Is it just me, or does CeCe Winans’ Throne Room album depict one of the greatest worship experiences in gospel music?

I can’t really pinpoint another album that so seamlessly creates a worship ENVIRONMENT and experience– it transitions beautifully, until you literally feel like you have entered into the throne room of God, spent some incredible time with Him, and left… to return again soon.

Maybe I’m being extra, but there are very few musical projects that give me an experience with God like this one.

Is it just me?

Is it just me, or is Myron Butler a bit underrated in the gospel industry?

He has released three reeeally good projects since his earlier successful days with God’s Property.  He’s a great songwriter and producer.  He produced and arranged the daylights out of the vocals on Marvin Sapp’s latest project, Here I Am.  He brings innovative music to the table EVERY time.

But I don’t feel like he gets his due.  His latest album, Revealed… Live In Dallas, should be higher on the charts.  His latest single “Speak” should be gettin’ more spins at radio and could be heard more in churches.

I dunno… I just think that people lump him into a category with a bunch of other artists/groups with similar formats– but they’re not the same.  At all.

Is it just me?

Is it just me, or does anyone else reeeeeallly hope the powers-that-be at BMI will honor Walter Hawkins at their annual BMI Trailblazers Awards during Stellar Awards weekend in Nashville this January???

The only problem– BMI honored The Hawkins Family in 2006.  In that tribute, they included music from both Walter & Edwin… too much to do a repeat?

I dunno.  But oooh, it’s just such a PERFECT fit.  Then, broadcast that bad boy on gmc again?!  Whaaat?!

Come on, somebody… is it just me?!

Is it just me, or don’t we need a major tribute to Walter Hawkins at the Stellar Awards in January 2011?

I’m talkin’ MAAAAJOR… like, get the folks together and start preppin’ and rehearsin’ TOMORRUH.

*shrugs*

My ideal tribute would include Richard Smallwood, Donald Lawrence, Donnie McClurkin, Kevin Bond, The Hawkins Singers… and a few others.

Anyone?  Who would your ideal tribute feature???

Is it just me, or aren’t we ready for a new album from Yolanda Adams?

I’m not talkin’ about any sort of album, either– I mean an album with some jazzy cuts like “The Only Way,” some gospel ballads like “The Battle Is the Lord’s” or “Through the Storm,” some downright churchy cuts like “In The Midst Of It All,” and I’ll even take an urban track or two like “Already Alright.”

I so badly want the quintessential Yolanda Adams project– the total representation of every musical area in which she’s excelled.  Maybe that’s what we should want from all of our artists, but I feel especially anxious for her to deliver it on her next project.

Is it just me?

Is it just me, or is Music World Entertainment, the music and entertainment corporate conglomerate founded by Mathew Knowles, up to a lil’ somethin’?

Not necessarily somethin’ bad, just somethin’… The latest news on the homefront is that Music World Entertainment has announced the launch of a new gospel label– Music World Gospel (kudos on the consistent branding, by the way!).  The new label will succeed its predecessor, Spirit Rising Music.

This news is on the heels of the recent signings of Juanita Bynum and Micah Stampley, who joined the then-Spirit Rising family of Brian Courtney Wilson  and Trin-i-tee 5:7 among others.  Music World Gospel will even be home to a special gospel compilation released by ESSENCE Communications (yes, the folks who put out the magazine, have the awards show and do the hot music festival– read: major mainstream opportunities for Music World Gospel artists).

This is not to say that Music World hasn’t already been successful in gospel– Michelle Williams debuted at #1 with her first solo project, and at #2 with her follow-up album.  Trin-i-tee 5:7 has experienced great sales and opportunities under Knowles’ direction.  And Brian Courtney Wilson has gone from relative newcomer to a Billboard top 10 mainstray since his release last year.

All I’m sayin’ is that, after laying juuuuust under the radar for some time, we’re gettin’ press release after press release about a bunch of new signing and new endeavors…

Could 2010 be the year that Music World took a big ol’ slice of the gospel industry pie?  I’m thinkin’ maybe…

Thoughts???

Is it just me, or has Crystal Aikin displayed a remarkable amount of artistic growth over the past year?

She gave one of my favorite performances at this year’s Stellar Awards.  I was mesmerized as she sang her single, “I Desire More,” not because she’s such a gifted vocalist (though, she is), but because I could see how much she has grown as an artist in just a year.

To be clear, Crystal Aikin, the winner of BET’s first season of Sunday Best, never gave lackluster performances.  She always demonstrated her vocal ability to wowed audiences.  I’ve always enjoyed seeing her and I have definitely loved her single.  In fact, I didn’t even notice that “I Desire More” was “missing” something until I saw her perform it with even more ownership, control and passion this year.

I would’ve been tempted to say that her performance was the result of having just won Stellar Awards for New Artist Of The Year and Contemporary Female Vocalist Of The Year, but her performance of the song was even better at the rehearsals earlier that day!

No, there is a refinement, a confidence, a graceful domination that Crystal Aikin is exhibiting… it’s not the result of accolades or awards.  I’m thinking it’s the result of dedication to her craft over the past year and the seasoned grace of a real pro.  Whatever the difference, or what caused it, I LOVE IT.  I’m definitely looking forward to watching her develop musically and I wanna hear the album she’s slated to work on this year.

To see my point, compare “I Desire More” from her guest appearance on last year’s season of Sunday Best with “I Desire More” from this year’s Stellar Awards…

Sunday Best, 2009:

Stellar Awards, 2010 (pardon the quality):

Do you see the difference I’m talking about? Whatd’ya think???

Is it just me, or is gospel the only genre that allows (maybe expects, and even demands) artists’ names to follow the format of “So-And-So” & “Such-And-Such”?

Think about it… Jonathan Nelson & Purpose, Myron Butler & Levi, DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet…

But it didn’t just start happening… there was Israel & New Breed, Kirk Franklin & The Family, Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ…

And before them, Richard Smallwood & Vision, Walter Hawkins & The Hawkins Family, Andraé Crouch & The Disciples…

And let’s not forget the choirs– Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Ricky Dillard & New G, John P Kee & New Life, Milton Brunson & The Tommies, O’landa Draper & The Associates…

Understand this– my absolute ALL-TIME FAVORITE gospel artists are mentioned above, so I’m not mad at their names at all.  Love you guys and you KNOW it!

I definitely think the the name choices make sense– ours is the only genre with the artist format of frontmen backed by an ensemble or a choir.

But I’d be lying if I said it isn’t refreshing when I hear creative names like Mary Mary, Excelsior, 21:03 and Mali Music.

In short, it’s not a good or bad thing, just… a thing.  A gospel thing.

Anyone noticed???

Is it just me, or wouldn’t you be absolutely and shamelessly ADDICTED to a Kirk Franklin reality TV show?

Like… to respectfully watch (and LEARN from) Kirk’s day-to-day life, from his inspiring marriage to Tammy to his tour dates across the globe.  I can’t think of any artist that I’d be more interested in watching.

Wonder who I have to talk to at Gospel Music Channel…

Is it just me, or aren’t you kinda hoping Carl Thomas will do a gospel album?

Remember that track, ”Angels,” that he did on Donald Lawrence’s I Speak Life album?  Geeeeeeeeez!