate his toe after discovering a large hole in it, but he shared that he had been miraculously healed!  He asks for continued prayer from the industry… great speech.

Finally, Marvin Winans led an impromptu segment of EVERYONE singing some classic Crouch songs that weren’t even on the program.  He called up Shirley Caesar, J Moss, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin… there are no words!

That’s that, essentially.  Dunno how much of it will make the edited televised program, but look for it on February 21st on Gospel Music Channel.  I’ll remind you as the time comes closer!

Soooo… whatd’ya think?!