It’s finally here! I’m celebrating my site’s first birthday by giving away nearly 100 new releases to FIVE blessed folks this week. To be one of the five, read the Instructions & Official Rules, then proceed to the question.
The very first post on GospelPundit.com was a recap of the homegoing service of a dear friend, Olivia McClurkin. I told you that, at the service, Kirk Franklin assembled a group of singers from among the attendees and rendered an impromptu performance. The question– what song did they perform?
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And, in honor of Olivia, I reeeeeeaally want you guys to watch this quick video. Consider it a birthday gift to GospelPundit.com.
The family of Olivia McClurkin has released her album, The Healing Song, posthumously. Olivia was a renowned background vocalist and worship leader, noted for her work with Andraé Crouch and Ron Kenoly, her long run with Whitney Houston and, perhaps most famously, with her younger brother Donnie McClurkin.
Olivia passed on November 4th, 2008 after a nine-year battle with breast cancer and her testimony is nothing short of miraculous. This album was recorded over the course of several of those nine years, almost journaling her process and revelations from God during that time (take, for instance, the title track in which she says “they told me my life, it soon would end, but that doesn’t worry me…”).
The album is available on iTunes, at www.PHBalancedMusic.com and at www.TrulyInspiredGifts.com. I’ve had it for a while now and it remains a blessing to me. PLEASE check it out and lemme know what you think.
I think folks kinda Slept On this album and I’m humbly urging you to reconsider.
The McClurkin Project released We Praise You, their sophomore album, in 2006. The family group included Donnie McClurkin and his sisters Tanya McClurkin, Cheri McClurkin, Andrea Mellini, and the late, never EVER to be forgotten, Olivia McClurkin. Long-time family friend Carol Carter is also a member of the group.
Their sound was incredibly reminiscent of the Hawkins family– that tight-knit sound with rich background vocals and memorable leads. I love just about every track on this album, with my faves being “We Praise You,” written and led by Andrea Mellini, “I Am Your Servant Lord,” “If You’re Ever Feeling Lonely,” and ”Precious Lord,” led by Olivia McClurkin.
And who can deny the incredible imagery and power in the instant classic “As Long As There’s You” led by Andrea, Olivia and Donnie?! Listen to a snippet of that here:
Also, watch this video clip of Andrea leading the album’s single, “We Praise You,” at the live recording:
Who has the album? Who decided to pass on it? Why? Talk to me!
Okay, people. Here’s the culmination of my chat with our vocalist extraordinaire, Melonie Daniels. If you missed Parts ONE and TWO, click here to catch up on what she’s had to say so far!
In this segment, Melonie shares a bunch of info about her vocal routine, what it takes to be a great background vocalist, her work at NYC’s Village Undergound, her transition from background to foreground as a solo artist, and what’s next for her. You don’t wanna miss it!
Ladies and gents, enjoy PART THREE:
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EJ: How do you prepare for a studio session? Like, how much rest do you get, what foods do you avoid, and all that?
MD: Well, that’s a biological thing and it’s an individual situation. There are those of us that are lactose intolerant, or allergic to citric acid, or whatever. You have to know what your body is capable of handling, what your allergies are…
EJ: And you don’t mean “allergies” like if you eat it, you have to go to the hospital, right? You just mean “allergies” in the sense that your body responds negatively in some way?
MD: Right. It’s not a blanket thing. I love the teachings of Lady Tramaine Hawkins, but her routine may not work across the board for everybody.
EJ: What does she do?
MD: She’s very protective of her voice. Wherever she ministers, she has to shut down the air in the entire place, she stays wrapped up. She can’t handle air conditioning. And there are several singers that do that. For me, I’m like “turn down the heat, turn up the COLD.”
EJ: Really?!
MD: I chew ice. I don’t have a problem with dairy products, but I can’t do orange juice because I’m allergic. So it really is dependent on the individual and knowing what your body can handle.
EJ: Know your instrument, people!
MD: Yeah, you have to really study yourself.
EJ: That’s funny cuz some people take themselves so seriously based on what they’ve heard… like “no, no… I can’t do dairy right now because we’re singing later,” when that may not even affect them in the same way.
MD: Right. When I’m ministering and they ask me if I want water, I’m like “yes, ICE COLD.”
EJ: Are you for real?
MD: *laughing* Yeah! I’m like “you got some ICE? Crack me up some ice!” But that’s just me.
EJ: *laughing* What does it take to be a great background vocalist?
MD: Be teachable. Be very studious. And be quick about it. Have good intonation, memorization, good pitch… Ear training has a lot to do with it because you have to pick up stuff so quickly sometimes. And you don’t get a second chance a lot of times. Rehearsal is the only place where you can fool up and get away with it, but when it comes to performance, you’ve gotta nail it.
And that’s why a lot of background singers are losing jobs– because a lot of people now are keeping Pro Tools nearby and aren’t using background singers. You’ll never sound like what they have on the record because artists will either hire session singers that don’t travel, or they’ll do the vocals themselves. So, there’s no way to sound just like that.
Most of my life, I’ve done live stuff. I don’t sound exactly like the record, but I try to come as close to it as possible– to do the same inflection, the same words, and the same tone quality, if possible. I have the advantage of being like a mimic, especially from growing up and watching cartoons, because I could mimic the characters’ voices.
EJ: So, watch your cartoons, folks! *laughing*
MD: That was my thing. And even people’s speaking voices. You have to study those things in order to be effective as a background singer. And that’s why people keep getting called– they can give the singer certain nuances, they can give the artist something familiar. You may have a great voice, but if you’re not able to conform VOCALLY to what someone requires of you for that moment…
That’s the hardest part of background singing for a lot of people– conforming vocally. You have to, though. They called me at the last minute to do something with Ricky Martin 8 or 9 years ago. That next morning, I was on a flight and I had to learn five or six songs, three of which were in Spanish. I took French.
EJ: *laughing*
MD: *laughing* So, I had to take a crash-course in learning how to phonetically pronounce the Spanish lyrics. And then, you know how some Spanish artists have the mariachi-type, nasal sound? I had to adapt to that as well. So, you have to be a chameleon of sorts as a background singer.
You know, the Bible says don’t conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… that’s the only place I conform! *laughs*
EJ: *laughing* Right! I ask most of the background vocalists this when I interview them– can you assemble a dream team of background vocalists for me?
MD: Ummm… Jerard and Jovaun Woods. Blanche McAllister-Dykes… ummm… well, that’s a soprano, alto and tenor right there!
EJ: Aaaaaand you’re DONE! *laughing*
MD: See, that would be a great session. Working with people like Donald Lawrence and Richard Smallwood, even with Mariah… I’ve had the opportunity to sing, coast-to-coast, with some great voices. There’s a girl named Sharlotte Gibson, she’s on American Idol now singing background. She used to sing with Mariah and she’s incredible, one of the L.A. crew. Umm… the late Olivia McClurkin was a wonderful person to sing with.
EJ: I know.
MD: Oh my God. Incredible voice.
EJ: For real! I miss her. You know, in these interviews, I like to ask about how lucrative session work can be. Do background vocalists need a day job or can they be alright?
MD: They can be alright if they have a certain work ethic. There’s no job too small, no job too big. Pride goes out the window. It can range from doing a demo session for somebody and getting $250 to do it, all the way to doing a performance and getting paid $5,000 to do background with Madonna.
EJ: For one show?!
MD: For one show. It can be very lucrative.
EJ: Am I on the wrong side of this business?! *laughs*
MD: *laughing* That’s why I’m sayin’… If Sting, Elton John, Madonna and Cher… if any one of them wanna call me to put me on the road and I get $5,000 a show, guess who’s goin’?
EJ: *laughing hard*
MD: Me and my Bible! *laughing* But, like I said, there are certain criteria that have to be met before I can do that.
EJ: Right. No matter how much.
MD: Yeah, no matter how much. I’ve been offered hundreds of thousands of dollars and said “no,” because it didn’t feel right. It didn’t sound right to my spirit to accept it.
EJ: I understand that. I wanna get to your solo artistry in a sec, but talk to me for a minute about the Village Underground in NYC on Sunday nights. For those who’ve never heard about it, how would you describe what it is?
MD: Basically, it’s an open mic– anyone that wants to come up and sing can sign the list and sing, accompanied by the band LIVE… no performance tracks. And it’s just somewhere to let your hair down and enjoy music without being threatened by what you believe or don’t believe.
There was a time that we did, one Sunday a month, a gospel night. But because we were in what people call a “secular” place (a bar), the owners complained because they were losing money. *laughs*
But there’s a responsibility involved in invoking the presence of God. We were literally changing the atmosphere. And they said they were losing money at the bar because we were singing gospel music. We were forced to discontinue the gospel night, but that doesn’t mean we’ve stopped singing gospel music. At any time, in that venue, someone may come up and sing a gospel song. If it’s true to that individual, spirit recognizes spirit, and whoever’s in there will hook into it and we will have a worship moment in there that’s better than what you can find at some churches.
EJ: Why do you think it’s become so popular? It’s even been featured on Bobby Jones Next Generation as the place to be in New York.
MD: It is an outlet for people, especially in this new generation, to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Because you can be in a place, and not be a part of what’s going on in the place. But that comes with a level of maturity in your walk with Christ.
I’ve heard people emphatically say “I will NOT” or ”I cannot be caught in a place like that.” Those were the words that were used.
EJ: Really?
MD: Yes. But on the flip side, Martha Munizzi comes down, Israel comes down, Lisa McClendon has called me to get information, Shari Addison and Crystal Aikin were there a month or so ago.
EJ: Yeah, I haven’t been in years, but it’s great. My wife and I are coming soon!
Listen, I wanna chat about your transition from background vocalist to artist. First, is it hard to do and, if so, why?
MD: Ummm… a lot of times, it’s an insecurity issue… not feeling adequate to deliver. Comfort zones– you feel safe in a group, in the back. I’m speaking all from personal experience. Not feeling like you have anything to convey to the general audience…
But mostly, it boils down to insecurity. Everyone has a purpose because God put us here with purpose. It’s up to the individual, in their walk, to recognize the purpose that God has placed in them and to walk in that purpose. And that can be difficult.
EJ: Amen. But you went for it… a coupla years ago you released your long-awaited solo project. Talk to me about your album,Live In Concert.
MD: It started as a conversation with my pastors. And the church invested in me. And September of 2006 was the result of that investment– we recorded a CD. They just sowed into my life.
EJ: That’s great.
MD: Yeah, so that’s how the record got done.
EJ: Who wrote and produced it?
MD: Stanley Brown produced the music with Nathaniel Townsend III, the drummer. I got to handpick everyone.
EJ: How do you describe your style of gospel music?
MD: The CD’s style is as eclectic as I am. You can hear “Glory After This,” which is straight churchy, or “My King,” with intricate harmonies and chord structure, kinda gospel-jazz. I’ve got a song on there called “Kingdom I,” which has a neo-soul kind of vibe.
EJ: You workin’ on another album?
MD: Umm… still planning stuff out. Not actively working on it yet, but just thinking. There are so many different directions I could go in, because of my musical influences. I would love to do a “big band” gospel CD… I would love to do a neo-soul set, unplugged… I would love to do alternative-sounding stuff, because I’m a student of music, not just gospel music. To me, all music is God’s music, honestly.
So, I have so many ideas that I have to narrow them down to get at least the NEXT project out.
EJ: I was gonna say “we will take all of the above, thank you!”
MD: *laughing* That’s enough material for three more projects. I would even love to do a CD of love songs for gospel folks who are uncomfortable buying Luther [Vandross], or Joe or Anita Baker… or Jill Scott.
But, then again, you have to contend with the critics who say that it doesn’t glorify God…
EJ: Ewww… well, please contend! I think that would be great. Either way, I’m looking forward to it.
MD: We’ll see.
EJ: Well, that’s it for me. I have REALLY enjoyed chatting with you and I appreciate you for taking the time to do this interview.
MD: Thank you!
EJ: No doubt. I’ll talk to you soon.
MD: Okay, bye.
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And, that’s THAT! You can learn more about Melonie (and buy her bangin’ album) at her website, http://www.meloniedaniels.com/.
Sooooo… what did you guys think of the interview series???
Oh, and as a parting gift, here’s the Melonie clip for this segment. It’s an audio clip of a KILLER track from her solo album, entitled “Glory After This”:
The Detroit News reports that, after two strokes, seizures and a heart attack suffered over the past two months, David “Pop” Winans, age 74, was released yesterday from Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. He’s in rehab and doing better by the day. Awesome! See the full article here.
I learned of his condition a couple of weeks ago, but kinda didn’t process it because I was at a homegoing service for someone else when I heard about it (see my post about Olivia McClurkinhere). And the reminder of our own mortality was more than I wanted to deal with at the time. But now, I realize how sad I would’ve been had he not pulled through. Of course, I would have mourned for the Winans family in their loss here on Earth. But I mean that I would have been personally affected…
I was first exposed to Pop Winans on an oooooold Stellar Awards broadcast (maybe 1989 or 1990). BeBe & CeCe sang “Lost Without You” (classic), then introduced their parents, who sang “I’m Going Through” from their self-entitled debut album. You gotta love YouTube for having a clip of their performance:
Like the entire Winans family, he has a sound that is truly unique. He has contributed to my understanding of the passion with which a vocalist, especially a male vocalist, has to bring to the stage. And he loves him some Jesus. He’s an asset to the gospel music community and to the Body of Christ.
My wife suggested that my first blog be about Olivia…
Though I didn’t “report” it, Olivia McClurkin passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 and her homegoing service was held this past Tuesday, the 11th, at Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, New York.
She was eulogized by her younger brother, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, and the service was an incredible tribute to her amazing life.
I want to give you details, but I wouldn’t remember it all.From all of the words spoken to all of the songs sung, the service was fitting and phenomenal.
A host of family, friends and church members showed their love for Olivia that night.
Reflections were made by many, including her three daughters, Daesa, Crystal and Jada, and two of her sisters, Marlene and Andrea.
Also speaking about Olivia were Kirk Franklin, Cissy Houston (Olivia used to provide background vocals for Whitney Houston), Teresa Hairston (Gospel Today), Andraé Crouch and Sandra Crouch.
Perhaps one of the most moving tributes came from the doctor who treated her for the past decade, as he discussed how Olivia’s fight shaped his own posture in medical treatment– one of reliance on the master Healer.
And I won’t even talk about the music.
Or, maybe I will… Folks who grabbed the mic in honor of Olivia included Pastor Marvin L. Winans (co-officiant), Pastor McClurkin, Kirk Franklin (with a special group of vocalists in “My Life, My Love, My All”), Andrea Mellini, Sheila Carpenter, Arnelia Lomax and Andraé Crouch.
To cap it off, Louis Mellini (Olivia’s brother-in-law) compiled an awesome video presentation about Olivia, which included some hilarious home videos and inspiring documentary footage.
On a personal note, I am going to miss Olivia terribly.
She had a remarkably quick wit and was an absolute riot. While I often enjoyed just sitting around, waiting for her to do or say something stupid, I also looked forward to hearing her speak words of wisdom and faith.
It was by that faith that Liv battled and beat cancer many times over, for nearly a decade.
She is the true definition of a Christian soldier and I’m excited to see her again in glory.
The McClurkin Project released We Praise You, their sophomore album, in 2006. The family group included Donnie McClurkin and his sisters Tanya McClurkin, Cheri McClurkin, Andrea Mellini, and the late, never EVER to be forgotten, Olivia McClurkin. Long-time family friend Carol Carter is also a member of the group.
EJ: How do you prepare for a studio session? Like, how much rest do you get, what foods do you avoid, and all that?
EJ: *laughing* Right! I ask most of the background vocalists this when I interview them– can you assemble a dream team of background vocalists for me?
EJ: Amen. But you went for it… a coupla years ago you released your long-awaited solo project. Talk to me about your album, Live In Concert.
The Detroit News reports that, after two strokes, seizures and a heart attack suffered over the past two months, David “Pop” Winans, age 74, was released yesterday from Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. He’s in rehab and doing better by the day. Awesome! See the full article 
