Two of gospel music’s best-selling artists remain at the top of Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart for the second week– Kirk Franklin’s latest, Hello Fear, remains at #1, while Mary Mary’sSomething Big rests at #2.
Also, Twinkie Clark’s new album, With Humility debuts at #14 on the chart!
The full top 10…
1 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
2 | Mary Mary – Something Big
3 | WOW Gospel 2011
4 | Deitrick Haddon – Church On The Moon
5 | Smokie Norful – How I Got Over…
6 | William McDowell – As We Worship: Live
7 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
8 | James Fortune – I Believe: Live
9 | Marvin Sapp – Playlist: The Very Best of Marvin Sapp
10 | Lecrae – Rehab
Next big releases are coming from Ricky Dillard and Martha Munizzi on April 26…
Choirmaster extraordinaire Ricky Dillard is set to release the newest album with his stellar choir, New G, titled Keep Living.
With its lead single, “God is Great,” already gaining significant airplay on gospel radio, the project promises not to disappoint. It is said to feature songs true to Ricky Dillard & New G’s signature style, while also demonstrating a more mature and polished presentation.
I can’t remember an album from Ricky Dillard & New G that disappointed me, so I’m pretty excited (I’m a choir head at heart).
The CD/DVD combo, recorded live in Detroit, will be for sale in-stores and on-line on April 26th (Light Records).
Choirmaster extraordinaire Ricky Dillard has announced that the first single from his upcoming album (due in April of this year on Light Records) will be “God Is Great.”
He posted a YouTube link to the tune via his Twitter account over the weekend. Take a listen–
Associate Editor Troy Lilly recaps the finale of this year’s Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound nationwide choir competition, held in Washington, DC this past Saturday, November 13th…
Verizon Wireless’ How Sweet the Sound2010 came to a dramatic close in Washington, D.C. over the weekend, with my favorite co-hosts Donald Lawrence and CeCe Winans. And don’t misconstrue my use of the word dramatic… I’m just talking pure, theatrical drama and performance.
I’d like to dedicate a new word – choir-ography – to this year’s finalists because I don’t know if I’ve seen that much “organized” movement by a choir on stage before. But lest we forget, regardless of how much jumping and swaying is going on, the vocals still have to be tight.
That’s where this year’s judges, Marvin Sapp, the beautiful Karen Clark-Sheard and part-time comedian Fred Hammond, came in. They had the unenviable task of picking a winner from the talented pack of singers. If you were there, you’ll remember that Karen was quite “appreciative” for each choir! (inside joke)
But on to the winners…
Out of more than a dozen choirs from 14 cities across the nation, Voices of Destiny from Greater Zion Church Family from the Los Angeles region was the National Overall winner of $40,000 in cash and prizes and the title of Best Church Choir in America. Not to mention, as the winning choir, Voices of Destiny will perform at the 26th annual Stellar Awards and travel to sing during the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in 2011.
The Compton-based chorale roused the sold-out crowd in D.C. with a dynamic reinterpretation of Byron Cage’s “The Presence of the Lord is Here.” If you hadn’t heard the song before (shame on you) you probably wouldn’t have recognized it that night.
Showing impressive musical acumen, the choir led us through a series of movements that included major, minor and diminished inversions under the guidance of their director – who also happens to be the pastor! Their set wrapped with a breakout file-and-shuffle dance number (think season 5 opening of the Cosby Show). They even synchronized a dramatic “fall”. Yes, they laid out on the stage. It was very West Side Story and “grand,” as one might say. Nice job Compton. I’m sure they made the choir director Ricky Dillard, who was in the audience that night, more than proud.
Second place honors went to the Greater First Church “GFC” Chorale out of the Chicago region. They walked away with a not -to -shabby $15,000 prize. Secretly, GFC Chorale was my favorite to take the top prize, and although they didn’t, I was still pleased that they were recognized. GFC Chorale gave us a lesson in musical genres over the last century as they performed the traditional hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” What began as opera, turned into Negro spiritual, and then to jazz, ragtime, salsa and contemporary gospel before concluding in a full-out praise break. In a word, their rendition was accomplished. I mean these folks really know music, period.
My good friends over at Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church didn’t leave empty handed either. The Greater Mt. Calvary Men of Valor nabbed the V CAST People’s Choice Award which was good for a $5,000 prize and plenty of hometown pride for the large DC-area showing in the audience.
As if the 14 choirs weren’t enough, Marvin, Karen and Fred each performed songs from their most recent albums. I don’t think it hurts to say yet again, either, that my adopted auntie Karen looked absolutely amazing, even if she got stuck using the word appreciate during judging.
It was truly an evening of great music. And for me, it was also full of great conversation. I was fortunate enough to be seated next to Brandon Frazier, the hilarious director of West Atlanta Pentecostal Choir, last year’s winner of How Sweet the Sound. From what he told me, in between making me laugh unstoppably, ensures that Voices of Destiny is in for the ride of their lives.
Congratulations again to all the choirs, and I can’t wait to see Voices of Destiny at the Stellars and the Super Bowl next year. Speaking of the Super Bowl, who’s buying my ticket??? Just joking.
Word has it that the 103rd Holy Convocation of the Church of God In Christ (COGIC) will be streaming live online all week, beginning TODAY at 8am PT/10am CST/11am ET.
The annual gathering, which runs through the 15th, is being hosted in St. Louis, MO for the first time ever, but we’ll be able to catch it from the comfort of our own homes or offices (but you should be working!).
In addition to awesome preaching from TD Jakes, Noel Jones, Charles E. Blake, Darrell Hines, Dorinda Clark Cole and more, there will be musical performances from gospel artists including Donnie McClurkin, Kim Burrell, Jonathan Nelson, Y’Anna Crawley, the Nevels Sisters, Smokie Norful, Tamela Mann, Rance Allen, Ricky Dillard and a BUNCH more.
Is it just me, or is anyone else noticing how many moves Light Records is making?
I alluded to it last week, in discussing how well their team had coordinated publicity, radio and retail to make a splash for William McDowell. But as I continued to think about it, I was reminded that they JUST signed Ricky Dillard, JUST signed Dorinda Clark-Cole (didn’t we all think she was going to Karew?!), and is releasing a compilation project with some great new tunes via GospelFlava.com.
They may be an “indie” label, but they’re making some major strides. I see you Light Records!
Word has it that Ricky Dillard & New G will have their 8th live recording in Detroit, MI on Saturday, October 30, 2010.
Click here to check out the flyer! The event is being dubbed “The Red Party” and Ricky asks that everyone wear something RED, or at least with a touch of red in it.
Doors open at 4pm, the recording starts at 5pm. General Admission is free, but limited VIP Seating is just $15 and you’ll have guaranteed seating.
Venue:
Second Ebenezer
14601 Dequindre Road
Detroit, MI 48212
FYI– the Marriott Detroit at the Renaissance is the host hotel for the recording. Ask for the New G Block for special rates! Check out www.lightrecords.com for more info.
Ricky Dillard & New G ALWAYS bring an electrifying and dynamic choir performance. There ain’t a choir like ‘em this side of Heaven.
At a time, these were some of the choir/ensemble soloists whose names were practically synonymous with the leader of that choir or ensemble.
You saw Andraé Crouch, you expected to see and hear Táta Vega. You saw Hezekiah Walker, you expected to see and hear Monique Walker. You saw Milton Brunson & The Tommies and you’d better get to see and hear Kim McFarland! With solos on various songs by their respective groups, these and other voices served as the benchmark for the sound of contemporary choir music.
Out of curiosity– who are the choir/ensemble soloists of the new school?
My mind instantly wanders to folks like Zacardi Cortez (James Fortune & FIYA), David McClure (JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise) and Lillian Lloyd (with Ricky Dillard’sNew G).
If you are ANYWHERE REMOTELY CLOSE to Chicago on Saturday, June 5th and/or Sunday, June 6th, you already know (hopefully) where you need to be– it’s the annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival in Millennium Park.
The two-day weekend gospel celebration features a mainstage with non-stop concert performances from some of the biggest names in gospel each year. This year, attendees include Ricky Dillard & New G, Kathy Taylor, Byron Cage, Hezekiah Walker & LFC, The Caravans, Richard Smallwood & Vision, and Fred Hammond. Plus, there are two smaller stages with performances from great Chicagoland talent throughout each day.
In addition to the performances, you’ll find food, vendors, gospel radio booths and more. The event goes down from 11am to 9pm each day and you oughta be there, if ya can. For full details, visit www.chicagogospelmusicfestival.us.
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. Shegenerally 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.
EJ: That’s great stuff! You mentioned your work with Kirk Franklin and a lot of people, in recent years, have seen you doing that more than anything else. How did that come about?
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?!
Choirmaster extraordinaire Ricky Dillard is set to release the newest album with his stellar choir, New G, titled Keep Living.
I’d like to dedicate a new word – choir-ography – to this year’s finalists because I don’t know if I’ve seen that much “organized” movement by a choir on stage before. But lest we forget, regardless of how much jumping and swaying is going on, the vocals still have to be tight.
Showing impressive musical acumen, the choir led us through a series of movements that included major, minor and diminished inversions under the guidance of their director – who also happens to be the pastor! Their set wrapped with a breakout file-and-shuffle dance number (think season 5 opening of the Cosby Show). They even synchronized a dramatic “fall”. Yes, they laid out on the stage. It was very West Side Story and “grand,” as one might say. Nice job Compton. I’m sure they made the choir director Ricky Dillard, who was in the audience that night, more than proud.
It was truly an evening of great music. And for me, it was also full of great conversation. I was fortunate enough to be seated next to Brandon Frazier, the hilarious director of West Atlanta Pentecostal Choir, last year’s winner of How Sweet the Sound. From what he told me, in between making me laugh unstoppably, ensures that Voices of Destiny is in for the ride of their lives.
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.
EJ: Even though you didn’t live in Chicago?
