Word has it that Kierra Sheard is getting married, with news of her engagement spreading across the web on Saturday evening.  The blessed beau is Pastor Welton T. Smith IV, of Detroit, MI.

Even cousin J Moss sent a congratulatory message, sending a photo of her ring via Twitter (niiiiice!).

Mega congrats to Kierra & Welton.  Let’s pray for a beautiful, lasting and God-glorifying union!

Full disclosure– I love tons of new artists, but rarely get excited about ‘em.

It’s just that the concept of “longevity” in the gospel music industry is becoming increasingly foreign (maybe I’ll do a blog post about that later), so I rarely put my eggs of excitement into any new artist’s basket.

Immediately after listening to track 3 of More Than I Ever Had, the new album from developing group Rashad McPherson & Divine Purpose, I chucked away a few worshipful tears and immediately went to call Rashad McPherson’s team.  My sentiments: I am more passionate about this group’s raw ability and potential than ANY new artist I have seen in gospel music in a while.

Why?  A couple of reasons.

The artist format– frontman with an ensemble behind him– is familiar, but fresh because each of the singers with him can sing the walls DOWN (I’ve already got a personal fave from among them!).  The music is beautiful.  Just downright beautiful– lyrically, melodically, instrumentally.  McPherson has captured the sound of authentic “gospel,” and gives just enough to stir up nostalgic nuances of Kirk Franklin, Donald Lawrence or Hezekiah Walker, while still taking us on a musical journey into new terrain.

Rashad McPherson is a Berklee College of Music grad, as evident in the superb musicality you’ll hear in the tunes.  Standout tracks for me are “Everything You Are,” “The Promise,” “You’re My Reason For Breathing,” “I Would Be Lost Without You,” “He Made Me Well” and “More Than I Ever Had.”

I kid you not, nor do I intend to deceive and waste your money– if you adore contemporary gospel music by ensembles, you will not be disappointed by this project.  I endorse it wholeheartedly.  Big time.

To prove my point, I convinced Rashad McPherson to let me stream three tracks (I’m too excited) for you guys to listen to!

CLICK HERE to launch the PunditPlayer and Check ‘Em Out on the tracks ”Everything You Are,” “I Would Be Lost Without You” and “More Than I Ever Had.”  Geez… I also kinda wanna add “The Promise,” but I’ll wait… I believe you’ll still get a dose of what this phenomenal group has to offer.

And if you like what you’re hearing, listen to more and grab a copy of your own at CDBaby.com.  Also, make sure you connect with them on Facebook (click here) and on Twitter (click here).

Okay, folks– what do you think of what you’ve heard so far???

Word has it that Integrity Music has launched a new program, Tweet 4 Track, in which Twitter users can get free downloads simply for sending Twitter messages about Integrity artists.

Artists in the program include Israel Houghton, Paul Baloche, Carlos Whitaker, Kari Jobe and more.

Well, that’s kinda easy!  Learn more about the program at http://www.tweet4track.com.

Anyone planning to Tweet 4 Track???

Troy Lilly, one of your favorite writers at GospelPundit.com, had a little chat that he wanted to share with you folks… I’ll let him tell you aaallll about it… Take it away, Troy!

~ ~ ~

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure to spend an afternoon with a new friend. Many of you know her by face and name. Even more of you know her by voice. She’s been featured in a couple recent Goodies posts right here on GospelPundit.com.

I’m talking about the one and only San Franklin.

She was in the Washington, D.C.-area as a guest vocalist, and we talked about friends, music, and ministry for quite a while. In reality, though, “the interview” lasted only a few minutes.  We spent the majority of the time catching up and clowning, as if we were old friends.

I came away from our meeting energized, having experienced a person who is both a dynamic singer and anointed minister with a contagious warm spirit. Some of her words will jump right off the screen.

*     *     *

Troy: It’s great to get to talk with you. I know you’re very busy, but I’m thankful you took a few moments of your time to talk with me today – I really appreciate that.

San: I appreciate you having me…I’m not that busy (laughs)

It’s great to even be considered to sit down and talk to the audience, talk to you. It’s an honor and privilege.

Troy: So, what brings you to the Maryland/DC area?

San: I was here for Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries. Bishop Johnson in Baltimore, Maryland had a family and friends week – it was all week long and yesterday was the outdoor festival with Vanessa Bell-Armstrong, Lisa Page Brooks, Angela Spivey, myself, Bernard Harris…a lot of people.

Troy: The greats (laughs). Cool. I saw you tweeting because I do follow you on Twitter…

San: (Laughs)

Troy: And I know there are a few people who weren’t here. Tell me about some of your other friends, people that you’re close to in the area, who you didn’t get to see.

San: Oh, I didn’t get to see Jason Nelson, Pastor Nelson; I was supposed to go by his church this morning – he’s a very dear friend of mine…

Troy: Wow, love him!

San: Holla Walla, I didn’t get to see him. Who else? Well…Richard Smallwood (laughs) is a good friend of mine. He actually was in my hometown, Chicago, Ill., at the Edwin Hawkins Love Fellowship Conference.

I’m actually a native of that conference and of that church. You know, I spent 12 years with Bishop Hawkins and that whole movement, and I didn’t get to go to the conference this year because I’m in this area working, so…it’s been great, though, even though I didn’t get to see my friends here, the ministry opportunity was absolutely phenomenal.

Troy: Speaking of ministry, just talking with you earlier, that was something I actually got to hear more about – your opinions and your knowledge. So share a little bit more about what you know and your experiences in ministry versus just singing.

San: Well, something that probably most people don’t know is I’m an evangelist. I’ve been preaching for almost 20 years.

Troy: Wow!

San: Of course I started singing first.

Troy: Right.

San: And most people who minister or pastor, you start with the singing or the musicianship, and then you move on. But, I have found a way – thanks be unto God – to combine both. So when I sing I’m ministering Word, and when I’m ministering Word I end up singing, so they’re one in the same to me.

Whereas, you have some people who separate them – singing ministry and preaching ministry – they’re just one in the same for me, and it’s just ministry, period. So I try to make it an everyday part of who I am and not just when I get before the people or before an audience, but just a part of who I am everyday.

Troy: As it relates to the industry, with you having a ministering background, and with you blending the two pretty easily, what do you think of the state of the gospel music industry and do you feel everyone is able to do that as effectively as you are?

San: I believe in this season we are slowly but surely gearing the industry back to ministry, because I think we had taken the focus off of ministry. We were so focused on our look and so focused on our sound, and our riffs and runs, and the talent moreso than what’s behind the person who’s singing.

Troy: Yeah.

San: We have so many people who are behind the scenes, who are on the underground side of the industry that are really ministering to God’s people, you know, and they’re not always the ones who are elevated or celebrated necessarily.

Troy: Right.

San: There are people on the underground circuit that are laying hands and people are being healed and they’re ministering to people’s mental states and their emotional states and restoring people spiritually, but they don’t get the visibility that some “in the industry” get.

And so I think God is having to switch us back to ministry-minded people because we focus too much on talent which doesn’t destroy any yokes, it doesn’t break any bondages, you know what I’m saying, which doesn’t bring us to a state of wholeness, which is where I believe God wants his people.

Troy: Wow, yeah.

San: I think God has to shift us back to that because we’re losing…we’re…what do we say out on the Internet, “epic failing” (laughs)…

Troy: (Laughs) Yeah, that’s a Twitter thing!

San: When it comes to ministry, you know what I’m saying, we #EPICFAIL (laughs)

Troy: (Laughs)

San: So I think God is trying to get us back to a place in ministry where we’re effective and relevant.

Troy: What’s going on at home for you, back in Nashville?

San:  Back in Nashville I’m Minister of Music at a church called Perfecting Faith Ministries with Pastor Dale Jones. It’s a great church.  In this season it’s a great place for me to call home. It’s always good to have somewhere you can come and be settled.

Other than that…I’m working on my project. Everyone says, “when is your project coming out, when is your project coming out?”

Troy: Yes, we want to know.

San: And I want it out just as much as everybody else does. I told God years and years ago, if I cannot produce a project where someone puts it on and is instantaneously healed of a disease, or a worry or broken relationship, then I don’t wanna record. Everybody’s making music…everybody’s putting out a cd…I want to be able to minister and make a difference in somebody’s life.

God spoke to me and said that “every song on your project will speak to you” relating to somewhere I’ve been in my life. Like the single “Arise”… I was listening to that song after coming out of a divorce, thinking I had failed…I remember the words of the song ministering to me: “Today is the day of a new horizon, there’s new life.”

Troy: Yes.

San: For my project, for me, I want to meet the needs of God’s people. I want to be relative and transparent. People are looking for someone to say “I’ve been where you are and I understand, I feel your pain, and I can get down there with you.” Because that’s what I want to do, it’s taking me a little longer produce than I would like.

Troy:  Well, it sounds like it will be worth the wait.

San: I hope so.

Troy: We appreciate that. Sometimes with people coming out with stuff back to back, we question the consistency…

San: Yes, yes (laughs).

Troy:  We appreciate you letting it be a slow, churning process for the better end result.

San: I think it’s like ice cream…

Troy: (LAUGHS)

San: (Laughs) You know what I’m saying – I love sweets! But I say that because you can get ice cream, but if you know anything about homemade ice cream, old time, down South…

Troy: Grandma’s ice cream (laughs) mmmm.

San: Grandma’s ice cream where you have to put it down in the bucket and put the salt on the ice, and you have to churn that thing, and sometimes your arm gets tired from turning, but when it comes out it’s the best thing you’ve ever tasted in your life.

Troy: I can’t think of a better analogy than that. Last thing.

What advice would you give to someone who’s trying to nurture their ministry and let that lead, and avoid being persuaded by the pressure of the industry to just put something out?

San: To anyone in the industry…that’s been in the industry for years waiting on God to move, or just came in the industry waiting on God to move (laughs), it goes back to the old formula. Seek you first the kingdom of God and [all] of his righteousness, and everything else will be added unto you.

Troy: That’s right!

San: And I think transparency is the key. Being true first to yourself. As long as you remain transparent to yourself, it’s easy for you to be transparent to others. I think transparency brings about GREAT ministry.

Troy: With that I’ll say I was blessed to be in your presence for this short period of time…

San: Aww. Thank you.

Troy: I want to thank you again for sitting and talking with me candidly and openly.

San: Aww, thank you for having me.

*     *     *

I really enjoyed that interview!  Shout-out to Troy for makin’ it happen and for doing an impeccable job on it!

Were you familiar with San’s ministry? (you should be– I featured her last month!)

Here, I’ll help… peep this video–

Talk to me! What do you think?!

Family, let’s lift up Adrian Anderson, one-third of gospel trio Trin-i-tee 5:7, as she deals with the recent passing of her mother.

No further details have been made available at this time, but our collective prayers are definitely going to go a long way.  Cool?

If you want to, you can also send Adrian a message of encouragement at her Twitter page– http://www.twitter.com/adriansmile.

Who rocks the recaps?  Troy Lilly rocks the recaps.

And he’s back with more this week.  Without delay… here’s our buddy, Troy Lilly, with his take on last night’s episode of BET’s Sunday Best…

*     *     *

After weeks of watching the judges voice their opinions and make – at times – controversial cuts from the lineup, it’s time for YOU to decide who will become Sunday Best this year.  No more blaming the judges, people.

So, the show last night began by reminding us what the winner walks away with besides a whole bunch of votes: a national recording contract – and a 2010 Ford Taurus SHO! Exciting, right?

The episode also introduced music directors, Stanley Brown and PJ Morton, and featured an instrumental by trumpeter Shemar Allen as a tribute to New Orleans, Louisiana, the host city for this season’s show.

Ledisi, another phenomenal R&B singer, opened the show with “Higher Than This,” a song from her latest album. I was sure the “high” she refers to was, well you know, that of a man. Ledisi (almost) convinced me the song was written about God. There are only two words for her singing style last night: church bred. I’ve been following her on Twitter, too, and she’s got a little word in her.

And then later in the show, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, who is nothing less than a gospel music legend, sang “Good News,” a song EJ premiered on GospelPundit.com last year before anyone else.  But on to the contestants…

Elder Goldwire McLendon – “I Know It Was the Blood” and “Jesus Be a Fence Around Me”

I wanna be like Elder McLendon when I grow up. He’s got Holy Ghost swagger! And he strutted it all over the stage yet again. Although I feel he was shortchanged a bit by the communion song (he could’ve really handled something far more challenging), he still managed to make “I Know It Was The Blood” his own.  I would have loved another song like “Jesus Be a Fence,” which Elder sang next.

On this song he showed more of the energy and vitality we saw last week during his performance of “He’s All Over Me.” Particularly during the vamp, he added some nice adlibs and, of course, hop scotched like a pro. Last night Elder said something that stood out to me: “I am not singing to people, I sing to God.” It’s clear that knowing who you’re singing to makes a world of difference.

LeAndria Johnson – “Running Back to You” and “Set Me Free”

Judge Donnie McClurkin asked last night if there’s anything LeAndria can’t sing.  I’d have to ask the same question because, if there is, I haven’t heard it yet. LeAndria tackled a classic Commissioned song first with stunning results. It may have been difficult for another singer to deliver a signature song without sticking to the original artist’s style. Not LeAndria. One of her greatest attributes as a singer, in my opinion, is her ability to interpret songs in a unique way. As I said a few weeks ago, song interpretation is what makes a singer an artist.

She was clearly up for the challenge on her second song as well. Not only did she interpret Myron Butler & Levi’s “Set Me Free,” she shared a personal testimony at the same time.  “I may have lost my house,” she sang, “but God’s got a mansion for me.” I believe he has so much more.

The Faceoff

The true faceoff of the evening, however, came in the form of a duet between Elder McLendon and LeAndria. They teamed up and sing “I’ll Take You There” to close the show. Hand in hand for the majority of the song, the pair played off of the large age gap between them and marched around the stage cheerfully in a performance that was rather harmonious for them to be going against ach other for the Sunday Best title. It was definitely a highlight of the show.

Their fate is now in your hands. You’ve been watching every week. You’ve seen the good and the not so good. You’ve seen each of them leap across the stage and bring the judges to tears.  Now you must decide who is Sunday Best.

Remember, you can vote until Saturday June 19, 2010 at noon EST. To vote online at the Sunday Best page on BET.com, click here.

What’s the verdict?

I was totally overwhelmed by the responses to the first post of The Prayer List, the new weekly series in which we lift up in prayer one person in the gospel music industry for the entire week.

The first person we prayed for was Erica Campbell, of Mary Mary, who expressed extreme gratitude and thankfulness knowing that an entire community was praying for her like that.

I’m grateful that you guys got behind this vision, praying on the blog, at your homes, re-tweeting on Twitter, sharing on Facebook… You guys rock. We’re keeping it moving with what God says to do– this is soooo much fun to me!

This week, we’re praying for JJ Hairston.  Not only is he the cool, gentle-spirited choirmaster of one of the hottest contemporary choirs in gospel music, Youthful Praise, he’s also a dope husband and father with a big heart.  So, let’s do it!

Lord, thank You for the man that You’ve created JJ to be.  Thank You for sculpting him a long time ago, to fulfill a specific purpose in this world.  Thank You for the gift of music that You’ve given him, but thank You, also, for the gifts You’ve imparted that the world has yet to experience.

I pray for his continued growth and maturity as a man, as a husband, as a father, as a recording artist.  I pray that You would guide JJ in every area of his life.  I pray that You would give him the wisdom and clarity to make decisions that would impact Youthful Praise, the choir he leads, and the family over which You have made him the head.  I pray for his continued success, not for his own glory, but for yours.

I pray that You would bless his humble heart and meek manner.  God, as he gives himself fully to Your calling and destiny for his life, it’s my prayer that You would fill in the gaps– whatever they may be.  You are the masterful equipper of every work we’ll do, and I trust You for complete preparation and provision for JJ Hairston.  And I pray that He would find rest in your ability to the Creator of Heaven and Earth.  In the Name of Jesus.  Amen.

Okay, folks… let’s start this week right and keep it goin’ all week as we lift up our brother, JJ Hairston.

Let’s hear it!

I caught up with Brian Courtney Wilson the other day.  Aside from being an absolutely great dude with a great voice, his album sales have been consistently good, proving that he’s gonna have some staying power in this industry.  I love that.

With the exception of this week, his debut album, Just Love, has stayed within the top 15 at Billboard since its release last JUNE, when it debuted at #2 on the chart!

Brian was recently nominated for two Dove Awards and I wanted to catch up with him to see how he’s taking everything in, how things have been, and what he’s got planned for the near future.  I even touch a lil’ bit on how he felt after being passed up for nods at the Stellar Awards.

It’s just a quick chat, but I think you’ll enjoy it!  Here’s Brian Courtney Wilson…

*     *     *

EJ:  Hey man!

BCW:  Hey, EJ!  What’s going on, man?

EJ:  All’s well.  How are you?

BCW:  I’m doing good.

EJ:  Good, man.  Well let’s get to it– what’s going on?!

BCW:  Aww, man.  The record’s been doing well– it’s been in the top 15 since we got started and I’m happy about it.  It’s just what was in my heart.  When I recorded it, I wasn’t sure that anybody was gonna receive it, you know?  But people have been receiving it and that’s been really gratifying to see.

EJ:  That’s awesome, man.  You’ve had great success at radio and great sales.  I’ve not seen you far from the top of the charts since you started and there are people who’ve been in the game for years that still can’t get there, so you’ve definitely made an impression on people.

BCW:  Thank you, man.

EJ:  I need to ask you– you’re signed to Music World, which is Mathew Knowles’ company.  This is just a question that I’ve gotta ask… you know, we’ll deal with it and move on.  Do you ever get to hang with Beyonce?

BCW:  *laughing*  Man, the last time was probably two years ago and I would call that an “interaction.”  It was more like she flew in, said hello and flew out.  She’s doing her thing.

EJ:  Nah, that’s cool. *laughs* It’s something I think the people have needed to know, so I figured I’d ask… like, “how often does he interact with Beyonce, or with Mathew.”

BCW:  Well, I just met up with Mathew yesterday.  We sat down and talked for a long time about the direction of the album and my career– where we’re going next.  And Solange, Beyonce’s sister, she reached out to me the other day, just wishing me well.  But, you know, I didn’t get into this to hang around them.  It’s cool that they’re there, but I’m hard after God.

EJ:  I love it.  Lemme ask you– you’ve got two Dove nominations, one for New Artist Of The Year and another for Urban Recorded Song Of The Year for “Just Love.”  What does THAT feel like?

BCW:  Man, it feels extremely gratifying.  For real.  Especially… you know, because we got missed for the Stellars.

EJ:  Oh yeah, well I’m coming to that in a minute. *laughs*

BCW: *laughing* I KNOW you are!  But for the Dove Awards to come out and acknowledge what I’m doing– and we don’t have any Christian radio airplay to speak of, that I know about– so, for them to reach out and say that we’re doing something worth acknowledging, that really means a lot.

EJ:  Sure.

BCW:  And it means a lot for our supporters because they have the opportunity to vote for Best New Artist… To be able to tell the supporters “hey, they’re thinking about giving us an award for what you’ve been listening to, for what’s been enriching your life…” It means a lot to them as well.

EJ:  Absolutely.  Now, for my clarification– did you say you were “missed” by the Stellars or “dissed” by the Stellars?

BCW:  I said “missed!”  It’s hard to diss me, man.  I try to stay as humble as possible, so I just figured that they knew what they were doing and knew who they wanted to nominate.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed with how it went down, but it wasn’t devastatingly disappointing.  It would have been nice to get that, because you’re only Best New Artist once.

EJ:  Right.

BCW:  And I knew that we had done a lot of good work, and we put up a lot of good numbers.  But beyond the numbers, I’m talking to the people everywhere we go, listening to their stories, and I’m getting messages on Facebook that what we’re doing is enriching lives.  It seemed stellar to me.

EJ:  Yeah, and I remember the day of the press conference, as I’m sending out my tweets, kinda being surprised.  Not to rehash any of that drama, but by the time I got home, a lot of people were blowing up Twitter and my blog about YOU not being on the list, in particular.

BCW:  Really?  Is that right?

EJ:  Oh yeah, they were about to cuss over you and J Moss, but J will be eligible on this year’s ballot.  Was there not a moment where you kicked somethin’?

BCW:  Nah, man.  Absolutely not.  The reason being– a year before that album came out, I wasn’t even sure if it would come out at all.  I wasn’t even sure if I’d made the right to decision to step out on faith and do music.

By the time the nominations came around, we had already gotten so much love from radio and from the supporters… that was already a reward in and of itself.

I was a little disallusioned by the process, but I just figured that maybe I didn’t have a full understanding of what was going on and what we needed to do to make sure that we were acknowledged by the Stellars.

EJ:  Yeah, I don’t think anyone did.

BCW:  And I remember the blogs you did.  My wife and I both were like “man, this is so insightful.”

EJ:  Thanks, man.

BCW:  But the other thing that I have to remember, as an artist, is that I wasn’t the only one who felt that he was passed over or missed.  So it wasn’t just about me.  If there are things that need to be done or corrected– and I’m not saying that there are… you know, Don Jackson has been doing this a long time and I think he knows how to run his company.  But if there are things that need to be corrected, I pray that they are because the Stellars are important.

EJ:  That’s a great response and outlook to have, man.  What would you say has been one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced, breaking into the gospel industry?  I ask from the standpoint of you being a new artist and not necessarily having a bunch of established artists endorsing you out the gate.  You know?  There wasn’t a whole church or Bishop T.D. Jakes’ endorsement, or some GMWA feature and guest solos for years… what has been the greatest challenge coming in as a virtual newcomer?

BCW:  I think the challenge was before everything broke.  It was the waiting and believing that what you’re waiting on is actually worth waiting on.  Because like you said, no one like T.D. Jakes was callin’ me to say “man, your music… we need to have it out there.”

Now, I have people in my life that were doing that– great people, but you may or may not have heard of them.  They showed me love and respected what I was doing.  But that was the challenge– waiting.  And not aborting what God was doing before the people got to hear it and experience it for themselves.

EJ:  And I’m glad you endured.  How often are you traveling?  What is your gig-load like each month?

BCW:  I probably get 40-50% of the month.  I’d like to do more.  It’s been picking up, but I want to get to 60-70% of the month.

EJ:  So, what is next for you– are you back in the studio soon, are you riding this album out for a while?

BCW:  Well, we’re gonna do a couple more singles and we’ll look at putting out a new album next year.

EJ:  Sounds great, man.  I know it’ll be great.  Umm… I think that’s all I’ve got for ya– just wanted to touch base and see what’s up with you.

BCW:  You do a great job, man.  I follow what you say and it always makes great sense to me, so I appreciate that.

EJ:  Well, I appreciate you for that, man.  I’ll talk to you soon.

BCW:  Alright, man.

EJ:  Alright, bye.

*     *     *

And there you have it!

I’m very proud of Brian– he’s such an incredibly humble dude with no frills or pretenses… what you see is what you get.  And that’s refreshing.

It doesn’t hurt that his voice is dope, either. LOL

Peep this video of him singing one of my favorites from him– “Already Here”…

Do you guys have his album?  If not, click here to listen/make a purchase.  If so, what do you think of it?

And what did you think of our chat???

Word has it that Sunday Best finalist Jessica Reedy is working on some music, this after nearly a year of being thrown into contractual limbo by the powers-that-be at BET.

Due to contractual restrictions, Jessica had been unable to sign with a label and work on new music.

But according to several sources, Jessica was in the studio with Shep Crawford this past week and, according to her Twitter account, we might be hearing her first single soon…

I’m ready.  You?

Word has it that Mary Mary’s upcoming album, to be released this later this year, will be titled OMG.

Erica Campbell announced the title on Twitter earlier this week.  As you probably know, the phrase “OMG” is an abbreviation for “Oh My God,” commonly used in typing, texting, tweetin’…

I really like the concept– it definitely meets culture where it is and, knowing the ladies, they’ll make a great impact.  I’m sure the track will be a banger and I’m excited to hear what other types of music will comprise an album called OMG.

Whatd’ya think???