GospelPundit.com continues its prayer series this week, adding a new name to The Prayer List– Jojo Pada.

Jojo Pada, CEO of Ignition PR, is one of the most highly-regarded and sought-after publicists in gospel music.  Having worked in-house at Motown Cafe, as the head of publicity at Verity Records and Light Records, and as an indie consultant for Light Records and EMI Gospel, her clients include practically every artist in gospel music– including Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Shirley Caesar, Commissioned, Richard Smallwood, the Clark Sisters, VaShawn Mitchell, and many others.  Let’s lift her up…

Father, thank You for the life of Jojo Pada. Thank You for being a Sustainer– a God who clearly had a plan for Jojo since before she was born, and a God who was committed to keeping Jojo, and using her despite anything that threatened to stop her.

Lord, I pray for continued success for Jojo– not only in the practical sense, but spiritually as well.  I pray that her spiritual “success” would look like a heart that is perpetually molded to resemble Yours. I pray that it would look like a heart that continues to hunger and thirst for righteousness, that stands for justice, that lives a life of boldness, for Your glory.

I pray that the decisions Jojo faces would be guided by Your Truth, Lord.

I ask that You allow the many gifts and skills that You’ve invested into her to be used to the utmost, for Your purposes. I pray that she would continue to be a trailblazer in this music industry, an example of excellence among her close peers and those who watch from afar.

God, I pray that You would assure Jojo that all of her prayers have been heard, that her heart’s desires have been considered, and that You have orchestrated Your very best life for her to live– and I pray that she would find unbelievable rest, comfort and joy in that, and in You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Okay, fam– please join me in lifting up our sister, Jojo Pada, in prayer.  Post your prayers in the comment section below.

Do you think sexism exists in the gospel music industry?

For purposes of our discussion, let’s say that sexism can be either of two things–

1. Discrimination based on a person’s gender; and
2. Enforcing attitudes and/or behavior based on what one believes to be “traditional” gender roles

I think it’s an issue in all of humanity, so I assume we would see traces of it in gospel music.

I’ve heard about it as it relates to industry professionals– I’ve heard businesswomen in gospel speak about being viewed as inferior to their male counterparts, despite being  more qualified or more experienced, in some instances.

Interestingly, though, some of the most prominent indie companies in gospel are run by women– Ignition PR, One EnTiTy, The Bellamy Group, the ND Company, Eye 4 Gospel, Black Gospel Promo, Gospel Today Magazine… and MANY others.  I wonder if any of their stories of striking out on their own include instances of sexism that they simply couldn’t take any longer.

But what about with artists?  Do female gospel artists suffer at radio?  Do female gospel artists not get booked for as many gigs?  Are they considered inferior in some way?

Or is there “reverse” sexism as it relates to artists?  Do male artists get the short end of the stick?  Are there fewer opportunities for them in gospel than for female artists?

Or is it specific to the format?  For example, there are clearly more male choir directors and ensemble leaders than females (partly why I miss Natalie Wilson & SOP so much, and one of the reasons that we loved Dr. Mattie Moss Clark)…

Maybe I’m just asking about something that is not there.  But maybe it is there.

What do you think? Have you seen things in the industry– either as it relates to the biz professionals or the artists– that look like unfair treatment based on the person’s gender?

Talk to me!

Yesterday was the first full day of action-packed GMWA stuff.

I was bouncin’ around between the hotel lobby, the press office (shout out to Jojo Pada of IgnitionPR), the airport to pick up folks, and back to the convention center.

Last night, we went to the Youth & Young Adult Forum at the Hyatt in Downtown Cincinnati.  By the end of the week, I’ll be annoyed cuz the musicals start so LATE at night, but for now, I’m napping when I can and making it through!

There are so many events happening simultaneously, I can’t go to all of ‘em.  But at the Youth thingy, there were some GREAT performances from new and developing artists across the nation.  Special shout-out to Algernon, Bubby Fann and his group, and Melinda Watts, each of whom did a GREAT job.  It was an awesome time… I even got to catch-up with manager extraordinaire (and Gospel Dream judge) Mitchell Solarek.  SUPER cool guy.

Random sightings included Dorothy Norwood, Donald Lawrence, Albertina Walker, Vashawn Mitchell, Stephen Hurd, Kervy Brown, Earnest Pugh, Bishop Eric McDaniel… TONS of folks are here and more are continuously arriving.

I didn’t get to bed until around 3:00am (what in the WORLD?!), then back up at 6:30am to do it all again.  Whateva!  I’ll sleep next week.

More recaps tomorrow… and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for ongoing ramblings about stuff.

At the 106 & Gospel taping, I got to hang out with Damita Haddon.  She’s absolutely HILARIOUS and incredibly down-to-earth.

As we were talking in her dressing room, her background singers came in… one of ‘em is a childhood friend that I used to sing with in the Soul Children of Chicago over 13 years ago!  SMALL world!  Shout-out to Toni Stephens.  Great to see ya!

Damita did a great interview (for the record, who you see on TV is who she is behind closed doors, which is great to see) and she did a great performance of her single, “No Looking Back,” from her recent solo album of the same name.  I encourage you ALL to check out that album cuz it is reeeeaaaally good and ridiculously underappreciated in the industry.  In particular, check out the title track, check out “Pray,” check out “I Won’t Complain” (you’ve never heard it so mellow and so right).

Actually, watch her video for “No Looking Back” here:

What do y’all think???

MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR shout-out to Jojo Pada of Ignition PR for, among other things, inviting me to kick it with y’all.  We had a gooooooood time, as always!

For some reason, the Red Carpet event is the night before the actual Stellar Awards, but it was nice all the same.  Somebody at the check-in table tried to play me about my media credentials, but I still ended up on the Red Carpet next to Dorinda Clark-Cole and running past someone doing an interview for Gospel Music Channel.  You may see me on TV because, really… I was standing in places I was NOT supposed to be standing.  LOL.  Whatever!

Basically, the Red Carpet was a time for everyone to get photos and interviews with the nominees (which, I guess, is why it comes before the Nominee Dinner).  There were cameras clickin’ and flashes flashin’.  Fun.  Shout out to Jojo Pada (Founder/CEO/RULER of Ignition PR) for giving me some incredibly official responsibilites– I was her cameraman while she led a long-time favorite artist, DeLeon Richards, around and stuff.  (Cool trivia tidbit: At age 9, DeLeon became the youngest person ever nominated for a Grammy Award, pushing Michael Jackson out of the top spot… so there!) 

After that, I RAN up the hallway to my room, changed my clothes and sprinted right back to the ballroom for the Nominee Dinner.

Info on that in a bit!