On Monday, my wife and I accompanied a friend on a roadtrip to Memphis for the Verizon Wireless How Sweet The Sound choir competition.  The event was at the FedEx Forum and it was pretty packed.

The evening began with a performance of “Let The Word Do The Work” by Donald Lawrence, who co-hosted the evening with Lisa Kimmey-Winans.  I never get tired of that song, nor any others on The Law Of Confession: Part 1… I’m like a junkie. But whatever!

After his performance, Donald introduced the judges– Kurt Carr, Michael Davis (Memphis’ Hallelujah 97.5FM) and Marvin Sapp– before moving swiftly into the small choir competition.  The Good Hope Sanctuary Choir, of Memphis’ Good Hope Church, won in that category for their awesome performance of “When The Saints Go To Worship.”  They really looked and sounded great!

Before intermission, Kurt Carr and a few of his singers sang “Peace And Favor Rest Upon Us” and dazzled the crowd.  The second segment of the show began with Marvin Sapp ministering with “Never Would Have Made It,” a song that is proving to NEVER grow old.  Those saints were jumping up and down, screaming for him like a teenage girl at a Michael Jackson concert.  It was incredible!

The second segment featured the large choirs and the Greater Community Temple Voices, of Greater Community Temple COGIC, won that set with their jaw-dropping performance of the O’landa Draper CLASSIC “My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord.”  That church was O’landa’s home church before his sudden passing in 1998… they did him PROUD and were just on another LEVEL.

They were also the big winner of the ENTIRE night and will represent Memphis at the national HSTS competition.  I am kinda predicting that they’ll actually win the whole competition this year– just a phenomenal job.

The night ended with a grand finale of “The Blessing Of Abraham,” led by Donald Lawrence featuring the choirs and a BUNCH of singing fans in the audience.  To be honest, I didn’t expect to enjoy the event as much as I did.  I dunno how good other cities are, but good singin’ is in the water in Memphis.  And choirs are just… not a game.  Plus, the production of it was superb (kudos Verizon Wireless!).  I had a really great time.

Special shout-out to Monica Coates, Sheri Jones-Moffett & Dion Moffett, Donna Creer, and Donald Lawrence.  It was great to see you guys!

I hadn’t planned on pulling out my camera, but… I didn’t wanna leave y’all hanging.

Dorinda Clark-Cole is busy busy busy prepping for her annual Singers & Musicians Conference.  It’s gonna be September 23-26, 2009 at Greater Emmanuel Institution COGIC in Detroit, MI.

Check out the flyers:

And visit http://www.singersandmusicians.com/ for registration details and other info on the conference.

Anyone planning to attend???

Word has it that James Fortune & FIYA will be releasing their newest project on February 2, 2010.

Dunno if I need it just yet– I think their current album still has some thunder left in it, especially cuz of the increasing popularity of their latest single, “I Wouldn’t Know You,” featuring Nakitta Clegg-Fox (of the Kurt Carr Singers).

They might be able to hold off ’til the summer… but I’ll be interested in hearing it WHENEVER it comes out.

Yesterday at GMWA began beautifully– slow and without any obligations or commitments.  I sat with my wife and some buddies in the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast.  Byron Cage, Dorothy Norwood, Albertina Walker and JJ Hairston were just a few of the artists milling around the area.

Shortly after my meal, I got a text message asking if I could sit on a panel discussing internet radio before an audience of radio announcers, aspiring artists and industry execs.  I agreed and, at the panel, was able to share my knowledge about what I do in new media and the need for a stronger internet radio presence among gospel announcers.  I didn’t get booed off the panel, so I guess I sounded pretty knowledgeable. Shout-out to Donna Creer for thinking of me.  I had a blast.

I only had an hour to eat before the long-anticipated Gospel Festival, co-sponsored by Macy’s.  I grabbed a bite before getting ready for the concert, hosted by Yolanda Adams, featuring Karen Clark-Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Byron Cage, Smokie Norful, Dottie Peoples, Jonathan Nelson & Purpose, Karima Kibble, Ami Rushes, Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, Dorothy Norwood, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, the GMWA Mass Choir and MORE.

The concert lasted for nearly 5 hours, but it was good.  The sound system was a bit rough (it was in a convention center… y’know, with the cement walls and high ceilings), so sounds kinda bounced back and forth.

Highlights of the show:  Yolanda Adams’ impromptu performance of “The Battle Is The Lord’s” with the GMWA Mass Choir– she proved that she’s STILL at the top of her game; Karen Clark-Sheard opened her set with the throwback “Balm In Gilead” before launching into two new tracks, both of which she DEMOLISHED on vocals; Dorinda Clark-Cole was in GREAT voice as she sang “Take It Back”; Byron Cage’s new single, “Faithful To Believe,” is awesome and sure to be a favorite; JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise are doing a great job with their new single, “Resting On His Promise,” but they also do a GREAT job revisiting their hit song “Incredible God, Incredible Praise” (tenor David McClure ad libs on the vamp like you’d NEVER believe… he had one of the greatest voices of the entire night… no exaggeration); GMWA Mass Choir was directed by Chicago choirleader/artist Malcolm Williams and they performed a near PERFECT medley of classic throwback choir songs.

All in all, the concert was AWESOME.  Afterwards, I went for dessert with some buddies and chatted until I could barely keep my eyes open.  Ahhhhh, it was a fun week!

During the concert, Bishop Jamison announced that GMWA would RETURN to Cincinnati next year, which will be kinda cool… it was a very welcoming city.  If you wanna attend next year, start planning and saving now.

Wednesday at GMWA was a slower day, not cuz there wasn’t plenty to do, but because people were kinda dragging and showing their fatigue… folks were skippin’ events and what not. LOL

I got a chance to chat with Floyd Wilkinson, who leads the hit Donald Lawrence & Co. single, “Back II Eden.”  To be one of the singin’-est dudes you’ll find in the game, he is incredible kind, humble and down to earth.  And he’s hilarious.  Gotta love that.

I stopped by the “Tribute To The King” concert, which was being hosted by Kurt Carr.  I didn’t stay for the whole tribute, but I noticed some of his singers, so I’m sure they ministered their faces off.  I also got a chance to see Dottie Peoples and Chrystal Rucker backstage.  The attendance at the tribute was rather low, but they were goin’ in on some classic James Cleveland tracks before I had to leave.

Took a quick break for dinner at some Korean bistro (it was pretty good) before heading to the Youth & Young Adult showcase, which featured a bunch of great aspiring/new artists.

When I arrived, Isaac Cates & Ordained were on stage and sounded GREAT.  Not long after, Sunday Best finalist Zebulon Ellis got on the piano to play and sing the classic Milton Brunson tune “For The Good Of Them.”  I’ll say this– we, the Sunday Best viewing audience, were cheated out of experiencing how awesome his vocal ability is.  Dude can blow, FOR REAL.

A bit later, Melinda Watts performed “There Will Come A Day” from her new album, followed by a organ-accompanied “When We All Get To Heaven” and “When I See Jesus” medley.  It was HOT.

After her, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise took the stage and performed their hit song “Incredible God, Incredible Praise.”  Lemme tell ya– incredible PERFORMANCE, too.  They ended their set with their new single, “Resting On His Promise,” and had Bishop Eric McDaniel join them for the vamp (as he does on the recorded version).  They had great energy and an even better sound.

I ducked out before the end, lest I fell out from fatigue– this week will wear you OUT if you don’t get your rest!  Geeeeez.

That’s it for now.  ‘Til later!

The Gospel Music Workshop Of America (GMWA) is in the final days of prepping– the week-long event kicks off this coming Saturday and runs through the 31st of July in Cincinnati, OH.

The convention, held at the Duke Energy Center, will feature daily morning worship sessions, workshops, showcases and nightly musicals.

I think I’m most excited about the full concert featuring Donald Lawrence and the huuuge concert on Thursday, the 30th, which will feature Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Dorinda Clark-Cole, J Moss, Kurt Carr, Byron Cage, Smokie Norful and more.  Ummm… that’s hot.  I may have to tweet live from that one.

Anyway, it’s not too late to register and buy tickets for stuff.  Visit http://www.gmwanational.net/ for more details.  And follow GMWA on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/GMWA.

Who else is planning to attend?  I wanna meet some of ya.  Hit me up and lemme know.

Timiney Figueroa-Caton and Anaysha Figueroa are sisters with similar tones, but each brings something unique to the table… rather, to the STAGE.

Most folks know Timiney from her classic work with Hezekiah Walker & LFC (”Calling My Name”) and, most recently, with the Kurt Carr Singers.  Anaysha’s just as busy– she sings with Kirk Franklin and has done several awesome guest spots (plus, I’ve been a fan since she sang “Lullaby Of Broadway” on the old skool film Life With Mikey).

Here’s a clip of them singing “Calling My Name”… great, heartfelt, worshipful…

Whatd’ya think???

There’s been a lot of buzz about Coko’s sophomore gospel effort, The Winner In Me, for several months now.  And lemme tell ya– the wait was worth it.

This project, in stores this coming Tuesday, is a great follow-up to her debut from a few years back– it demonstrates artistic growth while providing fans with the classic sound that we fell in love with on the first gospel album… actually, no… we fell in love with it back in the SWV days, didn’t we?!

Diverse tracks with memorable hooks and great production are hallmarks of this 12-track project, which features guest spots from Canton Jones, Israel Houghton, Kelly Price and Coko’s mother, Lady Tibba.  Among the producers are Coko’s husband (and industry drummer extraordinaire) Mike “Big Mike” Clemons and relative newcomer Jamiene “J Skills” Thompson (who produced half of George Huff’s latest project).  And I think I peeped some songwriting credits for David Caton and his wife Timiney. [Editor's Note: Timiney Caton's maiden name is Timiney Figueroa, as in... the lead soloist on the classic Hezekiah Walker cut "Calling My Name"... as in... current member of the Kurt Carr Singers... as in... the older sister of Anaysha Figueroa... need I go on?]

I digress.  Coko’s soaring soprano transitions well across a wide range of musical styles on this project– she moves from tracks with hip-hop beats, to modern churchy joints, to CCM-styled ballads.  But she remains at all times AUTHENTIC.  If I’m being honest (and I always try to be), I have to admit that I was looking forward to the Coko & Kelly Price duet because I wanted to hear them demolish a really churchy track.  Instead, they demolished a more urban track.  But “demolished” is the operative word, so how mad could I be?

Favorite cuts: “May Be The Last Time,” a single-worthy anthem that is sure to be added to repertoires of MANY praise teams; “Make A Way,” a rock-infused track laced with verses by Canton Jones (it’s hot); “The Joy Of The Lord,” an urban duet with Israel; “I Surrender,” an all-out song of… well, surrender; and “Renew My Mind,” a classic song of supplication for renewal, featuring Coko’s mother (who, if you recall, appeared on Coko’s debut project, on the “Mighty God” track).  That song, too, could be a fave on Sunday morning.  And, of course, I’m still enjoying the project’s first single, “Wait.”

The short and sweet of it: fans of Coko will absolutely not be disappointed, people on the fence will appreciate the great music on this project, and skeptics of the whole “R&B-turned-gospel-artist” phenomenon will have one more reason to pipe down.  Coko appears to have poured all of her energy into her passion– making music that glorifies God and edifies the Body of Christ.  With The Winner In Me, I think she succeeds at both.

It’s no secret, nor have I EVER heard it debated or disagreed with– Kurt Carr has some of the GREATEST singers in the game working with him.  Well, MY long-time favorite among them is Nikki Potts.

In this clip, she’s singing “O, My Soul Loves Jesus,” from the Awesome Wonder album.  Y’all remember that KILLER track?!  Whewwww! Thank you for aaaalllll you do, ma’am!!!

FOR REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL?!

Verity Gospel Music Group has made history as the first label to hold the top FOUR slots on the R&R Gospel Radio charts at once.  Congrats guys!!!

The line-up:

1.  Hezekiah Walker & LFC - “Souled Out”

2.  Donald Lawrence & Co. - “Back II Eden”

3.  Marvin Sapp - “Praise Him In Advance”

4.  Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers - “Peace And Favor Rest On Us”

Notably, all four of these songs are sing-able by your local church choirs on a Sunday morning, suggesting that the most successful songs in gospel remain those that translate well to church.

Thoughts???