Kim McFarland, Monique Walker, Táta Vega…

At a time, these were some of the choir/ensemble soloists whose names were practically synonymous with the leader of that choir or ensemble.

You saw Andraé Crouch, you expected to see and hear Táta Vega. You saw Hezekiah Walker, you expected to see and hear Monique Walker. You saw Milton Brunson & The Tommies and you’d better get to see and hear Kim McFarland!  With solos on various songs by their respective groups, these and other voices served as the benchmark for the sound of contemporary choir music.

Out of curiosity– who are the choir/ensemble soloists of the new school?

My mind instantly wanders to folks like Zacardi Cortez (James Fortune & FIYA), David McClure (JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise) and Lillian Lloyd (with Ricky Dillard’s New G).

Who else comes to mind???

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???

Word has it that JJ Hairston and his wife, Trina, welcomed their new baby girl to the world this morning.  Jayelle Lalah Hairston is 6 lbs 12 oz. and is healthy and happy!

Congrats to JJ and Trina!  And may God bless little Jayelle tremendously.

Hi friends… just wanted to send a quick reminder as we go into the weekend– keep praying for JJ Hairston.  As you know, he’s the latest addition to our weekly series– The Prayer List.

I’ll be adding a new brother or sister to the list on Monday, but until then, let’s keep lifting up our bro, JJ.

Hey folks, just a quick reminder that we’re praying for JJ Hairston ALL WEEK LONG, as part of our ongoing series– The Prayer List.

He’s expressed how appreciative he is, and I believe the Lord is going to really honor our dedication to this movement, so I beseech– ahh…beseeching!!!– I beseech y’all to keep the prayers comin’!

Click here to read this week’s first announcement and to post your prayers.  Cool?

I was totally overwhelmed by the responses to the first post of The Prayer List, the new weekly series in which we lift up in prayer one person in the gospel music industry for the entire week.

The first person we prayed for was Erica Campbell, of Mary Mary, who expressed extreme gratitude and thankfulness knowing that an entire community was praying for her like that.

I’m grateful that you guys got behind this vision, praying on the blog, at your homes, re-tweeting on Twitter, sharing on Facebook… You guys rock. We’re keeping it moving with what God says to do– this is soooo much fun to me!

This week, we’re praying for JJ Hairston.  Not only is he the cool, gentle-spirited choirmaster of one of the hottest contemporary choirs in gospel music, Youthful Praise, he’s also a dope husband and father with a big heart.  So, let’s do it!

Lord, thank You for the man that You’ve created JJ to be.  Thank You for sculpting him a long time ago, to fulfill a specific purpose in this world.  Thank You for the gift of music that You’ve given him, but thank You, also, for the gifts You’ve imparted that the world has yet to experience.

I pray for his continued growth and maturity as a man, as a husband, as a father, as a recording artist.  I pray that You would guide JJ in every area of his life.  I pray that You would give him the wisdom and clarity to make decisions that would impact Youthful Praise, the choir he leads, and the family over which You have made him the head.  I pray for his continued success, not for his own glory, but for yours.

I pray that You would bless his humble heart and meek manner.  God, as he gives himself fully to Your calling and destiny for his life, it’s my prayer that You would fill in the gaps– whatever they may be.  You are the masterful equipper of every work we’ll do, and I trust You for complete preparation and provision for JJ Hairston.  And I pray that He would find rest in your ability to the Creator of Heaven and Earth.  In the Name of Jesus.  Amen.

Okay, folks… let’s start this week right and keep it goin’ all week as we lift up our brother, JJ Hairston.

Let’s hear it!

By now, I’m REALLY hoping you guys own Resting On His Promise, the latest album from JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise.  If not, tarry no longer– click here
to go’n and make your purchase. LOL

JJ reached out to me to let me know that they’ve selected their second single– “Lord, You’re Mighty.”  The track hasn’t even hit radio yet, but I think it’s an awesome choice.  The song, featuring lead vocals from Deon Kipping, is a great rock-infused worship chant, simply and catchy… and POWERFUL.

For your listening pleasure, JJ is allowing me to add it to the PunditPlayer before the radio edit even hits the airwaves!  You heard it here first… click here to listen.

And make sure you let me (and JJ) know what you think about it by leaving a comment right here!

In a couple of weeks, Dr. Teresa Hairston (Gospel Today) will be hosting her annual Gospel Heritage Praise & Worship Conference in Jacksonville, FL.  It’s gonna be a two-day event that you do NOT wanna miss, featuring worship services, musical offerings, workshops and panels that’ll inspire, encourage and equip you.

Check out the flyers below to see just a SAMPLE of some of the folks participating– from Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and Kirk Franklin to Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Jonathan Nelson and Paul Morton… on and on and on.

During the conference, I’ll be speaking on two panels geared toward young adults (peep my lil’ photo on the second flyer, top right… LOL).  One panel discussion will focus on what the “new” music industry looks like, the other talks about careers opps in that new music industry.  My panel peers will include some of the best and brightest in the gospel game and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Anyone ever attended one of the annual conferences?  Anyone planning to attend THIS one?  Talk to me!

I’m saddened to report the passing of Pastor Shawn Brown, former co-director of the dynamic gospel choir Youthful Praise, and writer of hits like “Awesome God” (Youthful Praise) and “Grateful” (Hezekiah Walker & LFC).  He was also known for his work with gospel group Key Of David.

The industry mourns his passing but celebrates his life.  Please pray for his family, his church, the members of Key Of David, and for JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise.

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…