Word has it that Latice Crawford, runner-up of Season 2 of BET’s Sunday Best, has signed a recording contract with Verity.
I’m glad she found a label home. Her Sunday Best-mates, winner Y’Anna Crawley and runner-up Jessica Reedy, have done quite well for themselves. Latice’s voice was always dope, too… I’m excited to hear the tunes.
Congrats, Latice!
Whatd’ya say? You looking forward to it???
If you’re in the Atlanta area, or can get there, get there for this!
William Murphy will record a new live album on Wednesday, December 14th at 7pm at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church (Lithonia, GA). Aaron Lindsey is on tap to produce it, so you know it’s gonna be excellent.
Murphy, recently signed to Verity Gospel Music Group, will release the album in 2012.
The nominees for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards were announced tonight during a live telecast on CBS.
In the gospel categories, the nominees are–
Best Gospel/CCM Performance
“Do Everything”
Steven Curtis Chapman
Track from: re:Creation
[Sparrow Records]
“Alive (Mary Magdalene)”
Natalie Grant
Track from: Music Inspired By The Story
[WOW Joint Venture/EMI CMG]
“Your Love”
Brandon Heath
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records]
“Jesus”
Le’Andria Johnson
Track from: The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson
[Music World Gospel]
“I Lift My Hands”
Chris Tomlin
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]
Best Gospel Song
“Hello Fear”
Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)
Track from: Hello Fear
[Verity Gospel Music Group/Fo Yo Soul Ent.; Publisher: Aunt Gertrude Music]
“Sitting With Me”
Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon, songwriters (Mary Mary)
Track from: Something Big
[Columbia Records; Publishers: Precious Baby Music/T Bella Music/EMI April Music, It's Tea Tyme, That's Plum Song]
“Spiritual”
Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & Co. Featuring Blanche McAllister-Dykes)
Track from: YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publisher: Quiet Water Entertainment]
“Trust Me”
Richard Smallwood, songwriter (Richard Smallwood & Vision)
Track from: Promises
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publishers: Universal-Z Tunes/T.Autumn Music]
“Window”
Canton Jones, songwriter (Canton Jones)
Track from: Dominionaire
[Cajo Records; Publisher: CAJO Music]
Best Gospel Album
The Love Album
Kim Burrell
[Shanachie Entertainment]
The Journey
Andraé Crouch
[Riverphlo Entertainment]
Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin
[Verity Gospel Music Group/ Fo Yo Soul Ent.]
Something Big
Mary Mary
[Columbia Records]
Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
[Music World Gospel]
Best CCM Song
“Blessings”
Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story)
Track from: Blessings
[Fair Trade Services; Publishers: New Spring/Gleaning Publishing]
“Hold Me”
Jamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Jamie Grace Featuring Tobymac)
[Gotee Records; Publishers: Universal Music, Brentwood Benson Tunes, Songs of Third Base/Chriscendo Music, Meaux Mercy/Achtober Songs]
“I Lift My Hands”
Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records/sixstepsrecords; Publishers: sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Vamos Publishing/Thankyou Music/spiritandsong.com Publishing]
“Strong Enough”
Matthew West, songwriter (Matthew West)
Track from: The Story Of Your Life
[Sparrow Records; Publishers: External Combustion Music/Songs For Delaney/Songs of Southside Independent Music]
“Your Love”
Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Big Skwawka Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing/Windsor Hill Music]
Best CCM Album
Ghosts Upon The Earth
Gungor
[Brash Music]
Leaving Eden
Brandon Heath
[Reunion Records]
The Great Awakening
Leeland
[Essential Records]
What If We Were Real
Mandisa
[Sparrow Records]
Black & White
Royal Tailor
[Essential Records]
And If Our God Is For Us…
Chris Tomlin
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]
If you recall, NARAS significantly revamped the awards categories this year, chopping down 7 categories to 5, and crunching all of it into either “gospel” or “Christian contemporary music (CCM)”… it’s cleaner, though it may unfairly treat some very significant sub-genres (like Christian hip-hop).
*shrug*
A full list of nominees in all categories can be viewed here.
What do you think of the nominees???
Don’t dare think that Deon Kipping is a newcomer to the industry. With indie releases under his belt, and having written such acclaimed hits as “Praise Him In Advance” (Marvin Sapp) and “Incredible God” (JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise), Deon is no novice.
He recently signed his first major label deal with Verity, so you’ll be hearing much more from him, starting with his new single, ”I Don’t Look Like (What I’ve Been Through),” which hits iTunes on November 1, 2011!
He will also be one of the featured artists on Kirk Franklin’s Fearless Tour this fall.
Cuz I love ya, and I love Deon’s music, you can listen to it right here, right now, on the Pundit Player!
Take a listen on the bottom bar of this site and let me know what you think!
It’s a pretty well-known fact that Jason Nelson is just about one of my favorite male vocalists in gospel music today.
His tone is classic. His delivery is always intricate, but simple and straightforward. He’s an excellent songwriter and a compelling worshipper. He’s just great.
He was recently signed to Verity Gospel Music Group and will release his first single, “Shifting The Atmosphere” to iTunes on November 1st.
But guess who can listen to it right here, right now? 
I’ve just added it to the Pundit Player on the bottom of your screen! It’s a great worship track full of passion and a great vocal performance.
Take a listen and let me know what you think!
And don’t forget, Jason Nelson will be joining Kirk Franklin on the Fearless Tour this Fall. Read our earlier post to get more info on it!
GospelPundit.com continues its prayer series this week, adding a new name to The Prayer List– Jojo Pada.
Jojo Pada, CEO of Ignition PR, is one of the most highly-regarded and sought-after publicists in gospel music. Having worked in-house at Motown Cafe, as the head of publicity at Verity Records and Light Records, and as an indie consultant for Light Records and EMI Gospel, her clients include practically every artist in gospel music– including Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Shirley Caesar, Commissioned, Richard Smallwood, the Clark Sisters, VaShawn Mitchell, and many others. Let’s lift her up…
Father, thank You for the life of Jojo Pada. Thank You for being a Sustainer– a God who clearly had a plan for Jojo since before she was born, and a God who was committed to keeping Jojo, and using her despite anything that threatened to stop her.
Lord, I pray for continued success for Jojo– not only in the practical sense, but spiritually as well. I pray that her spiritual “success” would look like a heart that is perpetually molded to resemble Yours. I pray that it would look like a heart that continues to hunger and thirst for righteousness, that stands for justice, that lives a life of boldness, for Your glory.
I pray that the decisions Jojo faces would be guided by Your Truth, Lord.
I ask that You allow the many gifts and skills that You’ve invested into her to be used to the utmost, for Your purposes. I pray that she would continue to be a trailblazer in this music industry, an example of excellence among her close peers and those who watch from afar.
God, I pray that You would assure Jojo that all of her prayers have been heard, that her heart’s desires have been considered, and that You have orchestrated Your very best life for her to live– and I pray that she would find unbelievable rest, comfort and joy in that, and in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Okay, fam– please join me in lifting up our sister, Jojo Pada, in prayer. Post your prayers in the comment section below.
Word has it that Richard Smallwood & Vision’s live recording, scheduled for this Sunday, November 14, 2010, will be streaming LIVE at VerityRecords.com.
The recording is for his upcoming album, Promises, and begins at 6pm ET. The final project isn’t due in stores until March of 2011, but you’ll get a special opportunity to pre-order that night!
Who’s tuning in???
New Associate Editor Troy Lilly interviewed Fred Hammond for you guys…
In this chat, he talks with Fred about Life in the Word (the new album that hits stores TODAY), Fred’s new relationship with Universal Music Christian Group, and plans for the future.
It’s a great read, so I won’t delay things any further… here’s Troy with Fred Hammond.
* * *
Troy: How are you doing this morning, man?
Fred: Good, man. How you feel?
Troy: Good, good. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me.
Fred: I appreciate you, doc, for talking to me.
Troy: First off, I want to congratulate you on the new label, fHammond Family Entertainment, and your joint venture with Universal Music Christian Group.
Fred: Yeah.
Troy: Everyone’s really excited about it. Some people are so excited they’ve let their imaginations run wild about what’s going to happen next. I mean really, really wild!
So, tell me how this partnership came about and what exactly this means for future Fred Hammond projects?
Fred: Well, uh, the label is not as new as is kind of being said. It’s fHammond Music, basically, which was on the Verity/Zomba label.
Troy: Ok.
Fred: Verity and Zomba both gave me an opportunity to learn the inside of executive producing …there’s other levels… marketing, and not just finding the talent, but motivating and molding the talent. Verity taught me to do that.
But when we got to the end of our run, Verity wanted to concentrate on less secondary projects and more primary projects. Fred Hammond is a primary and fHammond is a secondary.
Troy: I see.
Fred: Basically, I got dropped! Naw…I’m just kidding! (laughs)
Troy: (LAUGHS)
Fred: And I didn’t really get dropped. We both mutually agreed, you know, it was time to go. It was a good run. We got Joann Rosario [Condrey] out of it, I had the Singletons and Shea Norman … Joann really shined out of that… but I got a chance to learn at each step.
Troy: Right, right.
Fred: But Universal came along. And see, because Universal is not a label – they’re distribution – they can help develop a label, you know.
Troy: Right…
Fred: They don’t have artists to compete with. They were looking for some talented young labels and people who had music and they said, ‘we can help you.’ And when we met up with each other I felt really good about it. I went there and sat down and I felt like this was the place to be.
They allow me, as a businessperson, to say, “this is the plan and this is the direction we’re going.”
Troy: Wow.
Fred: Sometimes I’m almost asking them permission to do something as a label…
Troy: (Chuckles)
Fred: And they’re like… ‘uh, that’s your label. You tell us what to do.’ And I’m like, “oh, ok!” It’s almost like Eddie Murphy in the movie Trading Places when he walked into the house and said, ‘oh, so this vase is mine …so that means I can just throw it down on the ground,’ – POW! You don’t really believe it at the end of the day.
Troy: The first project on the fHammond Family Entertainment label hits stores on July 27th and is titled Life in the Word. What’s the significance of the title?
Fred: It’s interesting that the first CD that comes out is Word-based. It’s what the whole foundation of the company and the label will be based on – life in the Word. So the actual CD itself is a praise and worship devotional.
There’s little narrated scriptures in between most of the music. Some of them are comedic, some are dramatic. But if you just hear them it’ll remind you… that we should go over into the land because we can certainly take it. Whatever your promised land is, go get it.
Troy: Yeah.
Fred: And like I said, some of them are comedic. I play a preacher on one of ‘em, from a store front church, and I scream, “READ!” (Laughs)
Troy: (Laughs)
Fred: And they start reading and I change the words up on ‘em. So they’re reading, ‘for this’ and I say, “No, for that,” then, “no, for this…” (laughs)
Troy: (Laughs)
Fred: It’s funny, but it’s still reading the Word of God.
Troy: Now, I have to say this: the spoken scriptural interludes on the album are a treat and really take me back to the “Inner Court” days with Radical for Christ… stuff like “The Communion Song” where there’s actual reading during the song,
Fred: Yeah!
Troy: And then like “Hear My Cry”…man! That stuff is just ripped from scripture, kind of like hearing people sing the Bible.
Fred: That’s just my style, man.
Troy: You’re credited with creating the sub-genre Urban Praise and Worship, but you described the Life in the Word project as “the other side” of your style. Do you feel this style and sound will appeal to a new, wider audience, or…?
Fred: On this one… it’s a little departure, but it’s not theeeee departure, you know what I’m sayin’? I didn’t wanna shock people too bad. But if they got to listen to “You Are My Dwelling Place” – which I sing on – they’re gonna hear a little alternative and rock edge to it.
Troy: The album features an ensemble of gifted singers such as Lowell Pye, Ericka Warren, Candace Laster, Michael Bethany, and Faith Anderson. What caused you to choose this particular group of singers?
Fred: Man, it’s like these cats…they can really sing! I reached out to Lowell because he’s a friend of mine. I think Lowell has an [amazing] voice. Some people I sit there and like everything they do. Lowell, when he sings, that’s me. He reminds me of John P. Kee, who’s my favorite male vocalist.
Troy: Yeah, probably for a lot of us. (chuckles)
Fred: So at the end of the day, Lowell was a no brainer. And when I asked him he was like, ‘yeah, man, yeah…I’ll do it.’
And then the rest of them kinda sing with me. They go out on the road with me, except Faith, who sings with Kirk [Franklin]. But it was an opportunity and they all jumped at the opportunity. I’ve always had a heart to help people
Troy: How much will we hear you, Fred, vocally on this new record?
Fred: I’m actually singing two songs on there. One of them is a remake, the full version of “Just to Be Close to You” with the verses and everything.
Troy: Yeah, I saw that. So, it sounds like this new album is really similar to the In Case You Missed It… project, which primarily featured and introduced a plethora of guest artists.
Fred: Absolutely. It’s just the same concept. I may even do an In Case You Missed It 2… on this label. I may take some of my old music that people didn’t’ really catch onto, songs that I thought were great and nobody really listened to…
Troy: (Laughs)
Fred: And let somebody else do it. Folks will hear it and say, “Wow! I didn’t hear that song that way when he sang it.” So there’s an In Case You Missed It 2… coming, a Life in the Word 2 coming.
Troy: Should we expect to see solo projects on this new imprint by some of the guest artists you’ve introduced over the years…perhaps even solo work from Fred Hammond in the future?
Fred: Well hopefully, all of them. Hopefully all of them will get a chance to be able to do their own projects from this – especially in my camp.
And I’m looking to expand this into different voices and different topics.
Troy: Ok.
Fred: My daughter, BreeAnn, is a great vocalist, but I don’t think I should put her out there in the way where she has to go to churches and stand up, and do this and do that. But she can go to youth groups and sing to other 18- and 22-year-olds about what it feels like to be in love and lose love.
They don’t necessarily have to hear it from all from Rihanna, you know what I’m sayin’?
Troy: Yeah!
Fred: But they can hear it from a woman with “this” instead of that perspective.
Troy: Wow.
Fred: So I want to have new voices. Then I have another guy who’s been out there, another brother. He has a great album. His name is Steve Huff.
Troy: Oh, yeah man! Steve, definitely.
Fred: That’s my dude. We just hooked up and I’m putting him out. He’s got a great album and I believe in it. He’s super urban. – I mean he’s got like 10, 12 songs of “God in Me,” and they’re all killin’! I mean they’re all killin’.
And then there’s another younger guy I got named Silas. He has another sound with another voice, and he’s talking about life. It sounds like a mixture of Hootie and the Blowfish meets…somebody else.
Troy: (Chuckles)
Fred: Honestly, it’s just different sounding music, and it may not all get radio, but there’s a way to get it out. People are getting 50 million hits on YouTube, and you’ve got Pandora radio and Fred radio…
Troy: Yeah, the game is definitely changing.
Fred: Right, the game is changing, and I love gospel radio but I understand that they just don’t have all the room to put everybody out there, so…
Troy: That’s true.
Fred: I’m gonna put out different forms of music.
Troy: Ok.
Fred: I have a jazz CD I’m putting out, but I’m not gonna do “Lord, Help Me to Hold Out” over a piano solo. No, I’m doing a straight-up smooth jazz album. It’s a musician album. I got a group and it’s a jazz CD, just with a Christian guy who happens to be playing jazz.
We’re going to talk about some regular stuff AND still have God and the gospel going in, because believe it or not, God cares about all of that.
Troy: He does.
Fred: He said “cast all your cares,” not your “gospel” cares or your “Christian cares,” but he said every care that you have cast on me, because I care for you.
Troy: After almost 30 years in the business producing, arranging – playing – are you ready to focus on something other than music, or is it still “all about the music?”
Fred: Music is the base, but man, I’m writing books. I figure the world has enough self-help books, so my books are fictional. They’re stories that I’ve met and seen in my lifetime – people dealing with childhood issues, murder. These are things that I’ve seen. Several of my friends have been killed, executed.
Troy: Man! (gasps)
Fred: That’s the kind of life I’ve dealt with, you know. I’ve been in the church and in the streets, so I’m gonna tell the story. But, I’m going to tell you where God shows up, how God heals that moment!
Troy: Right!
Fred: And it doesn’t have to sell a billion books. But it’s going to be unique.
Troy: I’m excited.
Fred: It’s a start, you know? One day, Commissioned had a record called “I’m Going On,” and people were excited. But, we also heard the other side: “it’s not as good as the Winans,” and “you guys aren’t big time…” I heard all of that.
But you still put something out, and you do another one and another one, until you look up and you’ve sold millions of records and you’re doing an interview talking about your first label. (Laughs)
Troy: (Laughs) That’s how it happens.
Fred: That’s it.
Troy: I want to say congratulations again. I hear the vision and I see that you are really taking the reigns, creating opportunities, not only for yourself, but for other people as well. I enjoyed the talk, man, and I hope you did as well.
Fred: Yes sir. Yeah, I appreciate you, man. Keep doing what you’re doing and anything you need to ask, just hit me up. We gotta work together.
Troy: Definitely.
Fred: Very good, man. Thanks.
Troy: You’re welcome. Take it easy.
* * *
Niiiiiiiiice!
Glad to hear, officially, what all the fuss is about over Fred and Universal Music. And, I’m glad to know more about the direction he’s heading, musically– some of those projects (especially that jazz one)… I want them NOW!
So, what did you guys think of Troy’s interview with Fred Hammond?
Word has it that Fred Hammond will be releasing a new album, Life In the Word, on July 27, 2010 through a new deal between his fHammond Family Entertainment and Universal Music Christian Group.
Folks have butchered this news to smithereens… “Fred Hammond has a new album coming out!” and “Fred is with Universal now!” Admittedly, I had to read through the press release several times to figure out what in the world was happening… but here’s the skinny:
Did Fred Hammond leave Verity? No. Not yet, anyway… Fred Hammond, the recording artist, is still signed to Verity. His fHammond Family Entertainment label is not. This deal (with the Universal distribution camp instead of the Sony distribution camp) likely signals an intent to hop over to Universal once he, himself, fulfills his recording obligations at Verity, but only time will tell… I’m not tryna be all up in his contractual commitments. 
Is Fred Hammond singing on it? No, not on the overwhelming majority of it. But, it does feature lead vocals from developing artists Michael Bethany, Candace Laster, Terry, Ericka Warren and Dynna Wells. It even has some tracks featuring Men of Standard’s Lowell Pye.
Should you still buy it? SURELY! At the end of the day, Fred is much more than a recording artist, he’s a gifted songwriter, producer and arranger– if that was his chief function on this album, you’re still gonna get “Fred Hammond music”… you just won’t hear HIM on all of it.
You can pre-order the digital version of it at WalMart.com NOW by clicking here.
Hopefully, this clears things up a bit… now, who’s grabbin’ it?
Umm… anybody been over to the official website of Verity Gospel Music Group lately?
If so, you probably noticed that it has a brand new look (which I’m lovin’), with new content, new features and new offers…
My favorite part of the site, though, is the section called “Inside Verity,” which provides an inside peek at the inner workings of one of the biggest and most successful gospel labels in the world. It’s a blog-style feature with articles, news and info about the folks who work at Verity, as well as some of big industry topics.
Anyway, take some time and visit their new site (http://www.verityrecords.com)– lemme know what you think!
