Word has it that Marvin Winans, Jr. will be enlisting the vocal services of his father, Pastor Marvin L. Winans, Sr., for his sophomore album!

In addition, Winans (Jr.) will again be working with Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins to recreate some of the production magic they captured on his debut album, Image Of A Man.

He also plans to have some tracks produced by Israel Houghton & Aaron Lindsey.

This could be reeeeaaaally good…

One of the most widely discussed events of the Stellar Awards weekend was not really planned at all; rather, it came suddenly, in response to the earthquake in Haiti.  Kirk Franklin successfully brought together the gospel and Christian music communities to record a new song that he wrote, the proceeds from which will be donated directly to the relief efforts in Haiti.

Though Franklin wrote and produced the track, entitled “Song For Pain,” he’s not getting a cut, nor are any of the dozens of artists and musicians who participated.  And I mean DOZENS.  Some of the artists and musicians who rolled through the session include Mary Mary, Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin, J Moss, CeCe Winans, Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Marvin Winans, Micah Stampley, Karen Clark Sheard, Smokie Norful, Shirley Caesar, Amy Grant, BeBe Winans, Brian Courtney Wilson, Stephen Hurd, Nicole C. Mullen, and MORE.  Every penny is going to Haiti.

Over the course of several recording sessions throughout the weekend, Kirk (who also co-hosted and performed at the Stellar Awards, and had to attend rehearsals and run-thru’s for the same) spent every moment of his “spare time” in Nashville’s Quad Studios, generally until around 6am.  I don’t think he got any sleep all weekend.

Let’s continue to pray for Haiti, that the offering of our music community would be used greatly to take Christ and His healing power to that nation.  And, let’s pray for our own artists and musicians, especially Kirk Franklin, who selflessly gave of their time and energy for this cause.

AAAAND, when the single hits the internet stores this week, BUY IT.  I’ll be sure to let you know when and where.  Deal?

Aside from the actual taping of the Stellar Awards, folks eagerly anticipate the BMI Trailblazers Awards each year.   In fact, people often say that the BMI event features greater and more memorable performances than the Stellar Awards taping, though, this year… that MIGHT not be the case… I’m gonna call it a TIE!

In any case, BMI annually honors folks in gospel who’ve made significant contributions to the genre.  This year, Donnie McClurkin and Andraé Crouch were honored.  The celebration consists of a great lunch and some incredible tribute performances.  It went a lil’ something like this…

Before the honoring went down, Dorinda Clark-Cole came to the stage to perform her hit single “Take It Back,” which received a BMI Song Of The Year award (songwriter, Derrick Starks).  You already know that Dorinda brings it like none other and I was on my feet before I could even finish my salad.

Following that, we got a surprise performance from Jessica Reedy, who sang “God Has Smiled On Me” like a seasoned professional.  She really holds her own in this game and it’s great to see how welcoming the industry is of her.

The vocal production for the afternoon came from the incomparable Donald Lawrence and DeWayne Woods.  In the background– Tobi Darks, Dawn Jordan, San Franklin, Latrice Pace, Blanche McAllister and Anita Wilson.  YES!  The band– Joe Wilson on keys, Stanley Brown on organ, Kevin Stancil on bass, Jonathan DuBose on guitar, Marvin McQuitty on drums and Lloyd Barry on horns.  GOOD LORD!

The formal program began with the tribute performances to Donnie McClurkin, hosted by Byron Cage.  The background vocalists did a snippet of “That’s What I Believe” before Latice Crawford came to deliver her rendition of “I Call You Faithful.”  After that, Micah Stampley sang his heart out on “Speak To My Heart.”  McClurkin’s best friend and pastor, Marvin Winans, set the room ablaze with his performance of “Stand” (for which he also brought up BeBe Winans) before Yolanda Adams came to the stage to perform “We Fall Down.”

The McClurkin tribute performances were great, but I wish they had done some more songs for him– they could’ve dug a little deeper into the New York Restoration Choir days, pulled some more tracks from the Live In London album, or even focused a little more on songs that he’s written for other artists (like, “This Is The Gospel Of Jesus Christ” for Hezekiah Walker or “It Is To You” by Byron Cage).  Still, awesome job and I’m glad he was honored for his great contributions to the game.

After McClurkin accepted his award, it was on to the Andraé Crouch tribute, which was hosted by Yolanda Adams.  First, Donald Lawrence led the singers in a mindblowing medley of classic Crouch tunes including “Right Now” (led by Blanche McAllister), “Quiet Time,” “Soon And Very Soon”… it was just incredible.

Up next was the one and only Táta Vega, a longtime friend of, and singer with, Andraé Crouch.  She did an intro of “Speak Lord,” (which she recorded for The Color Purple decades ago) before transitioning into a soul-stirring performance of “Oh It Is Jesus.”  It was at THAT moment that the atmosphere of the entire room shifted from tribute to worship, and the event wasn’t the same again.

After that, Yolanda Adams couldn’t even regain her composure to introduce the next performance– BeBe & CeCe Winans singing “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.”  They just came on stage and took us to new heights, followed by Mary Mary’s staggering performance of “We Are Not Ashamed.”

Finally, Marvin Winans returned to the stage and shared some great stories about how instrumental Crouch was to the career of The Winans, even down to changing their stage name from “The Testimonial Singers” to simply, “The Winans” (thank God!).  He wrapped his segment with a performance of “Jesus Is Lord,” for which he simply had to call the legendary Karen Clark Sheard to the stage!

Andraé Crouch accepted his award and shared how he had been recently diagnosed with diabetes.  His doctors wanted to amputate his toe after discovering a large hole in it, but he shared that he had been miraculously healed!  He asks for continued prayer from the industry… great speech.

Finally, Marvin Winans led an impromptu segment of EVERYONE singing some classic Crouch songs that weren’t even on the program.  He called up Shirley Caesar, J Moss, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin… there are no words!

That’s that, essentially.  Dunno how much of it will make the edited televised program, but look for it on February 21st on Gospel Music Channel.  I’ll remind you as the time comes closer!

Soooo… whatd’ya think?!

The latest video from Tamela Mann, for her single “The Master Plan,” premiered on BET’s Video Gospel yesterday.  I was probably still asleep when it aired, recovering from Stellar weekend, but thank God for YouTube!

Check it out:

For me, the video wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great.  When it opened, it felt more like a stage play than a music video (shout-out to Kim Fields in the hospital scene!).  There was a bit of over-acting all around, which sort of made things a bit corny.

THAT SAID, Tamela looked like a gazillion dollars (as always)– she was dressed well and they used some great shots of her.  I loved the scenes that she was in (the street she stood on, with the piano, seems to be the same street from Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” movie– y’know, with Marvin Winans’ church in the background).

All in all, it’s a good effort and definitely serves its purpose– she conveys the message using two storylines and multiple shots of heartfelt performances.

Whatd’ya think of the video???

Word has it that Yolanda Adams and Byron Cage will be co-hosting BMI’s annual Trailblazers Awards this weekend in Nashville, during Stellar Awards weekend.

According to my buddy, Torrence Glenn at BET.com, the performers slated to honor Donnie McClurkin and Andraé Crouch at the event have also been announced.  They include Yolanda Adams, CeCe Winans, Micah Stampley, Latice Crawford, Marvin Winans, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Mary Mary, Tata Vega… WOWWWWZERS.

Can you tell that this luncheon is gonna be BANANAS?!  Tryna figure out if I’m gonna tweet from the event… I think I may be too distracted. LOL

Fortunately for all of you can’t attend, I think they’re taping it for TV again, so you can probably catch it later on Gospel Music Channel or something.

What do you think of the list of performers?

Most folks know that one of my favorite male vocalists is Marvin Winans.  If I take a moment to think about it, though, Michael McDonald follows not too far behind.

Imagine my sheer delight as I watched this live performance of The Winans’ “Love Has No Color,” featuring Michael McDonald.  I’ve always loved the studio track, but to watch ‘em live… there are NO words.  And, an aside: Carvin is doing his good singin’ on here, too.

What’s your favorite song from The Winans?

Dunno how many of you know Kayla Parker by name or face, but I’m sure that you know of her music.  She passed in April of 2007, but the mark she left on the gospel industry is undeniable and more than noteworthy.

With musical influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to The Clark Sisters to Take 6, this singer/songwriter/producer/arranger from Detroit penned hit songs like “He’s Concerned” by CeCe Winans, “Now Are We” by Marvin Winans & the Perfected Praise Choir, and countless others.  Her vocal arrangements were beautifully complex (most recently, you can hear them on Vickie Winans’ Woman To Woman album).

There aren’t too many videos available of Kayla on YouTube, but this one blesses me… so I’m posting it to bless you.

I could go on about her, but you’ll learn more if you take a minute to visit her official website: http://www.kaylaparker.com.

Whatd’ya think?

Whether you’ve been waiting 15 years or 15 days, the wait is finally over… BeBe & CeCe Winans have reunited for a new project, Still, in stores TODAY.  If you haven’t already purchased it, don’t worry– you’re only a little late.

From beginning to end, the 12-track project has a little something for everyone, especially the longtime fans.  The album opener and title track, ”Still,” has an almost sing-song melody to it, as if we’re all preparing for a musical story of sorts.  It’s fitting, too, because by the chorus, we’re brilliantly reminded of some of the classic BeBe & CeCe songs: “I’m still addicted, still lost without you, I still celebrate, Heaven still I live for, still in the meantime, still for always, I’ll still take you there and still I owe you…”

The project then moves into the duo’s first single, “Close To You,” and keeps the momentum going with the catchy “Things,” featuring vocals from their brother, Pastor Marvin Winans.  The album slows a bit as BeBe & CeCe sing their second single, “Grace,” replete with grand background vocals and string arrangements.

As the album continues, listeners can expect a variety of styles and musical influences.  The reggae-infused “He Can Handle It” will have you singing it’s infectious hook hours after the record stops, and it features some of the vocal trade-offs that we have come to love from the sibling duo.  The track “You Changed My World” has a classically “BeBe & CeCe” melody with an electronica vibe to it.  The duo even links up with another famous duo, Mary Mary, on “Let It Be,” which has a more pop slant to it.

Perhaps one of the strongest songs on the album is one that CeCe handles on her own, entitled “Garden.”  CeCe’s voice is as clear and beautiful as ever as she sings from the place of our loving Father, yearning for us to return to the simplicity of His love.  BeBe also has his own great track, “I Found Love,” which is sure to be an instant favorite for weddings.  It features beautiful writing, both musically and lyrically.

One caveat: if you’re expecting this album to be a throwback to their earlier music, you may be slightly disappointed.  BeBe & CeCe pick up with timely and relevant music for 2009– they don’t backtrack to 1994 and play musical catch-up for us.

That shouldn’t deter consumers, though– taken at face value, Still is an album of great songs sung by even greater vocalists.  The production is great and the risks they’ve taken have returned solid rewards.  It’s an album worth buying, whether you’re doing so for nostalgia’s sake or because you simply enjoy good music.

Again, it’s in stores NOW… click here to listen to snippets and to make a purchase.

You’ve GOTTA know by now that the 15-year wait is over and BeBe & CeCe Winans have reunited for a new project, entitled Still.  The project is due this coming Tuesday.

But you prolly DIDN’T know that one of the tracks on the project, called “Things,” features the one and only Pastor Marvin Winans!  It’s already a hottt track before he takes the mic… he’s simply icing on the cake.

And for my favorite people (that’s YOU), I’ve just added it to the PunditPlayer!

CLICK HERE to listen to “Things” by BeBe & CeCe Winans feat. Marvin Winans.

And lemme know what you think!

So, my wifey and I checked out Tyler Perry’s new film “I Can Do Bad All By Myself,” this past weekend… really entertaining and fun.  As most of you know, Pastor Marvin L. Winans has a role of a pastor in the movie.  He’s a pretty good actor!

One song in the movie had me going in like I was at somebody’s worship service, for REAL… it’s a version of Winans’ hit single, “You Just Don’t Wanna Know,” with an added VAMP that… oh my!  Who saw the movie?

Fortunately, somebody posted a video of Marvin Winans performing that same version on the Tyler Perry show recently… check it out and lemme know what you think (apologies for the audio/video quality):