One of the most highly publicized events of the Stellar Awards weekend was the Bonnerfide Radio Launch Party, the celebratory event hosted by Gerard Bonner for… well, the entire industry. The party did not disappoint… it was a virtual who’s-who of folks in the industry and just about everyone rolled through at some point to show their love.
In case you don’t know by now, Bonnerfide Radio is a new internet radio station created and hosted by Gerard Bonner (also of GospelFlava.com). Within months, the interactive radio show/chat room experience was nominated for a 2010 Stellar Award for Internet Radio Station Of The Year, and garnered the support of MAJOR gospel artists, including Fred Hammond, J Moss, John P. Kee, Sheri Jones-Moffett and countless others.
The night, hosted by popular journalist and personality Jawn Murray, boasted performances and appearances from new and established artists including PJ Morton, Jonathan Nelson, Jason Nelson, George Huff, Melinda Watts, Myron Butler, Candy & Peaches West, Algernon, Tre Thomas, Claude Deuce, Sheri Jones-Moffett, Rae Ellis, CMO, Dominique Side, JJ Hairston, Darnell Davis & Remnant, Lisa Page Brooks… I have to stop there cuz I’m losing myself in the evening again.
But just imagine a relaxed (though packed to the RAFTERS) lounge setting at Nashville’s popular venue, Limelight, featuring food and drink, enhanced by ministry/entertainment from some of the most creative and skilled vocalists in our game. That’s where I was on Friday night!
Wanna make sure I mention this testimony, too– immediately after THIS event, Gerard Bonner was involved in an automobile accident in which his car was totaled. From what I understand, he was hit by another car, which sent his car head-on into a truck… an 18-wheeler. Praise God, Gerard and the passengers with him, walked away with only minor bruises– no internal bleeding or complications whatsoever. When I spoke with him a few hours later, he was resting up to make sure he had enough energy for the rest of the Stellar weekend!
Now, I’m not big on blaming everything on the devil… I think, sometimes, folks just have auto accidents. But if you were blessed to watch how God has been dropping miracles for Gerard left and right over the past several months, and if you had seen how that evening was a confirmation of so many of Gerard’s dreams and ambitions (based on his calling), and if you had seen the wreckage and how the accident REALLY could’ve turned out another way… you’d probably be rejoicing that the hand of God remains more powerful than any attempt of the enemy, that His plans can never be ruined, that He’s a God of mercy, grace and love… I’m not thrilled about the accident, but I am thrilled that God is consistent in showing His children “I’m here for you… I’ve got plans for you… I’ve got you– physically, financially, emotionally, spiritually…” Let’s rest in that.
Anyway… it was kind of a once-in-a-lifetime type of deal, cuz how many launch parties can be thrown?! But maybe, if we’re nice to him, Gerard Bonner will throw the industry another shindig next year…
In the meantime, you can check out his live radio show EVERY weekday morning, from 9am to 12noon ET, at http://www.getbonnerfide.com/. You’ll immediately see what everyone is raving about…
Gospel’s favorite sister duo, Mary Mary, recorded a Christmas special for Gospel Music Channel (GMC) a while back… it’s airing this coming Sunday, at 8pm ET.
Click here to visit GMC’s website and watch a promo clip.
Last year was the first year I had GMC and I was blown away by their original Christmas programming. From concepts to production, I got all excited for the holidays, in part, because of their Christmas concerts and shows. It’s the first place that I heard Ledisi performing Christmas tunes (she had her own Christmas special… can y’all re-air THAT?!), it’s the first place that I saw George Huff command an audience’s attention like a seasoned pro (Christmas at Union Station)… just great stuff.
BET has announced its roster for its annual gospel performance program, Celebration Of Gospel. The show, which will be hosted by Steve Harvey, will take place in Los Angeles on December 12th and will air on Sunday, January 10, 2010.
If you’ll be in the L.A. area and wanna ATTEND the show, email BET at BETRSVP@bet.net or call ‘em at (202) 608-2617 for tickets.
As usual, the list is intended to represent a diverse group of singers– some tried-and-true gospel artists with some mainstream artists with a lil’ church on ‘em. Did they succeed? You be the judge…
Donnie McClurkin
Fred Hammond BeBe & CeCe Winans Shirley Caesar Marvin Sapp James Fortune & FIYA Tye Tribbett & G.A. The Rance Allen Group Y’Anna Crawley
Dr. Bobby Jones & The Nashville Super Choir P.S.A.L.M. Choir (from City of Refuge Church) Deborah Cox, Kelly Price & Tamia (group members of the upcoming R&B album “The Queen Project”) Fantasia Barrino and her mother, Diane Barrino Barber Anthony Hamilton and his wife, Tarsha Hamilton
So, that’s that. Now, who’s missing from the list for my taste? Donald Lawrence, Israel Houghton, and J Moss.
Coko is a perfect example of an artist that should be on the roster– great gospel album(s) with mainstream appeal. That’s just a no-brainer.
Also, Myron Butler & Levi have a new album coming out in 2010 and, though someone might say “they’re not as known among the BET audience,” I would disagree. They are, in essence, the reincarnation of God’s Property, who put out one of the most successful gospel albums in history. And that didn’t happen because of gospel consumers– it was the mainstream folks. So, if BET’s audience doesn’t know who Myron Butler & Levi are, it’s because BET has failed to tell them. But I bet they have the God’s Property album and I bet they’d care.
And what’s the deal with Kierra Sheard? She can’t GET a booking in this industry. BET snoozes on her repeatedly and it’s ridiculous.
I think, all in all, it’s gonna be one of those shows where I’ll be eager to watch one segment, then feel just fine missing the next segment to do something more exciting, like pour orange juice or balance my checkbook.
Word has it that we no longer need to wait to find out who’s slated to appear on the new episodes of BET’sBobby Jones Gospel.
GospelFlava.com reports that BeBe & CeCe Winans, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Fred Hammond, Vickie Winans, Kim Burrell, Karen Clark-Sheard, Vashawn Mitchell, Ricky Dillard & New G, Sheri Jones-Moffett, Ted Winn, Shirley Caesar, Byron Cage, Y’anna Crawley and Jessica Reedy are among the artists expected to perform.
Amendment: AND, I just heard from one of my sources that George Huff is also slated to tape!
THAT’S gonna be a good season!
And I’m glad about it, too, cuz I get so annoyed when I tune in and it’s just a bunch of unknown quartets like Rufus Jenkins & The Anointed West Virginia-aires…
Y’anna Crawley (@yannacrawley) tweets that she’s in the recording process, telling Donald Lawrence that it’s “going well.”
Ton3x (@t0n3x) started a campaign against pornography called “NO MO PO” (which CRACKS ME UP… the title, not the campaign). Apparently, he was tempted with it the other day, used a YouTube preaching video to help him resist, then got so mad that he launched a campaign. Gotta love the transparency.
George Huff (@georgechuff) is using UStream.tv to stream his rehearsals… he streamed band rehearsal yesterday and will be streaming his background rehearsal online this Thursday.
Anson Dawkins (@adawk), of Dawkins & Dawkins, is on Day 51 of his 100 Days of Prayer. He’s been ”praying for a wave of humility and worship 2 overtake our nation; and rejoicing at how quickly God brings breakthru.” AMEN!
Eric Dawkins (@edawkins), the other half of Dawkins & Dawkins, is working stuff for Isaac Carree and the gospel group Christopher. Lookin’ forward to THAT.
Antonio Neal (@antonioneal) just opened a studio in Nashville. Contact them via email at ansharforeverstudios@gmail.com for more info.
Finally, heads-up: Deitrick Haddon and JJ Hairston have just joined Twitter. Head over to the TwitterRoll to follow them.
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.
George Huff’s entrée into the music industry may have been through American Idol, but I think his latest album, entitled George Huff, confirms that he’s not just another contestant from a nationwide talent search– he’s a bona fide gospel artist.
If you haven’t heard his project, you NEED to. It’s ridiculously good– awesome vocals, songwriting and production.
Okay, enough intro… the interview says the rest! Here’s my dude– George Huff.
* * *
EJ: Hey man!! How’s it going?
GH: Hey!
EJ: Thanks for chattin’ with me, I know you’re a busy dude right now.
GH: Thank you SO much, Brother EJ, for interviewing me. I’m so excited about this. We’re always on your site, trying to get the latest and stuff.
EJ: Oh, wow. Thanks, man! Before we get started, a random fact for you– my wife and I sat in front of you at the Stellars this year, in the first mezzanine.
GH: I was excited to sit up there… you can see EVERYTHING.
EJ: I know! We all had some great seats.
GH: And you were in front of me?
EJ: Directly.
GH: Oh, so y’all heard us clowning? *laughs*
EJ: We heard EVERY BIT of y’all clowning! *laughing*
GH: *laughs* It was funny. I can’t say exactly what we were laughing at, but I think we can all remember one thing in particular.
EJ: Well, I can recall a couple of times, actually! *laughs* We’ll leave it alone. Watch the tape!
GH: *laughing*
EJ: Ok, let’s chat about your most recent project. First, why did you title the album George Huff?
GH: It was very difficult coming out of [American Idol] to really express myself the way that I wanted to. It was very difficult to say “no” to a lot of things, so with the first CD, I basically let people tell me what they thought would be the best move, music-wise and vocally. And I went along with that.
This time, I said “I just wanna sing. I wanna sing and be myself, and not be controlled by anything or anybody.” I really wanted to do it the way God gave it to me. And I think that this particular CD, not just vocally, but lyrically, is more forward. I’m really operating in who God has called me to be.
EJ: Amen.
GH: So, whatever the last CD was (which was an awesome CD), you got that… but this is George Huff. Like KiKi [Sheard] says “this is me in my entirety.”
EJ: *laughs*
GH: There’s nothing sugar-coated, nothing that somebody else said for me. It’s how God gave it to George Huff. I had my hand in the whole decision-making process– the producers who’d be involved, the lyrics, the vocal arrangement… I feel like this is me, and nothing else.
EJ: That’s great, man. Your first project was on Word Entertainment… did you get that after Idol?
GH: It came down to Word and another prestigious label. I went with Word because… the offer was better! *laughs*
But I didn’t know, and no one ever knows, the issues that the label is going through when you sign. I signed the contract and the whole regime changed. The president and everyone else in his camp changed. Word is known for more Christian and CCM artists, and they agreed to do things for me in a certain way.
But when the regime changed, the people who we knew could work our project were no longer there. So, I had this mainstream CD that no one knew how to work– it wasn’t really gospel, wasn’t really CCM…
EJ: Right, it was more inspirational.
GH: Exactly. One thing I’ve learned is that you have to be either hot or cold– can’t be in-between. I was in-between. It wasn’t gospel, and they wouldn’t play it on CCM radio. So, I had no home.
But thank God for [the single] “Brighter Day.” It was my saving grace– it kept me alive at gospel radio and people loved it.
EJ: Oh, absolutely. That was a popular track.
GH: So, this time around, I was spent with everything I had gone through with Word and a bunch of other stuff. I said “if this is what the industry is about, I’m ready to go back to a nine-to-five.”
I waited a while before I signed with my new label and I thought “if I do it, it’s gonna be something that I’m really going to enjoy and other people will enjoy.”
EJ: Wow.
GH: And you know, I would go to a church and not be able to sing anything on my CD. Because the mood of the church– everyone was in worship mode. So I had to come off my CD a lot.
This time, I wanted to make sure that the album was well-balanced. I wanted to do what God was telling me to do, and what you’re hearing now is how God gave it to me.
EJ: Well, we’re loving what God gave you, dude! Your project features production from Aaron Lindsey, who’s brilliant, and a relative newcomer– Jamiene “J-Skills” Thompson. Who is J-Skills and how did you hook up with him?
GH: Well, I prayed that God would send somebody, connect me with somebody with whom I could create wonderful music. And J-Skills saw me at a musical… you know, sometimes people just come up and say “hey, man, I wanna work with you!” I gave him my number and said “yeah, yeah… call me!”
EJ: *laughing*
GH: And I never saved his number, so when he called, he would leave a message and I was like “who is J-Skills?!” One day, I went to another musical and saw him there and he said “man, I’ve been trying to CALL you!”
And I never want to be that type of person that doesn’t listen to people, won’t sit down and talk to people, so I sat there and I said “let’s hook up.”
At the same time, I was praying because I was looking for producers for the project. There was one prominent producer that wanted to work with me, but I wanted to do something DIFFERENT… something fresh and new.
EJ: Yeah.
GH: So, J-Skills and I set up a time to meet up. First, when I walked in the studio, I thought “where IS the studio?!” I didn’t see the equipment– there was a computer, a small mixing board, a keyboard, a closet… but I was like “where’s the studio?!”. And I thought “I KNOW this ain’t gonna work.” *laughs*
EJ: *laughing*
GH: But he pulled a program up on his computer… basically, it’s not about how much equipment you’ve got– there are programs that house all of these huge mixing boards that you see on TV. All of that can be housed in one program.
He turned the speakers on and the first track he played was “Grateful.” I said “WHAT?! WHAT IS THAT?!”
EJ: Amazing! *laughing*
GH: My face fell off, EJ. I couldn’t believe the QUALITY of what I was hearing. And, right there, I said “Lord, please forgive me for going by what I see and not believing in the things that I’ve been hoping for– quality, somebody to bond with on a personal level…”
And sure enough, when I heard that, I said “I’ve got to have it.” The odds were against him because the label was like “we don’t know who this is…”
EJ: Sure.
GH: So, we just recorded the songs. And I said “we are working with this dude, right here.” I was already working with a tight budget, so I said “J-Skills is your best bet. He HAS to do half of the CD because he’s awesome and I wanna work with him.”
They saw that I wasn’t bending. And thank God for Aaron Lindsey for what he did on this project. He saw something in me that I knew was there, but because of the people around me, I couldn’t get it out. And he was dedicated to making sure that what he produced for me was a great representation of who I am.
EJ: Envision with me what your life might be like if you had won American Idol– you probably would have had to debut with an R&B album, right?
GH: Yes, I sure would’ve.
EJ: Looking back, would you have felt fulfilled by that?
GH: You know what? I would have. Only because I know that it would have been God’s Will concerning me– the Bible says that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and who are the called according to His purpose.
Before I auditioned, I sought God. I was struggling to pay for school, you know, and I didn’t know what I was going to do. God put American Idol in my view and I thought “well, I don’t know how that’s gonna work, because it’s not ‘sanctified,’” you know?
EJ: Mm-hmm.
GH: I was so “spiritually minded” that I couldn’t see that God was going to use that platform– He will use whatever He wants to use– to get me to the desired place in Him.
So, in the end, the outcome was successful because it was something that God told me to do. If I had won the competition, I would have done an R&B album– it wouldn’t have been degrading or anything– because that’s what God would have had me to do.
EJ: Coming out of American Idol and into the gospel industry, were you well-received by the other artists? Did they embrace you as one of their own, or did some of them treat you like you weren’t quite on their level?
GH: People don’t know that I’m a church boy. And I love choirs– name any choir song and I can sing the entire tenor part. I can tell you who used to stand on the front row in the Thompson Community Singers. I can tell you who stands where in Ricky Dillard & New G, and tell you what they looked like on the DVDs. [Editor's Note: At this point, George rattles off skin complexions, hair colors and facial expressions of about half of New G's soprano section! LOL]
EJ: Wowwww. *laughs*
GH: That’s how much of a church boy I am. But, having been on American Idol, people saw me as THAT. Some of the industry folks didn’t accept me right away because they wanted to know that I was ”real” before they would embrace me as one of their own.
EJ: That’s gotta be rough.
GH: Yeah. And I talk to Shirley Murdock a lot. I call her my “auntie.” *laughs* She said that it happened to her, too, and that it was kinda heartbreaking. She said “the people that I thought would embrace me just shoved me away.” And I’m talking about other artists.
EJ: That’s just so ridiculous to me. And I’ve heard stories about that, too.
GH: They think “oh, here’s another secular artist trying to come to gospel now.” But that’s not the truth because I could be living in L.A. right now, singing everything under the sun and they’ll love me. Makin’ MONEY.
But my heart is with the Lord because I owe Him this. He’s worthy of it. When you can be healed in your body, when your needs are supplied… I owe Him my LIFE. Because nobody else did for me what He did for me.
EJ: Yeah.
GH: When I was struggling in school, or living in New Orleans with my four siblings. We had to carry buckets of water down the street… it was 2:00 in the morning because we didn’t want anybody to see that we had to carry jugs of water because our water was off. Come on, now.
I’m not doing this “just because,” like I’m trying to prove something to someone, or because I needed something to fall back on. This is where my HEART is.
EJ: Wow, man. That’s for real.
GH: But we’ve had to prove ourselves to other artists. They say “where is he coming from, and why is he trying to get some of our money?”
EJ: And I’ve heard stuff like that about other artists who sang R&B, but never “left” the church, like Coko, Kelly Price or Dave Hollister. They were attending service every week, they were tithing, they were donating anonymously… doing more for the Body than some of the “churchy” folks.
And consumers and industry folks get so skeptical of them doing gospel music, but I’m so glad that Jesus doesn’t look at us with doubt when we come to Him. I’m glad that He always gives the benefit of the doubt, even knowing us better than anyone else.
GH: That’s right. It’s very unfortunate. And we have this thing going on with us, thinking that just because we’ve been in church forever, we have a right to be so judgmental. We make people not wanna be a part of it.
EJ: You’re right. Lemme ask you– I think you strike everyone as a guy who’s always gonna give a smile and a good “God bless ya.” Every interview, every appearance, you’re just a happy guy. Don’t you ever just feel like rolling your eyes or sucking your teeth at someone?
GH: Yes, I do.
EJ: *laughing*
GH: And lemme tell you this– and I DO. *laughs*
I really do. I think American Idol kinda set it up where I was this “smiley” guy, so coming from that, everyone was like “oh yeah, that little goofy guy.” The image that people had of me– and yes, I try to find joy in everything– but they didn’t see a real person.
So, no, I’m not always smiling. My family can tell you that. I’m the same person, but when it comes to certain things, I’ve gotten a backbone.
EJ: Amen. And that’s necessary. Okay, gimme some quick getting-to-know you info.
GH: Okay.
EJ: Fill in the blanks. George Huff is afraid of ________________.
GH: Oh Lord. George Huff is afraid of… there’s one movie in particular that I will NEVER watch again because I’ve seen this particular thing happen in real life… at a church member’s house…
EJ: You’re talking about The Exorcist!
GH: YES! Yes, yes, yes… *sighs*
EJ: *laughing* Okay. One artist that George would love to record with is _____________.
GH: That would’ve been Ella Fitzgerald or Luther Vandross, but… I love this lady and we’ve talked about it on many occasions… that artist would be Kim Burrell.
EJ: Oh, that would be insane! And I need it to happen. When I first heard the single, “Don’t Let Go,” it reminded me SO much of the production quality and vocal agility of something from her Everlasting Life album, I thought “now, I need to hear the two of them together!”
GH: Oh, my Lord. Thank you so much! That is my dream. I’m not forcing it, but I want it to happen.
EJ: Ok, tell me this one: If he’s not singing someplace, you’ll probably find George ___________________.
GH: You’ll probably find me at home, sitting on the couch, watching old episodes of Good Times. I love watching Martin… throwback sitcoms.
EJ: That’s cool, man. Let me tell ya, I appreciate you so much. Thanks for chatting with me.
GH: Oh, I appreciate YOU for this opportunity, Brother EJ. We love what you’re doing– giving gospel artists a place to exist, allowing people to hear our voice. We’re always on your site, me and my little sister, like… white on rice.
EJ: *laughing* I appreciate it, man. And keep in touch, alright?
GH: Alright.
EJ: Okay. Bye-bye.
* * *
That’s all, folks! If you don’t have the project yet, GET IT. I promise you’re gonna love it. Check it out at Amazon.com, where you can listen to snippets of each track.
In the meantime, PLEASE do yourself a favor and listen to this track– it’s “Destiny” featuring Coko and Tasha Collins. Mind-blowing!
I’m doin’ a dual recap of this past Sunday’s Bobby Jones Gospel and 106 & Gospel cuz… I am.
Bobby Jones Gospel
I particularly enjoyed George Huff. He’s just such a pleasant person– you kinda can’t help but to smile when you see him (cuz you KNOW he’s gonna be cheesin’). He sang “I Won’t Complain.” When he started, I did NOT feel like hearing some drawn out, hyper-dramatic performance of the same ol’ song. Just being real.
But lemme TELL you, that he MINISTERED that song in a way that I’ve rarely heard (even with all the funerals I’ve been to). I had goosebumps and nearly got to runnin’ through the house. Watch yo’self, brutha!
Also on the show were Lance Williams & True Worship. I really like his music. He did what I’ve seen a coupla artists on the show do– though he was clearly booked for only one performance slot, he made two songs into a medley for that slot. The only problem with that, this time, is that I was reeeeaaally feelin’ his first song, a powerful worship track. Then, the band flipped it suddenly, a beat came in and snatched me right out of my mindset. Let that worship marinate for a minute, doc! Still, the second song was hot, too, so I wasn’t too mad.
The show also featured Shekinah Glory. They are such a huge blessing to soooooo many people. It’s a beautiful thing! Personally, though, I don’t really know anything about them aside from “Praise Is What I do” and “Yes,” and I’ve kinda decided that I’m fine with that for now. Is it just me?
* * *
106 & Gospel
Don’t get it twisted– it’s still cancelled, but they have a few shows already taped and, fortunately, they aired one this weekend. So, we’re gonna chat about it like always.
This show featured one of the pioneers of the Holy Hip-Hop movement, The Ambassador of Cross Movement. He had a great performance and, in my opinion, an even better interview. He, like a bunch of Christian rappers, has gone to seminary, which makes me wonder why it’s so common in the Holy Hip-hop movement (the very artists that many gospel folks say are NOT in the Will of God), and why we don’t expect our other music ministers to go… that’s gonna have to be a ChitChat topic in a bit.
The show also featured Niyoki, who performed her song, “Joy.” If you’ve EVER watched 106 & Gospel, you’ve seen the video of it cuz they play it almost weekly. Her interview had a really weird moment, though, where Angel asked Niyoki to share the incredible story about how she gave birth in her home studio, and Niyoki said [paraphrasing] “ummm… I have a home studio, and I have a son, but I didn’t give birth to him there or anything like that.” Awwwwkwaaaaaaaaaard. SOMEBODY ain’t tellin’ the truth! LOL
Still, good show and I enjoyed it. Make sure y’all sign the petition to keep it on the air!
Well excuuuuuuuuuuuse me, George Huff. Are you just gonna sing your ENTIRE face off on this new single, “Don’t Let Go”?! WHAT?! Who’s heard it?! Like, for real… it’s bananas.
The track has a Kim Burrell-ian, J Moss-ish type of vibe to it. The production is crazy (thanks to producer Jamiene “J Skills” Thompson) and his vocals are, as Simon Cowell would say, ”spot on.”
The album is in stores on April 7th, but you can listen to the single at GospelCity.com by clicking the link below (it should be the first track on the page):
Wanna make sure I mention this testimony, too– immediately after THIS event, Gerard Bonner was involved in an automobile accident in which his car was totaled. From what I understand, he was hit by another car, which sent his car head-on into a truck… an 18-wheeler. Praise God, Gerard and the passengers with him, walked away with only minor bruises– no internal bleeding or complications whatsoever. When I spoke with him a few hours later, he was resting up to make sure he had enough energy for the rest of the Stellar weekend!
Gospel’s favorite sister duo, Mary Mary, recorded a Christmas special for Gospel Music Channel (GMC) a while back… it’s airing this coming Sunday, at 8pm ET.
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.” 
EJ: How long does it take you to create a track, from concept to completion?
Okay, enough intro… the interview says the rest! Here’s my dude– George Huff.
EJ: Well, we’re loving what God gave you, dude! Your project features production from Aaron Lindsey, who’s brilliant, and a relative newcomer– Jamiene “J-Skills” Thompson. Who is J-Skills and how did you hook up with him?
EJ: You’re right. Lemme ask you– I think you strike everyone as a guy who’s always gonna give a smile and a good “God bless ya.” Every interview, every appearance, you’re just a happy guy. Don’t you ever just feel like rolling your eyes or sucking your teeth at someone?
Awwwwkwaaaaaaaaaard. SOMEBODY ain’t tellin’ the truth! LOL
