LeJuene Thompson has announced her plans to release her next project, titled The Evolution of Me, this Spring. Her lead single, “Let God Do It,” hits radio this month.
A dynamic vocalist, LeJuene is well-known for her work with John P Kee and Donald Lawrence’s Tri-City Singers. She’s also got a couple of solo projects under her belt– Soul Inspiration (2001) and Metamorphosis (2008).
Produced by hubby and Grammy Award-winning producer-to-the-greats Cedric Thompson (Marvin Sapp, Donald Lawrence, Vanessa Bell Armstrong), The Evolution of Me will be showcased in just a few days during Stellar Award weekend in Nashville.
If you’re town, see her on January 12th at the Urban Soul Café event, on January 13th at the Preacher Kid Production’s “Friday Night Live” event, and on Saturday, February 14, at the Stellar Award After-Concert event at Hopewell Baptist Church.
McDonald’s will kick off its 5th annual Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour featuring Grammy Award-winning gospel recording artist Hezekiah Walker. The tour is part of McDonald’s everyday commitment to celebrating the culture of the African-American community.
The tour will make stops at churches in 6 U.S. cities (Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Atlanta) and will play at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as, summer festivals in Newark, NJ, and Washington, DC.
Tour dates and locations include:
June 11 – Atlanta, GA (Ray of Hope Christian Church)
June 14 – Jackson, MS (Jackson Convention Complex)
June 16 – Philadelphia, PA (Deliverance Evangelistic Church)
June 18 – Newark, NJ (McDonald’s Gospelfest – Prudential Center) *not a free concert
June 21 – Detroit, MI (Greater Grace Temple)
June 23 – Chicago, IL (Christ Universal Temple)
June 25 – Dallas, TX (Friendship West Baptist Church)
July 22 – Los Angeles, CA (West Angeles COGIC)
September 10 – Washington, DC (Black Family Reunion Celebration – National Mall)
The McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour concerts are FREE (except for the McDonald’sGospelfest event in Newark, NJ), and tickets are available, while supplies last, at the host church and select local retailers.
“Gospel music gives inspiration to people and McDonald’s is known for giving to communities around the world,” said Hezekiah Walker. “I am honored to headline a tour of this nature and be able to share my music with audiences across the country to uplift and inspire them.”
Bishop Walker will be joined by all-star gospel artists 21:03 in Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago; Canton Jones in Atlanta and Jackson, MS; Myron Butler and Anthony Evans in Dallas; and Nikki Potts in Los Angeles.
“McDonald’s is really excited to share in culture and community in a way that really connects with our consumers in a meaningful way,” expressed Rob Jackson, McDonald’s Director U.S. Marketing. “During the community events, attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities® and the incredible work they do to help families right in the local community.”
In previous years, the tour featured top gospel artists such as CeCe Winans, Regina Belle, Smokie Norful, J. Moss, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Kierra “KiKi” Sheard.
For more info about the tour, visit www.365Black.com, McDonald’s portal for its 365Black® programs, celebrating the African American community throughout the year.
In a statement issued last night, Music World announced that Mathew Knowles will no longer be representing his daughter, mega star Beyonce, in her musical career, but will focus on the entertainment company’s gospel and inspirational endeavors.
Music World Gospel boasts a roster of Brian Courtney Wilson, Juanita Bynum, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Micah Stampley and more.
EMI Gospel will release a special Smokie Norful project on March 29th, titled How I Got Over: Songs that Carried Us.
The album features guest performances from Joe Ligon, Sheri Jones-Moffett, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Myron Butler and more!
The vocalists are backed by the 12th Episcopal District Mass Choir of the AME Church, recorded live during the District’s annual conference in Tulsa, OK.
Here’s a track listing:
01. Sunday Morning Medley (Smokie Norful & Myron Butler)
02. Solid Rock (Melvin Williams)
03. Jesus Medley (Keshia McFarland)
04. Trouble In My Way (Vanessa Bell Armstrong)
05. Hymn Medley (Pastor WR Norful Sr.)
06. The Lord Will Make A Way (Sheri Jones-Moffett)
07. The Blood Medley (Smokie Norful)
08. I Know It Was The Blood (Joe Ligon)
Music World Gospel, owned by Mathew Knowles, has added another client to its roster– Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
As announced yesterday, the legendary vocalist has been signed to an exclusive recording and co-management deal with the rising gospel entity. She will be co-managed by Clive Ellis of CAnthony Entertainment.
Mathew Knowles has been making significant steps in the gospel music industry over the past several months, most recently being named to the Board of Directors of the Gospel Music Association (GMA).
No word yet on when Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s first album on the label will hit stores, but if her Grammy-nominated The Experience is any indication, I think it’ll be worth the wait.
Here are the winners in the gospel categories at this year’s 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards!!!
Winners highlighted below in blue.
Best Gospel Performance
“He Wants It All” by Forever Jones | Get Ready
“You Hold My World” by Israel Houghton | Love God. Love People.
“Nobody Greater” by VaShawn Mitchell | Triumphant
“He’s Been Just That Good” by Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway | The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III “Grace” by BeBe & CeCe Winans | Still
Best Gospel Song
“Beautiful Things” by Lisa Gungor & Michael Gungor, songwriters (Gungor) | Beautiful Things
“Better Than A Hallelujah” by Sarah Hart & Chapin Hartford, songwriters (Amy Grant) | Somewhere Down The Road “It’s What I Do” by Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters (Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway) | The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III “Our God” by Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin) | Passion: Awakening
“Return To Sender” by Gordon Kennedy, songwriter (Ricky Skaggs) | Mosaic
Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album
Church Music | David Crowder Band For Those Who Wait | Fireflight Beautiful Things | Gungor Rehab | Lecrae Hello Hurricane | Switchfoot
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Beauty Will Rise | Steven Curtis Chapman Love God. Love People. | Israel Houghton Pieces Of A Real Heart | Sanctus Real Mosaic | Ricky Skaggs Tonight | TobyMac
Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel
Times Like These | Austins Bridge The Reason | Diamond Rio Expecting Good Things | Jeff & Sheri Easter Journey | Ty Herndon Live At Oak Tree: Karen Peck & New River | Karen Peck & New River
Traditional Gospel Album
The Experience | Vanessa Bell Armstrong A City Called Heaven | Shirley Caesar Downtown Church | Patty Griffin Here I Am | Marvin Sapp All In One | Karen Clark Sheard
Contemporary R&B Gospel Album
Get Ready | Forever Jones Love Unstoppable | Fred Hammond Triumphant | VaShawn Mitchell Aaron Sledge | Aaron Sledge Still | BeBe & CeCe Winans
Rance Allen is a pioneer in the gospel music community– a vocalist often studied for his before-his-time riffing style and impeccable stage performance. The group he formed four decades ago continues to be a steady source of great music, including his latest release, The Live Experience II.
On the heels of that release, Associate Editor Troy Lilly chats with the legend himself…
* * *
Troy: Dr. Rance Allen! It’s a pleasure and a privilege. How are you?
Rance: Troy, I’m feeling great. And yourself?
Troy: I’m well. Excited to talk with you today. Shall we?
Rance: Certainly!
Troy: We really want to know about The Live Experience II, the latest album from The Rance Allen Group, which hit stores on January 25. Tell about a little about it.
Rance: Well, you know most of us recording artists say this, and I know I may be guilty of saying it about every new one that comes out, but this truly is the best one ever. And I say it because I believe it’s true.
Troy: Ok.
Rance: Here it is a live album. We’ve recorded twenty albums, this being only the second live one. Thus comes the name The Live Experience II. And man, there was just a free spirit moving as the Holy Ghost moved how He would, and with thousands of excited people there, they made us excited.
God anointed myself and my two brothers to sing, and the band to play, and then the great guests we had were second to none.
Troy: Certainly! Tell me about the special guests appearing on this project.
Rance: We had Paul Porter, who’s a great singer himself, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong…I call her “the voice.”
Troy: Yes, yes.
Rance: Then the First Lady of Gospel, the Pastor Shirley Caesar, and a young group named Called to Worship out of Cincinnati.
Troy: Okay.
Rance: It’s just a beautiful piece of music. I want to tell young listeners that all you’ve got to do is put it in the player. You don’t have to search around looking for a song that you like more than the others. It’s the kind of CD that you want to play from track one through track 15.
Troy: Wow. So with that kind of project on your hands, do you have any favorites? Or at least a Top 5, since you can’t have just one.
Rance: Ok, well I hope I don’t mention all 15 to you! (Laughs)
Troy: (Laughs)
Rance: But let me start with “It’s You That I Trust,” the one where Paul Porter joins us in song. It’s an awesome song… you and the listeners will love it. But there’s one that I love even more than that.
There’s a cut called “Holy One.” You wanna talk about worship? This is a song that really reaches down into the reservoirs of a person’s heart…that’s “Holy One.” And these are both kind of like ballads, actually.
Troy: Nice! What else have you got?
Rance: Pastor Shirley Caesar helped us sing another one called “Living for Jesus.” But there’s something I’ve got to tell you about this particular song.
Many, many years ago when I had just started my church, every Sunday one of my members would get up and just turn around and say to the audience– full of excitement– “There’s something about living for Jesus that’s the best thing for me…makes me feel real, (singing) real good.”
After a while, she had said that thing so much ‘til the Lord gave us a song! And you can hear it on this new CD– “Living for Jesus!”
Troy: Wow.
Rance: Yes, but there’s some great music on here. We did a song called “Love Train.” Now it doesn’t sound like the O’Jays! It sounds like the Rance Allen Group!
Troy: Now that’s a sound. (Laughs)
Rance: We also remade “Hear My Voice,” which we originally did way back in 1984. Oh and number 13…that’s going to be one that you and every[one] of your listeners will love, and it’s called “United We Stand.” It goes on for about eight minutes and some change. And basically, it’s our take on “We Are the World,” sort of. Myself, my brothers, all my guests sang with a choir backing it up and it just turned out wonderfully.
I told you, if you keep letting me pick out favorites, I’ll be done picked out all 15! (Laughs)
Troy: I see. But I was actually counting while you were talking, and you only gave me five and a half! (Laughs)
Rance: (Laughs)
Troy: You’re celebrating 40 years of ministry along with your brothers. That’s almost two decades longer than I’ve been alive. Who are some of the new guys or the young cats that you admire or want to work with?
Rance: I’ve been blessed, man. I have worked with so many of these younger fellows. You know about the work I’ve done with Kirk Franklin. I’ve also worked with Joe Pace, The Williams Brothers, John P. Kee, Mary Mary. I’ve been able to share with many of the younger prominent artists of this day.
Troy: And we have enjoyed it!
Rance: They are actually the inspiration that I need for this particular time. All of the young people who come to me asking me to work with them, and praising the work that I’ve done over the last four decades…all of that now is a true inspiration to me.
Troy: Now I know I greeted you as Dr. Allen, but in addition to being a multi-instrumentalist and a singer, you’re also a pastor. How are things at your church, New Bethel Church of God in Christ in Ohio?
Rance: Man, that’s still a great part of my joy. The church is doing well. God is doing a new thing and we are anticipatorily waiting to see what our next move is going to be.
Troy: With that being said, if God were to bless you with 40 more years, what would you do?
Rance: Well, hmmm. I think I probably would just do like some products read on the side of the box and…wait for further instruction! (laughs)
Troy: That is a GOOD answer, sir. Good answer!
Rance: (Laughs) Yeah, because if he lets me live that long, or even half that time…or even a third of that time, I know He has not brought me this far to leave me. I could never tell what God is gonna do because He’s so amazing that he would take the thing that seems foolish to me and just blow my mind. So I’m waiting for further instruction.
Troy: That’s wisdom.
Rance: And as the other box says: for best results, read instructions! Wait on the Lord!
Troy: (Laughs) Absolutely. Well, there’s one more thing I want to ask about as we wrap up. There’s a Live Experience II DVD coming out as well…
Rance: Troy, listen! The only thing that could be any better than the CD is the DVD, because you get to see what you’re hearing on the album. Oh my goodness, I’m telling you the Lord met us there. And I’m trying my best not to sound like I’m bragging. But I am so grateful to God for how He met us there until the only thing I can say is you’re gonna miss out on something if you don’t get the DVD.
Troy: I’m excited about the projects, especially the commemorative nature and all that it symbolizes. It’s good to have an original pioneer who introduced new sounds still around. And not just because I was raised Church of God in Christ, either. But it doesn’t hurt!
Rance: Yes, you’re one of my little baby brothers. And God is using you to perpetuate the best music in the world, and that’s gospel!
Troy: Thank you for your time, man!
Rance: You’re certainly welcome. And I’ll tell you like the old folks told us: come by and see us and we’ll do you good.
* * *
And there you have it folks. To listen to and purchase The Live Experience II by the Rance Allen Group, click here.
The 26th Annual Stellar Awards were held in Nashville, TN this past Saturday.
Special awards went to Donald Lawrence (Lifetime Achievement), Kirk Franklin (Notable Achievement) and Vanessa Bell Armstrong (Living Legend).
Here’s a full list of the night’s winners…
Artist of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Fred Hammond
James Fortune & FIYA Marvin Sapp
Song of the Year BeBe Winans, “Close to You”
Fred Hammond, Calvin Rodgers, Phillip Feaster, Ericka Warren, Michael Bethany and Dynna Wells, “They That Wait”
James Fortune, C. Fortune and T. Vaughn, “Encore”
Marvin Sapp, “Best In Me”
Male Vocalist of the Year Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss
Marvin Sapp
Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans Karen Clark Sheard
Lucinda Moore
Tamela Mann
Group/Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones James Fortune & FIYA
The Anointed Pace Sisters
New Artist of the Year
Forever Jones Kristina Halloway
Travis Greene
Victory Cathedral Choir
CD of the Year
Fred Hammond, Love Unstoppable
J. Moss, Just James
James Fortune & FIYA, Encore Marvin Sapp, Here I Am
Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir Wilmington Chester Mass Choir
Producer of the Year Aaron Lindsey, Here I Am
Donald Lawrence, The Experience
Fred Hammond, Love Unstoppable
James Fortune, Terrance Vaughn and Ayron Lewis, Encore
Contemporary Group/ Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans Forever Jones
James Fortune and FIYA
Trin-i-tee 5:7
Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
James Greer & Company
The Anointed Pace Sisters
The Christian Angels The Mighty Clouds of Joy
Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss James Fortune
Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year
Alvin Darling
Darrell Hines Marvin Sapp
Marvin Winans
Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year CeCe Winans
Karen Clark Sheard
Lisa Page Brooks
Tamela Mann
Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year
Fredericka Faison Lucinda Moore
Shirley Caesar
Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Contemporary CD of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans, Still
Fred Hammond, Love Unstoppable
J.Moss, Just James James Fortune and FIYA, Encore
Traditional CD of the Year
James Hall & Voices of Citadel, Won’t It Be Wonderful Marvin Sapp, Here I Am
Shirley Caesar, A City Called Heaven
Vanessa Bell Armstrong, The Experience
Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year BeBe & CeCe Winans, “Still”
Forever Jones, “Get Ready”
James Fortune & FIYA, “Encore”
Marvin Sapp, “Here I Am”
Music Video of the Year BeBe and CeCe Winans, “Close to You”
Kirk Whalum, “Make Me a Believer”
Shirley Caesar, “Playground In Heaven”
The Anointed Pace Sisters, “If I Be Lifted Up”
Contemporary Choir of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International Myron Butler & Levi
Youth for Christ
Youthful Praise featuring JJ Hairston
Traditional Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir Wilmington Chester Mass Choir
Special Event CD of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans, Still
Kirk Franklin, Are You Listening Various Artists, CoCo Brother Live Presents Stand 2010
Various Artists, WOW Gospel 2010
Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
DJ Official, Entermission
Everyday Process, Outtadisworld
Sho Baraka, Lions and Liars Trip Lee, Between Two Worlds
Children’s Project of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International, Soldier Story Kingdom Kids Worldwide, Kingdom Kids Worldwide Volume 1
The Velasquez Family Singers, While We Still Have Time
Youth for Christ, Thanks In Advance
Quartet of the Year
Reverend F.C. Barnes & Company The Christian Angels
The Golden Wings Quartet
The Mighty Clouds of Joy
Recorded Music Package of the Year
Cameron Hilson and Mark Neubauer, Get Ready (forever Jones)
Denise Trotman, Here I Am (Marvin Sapp) Derek Blanks and Ken Barboza, Still (BeBe & CeCe Winans)
Jeff Gilligan, Love Unstoppable (Fred Hammond)
Praise and Worship CD of the Year Darwin Hobbs, Darwin Hobbs Live: Champion
James Fortune & FIYA, Encore
Phil Tarver, Place of Worship
The Anointed Pace Sisters, Access Granted
The awards show will air on gmc on March 5 at 8pm ET. Before that, however, you can catch it in most major markets (check your local listings) between January 22 and March 13.
The nominees for the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced tonight during a live telecast on CBS.
In the gospel categories, the nominees are–
Best Gospel Performance
“He Wants It All” by Forever Jones | Get Ready
“You Hold My World” by Israel Houghton | Love God. Love People.
“Nobody Greater” by VaShawn Mitchell | Triumphant
“He’s Been Just That Good” by Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway | The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III
“Grace” by BeBe & CeCe Winans | Still
Best Gospel Song
“Beautiful Things” by Lisa Gungor & Michael Gungor, songwriters (Gungor) | Beautiful Things
“Better Than A Hallelujah” by Sarah Hart & Chapin Hartford, songwriters (Amy Grant) | Somewhere Down The Road
“It’s What I Do” by Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters (Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway) | The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III
“Our God” by Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin) | Passion: Awakening
“Return To Sender” by Gordon Kennedy, songwriter (Ricky Skaggs) | Mosaic
Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album
Church Music | David Crowder Band For Those Who Wait | Fireflight Beautiful Things | Gungor Rehab | Lecrae Hello Hurricane | Switchfoot
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Beauty Will Rise | Steven Curtis Chapman Love God. Love People. | Israel Houghton Pieces Of A Real Heart | Sanctus Real Mosaic | Ricky Skaggs Tonight | TobyMac
Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel
Times Like These | Austins Bridge The Reason | Diamond Rio Expecting Good Things | Jeff & Sheri Easter Journey | Ty Herndon Live At Oak Tree: Karen Peck & New River | Karen Peck & New River
Traditional Gospel Album
The Experience | Vanessa Bell Armstrong A City Called Heaven | Shirley Caesar Downtown Church | Patty Griffin Here I Am | Marvin Sapp All In One | Karen Clark Sheard
Contemporary R&B Gospel Album
Get Ready | Forever Jones Love Unstoppable | Fred Hammond Triumphant | VaShawn Mitchell Aaron Sledge | Aaron Sledge Still | BeBe & CeCe Winans
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!
A dynamic vocalist, LeJuene is well-known for her work with John P Kee and Donald Lawrence’s Tri-City Singers. She’s also got a couple of solo projects under her belt– Soul Inspiration (2001) and Metamorphosis (2008).
!
Troy: Nice! What else have you got?
Troy: That is a GOOD answer, sir. Good answer!
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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!
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.
