On Sunday, BET aired a great interview between Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey and Tye Tribbett on its long-standing television show Lift Every Voice.  I was traveling, so I didn’t get to see it until last night via my trusty DVR.  Gotta tell ya– I loved it.

In the interview, Tye Tribbett spoke publicly about his recent marital infidelity and the rifts that it caused.  He shared that he had struggled with whether to leave the music ministry altogether, and had even contemplated suicide.

What I loved most about the interview, however, was not the confession of some widely-speculated sin– I loved hearing about his restoration in God.  Moreoever, I loved hearing about the restoration of his marriage!

That’s the testimony and that’s what will cause other people to overcome– seeing that the grace of God abounds and that He is faithful to restore us.

I’m grateful for Tye’s new posture, too.  He says that, while on sabbatical, “God showed me ME.”  He’s been brought low and hopes to “stay teachable, vulnerable and humble.”  He even says that his approach has changed– he’s got more compassion, acknowleding his once “militant presentation.”

An aside: I’ve not spoken about this situation on this blog, ever.  I’m a little disheartened that I didn’t get as many phone calls and text messages, nor see nearly as many tweets and facebook posts about the up-side of this story as I did the more scandalous side of it.  Many have inquired about my lack of coverage of this topic on my blog, so I suppose I’ll briefly clarify– in my view, sin is not particularly newsworthy– redemption is.

I praise God for His redeeming work.  Let’s continue to pray for Tye and his family as God continues to work on ‘em, and let’s keep praying for the ministry that God has given them.

Cool?

Heads-up, good folks… Popular radio personality and host of BET’s Lift Every Voice CoCo Brother is releasing a compilation album on Tyscot Records, entitled CoCo Brother Live presents Stand 2010.

The project features tracks from Israel Houghton, Joann Rosario Condrey, Tye Tribbett, James Fortune, BeBe Winans, Canton Jones, Smokie Norful and more!

The project hits stores on May 25th, but is available for pre-order starting NOW.  Click here to purchase!

Anybody gonna grab it? Sounds like it could be really great.

[Editor's Note:  Most of you know her as Joann Rosario, but I'm using her new name, as she recently wed Atlanta-based gospel DJ (and host of BET's Lift Every Voice) Cory "Coco Brother" Condrey.]

I’d actually like to do a post on each one of Joann Condrey’s albums, because I think the industry and consumers have kinda Slept On all of her stuff to date.  But, for now, I’ll stick with the most recent.

Her latest album, Joyous Salvation, was a great collection of some incredible music, featuring background vocals from some of the greatest in the industry (i.e., Darwin Hobbs, Blanche McAllister, Jerard and Jovaun Woods, LeAnne Palmore) and masterful production from giants like Aaron Lindsey, Fred Jerkins and Donald Lawrence.  This year, the project garnered her a Stellar Award nod for Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year.

For your listening pleasure, here’s a snippet of one of my favorite tracks from Joann Condrey’s Joyous Salvation– “You Are Holy,” written/produced by Aaron Lindsey, with some bgvocal production by Donald Lawrence (you can hear it!).  Following it is a YouTube video (but it’s just audio) of another hit from that album–”Restore To Me.”

Who else has it?  You love it?  Who Slept On it?  Why?  Talk to me!

I got a personal email from Stephen Hill (Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Music Programming at BET) in response to our petition to Save 106 & Gospel.  Though it doesn’t look like BET plans to re-air 106 & Gospel, Mr. Hill’s email was kind and he stressed BET’s commitment to faith-based programming.  I appreciate that.

Below is BET’s Official Statement:

*     *     *

NEW YORK, April 9, 2009—

BET is dedicated to providing a wide range of entertainment that relates to the overall African American experience, and we recognize that meeting the needs of our faith-based community is an important part of reaching this goal.  That’s why we’ve provided a staple of gospel originals on BET for nearly 30 years, including BOBBY JONES GOSPEL, LIFT EVERY VOICE, VIDEO GOSPEL, CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL, SUNDAY BEST and, most recently, 106 & GOSPEL.  Because of our commitment to faith-based programming, we will continue to create new and exciting shows to entertain our audience.  However, at times we must also face the hard task of making tough programming decisions, as in the case of 106 & GOSPEL, which was recently cancelled. We will actively continue to create quality programming that resonates with our faith-based community, and we ask for and appreciate your continued support.

*     *     *

Aaarrrgggghhh.  As I said before, I’m sooooo not an activist.  Dunno if I’m supposed to say “okay, well thanks anyway,” or if I’m supposed to be chartering a bus so we can go and march somewhere.

What do you all think?  Do you accept this statement as sufficient, or do you demand MORE?!  Talk to me.

Who watched Lift Every Voice on Sunday?

I enjoyed this episode more than any other I’ve seen so far.  Mary Mary talked about their new bath and body line, Be You.  I hear it’s gonna be available all over the place, including Wal-Mart.  I hope it’s good.  You know how some people’s candles be burning all quick and what not…

I love love love the fact that they talked openly about a huge fight that they recently had, and that they spoke candidly about the reality of disagreeing with each other while still being called to minister together. And, I loved Erica’s testimony about her husband, Warryn Campbell, being recently healed from cancer.  Good stuff.

The second interview was with Grammy Award-winning songstress Chrisette Michele, who was fun, friendly and personable.  By market terms, she’s not a “gospel artist,” but she is a Christian who stepped into a secular industry to sing about the merits of Christian values– her lyrics stress abstinence, positive self-identity and true love.  She mentioned that she wants to record a worship album.  She sings her face off and she’s a worshipper, so I bet I’ll just about pass out.

Who else saw it?

We can also call this post “EJ’s Rant About ‘Lift Every Voice,’ Part Deux.”

WHAT?!  Who saw it on Sunday?

Featured guests were Dorinda Clark-Cole and Teena Marie.  Cuz, you know, that goes together as well as the Marvin Sapp/LL Cool J thing they did a few weeks ago (click here to read my previous post on that).

As usual (I think), Dorinda interviewed well.  She spoke to viewers about the healing power of Christ at work in her daughter’s life, following a coulda-been-fatal car accident.  Great testimony.

Then, they went to juxtaposing again.

Teena Marie, who we saw recently on the Celebration of Gospel (click here to be reminded), apparently got baptized a couple of years ago and re-dedicated her life to Christ.  I LOVE that! 

But her interview seemed almost defensive at times.  She immediately volunteered the fact that her real name is Mary Christine, “Mary after the virgin, Christine after Christ.”  When CoCo Brother said “I see you wear a cross around your neck,” she quickly replied “Yes, I wear it always.”  She also said “I’ve always been saved, I just didn’t know it.”  But when CoCo Brother asked her, later, about being “saved at a young age,” she said “I wasn’t always saved, like I said.”

She concluded her interview with an impromptu reprise of her Celebration of Gospel hit, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”…

The short and sweet of it:  I am not understanding the new format of Lift Every Voice.  And maybe it’s my fault for expecting certain things from it.  They took a break from production for a minute, but I didn’t expect that the entire direction of the show would shift, or that the new focus would be like “Betcha didn’t know HE’S a Christian!”

And I don’t mind learning that various entertainers love the same God that I do.  It’s great to know who our brothers and sisters in Christ are.  But, I didn’t know we were doing that on THIS show.  It’s all getting to be a bit strange to me.

Anyone else?

Arrrgghhh. I was more than a bit frustrated by Lift Every Voice on BET this past weekend.

The theme was about overcoming trials and CoCo Brother interviewed Marvin Sapp and LL Cool J.  Now, Marvin Sapp offered a beautiful discussion of God’s ability to keep us and bring us through trials.  He focused on the power of Christ and His grace, which is great for a Christian program.

Up next was LL Cool J, who did not say the name “Jesus” or the word “Christ” at any point in the interview.  He said “God” a couple of times after first referring to Him as “the Divine” and “the Creator.”  Fine.  When asked how he has overcome past trials and temptations, he responded: “it’s not what happens in life, but how you respond to it.”  Further, he said that (paraphrasing) when tests have come, he has moved forward by pursuing his dreams.

Ok, so here’s my issue.  I do not believe these two approaches are in harmony. They are, in fact, subtly contrary to one another… just subtle enough to pose a problem.  Marvin Sapp stressed that his deliverance from drugs and alcohol was found in Christ.  LL Cool J’s responses suggest that freedom and success rest solely in your responses to a situation– like, self-saving, I guess.

Now, I take no issue with LL Cool J.  I like his music and have appreciated his acting through the years.  Further, I am making no judgments about his relationship with God (or Jesus Christ).  I have no idea what he actually believes.  For all I know, he could have had an old-fashioned revival service in that interview and they edited the whole thing.

My issue is with BET or Lift Every Voice.  My understanding was that the show features Christian folks and Christian viewpoints– period.  I have no problem with programs that don’t do that, so as to display diversity of thought or something.  But that’s not what this show has ever purported to be doing.  So, don’t do that, especially without letting people know you’re doing it.

See, the Bible makes it clear in the New Testament that counterfeits of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would come with a frighteningly similar look and feel to the Truth.  That’s this.  And the danger in it, then and now, is the confusing similarity of it!

And it’s not that LL Cool J’s approach– positive thinking and encouragement of self– are inherently wrong either.  But, I’m disappointed that the show made it seem as if it were presenting two consistent concepts of how Christ can bring somebody out of a rough spot, when one-half of the program focused on self-effort and blatantly omits the name of Jesus or even the mere concept of a Messiah.

Not cool.  And, not Gospel.

Thoughts, anyone???