Associate Editor Troy Lilly chats with Micah Stampley, whose new album, One Voice, hit stores on October 18th…

Troy: Thanks for joining me man. How are you?

Micah: I’m well, Troy.

Troy: Great, great. Shall we jump right in?

Micah: Sure.

Troy: What makes the “Micah Stampley sound” different from others in gospel?

Micah: I have many peers who grew up like I did – in the church – and we had other influences outside of the church. I tend to embrace those influences differently than some of my peers. I spend a lot of time in prayer asking God for something different. My heart is always to have music that is not one-time wonder material, but music that will last forever.

When I first heard the song “Take My Life” (which people call “Holiness”), it was originally a Christian rock song, very grungy with distorted guitars screaming. And the lyrics and the notes just hit me in a different way, so I went home and started playing it on my keyboard and what I came out with was more intimate, more worshipful. It sounded like a prayer to me. Then my interpretation hit like crazy. That just let me know that God was honoring my prayer that he would give me a staple sound.

Troy: Awesome. So, if you could only describe your new album, One Voice, in one word, what it would it be?

Micah: Multicultural.

Troy: Ok, now feel free to expound…

Micah: You told me “one word!” (laughter)

Troy: I know, I know … but I knew you’d have a lot more to share. (laughter)

Micah: Well I did one cover song on from a CCM band called Desperation Band. The song is called “Overcome” and it’s a big song in the CCM world. At our church in Houston, the congregation looked like a bag of Skittles, and I just feel that’s what heaven looks like. My sound has really emerged into this oneness.

I grew up in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC)…

Troy: Me too!

Micah: Everything was a sin. I used to ride my school bus in junior high and I would hear all these songs and chord progressions that I never heard before… you know Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors…”

Troy: Yeah.

Micah: I would hear all that stuff– Michael Jackson, and Prince singing “Purple Rain.” I would be like “oh, I like this stuff.” (laughter) I developed a different ear. So, I think that One Voice represents my interpretations of the different sounds I’ve heard since I was a kid.

I have this one pop tune, “Call of Love,” that kind of puts you in the mindset of the Black Eyed Peas joint, “I Got a Feeling.” It has that same vibe to it man. When Matthew Knowles heard it, he said “this sounds like a theme song for some big humanitarian movement.”

We have a few songs on this record like that, like the title cut, “One Voice,” and it’s just that whole global sound. When we sing that song live, people in the audience grab each other’s hand and swing back and forth like it’s “We Are the World.” It’s crazy, but really cool to see it happen.

And you know I gotta have my praise and worship stuff on there…

Troy: Of course!

Micah: …Stuff where I’m at a level 10. I’ve gotta have that “War Cry” and “Holy Visitation,” but that type of song on this record is the one called “Hosanna.” And, man, I promise you that song is probably the next “War Cry.” This may even be stronger!

Troy: Wow, even with the three reprises on “War Cry?” Because I remember you kept coming back each time we thought it was done.

Micah: Yeah, the people wouldn’t let “War Cry” go. This time, we don’t have any reprises, but what’s happening when I sing “Hosanna” live… the audience hijacks my song every time! But that’s a good sign. It’s a strong record.

Troy: Great. So tell me about the lead single, “Heaven on Earth,” since that’s the first thing people are hearing from this new project.

Micah: Not sure if you’re familiar with David and Nicole Binion…

Troy: Yes, I am…

Micah: Well, David wrote that song with some of his colleagues and I heard it when he visited our church in Houston. And I was just done! I was just weeping, and I said, “I have to record this song.” Then, I heard that Israel [Houghton] was going to record it. But when he put out his album, I didn’t see it on there. So I said “Uh, it’s mine!” (laughter)

David and Nicole told me to please record it. And that song has really been a blessing to me. Because if you think about the message of that song – heaven on earth – it’s a declaration, literally giving God permission to duplicate himself in us on the earth, because he created us from the earth.

Troy: You’ve mentioned before that you wife, Heidi, frequently writes with you on your projects…

Micah: My wife and I write most of my projects together. We have a couple songs on each record that we write individually, but the best songs are the ones we write together. God has just given us this ability to merge all these different influences and sounds together, and this is what we present to you guys, which comes from a place of pain, of victory and defeat, ups and downs.

Troy: How much did she contribute to One Voice?

Micah: Oh my God! Heidi wrote her butt off on this record!

Troy: (Laughter)

Micah: On most of the songs that we wrote together, I wrote the music and she penned the lyrics. There are a few songs on there where we switched places. But God really used her lyrically on this album.

There’s one song I did at the AIM Convention this summer, called “Desperate People.” And if you grew in church like me, you’re sick of the ritualistic mumbo-jumbo.

Troy: Yes.

Micah: The song says (singing), “I’ve seen the God of wonders work miracles in me, those with gifts and talents who spoke prophetically. I want the mantles of Elijah, Paul and Timothy; I want to see that power at work inside of me. I’m tired of the status quo, gotta be more than this. Gotta be more, gotta be more, gotta be more than this.”

Troy: Wow.

Micah: The lyrics of this song really pull at people’s heart and people are running to us saying ”this is what I’ve been trying to say forever.” I ministered that song in Nigeria and they literally cried out to God on the floor. It’s really refreshing.

Troy: Do you feel like this new album is your most defining work so far?

Micah: To be honest, Troy, I do think this is my best work to date from a musical and lyrical standpoint.

Troy: So to go back to your early career, you won the Stellar Awards Star Search in 2004. What happened after you won that competition? Was it a positive experience, average or other?

Micah: It was definitely a huge, positive experience for me. It was my introduction to the industry as an artist. After that, I got a call from Marcus Dawson, Bishop T.D. Jakes’s road musician, who had heard me prior to the Stellar event. He had been telling Bishop Jakes about me and Bishop finally told Marcus, “Ok, let’s invite him, but he if he messes up, it’s off with your head!” (laughter)

Troy: (Laughter)

Micah: So they called me in ’04 and I was invited that February to the Potter’s House. The power of God hit that place so hard during the second service that Bishop [Jakes] couldn’t even preach. That’s how heavy it was! And he offered me a recording contract on the spot.

Troy: Just like that?

Micah: Yes. Ever since then it has been nonstop. I’ve traveled with him across the world… to Africa, Australia, you name it. He provided the platform for my ministry and pushed me out there. I’m so grateful to Bishop, and he and I still text and talk. We still have a great relationship.

Troy: Well, the reason I asked you that is because we have more mainstream gospel competitions now. And most singers aren’t fortunate enough to have a “Bishop Jakes” as a friend and mentor – or business partner.

Micah: Right.

Troy: Do you feel authentic artists can be launched through shows or competitions like Sunday Best, where contestants have to sign contracts and agreements often before they sing a single note?

Micah: I don’t! I’m so glad you asked me that because I’ve never had an opportunity to answer a question like that or even speak of it. I don’t think that’s a wise thing to do. Now, I believe in the platform, yes, but I do not believe that artists should be forced to sign agreements when they don’t even have legal representation.

Troy: Ok.

Micah: I’m a minister and I’m a worshipper – people get that from my music – but I know how to handle business. I was negotiating one contract for an entire year before I signed it. I don’t take any of that lightly.

I think they need to understand what they’re signing and not just be gifted, because you can be a household name… and poor, broke and hungry. That’s not God’s will. But artists can easily be taken advantage of because they’re so caught up in the hype that they neglect the business side. My wife and I talk to a lot of artists who ask us for guidance and counsel. They wonder how we’re prospering in spite of vying against the major companies for airplay on the radio, and shelf space in the retail store.

God has blessed us because we made an effort to understand that side of the business. And even beyond that, you have to know where you’re going as an artist whether you are traditional, contemporary, praise or worship and any other style.

Troy: I’m glad you finally got a chance to express that.

Micah: Yes.

Troy: With that being said, tell me about your partnership with Music World Gospel. Frankly, are you in charge or is Matthew Knowles in charge?

Micah: It’s my record company that has entered into a joint venture with Music World. I never signed a deal with Music World as an artist. It’s not necessarily a distribution deal, but we use their channels to distribute. However, we still have the option to go through other channels as we are our own label.

Troy: So basically, you’re in charge? (Laughter)

Micah: (Laughter) I own my work, we own the masters together, but it’s a good thing for us. I want to be that example to show other artists that, ‘hey, you can do this.’ Sit down and read, ask questions and understand before you sign that dotted line.

Troy: Good, good advice. Do you plan to introduce any new artists on your Interface label? Is there anyone we should be looking out for?

Micah: Be on the lookout for Joey Oscar. He’s a drummer and he’s got this global sound. But if I told you it was a drum album, you wouldn’t listen. It’s an instrumental record. But he’s also my drummer and a phenomenal producer. And… he’s married to my wife’s sister, so he is also my brother-in-law.

Troy: Oh! Awesome, keeping it in the family…

Micah: Yeah, but he is incredible.

Troy: I’m excited to hear it. I want to thank you for sharing with me today, from the One Voice record – which I love – to some of the great advice you gave for folks trying to break navigate wisely through the industry. It’s appreciated.

Micah: You’re welcome, and thanks to you as well man.

*     *     *

Check out our full album review of Micah Stampley’s One Voice right here.

And be sure to listen to snippets/buy it right here–

On May 17th, gospel pioneer and legend Andraé Crouch will return to the music marketplace with his newest album, The Journey.

Before that, however, Associate Editor Troy Lilly takes a minute to speak with the man, himself.  They chat about Andraé’s new album, his new choir competition and how he feels about gospel hip-hop.  Plus, some random bits of trivia about him!

*     *     *

Troy: Thank you so much for joining me. How are you?

Andraé: Good! Sitting down in warm California where there’s no snow, there’s no cold weather. (Laughs)

Troy: (Laughs) Well it’s been very cold here…sometimes as low as 15 degrees! It’s the complete opposite here. But I know your time is valuable, so let’s get right into it.

Andraé: Ok.

Troy: First, you’ve got a new album project entitled The Journey, which is coming out on May 17th. Tell me more about it.

Andraé: Well, I think it’s really a great description of where I am right now as far as my head and my spirit. I almost wish it was a double album, because it’s not all I want to say and it’s not all I have to say.

Troy: Oh yeah?

Andraé: But like anything else, you know, you do things gradually so people can get what you’re trying to tell them.

Troy: Of course.

Andraé: I probably could write two or three more verses to each song because there is still so much I have to say on the topics I’ve written about this time.

But Mano Hanes, who’s a monster of a keyboard player and arranger, was my co-producer. There’s a very interesting story behind how he and I originally started working together.

Troy: Do tell!

Andraé: I had the opportunity of meeting him after I heard some work that he had done, and I didn’t know that he was trying to get to me. He didn’t I was trying to get to him!

We met and he called me “Dad” and he called my twin sister, Sandra, “Auntie” because he had been listening to me since he was a kid. We just hit it off, and he can play stuff just like me. But most importantly, he loves the Lord. That’s the main thing we share in common.

Troy: That’s awesome.

Andraé: It really was quite awesome, because he reminded me of songs that I written but never recorded. He’s wonderful to work with and he has patience. He’s always in the mode of learning. He understands what I’ve tried to say with my music.

Troy: When it comes to the style of music on The Journey, does the vintage, jazzy feel of the lead single “The Promise” carry through the entire album?

Andraé: Yes, most of the songs will be like that. And then some will be… very picturesque.

Troy: I like that.

Andraé: Then there are some like a song on there called “Let the Church Say Amen.”

You know how sometimes a pastor may be preaching to his congregation and they may not agree with something he has said? Well at the end of this song, it talks about how you can’t change the Word that God has delivered through leadership, but you’ve got to accept and ultimately agree with it. Thus, ‘let the church say amen.’

Troy: Wow.  That’s a good message.

Andraé: That’s the only way in churches that we can grow. If God has put something on a pastor’s heart, we’ve got to be on one accord.

Troy: As one of the original innovators of the modern contemporary gospel movement, what do you think of the hip-hop influence on gospel in the last 20 years?

Andraé: I personally have always believed when God gives me an idea, he wants me to spread it as much as possible. I believe that He deals with me in multiplication. I don’t just want them to buy it and bop and rock to it, but I like for it to get into their hearts and become a part of them.

“On Earth as it is in Heaven”… when God gives us something to write, we want it to be something that He said so that it will last.

Troy: Right.

Andraé: Now, we have some kids rapping here at my church and I always tell them if you have a distinctive style that may not be in the church at all, you’re limited in the direction of that song. I think people receive more when it’s repetitious. So what I tell the kids is to remember to write a song, a melody … something that will allow the song to live on without you.

Troy: Indeed.

Andraé: When you get done rapping and beating, no one can deliver the rap lyrics exactly the way you can. But if you’ve incorporated singing into it, the song has a better chance of being remembered and even recorded by other people later on, so the song lives on even after the initial popularity fades.

Troy: Well, one way that you will be able to directly influence some of the younger generation and help develop their unique gifts are with “The Promise” Choir Competition.  Can you tell me about that?

Andraé: Yes! The choirs will be doing their own versions of my single “The Promise.” It’s quite possible we may get versions of the song with rapping, or just different interpretations.

Troy: So, this isn’t like a choir version of BET’s Sunday Best, or is it?

Andraé: Oh, they’re going to submit their performance digitally to http://andraecrouch.com. Then we’ll select the best submissions and travel to cities in the U.S. and also Puerto Rico, and a panel of judges will select 10 choirs to compete on the show.

Troy: Ok, I see.

Andraé: And some of the choirs may not be the “winners” per se, but I believe we’ll find some gems in the process, you know?

Troy: Oh, definitely, diamonds that just need a bit of molding or mentoring.

Andraé: Yes.

Troy: I think it’s a great way to bring young and old musical genius together and create the best of both worlds.

Andraé: Certainly, certainly.

Troy: So, let me just say this. You know you’re a super star. (Laughs)

Andraé: (Laughs)

Troy: You have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You’ve recorded with Madonna and Michael Jackson, and contributed music to the films like The Color Purple. But I want to know, what’s something you love or enjoy that we don’t really know?

Andraé: Well, my sister, Sandra, always jokes and tells people that I like to sky dive! But that’s a joke. (Laughs)

Troy: (Laughs)

Andraé: But I love animals… the kinds that I can have in my own house, you know? (Laughs)

Troy: Right! (Laughs)

Andraé: I have four dogs…. an English bulldog, two Chihuahuas, and a Chinese Powder Puff. Birds run me crazy because they tweet all night long. But I tell ‘em, “go ‘head and talk if you want to.”

Troy: Alright!

Andraé: I love the outdoors, too, especially water and boats. I have friends with big yachts and things, but I don’t buy them because I don’t wanna take care of no boat.

But most of all, I love people and love to travel. We’ve traveled to 72 countries and I’ve got friends all across the world. When we first got started way back, people who traveled with us would just sing and go back to their rooms. But I like to meet the people and experience the culture.

Troy: Yeah, you have to!

Well, I’m so glad to have had the chance to speak with you.  It’s awesome to tap into the man behind the music as well.  And I know people are looking forward to hearing the new music!

Andraé: Thank you I enjoyed talking to you, indeed. May the Lord bless and prosper you and the work you guys are doing.

Troy: Likewise, sir.

*     *     *

Be sure to look out for Andraé’s new album, The Journey, which is set to be released on May 17. The newest single “The Promise” is already available on iTunes, Amazon or Wal-Mart.com.

And if you’re thinking about entering Andraé Crouch’s “The Promise” Choir Competition, presented by Riverphlo Entertainment, the details can be found below:

• Who Can Enter: All church and community choirs in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. All participants must be at least 18 years old.

• When: The competition runs from February 15 through June 30, 2011.

• What You Have to Do: Go to http://riverphlo.com/contest and register to download the sheet music to “The Promise.” Record audio and/or video of your choir performing “The Promise,” and finally, upload the media onto the contest page.

• What You Win: The Grand Prize winning choir will receive a two-song deal with Riverphlo Entertainment; both songs will be produced by Andraé Crouch and Mano Hanes; the choir will have an opportunity to appear with Andraé in various local and national media engagements, both Andraé and Mano Hanes will conduct a music workshop on songwriting and producing at the winning choir’s church; and the choir will also receive music and sound equipment from a leading music supplier.

For the complete list of contest rules and eligibility, visit http://riverphlo.com.

Say the name “Nikki Ross,” and most people will get the Jesus-stank face and shake their heads. Their positive, albeit odd-looking response will probably be due to the musical ability– vocal and on keys– that Nikki has displayed as a guest vocalist in countless settings across the nation.

Over the past several years, Nikki Ross has become widely known as one of Kirk Franklin’s singers, but she’s been doing “music” her whole life.  She generally showcases her voice to jaw-dropped audiences who marvel at her musical ear and limitless range.

Our chit-chat has been a long time coming, but we finally connected recently and caught up on all that she’s doing.  In this interview, Nikki shares how she got started, how it’s been going, and what she’s got planned for the future (and yes, it includes the looooong-awaited solo album!).

Without further delay, I give you the incomparable Nikki Ross…

*     *     *

EJ:  Hey there!  How are ya?

NR:  Heyyyy!  I’m great!

EJ:  It’s great to catch up with you.  Thanks for taking a minute to chat with me.

NR:  No problem!

EJ:  I wanna talk, first, about how you got your start in music.  I’m sure you’ve been singing all of your life, but when did it become more than a church thing and more of a music business thing?

NR:  It became a career when I started to sing with Ricky Dillard and his choir, New G.  Ricky came to Houston and did a workshop at my home church, St. Stephens Baptist Church.  My brother was helping me with my business, and helping me to network, and he introduced me to Ricky.

That allowed me to sing a song at the workshop’s concert and from there, it took off.

EJ:  Awesome.

NR:  And I had been going to different conventions, like the COGIC Convocation, and I knew that music is what I wanted to do– that’s where my passion was.  It didn’t matter to me if I was singing lead, doing background or playing.  I just knew that music was my heart.

So, that’s where it all started.  And I had sung in groups before Ricky, like with Gary Mayes’ group.  At the time, we were called Friends In Christ.

EJ:  Whaaaaat?

NR:  *laughing*  Nobody knows that, but that was like way back in the day.  We were like “FIC!”

EJ:  *laughs*

NR:  *laughing*  Yeah, we were hard on it, too.  Everybody in our group could just SING and hold their own.  It reminds me, a little bit, of singing with Kirk [Franklin] now, because everybody who steps to the mic can literally hold their own.  That’s how it was…

Just to name a few of the singers– it was Cheryl Fortune, Nakitta Clegg, my godbrother Bryan Nelson, who’s now the pastor of a church here called Jericho City, Cedric Ballard… everybody could just hold their own.

So when Ricky came and he heard me, he said “okay, I want you to sing with my choir.”

EJ:  Even though you didn’t live in Chicago?

NR:  Yeah!  I would fly there.  It was a little bit of a concern, too, because I wasn’t from Chicago.  Everybody who was a member at the time, before it became nationwide, was from Chicago.

EJ:  Right.

NR:  So, here I am, this Houstonian, flying in to meet up with them so I can sing with them… and it took a little time.  You know how it is when a new baby comes to the family and people try to feel you out.  But once I started participating and being a part of it, the love just started showing.  I really took it as something great.

So, that’s how I got started on a national level.

NR:  Well, Myron Butler and I are really good friends.  We were friends even before God’s Property.  He made mention of me to Kirk– and Kirk trusts his musical opinion a lot.  He told Kirk about me and Kirk mentioned me to Isaac Carree as someone he was considering… Isaac seconded what Myron said… and that kinda sealed the deal.

EJ:  Wow.

NR:  Mmm-hmm… so, it was basically from me doing stuff and being around.  Myron knew what I was capable of, and his recommendation meant a lot.  I thank him to this day!

EJ:  What has it been like with Kirk?  I know I interviewed Candy West a while ago and she said it’s good, but you have to understand that it’s also business, so you don’t catch feelings if he doesn’t call on you.  And Candy vouched for his character in a big way.

NR:  You know… and I’ve been in situations like that.  Sometimes, he’s not able to take everybody and that’s cool.  When he can, he does.  And we know what it is.  There are never any hard feelings about that.

This year makes 5 years of me working with him and I’ve been working really strong with him… it’s been a blessing because this opportunity came at a time in my life when I was almost about to give up on music.

EJ:  Nuh-uh!

NR:  Yeah. *laughing*

EJ:  Really?

NR:  I know it may sound cliche, but as a person who’s in the ministry of music, it happens to the best of us.  We get to a point where we feel like we don’t have anything else to offer.  And I had a couple of other things going on with me, personally, and I was just ready to kinda give up the whole thing.

But when I got that phone call, I felt like it was God, Himself, opening my eyes to see that He had and has a lot more that He wants to do with me.

EJ:  Absolutely, He does.  That’s great.  I want to talk to you about the effect that you have on people.  If anyone goes to YouTube, they can type “Nikki Ross,” and they may see you playing keys, doing riffs–cuz you have a great ear– and a lot of times, you can barely hear Nikki Ross singing over the folks in the audience falling out, like “OH MY GOD!!!” and “OHHHH JESUS!”

NR:  *laughing*

EJ:  And I know that some people judge that, saying “they’re more impressed with her tricks than with her anointing.”

NR:  Yeah.

EJ:  What do you say about that, as a person who is able to do the tricks?  Are you throwing them out there to get a response?  Are you frustrated by people who give that type of response?

NR:  I am.  I am because, you know what, they honestly don’t understand where it came from.

EJ:  Wow.

NR:  Sometimes, I’ll even stop myself.  And not that I have to explain what I’m giving to God, because I know of my relationship with Him… what you see out in the open is what I give Him when I’m at home.

It just frustrates me a little bit because they can’t see PAST the gift.  And that’s not my M.O.  There’s a story behind everything I do, when it comes to me, musically.

EJ:  How so?

NR:  Well, for example, I trained my ear from the time that I was 7, 8 and 9 years old.  Though I was taking lessons, I was too scared to play for myself and I wasn’t really at that level, at that age, anyway.  But local churches would ask me to come to sing a solo for their program and, most of the time, the song that I wanted to sing, the musicians wouldn’t know.  So, I would have to sing the song a cappella and people would notice that I wasn’t changing keys or falling off the pitch at all.

But it seemed like– and I don’t know how crazy this might make me sound, but I don’t care– it seemed like, as I was singing the song, I would hear a piano in my head.  It was like God was playing the song for me while I would sing.

EJ:  I believe that.  Absolutely.  And people who have a musical gift can hear the chords you’re making– you’ll make a different chord with a riff.  And it’s not necessarily to dazzle people, it’s to tell people how you’re feeling that chord– it’s not just a major chord, it’s a major 7th.

NR:  Right!

EJ:  I think people get so excited by what you’re able to do– and we see it with Kim Burrell and Karen Clark Sheard, too– it’s like… you all just feel the music that way, it’s not FOR the audience, necessarily.

NR:  Yeah, it’s just how I feel it.  It’s not to impress anybody or “wow” anybody… it’s just where we came from.  Even when you listen to Ella Fitzgerald– a lot of people didn’t understand what she was doing, but it’s what she felt.

EJ:  Mm-hmm… but uhh… you DO know that “how you feel it” is killin’ the people, right?

NR:  *laughs*

EJ:  I’m just sayin’… you can go ahead and say it.  It doesn’t have to be the primary reason, but you DO know that, soo…

NR:  *laughing* Well, I guess I can produce a little ear candy every now and then.  Y’know. *laughs*

EJ:  *laughing* Alright!

NR:  But it’s nothing that I brag on because just like I can give it today, I can lose it tomorrow.  I wouldn’t want that to happen.  I honor and cherish God for even thinking of me to give me something of this capacity, you know?

To be able to hear like I hear and do the things I’ve been allowed to do– I’m a steward over my gift.  It’s not mine to own, it’s His.

EJ:  Sure.  Listen, everyone wants to know… when are you stepping out as a solo artist?

NR: *exhales* I’m doing it SOON!

EJ:  Everyone wants to know!  I asked my wife to help me with my questions and I said “babe, what do I need to ask Nikki Ross?”  She said “just ask her when she’s doing a SOLO ALBUM!”

NR:  *laughing*

EJ:  Like, I don’t have to ask you NOTHIN’ ELSE.

NR:  I am working on it as we speak.

EJ:  But how?  Like, working HOW… working like it’ll be done by the end of this year, or like “check me in 2011″?

NR:  Yeah, it’s gonna be done this year.  We’re looking at like, late summer/early fall.

EJ:  Oh, for real?!

NR:  Mm-hmm.

EJ:  Who are you working with?

NR: *pauses* I can’t say right now! *laughing*

EJ:  Ok, ok.  I understand.

NR:  I can’t, but I’ll tell you what– as soon as everything is a “go,” I’ll let you know.

EJ:  Please do.  The people need to know.  I’ve just been going to YouTube, typin’ in “Nikki Ross Total Praise” and there’s a clip from a COGIC Convocation that has been holding me until the solo project comes.

NR:  Ohhhh! *laughing*  You won’t have to wait much longer, I promise.  This is the year.

EJ:  This is the year!  Okay.  Well, lemme ask you… You’ve done a lot of guest vocal spots– from James Fortune & FIYA, Gary Mayes, Rodnie Bryant, Ricky Dillard… Do you ever fear, as you get ready to go the solo route, that people won’t receive you as a solo artist?  Like, ”she’s great for a guest spot, but not a whole album”?

NR:  I don’t really think that.  I think that what God has allowed me to do has been nothing but teasers.  People keep asking “where’s your album,” and they’ve been saying that for over 7 years.  What I thought was gonna happen– I thought they would just stop asking. *laughing*  But nobody has!

EJ:  Nope!

NR:  So, I’m excited to know that there are people out there that are waiting on a record from me.  I’ve had people to say “you did spots on everybody else’s record– we want a whole record of just you.”  I’m like “are you SERIOUS?!”

I think, once this record comes out, people will appreciate it.  I’m not going just one way.  I will have, like… maybe a medley with me just sitting at the keyboard, singing and playing.  I am gonna do that because that’s pretty much where I started.  It’s how everyone got to know who I was– this red-head chick on the keys. *laughing*

EJ:  *laughs* Right.  That’s great.

NR:  Yeah, I don’t think people just want guest spots from me.  I don’t think I’ve been dwindled to that.

EJ:  Well, how do you want to be received?  What do you want people to know about Nikki Ross, the solo artist?

NR:  I just want them to know that, first of all, I love God.  And I’m just real.  I don’t try to preach– that’s not my area. *laughing*

EJ:  *laughs*

NR:  If there’s something that God wants me to say, it’ll come out.  But for now, I just believe that God made me a psalmist and that’s what I wanna be– that’s my heart, it’s my passion… to deliver encouragement through music.  I just want to be one of the ones who encourages, who expresses the love of God, and who won’t pinpoint sin.

What I’ve learned is that everyone who’s pinpointing sin, their sin is always the one to come out eventually.  That’s not my story because I have flaws, too.  I’m not gonna judge you for yours.

EJ:  Amen.  Well, I’m excited for what’s comin’!  I’m so glad I got the chance to catch up with you.

NR:  I’m glad, too!  I really am.  And I appreciate it.

EJ:  It’s my pleasure.  I appreciate you, too, and thanks for chatting with me.

NR:  Oh, you’re welcome.

EJ:  We’ll talk soon.

NR:  Okay.  Bye!

EJ:  Bye!

*     *     *

And there you have it!  Will you be buying Nikki’s solo project???

Now, as you know, I always try to embed a lil’ video of the person I just interviewed, just to… y’know… make it official.  LOL

I nearly LOST MY EVERLOVIN’ MIND when I found this video clip and I decided “THAT’S the one.”

It’s from a date that Kirk Franklin did in Sweden, featuring a Swedish vocalist named Samuel Ljungblahd singing “Don’t Cry.”  Kirk has Nikki Ross sing WITH him and the result is simply INCREDIBLE.  Plus, the sentiment of “Don’t Cry” is PERFECT for Easter/Resurrection Weekend!  Thank ya, Holy Ghost! LOL

Check it out–

Whatd’ya think of the interview???  And whatd’ya think of the video?!

Who cares about gospel music videos these days?  I don’t mean that flippantly, I actually want an internet “show of hands” if you care.

I don’t think I do.  Not much, at least.  But then, I don’t care much for music videos in general anymore…

It was one thing when Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video came out… a music video MEANT something.  And for a decade or so to follow, people were creative and imaginative, making visual experiences out of something that was, at one time, purely auditory.  For a time, we loved to watch music videos over and over again, to see cool shots, maybe even learn choreography.  But now, seen it once, you’ve seen it enough.

These days, people treat music videos like another checklist item on the record label “to do” list.  Even music television stations like MTV, VH1 and BET show more original programming than music videos.  And if they do show a music video, you tend to only get a snippet of it, not the full thing.  And that’s in mainstream music.

Glance over at the smaller niche genres, like gospel, and I really have to scratch my head at artists and labels who are so quick to make (and PAY FOR) a music video.

I think many gospel artists think that a music video means you’ve “made” it.  But where, in the current state of our industry, do you think you’re making it to?  It doesn’t necessarily translate to a wider audience or an increase in sales.  And to the artist who says “I’m not doing it for those reasons… I just want someone to be blessed by the video footage,” I say “QUIT IT.”  It’s a tool and it’s okay to view it as such.  And given that it is one, it might do us well to assess whether it’s a wise tool in which to invest.

And once you have it, to whom are you showing it?  The reality is that, for most gospel fans, the only time we CAN see a gospel music video on television is on Sunday mornings, between 10am and 12 noon.  And guess where most gospel fans will be during that time?  Church.  So, artists and labels spend time and money to create a product that can generally only be experienced at a time when their core audience can’t actually experience it!  Not wise.

And for those of you who’d say “but, what about getting it featured on gmc.com or posting it to YouTube?”  Maybe.  But I’m someone who sits in front of a computer all day.  In fact, I make my living that way.  And I’m not watching a music video.  I might do it once, but I definitely won’t do it a second time.

I’m not writing this to gripe.  Really I’m not.  I honestly am serious and quite curious– who cares about gospel music videos these days???

You know how, from time to time, you’ll be on YouTube, just searching through stuff, and you find a rare gem that you either never knew of, or completely forgot about?  Then, you get so excited that you run to your gospel music blog to post it for the masses to enjoy???

That’s what I just did.

Here’s the incomparable Patti LaBelle and Daryl Coley singing Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There” BACK IN THE DAY.  And peep MJ in the audience… I miss him (and I’m SO mad at Dr. Conrad Murray right now!!!).

Enjoy:

Speak your mind, people!

Since Michael Jackson passed, news of This Is It, the documentary detailing his preparation for his comeback tour, has swept the world and became one of the most highly anticipated theater releases of the year.

I thought it might be cool to compile the Twitter reactions from some of our favorite gospel artists who were among the multitudes to see the first showing of the film’s limited two-week run…

Kirk Franklin, who apparently had to catch an early flight this morning, said that he was dragging his wife, Tammy, to the viewing with him.  After it was over, three simple sentences– “Just saw the M.J. movie.  Incredible.  Go See It.”

It seems that J Moss had quite a crew with him, including Karen Clark-Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Paul “PDA” Allen and more.  After leaving the movie, he sent a tweet that he “just left Movie Heaven… WOW.”

PDA, himself, said that the movie was great, a “must see fo’real… go ppl go!”

Deitrick Haddon tweeted that he had to be one of the first to see the movie.  Afterwards, he reminisced that Michael Jackson had a gift that was “out of this world.”  He urged that ”everybody must see this movie… I’m inspired all over again!!”

Songbird Onitsha said that she “loved the Michael film,” and said that we need to check it out.

Donald Lawrence mentioned that he was planning to hit the theatre last night as well, but he hasn’t returned to Twitter with his reaction yet.

My wife and I are going next week cuz we don’t do crowds well.  Who already saw it?  Who’s got tickets to see it?  Who’s passing on it, and why?

TALK TO ME!

I don’t think the gospel community acknowledges and appreciates Táta Vega like it could.  Not because the industry is being rude… just cuz everyone doesn’t know about the musical treasure that she is.

The entire WORLD knows her voice– she’s the singing voice of Shug Avery in the classic film The Color Purple (remember her singing ”Speak Lord” and “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)”?!).

But before she did THAT, she was a well-known lead vocalist with Andraé Crouch.  She’s got a whimsical performance style and a voice like none other… the only similar contemporary vocalist that comes to mind is Ledisi, in that they both use their entire EXISTENCE to interpret a song, a line, a note… and give you what’s there.

She’s released several solo projects and has provided background vocals for everyone from Michael Jackson and Chaka Khan to Madonna and Stevie Wonder.  You MIGHT have also heard her lead vocals recently on Kirk Whalum’s Gospel According To Jazz Chapter II (“El Todopoderoso”) or Andraé Crouch’s Mighty Wind album (“I Was Glad”).

I couldn’t decide between two videos I wanted to post, so you’re gettin’ both of ‘em.

The first is Táta Vega singing with Andraé Crouch on the classic song “Right Now”:

The second video features Táta singing “Until Jesus Comes”:

Sooooooooo… whatd’ya think?!

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.

Hey peeps, don’t forget that the BET Awards are airing live from Los Angeles on Sunday night at 8pm ET.

Mary Mary is slated to win perform this year, and they’re nominated for “Best Gospel Artist” along with Shirley Caesar, Regina Belle, Smokie Norful and Trin-I-Tee 5:7.

The whole show should be good, especially in light of Michael Jackson’s passing– I hear they’re making A LOT of changes to honor him.

At the time of this writing, reports from multiple news sources, including the L.A. Times and the Associated Press, have confirmed that Michael Jackson has died.

If true, and I believe it is, let’s pray for the entire family, and for ourselves.

R.I.P.