Don’t get caught slipping… BET’s Celebration of Gospel airs THIS SUNDAY at 8pm ET/PT.
The 12th annual performance showcase, hosted by Steve Harvey, will feature performances from Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Le’Andria Johnson, Jessica Reedy, Isaac Carree, Mali Music, Faith Evans and MANY MANY more.
Don’t miss it. And check out this video of BET’s Torrence Glenn chatting it up with the artists as they arrive on the Celebration of Gospel BLUE carpet!
Mark your calendars!
The 12th annual Celebration of Gospel, hosted by Steve Harvey, will air on BET on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8pm ET/PT.
Folks already slated to perform/appear include:
Kirk Franklin
Yolanda Adams
Marvin Sapp
Shirley Caesar
Fred Hammond
Le’Andria Johnson
The Rance Allen Group
Earnest Pugh
Zacardi Cortez
Jessica Reedy
Ricky Dillard & New G
Isaac Carree
Mali Music
Ledisi
Faith Evans
Kelly Price
Johnny Gill
Jennifer Holliday
James Fortune & FIYA
Moses Tyson, Jr.
Maurette Brown Clark
Dr. Bobby Jones
Wendy Raquel Robinson
The event will also feature tributes to Mahalia Jackson and Whitney Houston.
The two-hour special will be taped next Friday, March 16th, at 8 p.m. PT at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.
FREE TICKETS are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Email betrsvp@bet.net to get ‘em!
Byron Cage was recently pranked by Nephew Tommy on the Steve Harvey Morning Show.
The call was utterly HILARIOUS. I’m sure that it wasn’t funny to Byron at the time, but he really did handle himself well, considering the prank.
Take a listen to what happens when Nephew Tommy poses as someone from the Stellar Awards, and suggests that Byron actually didn’t win the Male Vocalist award this year…
Bless his heart! Good job on keeping it Rated G, Byron! Well… maybe PG. 
Hey folks– just a quick reminder to make sure you tune-in to BET this Sunday, January 30th, at 8pm ET for Celebration of Gospel.
And right after the show, BET.com will do a webcast of “My First Celebration of Gospel,” where cameras follow rising artists VaShawn Mitchell and Jessica Reedy to capture all the running around that leads up to an artist’s first time on BET’s Celebration of Gospel– from rehearsals to interviews, glam to pre-parties… all the action is on film, and will be online.
It’s gonna be goooooood. Check my recap if you don’t believe me. Or, better yet, don’t take my word for it– let host Steve Harvey give you 10 reasons to watch:
This Sunday, January 30th at 8pm ET, BET will air this year’s much-anticipated Celebration of Gospel program, with incredible performances from Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, VaShawn Mitchell, James Fortune & FIYA, Kim Burrell (with Whitney Houston!)… and many more.
Before that, though, BET.com is already buzzing with exclusive content about the event– from red carpet interviews to video footage, from photos to funny stuff from host Steve Harvey, you could easily spend an hour just getting lost in Celebration of Gospel-ness.
And make sure you check out The Gospel According to Torrence for his take on all that went down that weekend– he’s got the inside track on all of it.
Visit http://www.bet.com/celebrationofgospel to get in on the action.
And make sure you tune in this Sunday for the show– check my recap to be reminded of how good it was.
There have been rumblings about the Steve Harvey comedy tour featuring Kirk Franklin for the past week or so– details continue to be released about the tour, but here’s what is known–
The events are being dubbed as a Comedy Gospel Tour, featuring jokes from Steve Harvey and music from Kirk Franklin. More dates and cities are coming, but tickets are on sale NOW for the following markets:
March 19, 2011 | Atlanta, GA | Philips Arena Theater
March 26, 2011 | Tampla, FL | St. Peter Time Forum
April 2, 2011 | Memphis, TN | Desoto Civic Center
April 9, 2011 | Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena
April 30, 2011 | Charleston, SC | North Charleston Coliseum
May 7, 2011 | Shreveport, LA | Century Tel Center
May 21, 2011 | Jacksonville, FL | Veteran Memorial
Visit www.ticketmaster.com to grab tickets.
Anyone planning to attend???
An editorial from Associate Editor Troy Lilly…
It may be hard to believe but it’s been 30 years since Bobby Jones Gospel debuted, making its host, Dr. Bobby Jones, more popular on Sunday mornings than most preachers in the pulpit.
When Bobby Jones Gospel first aired on BET in 1980, the network’s first year, I wasn’t even alive. My parents weren’t married until the following year, and Martin Luther King’s birthday wasn’t a national holiday. Albums were still called LPs then, and everybody’s home entertainment center consisted of a deluxe turntable. Remember those days? Okay, neither do I, but I’ve done some research.
Anyway, what I’m saying is that it’s been really long time since the cameras started rolling on the set over there, and things have changed. A lot.
We’ve come a long way. We have Sunday Best now, which is the gospel equivalent of American Idol. Singers (and pretenders) belt their hearts out in front of the judges for weeks, and at the end the home viewing audience votes to decide who wins a recording contract. And then there’s the yearly Celebration of Gospel where gospel and secular artists make music on the same stage while host Steve Harvey tries to tell clean jokes. How’s that for progress? I know some of you are disenchanted with Sunday Best but this isn’t a comparison, so hear me out.
Long before the competitions and musical soirees went mainstream and hit primetime, Bobby Jones Gospel put a face with the music and gave the industry its first national platform. Dr. Jones expanded that platform across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans , earning the title “Ambassador of Gospel.” I hold him in the highest of regard for everything he’s done for gospel music, and I’m sure you do as well. I just have a couple of questions, and I want to know what you think.
Although the music and mediums have changed over the years, those changes haven’t affected the show very much. You can still find it airing on the same network, on the same day, in the same timeslot, same format, and still hosted by Dr. Jones. In fact, Bobby Jones Gospel is the longest-running show on BET and one of the longest in cable television history. However, do you find it strange that the show has stuck to the same formula for three decades?
I mean, Bob Barker did the same thing with The Price is Right, so maybe it’s not a bad thing. But I’m leaning against it.
Consider this: traditional radio and television viewership is declining; digital music sales via iTunes and online music retailers will eclipse physical sales this year; internet marketing through social media is rapidly becoming the most effective way to market and sell music, aside from the music itself. Let us also remember the rise of blog sites in the last five years, sites like GospelPundit.com (which we love, right?).
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m well aware that many artists who were introduced on Bobby Jones Gospel went on to achieve unprecedented success. Gospel heavyweights like Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin, who are two of the best-selling gospel acts of the last 20 years, both got their start there.
I’m just asking you, when was the last time you saw a new artist on the show Sunday morning and headed to Best Buy or jumped on iTunes to cop their album? I’m curious to know.
If anything, I feel like the show has become sort of a rite of passage. It’s the place every major gospel artist must go to pay their respects at some time or another, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I think it’s very appropriate for us to take this time to appreciate (and congratulate) Dr. Bobby Jones for all he’s has done for gospel music. By introducing the look and sound of gospel to households across the nation, Bobby Jones Gospel has allowed countless artists to share their ministry with the world. And I love a good ole’ gospel jamboree.
As we celebrate 30 years, however, I’m just wondering– will you still be skipping Sunday School to watch?
I will admit that I was skeptical– if you remember last year’s Celebration Of Gospel, there were just a bunch of moments that left us wondering… “WHY?!”
But this year, for its 10th anniversary, BET seems to have taken time and done things well and with purpose. I honestly thought it was a GREAT show.
My quick comments about each song, in order:
Fred Hammond featuring Kelly Price and Shirley Caesar – “Awesome God”
I loved the album version of this song (and wondered if it should’ve been the single) for months now. For me, the addition of Kelly Price to the performance made this song a great opener.
Yolanda Adams – “Victory”
It’s a great song, and Yolanda always gives an incredible live performance, but I didn’t necessarily NEED it. Just seemed a bit random.
Anthony & Tarsha’ Hamilton – “Better Is One Day”
One of the best performances of the night for me. It was an awesome arrangement of a CCM favorite, it was heartfelt and simple. And Tarsha’ can SING! Geeeeeeez.
Bobby Jones & The Nashville Super Choir featuring Y’Anna Crawley – “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow”
Dunno what was up with Dr. Jones’ costume in the beginning (it was creative, but the bubble wrap thing threw me for a loop), but by the time the singing started, I was all in. Y’Anna sounded & looked great, the Nashville Super Choir went hard, and it was a solid performance.
Kelly Price & Ledisi – “How Great Thou Art”
From what I hear, BET edited some of the best parts of this performance from the TV broadcast. No matter… even as an edited shadow of itself, the performance was one of the night’s best. These are two of the most gifted female vocalists in the music biz right now. Loved it.
BeBe & CeCe Winans – “Close To You”/”Grace”
I sent a tweet last night that, though I love them, BeBe & CeCe could’ve done a throwback tune for me and I would’ve been thrilled. From a business standpoint, I get it (and they still did a great job)… I’m just even more eager for that reunion tour!
City Of Refuge P.S.A.L.M.S. Choir – “Shout”
I’m not a huge fan of the choir, but they did a great cover of this classic Milton Brunson tune. Lots of energy and a clean look make them stand out. Nice job.
Shirley Caesar – “Celebration”
The First Lady of Gospel always delivers a solid performance. Performing her newest single, she remained consistent and demonstrated that traditional vocals will NEVER go out of style.
James Fortune & FIYA – “I Trust You”
A bit underwhelmed by the use of background vocal tracks instead of live bgv’s until the vamp, but the song is powerful and so was the performance. This group is solidifying itself as a mainstay in the gospel landscape.
Fred Hammond – “They That Wait”
Actually, I wasn’t as interested in this song without John P. Kee being there. Makes me wonder if, in the end, it wasn’t the collabo that made the song so popular. I didn’t necessarily need to see this performance, especially given that he did the opener…
Fantasia & Diane Barrino – “He’s Done Enough”
From the moment she hit the stage, Fantasia’s shoes were off and she was jumpin’. It’s how she does gospel and I LOVE it. I also loved seeing her mama lookin’ like an artist herself… they performed together at the 2009 Chicago GospelFest and on Bobby Jones last season– I could get used to this!
Rance Allen Group – “Something About The Name Jesus”
Watching Rance Allen perform is always an adventure– you never know where the riffs & squalls are gonna come from, but you know they’re coming! It was great to hear him sing this classic tune, but I’m beginning to see less of a need for the “Group.”
Tye Tribbett & G.A. – “So Amazing”
It’s been said that this is the last we’ll see of G.A., as Tye is reportedly disbanding the group (per in-the-know journalist Jawn Murray, who attended a “farewell concert” on New Year’s Eve). If so, this was a nice performance to end their run. The song is good, the energy was what we’ve come to expect… cool deal.
Donnie McClurkin – “We Fall Down”
Donnie continues to demonstrate why there is no substitute for a good song and a solid vocal performance. No frills or gimmicks– just a 10-year-old tune and a vocalist who never really misses. Excellent.
Marvin Sapp – “The Best In Me”
This song was a hit from the moment he sang the first note at his live recording. And you all have been listening to it here for a while now, and lovin’ it. Another dynamic performance from an incredibly gifted singer. Chalk up another one for Marvin Sapp.
Donald Lawrence – “Back II Eden”/”The Best Is Yet To Come”
An awesome finale performance, with the incredible Floyd Wilkinson on the vamp, from the man with the Midas touch. The only thing missing for me was Donald’s group of singers, but I’m just spoiled.
All in all, this show was really great. The tribute to Steve Harvey was heartfelt and touching. And I’ll say this– if some of the greatest ministers of music in our industry come together annually, and interact with non-believers, we’re SUPPOSED to see a change in people. What that says for other annual televised gospel programs, I’m not sure… but it’s encouraging to see what God’s been doing in Steve’s life through Celebration Of Gospel.
Now… WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE SHOW?!
If you missed the hit show Praise The Lord on TBN last night, I’m begging you to watch it online today.
This is not to be sensational, nor am I merely writing something so that I can have blog content. My wife and I just watched the episode on DVR, overcome with emotion and tears THROUGHOUT the one-on-one chat between Pastor Donnie McClurkin and Steve Harvey. My heart rejoices over Steve Harvey’s life– ALL of it– and I am left speechless by what we witnessed on our television set. I have never seen anything like it.
I had intended to recap and summarize what Steve said, but I fear that doing so will minimize the value and impact of his words.
I just need you to watch it. PLEASE watch it.
Click here to view in low video quality, click here for medium video quality, and click here for high quality.
Or, you can visit the TBN archives page at http://tbn.org/watch-us/archives.
I was very blessed to have an open, honest convo with the staggeringly gifted J Moss.
His newest project, Just James, is due in stores this coming Tuesday (the 25th). It’s his most transparent to date, I think (click here to read my full review) and I urge you guys to buy it when it hits stores.
In this interview, I didn’t hold back and neither did he… he’s a great guy whose sincerity doesn’t end with his music. No need for intros… here’s the one and only J Moss.
* * *
EJ: Hello!
JM: EJ!
EJ: *laughs* How’s it going, man?
JM: Man, I’m absolutely wonderful!
EJ: That’s a good way to be. I really appreciate you for taking a minute to chat with me.
JM: No doubt.
EJ: Well, let’s jump right to it by talking about this new album, Just James. I think it’s incredible.
JM: Do you, man? C’mon EJ! C’mon, man. Go’n and be real with your boy! Let’s have a real session.
EJ: For real! I’m tellin’ you… and I said it in my review. I’m pretty sure that I love it more than any other album you’ve done. You have a way of taking pretty familiar ideas and just makin’ them completely different, completely fresh and completely relevant.
I mean… it made the car. And when we put a CD in the car, that means it’s something special.
JM: You sound like me. *laughs* Yeah! If it can make the car, it works. So, okay, I’m talking to real folk right now. Ok, I’m good! *laughs*
EJ: *laughs* Talk to me about this project– what does it mean for you?
JM: Awww, man… God’s heart. If I can put it in two words– it’s God’s heart. The first record, I was hungry, I was a rookie. I just wanted to be out there. I had a great machine behind me with Vicki Mack & GospoCentric, and PAJAM. And it took off. And I thank God for them because it was really the truth.
EJ: Sure.
JM: But then the next record, V2, was coming off of the success of V1. So, now I’m feelin’ myself. I’m calling all my friends– I got Steve Harvey, Anthony Hamilton, the list goes on. Great record– live strings, live band, all kinds of stuff. But that was MY record.
THIS record, V3, is God’s record. It’s the heart of God. It was probably the record I was supposed to do first. But, it didn’t happen that way. And I can really say that I’ve moved J outta the way, PDA [Paul "PDA" Allen] was able to move himself out of the way, and we just allowed God to quarterback and drive the whole thing.
EJ: Yeah.
JM: And every song, every chorus, every lyric, every stanza was just straight from the heart of God and I’m just glad I was able to nail it with His help.
EJ: Most definitely. Do you have a favorite track on this album?
JM: Man… so many at so many different times. Most of my life right now is dedicated to “Restored,” y’know? It’s portrayed through that song on many facets– financial has been restored, strength has been restored, personal issues at the crib and stuff, that’s restored.
And then, spiritually, when we fall off, God can restore you back to His good graces, so I think “Restored” says the most to me.
EJ: Quick question, outta curiousity: did you write “Anointing” for the Clark Sisters?
JM: No. No, actually I didn’t.
EJ: It sounds soooo much like them to me, especially at the end, when you close it out with “the anointing.” It sounds just like something Twinkie [Clark] would do.
JM: Oh, dude! It was definitely in TRIBUTE to Twinkie.
EJ: *laughs*
JM: I love Nat King Cole and I’ve always wanted to do a loungy, big band, big ballad kinda joint. And I said “I wanna kinda take a little bit of Twinkie’s vibe,” which is in me anyway because of the bloodline, “and mix it with a ‘We Must Praise’, Nat King Cole kinda thing and see what we come up with,” and there it was, you know? But it was not written for the girls, it was actually written for me.
EJ: I love it. Listen, I want to, respectfully, talk about what’s happened over the past year or so for you, because it seems to provide a strong basis for really understanding your album. And I think that if people get that, then the healing that is in this album is more apparent and potent.
JM: Absolutely.
EJ: By now, many people know that there was an extramarital affair that took place, and that a child was conceived from that. When I reported what was happening, I wanted to preempt the rumors and kinda stop people from condemnation. And I said, “guys, don’t knock him, just cover him and his family in prayer because that’s the best thing we can do right now.”
JM: Right.
EJ: But one thing that I said at the time is that your music talked about, or kinda foreshadowed, these struggles and these temptations… like on “Livin’ 4″ and “Florida,” your lyrics talked about how rough it is. Were those songs real for you?
JM: Not at the moment. They were just me being a great writer. A lot of that stuff wasn’t necessarily where I was, it was just me being able to paint the picture. God has given me that gift.
EJ: Absolutely.
JM: But when it actually happened, you get the Just James project. You can feel the heart. It’s not just a story going forth– it’s you. So, I think that when I went through that affliction, it beefed up everything.
I think the writings, at the time, were more prophetic than anything else. With “Livin’ 4,” I was just coming into the game. But after I went through it… And a lot of what I went through, EJ, was my OWN doing. This wasn’t peer pressure, it wasn’t industry pressure… it wasn’t groupies flocking around. This was just J Moss feelin’ himself.
EJ: Wow.
JM: PERIOD. This was simply coming off of “We Must Praise,” being a big dawg, V2 over 100,000 [units]… this was just J being “the man.” Being told he was fine every day, being told he was sexy every single day, being told that people wanted him to be their baby’s daddy… you know? EVERY DAY. You think the R&B people have it hard? The gospel people do too.
EJ: I know it.
JM: So, I began to move further and further away from Christ, and got further and further involved with those temptations. And it led to that situation. And I have to tell you– when I get up now to talk about it, a lot of people say “J, you’re talking too much, we’ve moved on, we’re good.” And I say “nah, man. There are people out here DYING from this stuff.”
EJ: Absolutely.
JM: The Bible says that the wages of sin is death, but I gotta get up and tell people that the wages of sin almost KILLED me, in terms of suicidal thoughts. I was plotting it out, thinking it out… all kinds of depression. I was going through the scrutiny in the media, the blogosphere, everywhere… that stuff was rough!
And when we sin, we chip away at salvation. Every time, we KILL something– we kill faith, we kill credibility, we kill relationships, we kill families… every time, we kill a piece of something.
I realized that people who are not going to Bible class, or to church on Sunday morning, will listen to me at a concert because they love me or they love my voice. So, NOW is my chance to say “you know what? Now that I’ve got your attention, let me tell you what’s really real. Let me stop making you feel good all the time, and let me tell you what’s real.”
EJ: Amen.
JM: It’s been a great ride. I know that’s sort of a paradox, but it’s been a great ride. Very painful, but it’s been gratifying to know that my ministry has been propelled to a different level.
EJ: I hear that. Someone told me, recently, that conflict is just an opportunity, if we can embrace it as such. There’s something to learn from everything.
JM: Yeah.
EJ: Lemme ask you– would you have talked about what you went through had it not been publicized? For you, we saw newspaper reports where a woman was coming forward, charges were being filed in courts… but there are other artists in gospel who are doing the same dirt. They just haven’t been exposed in that way.
JM: Yep.
EJ: Would you have embraced this reality? Would you have talked about it, had it not been publicized?
JM: Well, I’ma be real with you. I tell my wife every day, I say “babe, had it not made the paper, I would’ve never said a word.” You know?
EJ: Wow. That’s real.
JM: For one, I didn’t want to leave that lifestyle because it felt good. And, you know, people say “affair” and they think it was some long-term thing. This wasn’t that. It was something that I got caught up in. But I wasn’t afflicted until it became public.
So, I feel like it was GOOD that it came out like it did because had it not, I wouldn’t have been able to learn His statutes even better. I don’t think I would’ve stopped because I was enjoying what I had.
EJ: Yeah.
JM: But being broken from that– when God broke the chains and broke me from it, I see the importance of making sure I stay on top of it and remain verbal about it. And to say it over and over again.
EJ: Absolutely. How much of this album had you finished before all of this broke… I mean, the album is transparent and reflective, but what direction were you going in? How much of this album had you done before and what did it sound like?
JM: None really. With the exception of a few choruses or some unfinished stuff that we had, I think “God Happens” maybe, but other than that, nothing.
Everything about this project– it’s not dedicated to that situation, but it’s just a celebration of actually being down in the valley, down in the slums, and being able to somehow claw your way out of it and get back to being a person again, back to being a vessel again.
EJ: That’s powerful.
JM: Yeah. Because I gotta tell you– when I was down there, I felt like “why bother?” And that’s why I wanted to kill myself– it was like “ok, all is lost… all is over, I can’t recover from THIS.” And there’s so many people out there going through the same stuff. And that’s what God showed me in that affliction– He said “what you’re feeling right now is who I need you to speak to. I’m going to put you back on your platform, back on the market, to now tell people who won’t listen to anyone else.”
EJ: How are you maintaining this newfound perspective or this clarity? Do you have accountability partners in place? How do you prevent a “V2 mindset” from happening again?
JM: It’s effortless, man. Effortless. Once you go through a deliverance process like I did, the taste I had in my mouth for certain things is just simply gone… where I am, how I greet people now… I’m just very cautious about my anointing, who I hang with, who I walk with. Having to almost have LOST it all, it gives me that much more drive to do this right.
I’m a lover a righteousness and I’m trying to stay on this horse and do it right.
EJ: That’s great, man. One more question on this topic before we move on– we talked earlier about other artists going through similar stuff. It’s not just “the talented J Moss” who fell prey to something… it’s more common than that, where other artists are finding themselves in the same situations. RECENTLY. It’s just not in the newspapers yet. And maybe it won’t be.
But having gone through that, how would you now petition OTHER gospel artists to govern themselves? What is your word to the wise?
JM: Learn from me. I always say this– my brother, 3 years older than me, went through so much stuff that it actually shaped me into a better dude. I knew what not to do because I wanted to avoid those consequences.
So, hopefully, I can be that beacon for them. I’d tell people “you may be in something, it may feel good, but God sees and knows all. When He’s fed up, He’s gonna come and get you.”
EJ: Wow.
JM: So my prayer is that you can use your big brother, your little brother, whoever might be reading… and use me as an example. You can even call my name if it helps you– “I don’t want to be another J Moss.” And you DON’T.
You don’t ever wanna go through what I had to go through with my wife… telling her and seeing her reaction. You don’t ever wanna have to go through what I read daily on the internet screens, y’know, after giving so much to people. You don’t ever want to have to go through people looking down their noses at you as much as I had to. And you don’t ever want to fall out of grace with God.
So, if you can, use your boy’s life as an example and get out. Walk away. It’s not worth it. You’re hurting way too many people and it’s not a good feeling. But thank God for victory.
EJ: Dude. Amen to that. Good stuff. Hey, you’re on Twitter now. You enjoying it?
JM: Yeah! I’m afraid of the internet– and I know that God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear– but the human side of me is very leery and hesitant about the internet because of what I went through. I can’t even Google a movie without feeling like I might see my name pop up and see something negative. That’s how much I was scarred.
EJ: Aww, man.
JM: But on the other hand, it’s been good. I can honestly say that people have really shown love– people like you and other sites, pastors, well-wishers… everyone has just embraced me and said “we’re good.” It’s still a bit of a struggle, but it feels great to be back.
EJ: Well, we’re glad you’re back, man. Any tour plans in the works for this album?
JM: We’ve got a promotional run that’s on the website at InsideJMoss.com, we’re closing up the tour I did with CeCe [Winans] with McDonald’s– we’ve got one more date for that in DC, and that’s just been crazy, man.
EJ: Yeah?
JM: Every night– sharing my testimony with people. And GUYS… lemme tell you, EJ. It was prophesied to me that the trajectory of my ministry would now be at the hearts of MEN– strong men. And that’s who I’ve seen coming up to me after each show or writing in… saying that they’ve been delivered or that they feel better about where they are because of my situation.
So, I just thank God. I’m sitting on top of the world right now. And I don’t say that with arrogance… I’m saying it in a spiritual sense. God has me on something else and I absolutely love it.
EJ: That’s great. I’m so glad to hear that, man. What else? You did Gospel Dream a second time around on Gospel Music Channel… how was it for you, especially compared to last year with Melinda Watts?
JM: Well, I think that what the producers tried to add– with the boot camp, the on-screen sessions with the professionals, the TV portion– all of that was great. I think they really stepped up the show.
EJ: Sure.
JM: Talent-wise, I think it’s just like [American] Idol or Sunday Best. You’re gonna have some years where the talent is through the roof, and you’ll have some years where you have to go with what you’ve got and maybe the talent is not as good as the previous year. I think everyone on the first year that I did it– they were just phenomenal.
And that’s not to slight any of the contestants from this year– they were all good in their own right. I think the winner this year was actually the real winner.
EJ: Yeah, I like him… Tony LeBron.
JM: But I enjoyed it– just to be apart of something like that. Especially in the midst of what I was going through at the time, for them to still back me and say “we’re still gonna use J… we heard he’s accountable and doing what he’s supposed to do, he’s gotten right with his church, his pastor still endorses him” (because I did what I was supposed to do by my church and the Church Of God In Christ). I just thank God that He sustained my TV contracts and my tour contracts, my record contracts… man, it couldn’t be any better.
EJ: That’s a beautiful thing. Man, I am honored that you took the time to speak with me. And thank you for your honesty and your candor. I really believe lives will be set free through your album and your ministry.
It really speaks to the scriptures that say that the steps of a good man are ordered by God, and that all things work together for good… I bet that if someone told you back in October that all of this would work systematically for God’s glory, you probably wouldn’t have believed it.
JM: Right! Yeah! *laughs*
EJ: But, I thank God that He’s all about glorifying Himself through all things.
JM: And you know, man, I’m just assignment driven. I wanna say to your readers– well, to you first of all– thank you. You have been more than helpful in supporting me and letting the public know “hey, we’ve got J’s back, we’ve got PAJAM’s back.” Words cannot express enough how much I appreciate that, man.
Plus, one of the things that helped smooth out the rough edges for me– I have GREAT people around me. I can’t say enough about the PAJAM crew who did not justify what I did, didn’t condone what I did… PDA and Walter [Kearney] are my big brothers, they’re older than me, so I had to take my beatings from them. But at the same time, they covered me.
EJ: Good!
JM: They kept my spirits up because they saw me fall into that state where I wanted to take myself out. People like that, and then my siblings… and my LOVELY wife who, I mean… the interview wouldn’t be appropriate if I didn’t mention that SHE is the one who, ultimately, helped me out of depression.
She is the one who came to me and said “hey, I’m gonna stay with you, honey, even if it’s against my own carnal better judgment… the Lord told me to stay with you because I see where your ministry is going to go. God has spoken to me.” She spoke with my pastor, we prayed together…
EJ: That’s encouraging to hear.
JM: We just have a wonderful, lovely marriage, man. My children love me… and I don’t talk about that much because I don’t want people to go and take that the wrong way, but I just thank those who are responsible for encouraging me and keeping me uplifted.
EJ: That’s real. God is a restoring God, for sure.
JM: Yeah.
EJ: Well, definitely keep in touch, man.
JM: You got it. Thanks, man. Now can I get up on the TwitterRoll? Can I get up on the TwitterRoll, dawg?! *laughing*
EJ: *laughs* You’re on the TwitterRoll, no?! I’ma make sure you’re on it. And I’ll tell some folks to follow you today, cuz I know you just got on.
JM: Yeah, I just got on it.
EJ: Alright.
JM: Ok, cool. Thanks man.
EJ: No doubt.
JM: I’ll holla at you.
EJ: Cool.
* * *
So how about that?! I’m tellin’ you– bump what you heard… good guy, for real. He’s not perfect, but he definitely ain’t claiming to be. And I think he’s in a good place. PRAY FOR HIM and his family, ok?
And make sure you stay connected with him at http://www.InsideJMoss.com and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/InsideJMoss.
And uhhh… what did you guys think of the interview?
