In the year 2000, Tarralyn Ramsey entered the gospel music industry with the release of her self-titled album on Verity.  We marveled at the beautiful tone and maturity of the teenager’s voice and many predicted that she’d be the next HUGE female voice of the gospel industry.

After being released from her recording contract, she competed in, and WON, the nationally televised Born To Diva singing competition on VH1.  Many accused her of leaving gospel, and even worse, leaving God.

This Tuesday, September 15th, Tarralyn Ramsey will release Beyond The Darkness, her first full gospel album in nearly 10 years, on her own record label.

In my interview with her, we chat about the new album and she responds to the criticism that she alleged strayed away from gospel and Jesus Christ.  Her responses demonstrate determination and sincerity in what she’s doing.  I think you’ll enjoy what she has to say, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy her album.

Folks, I give you Tarralyn Ramsey…

*     *     *

EJ:  Hi!  How are you?

TR:  I’m great, thank you.

EJ:  Thanks for taking a minute to chat.  I really appreciate that.

TR:  Thank you for having me!

EJ:  It’s my pleasure.  I want to tell you, first, that I still listen to your debut album like it came out last week.  From the songwriting and production to the vocal performances, it was great.  And I’m glad to see you back.

TR:  Thank you.

EJ:  Absolutely.  Ok, well let’s get right to it and chat about your new project, Beyond The Darkness, due in stores next Tuesday, September 15th.  How would you characterize this album in comparison to your debut album?

TR:  I think it’s definitely different.  My older gospel record was more of a choir-tinged record.  This record has no choirs.  Every lead and background vocal has been done by me, solely.  It’s traditional, but still pop.  It’s not very urban, though… it’s kind of like a worship/church/pop record.  That’s the best way I can describe it. *laughs*

EJ:  *laughs* Alright.

TR:  I think that, for me, this is my best record yet.  Ever.  Vocally, arrangement-wise, lyrically… to me, it’s definitely my best work yet.

EJ:  Nice.  What would you say is the message of this new album?  What was your goal?

TR:  Well, the title is Beyond The Darkness and, basically, it’s a prophetic declaration over my life, your life, everybody’s life… you may be going through certain things right now, but if you speak out of your mouth that you’re beyond the darkness, you’ll ultimately find yourself in a place that puts you beyond the situations and trauma.

There’s a brighter future that lies ahead.  Things don’t stay dark always and there’s definitely a light at the end of the tunnel.

EJ:  That’s such a necessary word for these times.  I wanna take a minute to address something that I know readers have questions about, and for which I know you’ve got answers.  I’ve had A LOT of people asking me “where has Tarralyn Ramsey been?”  And I’m sure you’ve heard it all before– how do you respond?

TR:  Simply stated, I have a song on my album… it’s actually the intro of the record.  And it says “I am well.”  I’ve been here.  I’ve been working.  I haven’t gone anywhere.

I absolutely took a few years, though, to regroup and seek God’s clarity, to figure out where He wanted me to be.  At the end of the day, that’s most important to me.  And He asked me, specifically, to give Him this album.  And so that’s what I did.

EJ:  Mmm-hmm.

TR:  I didn’t sign with a label.  Not because I couldn’t, but because he asked me to give him this record.  And if I was gonna do another gospel record, it was gonna be done my way.  And that’s what we did.

I’ve been here, though.  I’ve read everything that they write.  I go on YouTube and see all the comments, I read the MySpace page… I’ve been very abreast of what people are saying and what’s been going on.

EJ:  I gotcha.  Lemme ask you– a lot of people don’t understand it, but artists in the gospel industry often have it rough in many ways that don’t often come to light.  Did you become at all bitter or angry with the gospel industry after your experiences in it?  Did anything happen that made you want to take a break from it?

TR:  Oh, no.  I’m a person who, I’ve learned to chalk up things to life experiences.  Even in a bad situation, you have to find something good in it.  I got into this business very young– I got my first record deal when I was 14 years old.  From 14 to 21, I was signed to Verity.

I had kinda grown up and wanted to do something different.  I got released from my agreement and went to [compete in] Divas.  But no, it was what it was– it was a good album.  People enjoyed it, learned who I was… I don’t have any bitterness about it.

EJ:  You mention going to do VH1′s Born To Diva.  I’m gonna ask you to also respond to a criticism that you probably already know is coming.  Someone is going to say “she left gospel for more money and fame… she didn’t do as well in secular music as Beyonce or Rihanna, so now she’s back trying to get rich in gospel.”

TR:  Mmm-hmmm.

EJ:  Now, I can see SO many misconceptions in that statement alone, but I want YOU to respond to it because I’m sure you’ve heard it all before.

TR:  Right.  First of all, I didn’t leave God and I didn’t leave gospel music.  Number two, even though people think I crossed over, I actually just went and won a reality show.  It was on a major network– VH1.

First of all, there was NO record deal in the beginning.  We never knew of a record deal when we started.  It was only to have the opportunity to sing on Divas.  And once we got INTO the competition, that’s when they said “you’ll win a record contract.”

EJ:  Oh wow.

TR:  So, I continued to the next round and, ultimately, won the competition.  But when you win that kind of competition, people fail to realize that you’re already signed to some form of agreement IN THE PROCESS of doing the competition.

EJ:  Right!

TR:  So, once I won, if I said “oh, I don’t want to do it anymore,” I couldn’t have because I had already been signed to something.  So, I continued to do the record.  The record was supposed to be an urban inspirational pop record.  And it started out that way.

For me, I don’t consider it that I left God.  I never left God.  I was still a praise and worship leader in the church, still singing, recording my record… I just expanded my horizons.  And I had the opportunity to do things and to meet people that I never would’ve had the opportunity to meet.

Half of the world didn’t know who Tarralyn Ramsey was, now more people do.  So, it was a great experience for me.

EJ:  Sure.  Would you say it gave you a greater platform to do what you feel called to do?

TR:  Absolutely.  I do music.  I do LIFE music, world music… I do music that touches people in the church and in the world.  Because everybody doesn’t know about Jesus and they NEED to know about Him… some kinda way.  And it may not be through a flat-out churchy song.  But if they can get inspired by finding hope in a “Yes You Can” or in a “Dreamer,” then that’s okay.

So, yeah, I definitely feel like it gave me a greater platform.  I still feel blessed by the opportunity to have been able to sit with music mogul Tommy Mottola, to be able to work with some of the top-rated producers in the world, who’ve worked with everyone from Celine Dion to Whitney Houston.  I feel blessed.

EJ:  Awesome.  Are you touring for this project at all?  Where can people see you soon?

TR:  I am!  I’m gearing up for an in-store at WalMart on September 19th, from 1pm to 3pm, in Orlando, FL.  It’s a live performance and autograph signing. [Editor's Note: Click here to see the flyer for this event!!!]

EJ:  Wow.  That’s hot because WalMart has become a leader in music retail.

TR:  Yeah!  And we’re gearing up for a mini promo tour, which will probably start at the end of September.  And… I’m excited because the single, “Faultless,” is doing pretty well at radio.

EJ:  I’m liking the single!  It kinda reminds me of the vibe of “Peace of God” from your first album, kinda worshipful…

TR:  Yeah!  I never thought of that, but it absolutely does.

EJ:  Are you excited to be on the “artist grind” again?

TR:  Yeah, I am psyched.  It’s definitely from a different perspective because I’m not only the artist now, but I’m the CEO of the record company, so I tend to take a lot of things to heart… What’s that?

*a non-distinct voice speaks in the background*

RIGHT!  My mother says she’s gonna have to take some Xanax because I stress her out!  *laughing*

EJ: *laughing*  I love that!

TR: *laughs* But yeah, I am excited to get on the road and really let people know what Beyond The Darkness is all about.

EJ:  Well, I’m excited for it!  I think people are glad to have another gospel project from you.  I wish you all the best.

TR:  Thank you so much!

EJ:  No problem.  And I’ll talk to you soon.

TR:  Okay, bye-bye.

 *     *     *

So, there you have it folks.  What did you think???

Don’t forget that I posted her single, “Faultless,” on the PunditPlayer today, so make sure you check that out.

Also, visit her website at http://www.tarralynramsey.com and follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/tarralyn.

Guess what I noticed on the Billboard chart for top GOSPEL song?  Whitney Houston’s newest single, “I Look To You,” is #26 this week, up from #30, where it debuted last week.  On the GOSPEL song chart, I say.

Anyone remember a few years back, when Kanye West released a song called “Jesus Walks” and it was nominated for a Stellar Award before being yanked from the nominees?  Oh, the UPROAR that came from the gospel community!!!

Personally, I always say that the gospel music industry doesn’t have a monopoly on Christ or music about Him.  Whitney recorded a song that is at least inspirational (and, actually, may have a lil’ more Jesus Juice on it than most songs from gospel artists lately).

Whitney’s newest project is the highest-selling album in the music industry right now and I have to assume that “I Look To You” is only gonna gain more airplay…

My question– could Whitney Houston top the charts for gospel radio airplay for “I Look To You”?  Could it be nominated for a Stellar Award?  If those things come to pass, how would you feel about it?

The family of Olivia McClurkin has released her album, The Healing Song, posthumously.  Olivia was a renowned background vocalist and worship leader, noted for her work with Andraé Crouch and Ron Kenoly, her long run with Whitney Houston and, perhaps most famously, with her younger brother Donnie McClurkin.

Olivia passed on November 4th, 2008 after a nine-year battle with breast cancer and her testimony is nothing short of miraculous.  This album was recorded over the course of several of those nine years, almost journaling her process and revelations from God during that time (take, for instance, the title track in which she says “they told me my life, it soon would end, but that doesn’t worry me…”).

The album is available on iTunes, at www.PHBalancedMusic.com and at www.TrulyInspiredGifts.com.  I’ve had it for a while now and it remains a blessing to me.  PLEASE check it out and lemme know what you think.

Okay, folks.  Here’s the final interview in the Sunday Best Finalist Edition of interviews.  If you’ve been following, we’ve heard from Jessica Reedy and Y’Anna Crawley (click here if you need a refresher)– now, it’s time to chat with Latice Crawford!

Latice floored us from jump, amazing us with her near-flawless rendition of Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s “Peace Be Still.”  Judges and fans have been a little rough on her lately, leaving some to believe that she may be sent home this week.

She’s got a sweet spirit with an incredible voice and a love for God.  Here’s Latice Crawford…

*     *     *

EJ:  Hey!  How are you?

LC:  I’m doing good, how are you?

EJ:  I’m great thank you.  I wanna first congratulate you on how you’re doing on Sunday Best.  You are a phenomenal vocalist!

LC:  Thank you so much!  Thank you.

EJ:  No doubt.  Tell me about your experience on the show.  What’s it been like?

LC:  Umm… tiring… *laughing* Fun, exciting, a blessing… just a new door that’s opened up for me.  It’s been such an awesome experience.

EJ:  That’s great!  I think you gained a huge fanbase from week one of the performances, when you did “Peace Be Still” by Vanessa Bell-Armstrong.  Folks fell in love with your incredibly unique voice and tone– where did that come from?  Did you work on that?  Were you influenced by certain singers?

LC:  No, actually it came from me losing my voice for four years.  I didn’t really appreciate my gift and God snatched it away.  I used to have a really high voice, like a Karen Clark-Sheard, Mariah Carey kind of voice.

EJ:  Are you serious?!

LC:  Yeah… but I didn’t appreciate it.  I didn’t want to sing.  And God just snatched it away, and gave me some life experiences that made me want to SCREAM and sing.  *laughs*  So that’s the gift I have now– I just belt it out.  It’s definitely God-given.

EJ:  Wow.  You also had a pretty big transformation on the show– you cut off a bunch of your hair!  Now, I know a bunch of black women who don’t just CUT their hair on the fly.  *laughing*  Was that your idea, had you planned to do it and what was your motivation for it?

LC:  Well, I’ve never had a problem cutting my hair.  I’ve had everything down to a Caesar.  The only thing I haven’t had is a baldie, and I’m not trying to go that route any time soon. *laughing*

EJ:  *laughs*  Okay.

LC:  But I never had a problem cutting my hair.  They have so many things out there now, they’ve got weave and wigs, and some of everything that you can get for hair, so… I don’t have a problem.  It’ll grow back.

But yeah, I was definitely in the decision-making process for that.  I wanted to do something really different, something that everyone hadn’t seen me with (as far as “in America”), so I chopped it off and… I like it.

EJ:  Well it worked well.  I think it got a lot of people saying “Whitney Houston!  She looks like Whitney Houston!”  Had you ever heard any of those comparisons?

LC:  I hear that every day of my life. *laughing*

EJ:  Do you?! *laughs*

LC:  Yes, every day.  My cousin, I think, was actually the first to tell me that, but since then, I’ve heard it every single day.

I don’t mind the Whitney comment.  I think she’s great, but I don’t want to be compared to her all the time– I want people to know me as Latice Crawford.

EJ:  Absolutely.

LC:  You know?  Because I’m Latice Crawford, she’s Whitney.  There’s only one Whitney Houston and only one Latice Crawford.  I’m happy with the compliment, but I definitely don’t want the comparison. *laughs*

EJ:  Right.  You don’t wanna get stuck there.  Now, lately, viewers have seen comments from the judges that you’re disconnected from the audience in some way.  A couple of weeks ago, Tina Campbell asked if you were comfortable singing the song you sang and you seemed to give an unequivocal “yes.”

Can you clear it up for people– what are people seeing, or THINKING they’re seeing, that would suggest some nervousness or disconnect from you?

LC:  Well, what people fail to realize is that when the shows are taped, we are being pulled in every direction, you know, behind the stage.  And they don’t understand, really, what a day is for taping– it’s nothing like what they can imagine.  They think we just get on the stage and we sing, but no… they don’t understand the rehearsal process and the learning of the song sometimes 15 or 20 minutes before… things that happened or got changed.  They don’t understand those types of things.

But I will say, with the audience, there wasn’t really a disconnect.  There might have been some exhaustion.  I was tired, my voice was strained… y’know?  We were singing A LOT and it was just getting down to the wire.  Some of my songs weren’t really songs that I might have chosen for myself, so I was trying to do something different, outside of my box.

EJ:  Sure.

LC:  And like you said, from the beginning, I think the expectation for me was set so high… and I’m up against some real strong singers! *laughs*

EJ:  *laughing*

LC:  *laughing*  You know?  Jessica and Yannie… So, maybe I was in my head a little bit.  There were some technical difficulties with my songs a couple of weeks ago and, like I said, those are things that people don’t get to see– there’s a lot of editing and people don’t get to see the behind-the-scenes.  But, all in all, I think I did an okay job.

EJ:  I agree!  You know, one of your fans on a blog someplace else said that it seems like the judges are just making up stuff to try to send someone home.  And when I spoke with Y’Anna, she said that the competition is really strong this season, so the judges are having a hard time deciding among you all.

Do you feel like you’re being picked on at all, or that you’ve been unfairly called out in the past couple of weeks?

LC:  Honestly, no.  I feel like the judges, like Yannie said, are having a very difficult time taking people out.  The competition is really tough.  I’ve always been the type of person to look at things from the opposite side– I feel like whenever someone is giving you a hard critique, it’s because they expect a lot from you.  It means I’m capable of doing whatever it is that they are saying.

EJ:  That’s a good word.

LC:  So to me, I felt like the judges had high expectations for me and wanted the best out of me.  Everyone is pushing for everyone, so I have nothing against the judges.  They’re just doing their job and they have to eliminate somebody! *laughing*  So, it’s cool.

EJ:  That is cool.  Because the reality is that somebody does have to go home.  But, like I keep telling people, at this point, each of you three ladies could do albums and do very well in the industry.  You each have big fan bases, you have proven to the nation that you are great vocalists, you can be great artists, and it’s gonna pan out for each of you.

LC:  Thank you.

EJ:  You’re welcome!  On the show, we’ve heard Jessica’s testimony about getting pregnant at a young age, we’ve heard from Y’Anna about being a single parent.  But BET hasn’t really featured a “story” for Latice Crawford yet.  What is your story?  What pushes you, what motivates you in this competition?  What would you say if you had that camera time to get your background in?

LC:  Well, like I said earlier, I’ve had a lot of different experiences in my life, none that I could pinpoint now.  If I started, I’d never stop! *laughing*

EJ:  *laughing*  Okay.

LC:  You know, we all have our testimonies– no, I’m not a single parent.  No, I’m not raising two kids.  But I’ve had my own share of difficult times.

What pushes me is that I just don’t wanna stay stuck anywhere.  You know, people say “you’re the only one sitting there dwelling on it, the other person has moved on.”  So, there’s no point in me dwelling on anything.  So, I sing through it, I push through it.  I write… I write a lot of songs and different things.  I just try to push through it and encourage someone else.

Every time I encourage someone else, it shows me that what I’m doing is worth something– it’s not just about singing, it’s about ministry.

EJ:  Tell me a bit about losing your voice for 4 years– that’s astounding to me!  I think of Joann Rosario (now Condrey), who lost her voice for a time… it was her livelihood, but it was also the gift that she used to worship God, it was how she spent intimate time with him sometimes.

What is it like for a Christian, who is a singer, to be unable to use that gift for so long?

LC:  Honestly, in the beginning, it didn’t really bother me.  I never really asked to sing– it was something that was given.  But when it started affecting my communicating… I mean God shut me down, literally.  I couldn’t say “hi” too loudly without not being able to speak for days at a time.  I couldn’t sit on the phone.

And this is before texting was really popular– like, when they charged you 10 or 20 cents per text! *laughing*

EJ: *laughs*  Right!

LC:  And I couldn’t express myself.  My grandmother, before she passed away, she would always so “when you think I’m not with you, look to your left.”  And I always thought “what is she talking about?!”  But I’m left-handed.

So, as time went on, and I realized I couldn’t SING it out, I could write it out.  And the more I wrote it out, I was like “I can write all of this stuff, but I can’t SAY it?!”  I mean, God has taken me through some stuff and I couldn’t even tell anybody about it.  And God just gave me a “want” for my gift– that’s what He had to do to make me want it, so that I can be where I am, ministering to people today.

God knew what I had, but I didn’t.  And I didn’t want it.  But, you know, gifts come without repentance.

EJ:  Well, I’m glad He made you TAKE it! *laughing*

Like I said, I think you’re gonna do well.  You have a large fan base already and I know it’s gonna grow.

LC:  Thank you so much.

EJ:  And I appreciate you for taking a minute to talk with me.

LC:  Oh, definitely!

EJ:  And you keep in touch!

LC:  I sure will.  Bye.

*     *     *

So, that’s THAT!

Make sure you check out some of her earlier tracks (GOOD stuff!) at her MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/laticecrawford.

And with THAT interview, I believe we’re now ready for Sunday Best this Sunday!  Make sure you follow me on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/gospelpundit) for real-time updates and commentary on Sunday night!

In the meantime, what did you think of the interview???

No intro needed because we all know the deal.  Whitney Houston…  “This Day”… ’nuff said.

SING then! LOL

Are y’all watching this show?!?!  If you’re not, I cannot explain how much you’re missing out.  It’s a free weekly gospel concert series that you get to enjoy while sitting in your pajamas.  What’s better?!

Okay, so as always, I was updating on Twitter.  The Twitter server kept crashing cuz it said it had too many tweets, which I’m convinced was due SOLELY to the gospel folks watching Sunday Best and commenting together.  If you’re not following me yet, you’re missing out.  Click here: http://www.twitter.com/gospelpundit.

NOW, the show:

Fred Hammond opened up with a new haircut (we love it) and an incredible performance of “No Weapon,” a throwback classic.  He flipped it into a medley by adding “This Is The Day,” reminding EVERYONE that he is gospel royalty.  Why do folks still sleep on Fred?  Has he EVER let us down, musically?!

Anyway, next came the performances.  They said they were honoring the “Godfathers” of Gospel Music– Thomas A. Dorsey, James Cleveland and Bobby Jones.  Didn’t know we had given them those designations, especially since Thomas A. Dorsey created what we consider gospel music (we call him the “Father”) and the entire industry calls Rev. Timothy Wright the “Godfather of Gospel,” but he wasn’t even recognized… whatever.  I’m glad whenever we honor gospel greats, so that’s kewl.  I DIGRESS!

The performances:

Latice Crawford – “Soon I Will Be Done…”:  MA’AM!  You look flawless and your performance was incredible.  The judges mentioned a “disconnect,” which I noticed a bit too– right when the beat came in, she didn’t seem like she FELT like delivering it… But she demolished that song from note one at the VERY TOP of the stairs, all the way until her Whitney Houston-lookin’ self got to the end of the song.  Fantastic performance.

Y’Anna Crawley – “No Ways Tired”:  It may have been my favorite performance from her to date.  I know everybody is still buckin’ and shoutin’ over “Grandma’s Hands” from a few weeks back, but the MINISTRY that was there last night… we haven’t really seen her in that way yet, so I’m all about last night’s performance.  And when she got to talkin’ about how she’s raising her kids on her own… she meant that thing.  Awesome job!

Jessica Reedy – “God Has Smiled On Me”: I’ve said it from day one and I’ll say it until the end of this competition– JESSICA REEDY IS MY FAVE.  She always looks incredible, she has this sweet, humble demeanor (which she tastefully flips to a “commanding confidence” on stage)… she’s better than she even realizes, I think, which is awesome.  I say it all the time about her– it’s the MUSICAL CHOICES she makes… she’s tasteful, daring, unique, not easy to imitate… AND THE RANGE.  She was hitting notes in her lower register that some dudes can’t even hit.  And with precision… and with tone and color… and with… ALL THAT.  Jessica Reedy, you are… well, you just ARE!

Zebulon Ellis - “Precious Lord”:  I didn’t feel like hearing nobody’s “Precious Lord.”  In fact, I walked away for a minute.  But I’ll be doggoned if Zebulon Ellis didn’t make me RUN back into the room with dropped jaw and wide eyes… that man sang that song.  Still, the performance was not as stellar as those of his female counterparts.  He sings well, but he doesn’t PERFORM as well as they did.  And ultimately, I think that’s what made the distinction.

In the end, Zebulon was sent home, which I think is the right decision.  He gave it his all and has gained a BUNCH of people who are gonna support him.  Great work, brother!

Now, it’s down Jessica Reedy, Latice Crawford and Y’Anna Crawley. At this point, any one of these three ladies could win and I’d say “ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.”  I am, of course, hoping for one in particular, but I’ma be buying albums from each of ya.  EACH OF YA, I say!

Some general notes:

1.  With fewer contestants on the show each week, we’re getting to hear longer songs from them, which is GREAT.  The fact that they don’t have to start at the bridge and end with the chorus means that we get a better picture of how they perform a full song, which is kinda important.

2. Ummm… Donald Lawrence is a musical mastermind who is bringing out the absolute best in each of these singers.  O, to be a fly on the wall of those vocal coaching sessions– he’s got the midas touch.

3.  My wife pointed out (and I concur) that the show’s STYLIST is on their J-O-B.  Everybody looks like a gazillion bucks.  Get it!

4.  I didn’t PERSONALLY need Wynonna Judd’s performance, but the beauty of God’s plan is that SHE needed it… and that’s enough to shut all of our mouths (a little).  After she gave her tearful performance of “How Great Thou Art,” she said that her grandmother had died the night before.  That performance was pure worship for her, and I have nothing to say about that.  AND, I’ll add: she’s a singing somebody anyway.  For proof, listen to her duets on Kelly Price’s Christmas album or Patti LaBelle’s recent gospel album.  She holds her own with both singers, which is no small feat.

All in all, an EXCELLENT show.

Thoughts???

It was a re-run.

But it was still as good as the first time I saw it!  It featured performances from Fantasia, Melonie Daniels and Isaiah D. Thomas.

I already posted a clip a coupla months ago of Melonie’s awesome performance, and Isaiah D. Thomas did his thing well.  But I wanna chat about Fantasia.  MAN, OH MAN.

She AND her mama sang “He’s Done Enough” like it was going out of style.  I mean, they brought it FOR REAL.  Then, she came back at the end of the show to sing “Total Praise”– phenomenal.

After the credits rolled, she continued in the same vein of worship, talking to the audience about her recent vocal surgery and how she has a voice to sing despite the doctors’ predictions.  She cried and sang some more, thanking God for who He is.  Great stuff!

I think Fantasia’s a bit of an anomaly in the music industry.  After Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, and maybe Whitney Houston, she’s probably the biggest-named artist who puts out “secular” albums, but can also be found doing tons of gospel stuff on the regular.  Not only is she accepted in both markets, she’s believable in both genres.

I’m aware that I could be startin’ something, but I wanna know what y’all think about her.  Holla!

My wife suggested that my first blog be about Olivia…

Though I didn’t “report” it, Olivia McClurkin passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 and her homegoing service was held this past Tuesday, the 11th, at Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, New York.

She was eulogized by her younger brother, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, and the service was an incredible tribute to her amazing life.

I want to give you details, but I wouldn’t remember it all.From all of the words spoken to all of the songs sung, the service was fitting and phenomenal.

A host of family, friends and church members showed their love for Olivia that night.

Reflections were made by many, including her three daughters, Daesa, Crystal and Jada, and two of her sisters, Marlene and Andrea.

Also speaking about Olivia were Kirk Franklin, Cissy Houston (Olivia used to provide background vocals for Whitney Houston), Teresa Hairston (Gospel Today), Andraé Crouch and Sandra Crouch.

Perhaps one of the most moving tributes came from the doctor who treated her for the past decade, as he discussed how Olivia’s fight shaped his own posture in medical treatment– one of reliance on the master Healer.

And I won’t even talk about the music.

Or, maybe I will… Folks who grabbed the mic in honor of Olivia included Pastor Marvin L. Winans (co-officiant), Pastor McClurkin, Kirk Franklin (with a special group of vocalists in “My Life, My Love, My All”), Andrea Mellini, Sheila Carpenter, Arnelia Lomax and Andraé Crouch.

To cap it off, Louis Mellini (Olivia’s brother-in-law) compiled an awesome video presentation about Olivia, which included some hilarious home videos and inspiring documentary footage.

On a personal note, I am going to miss Olivia terribly.

She had a remarkably quick wit and was an absolute riot. While I often enjoyed just sitting around, waiting for her to do or say something stupid, I also looked forward to hearing her speak words of wisdom and faith.

It was by that faith that Liv battled and beat cancer many times over, for nearly a decade.

She is the true definition of a Christian soldier and I’m excited to see her again in glory.