I’ve covered my share of deaths in my time as a writer/blogger but this one is particularly difficult. I’ve said a few things about it on social media but I’d be remiss not to honor Donna Grady Creer here on “The Gospel According To Torrence.” So let’s do this…

Donna Creer died on Wednesday, June 12 as a result of a reported early morning fire at her home in Little Rock, AR  that is still being investigated. She was 57 years old. The tragic circumstances of her death have understandably  made this a news story which is a tough pill for me to swallow. Who she was and what she represented to us goes so much further beyond an investigation and suspicious activity. She was a star to all who knew her and deserved to be in the news for all of those reasons. So allow me tell another story.

Whenever I do an interview or am asked about how I was able to achieve much of what I have in gospel media I tend to answer the same way; “I worked hard but I had the right friends .” Donna was one of those friends. This industry can be a LITTLE of A LOT of things. It can be a little mean. It can be a little competitive. It can be a little segregated. And, it can be a little intimidating. One would think gospel music isn’t like the rest of the entertainment business since they’re singing about and promoting Jesus. There’s got to be love there. That’s not always the case my friends. You can be talented, gifted, anointed… all of that. But with nobody in your corner believing in you, it can be a cold and unwelcoming place. Donna Creer from the start decided she’d be on my welcoming committee!

Donna was a legendary radio announcer and also served as President of the Arkansas Gospel Announcers Guild along with being the Second Vice Chair of the Gospel Announcers Guild (GAG) of the Gospel Music Workshop Of America (GMWA). When getting to know someone in that position, you never know what you’re going to get. Donna defied every stereotype that went with someone of her status. She was kind but still affectionately known as “the diva.” She treated almost everyone equally. I say “almost” because I’d like to think I was one of her favorites, but you know what she was just that sweet. She made all of us feel like we were her favorite. To know Donna was to love her. A true southern belle, she personified all all the “frilly” words one thinks of when describing one. Class? Check. Grace? Check. Elegant? Check again! Her wit was unmatched and so was her integrity.

Donna was privy to a side of the industry that the average person probably couldn’t handle. In the upper echelons of radio, if an artist or personality has a bad side, you’re gonna see it. But with all that she knew and was exposed to, you’d be hard pressed to find her saying a mean word to or about anyone. Even if she had to “get you together” she did it with such grace that you couldn’t even be mad.

Donna was generous. If you had questions, she had answers and she’d share them with you happily especially if she thought she could help you or help take gospel music further. She knew the power of her “co-sign” and gave it freely to me. I was a new kid on the block but she told me I was smart, talented and special and wanted to see me win. She gave me access and advice that she could have and should have rightfully charged for. Donna had a way of hitting you up not to gossip or be messy but shed light and offer clarity on some of the “touchy” subjects that as a blogger I had to deal with. She wanted you to have as much genuine understanding as possible with which to make decisions above all else. She was always aware of how our decisions as professionals in this industry could and would affect our industry. She’d check on me and reach out to encourage me unsolicited and unprompted often. She cared even when you didn’t.

I’m rambling I know, I’m actually doing it on purpose. You’d have to see one of me and Donna’s infamous email exchanges to fully understand. We were the random ramblers. We’d change subjects, make fun of ourselves, talk business and go right back to clowning without warning. It’s just who we were.

Our community has lost a giant and we’re going to feel this for a very long time. But that’s the beauty of knowing someone like Donna Creer. As much as not having her HERE hurts us, it feels good to know that having her THERE she’s not hurting.

I could talk about my Donna all day so I’m going to close with this. A few years ago during Season 2 of Sunday Best there was a contestant that I just wasn’t feeling all that much. Donna would call me, text me, email me trying to understand why I gave the guy such a hard time. She thought he was fantastic and did her best to convince me. And since I took so much heat for my comments about him from you all and her, I decided to ask her be a guest blogger. She was one of the first guest bloggers I ever had. Click here to read Donna Creer in her own words.

Donna we love you, will miss you and like I said on twitter. Rest in Peace but make sure you do that, REST!

Torrence

It’s been a while hasn’t it? But I’m back with some BIG NEWS. Yes, you read that headline correctly!

Sirius XM Radio has officially announced today that its gospel music channel, Praise, will become Kirk Franklin’s Praise! You got it right, the SiriusXM Praise Channel is getting a makeover with the multi-Grammy® Award-winning and multi-platinum selling Kirk Franklin at the helm!

Kirk Franklin’s Praise programming will be commercial free and feature contemporary and classic gospel. It will be available via satellite on channel 64, and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App on smartphones and tablets, as well as online at siriusxm.com. The 24/7 commercial-free gospel music channel will launch on Friday, May 24, at 12 Noon ET.

Kirk Franklin will celebrate the launch of Kirk Franklin’s Praise with a live performance and an intimate Q&A in front of an audience for SiriusXM’s “Artist Confidential” series. The performance will air on Kirk Franklin’s Praise channel, on Monday, May 27 8:00 AM ET and throughout the following week.

I ran into Kirk Franklin today and asked him how he’s been able to pull all of this off. And by all of this I’m talking “The King’s Men” Tour with Live Nation, the revamp and rebranding of Kirk Franklin’s Gospel Brunch with the House of Blues and now “Kirk Franklin’s Praise” on SiriusXM. His response was simple; “I’m just trying to make God famous.”

You can’t be mad at that.

Are you excited about the new Kirk Franklin’s Praise?” I’m interested to see the changes he’s going to bring. Kirk Franklin does it again! And make sure you come to LA to see Kirk as he curates Sunday Best Live! at the BET Experience on Sunday, June 30 at Club Nokia featuring Donnie McClurkin, Le’Andria Johnson, Amber Bullock, Joshua Rogers and Karen Clark and Kierra Sheard! Get your tickets!

Torrence

It’s that time of year again! Celebration Of Gospel 2013 is right around the corner and you guys are always stopping me wherever I am saying you want to go. Well, here’s a chance to win a trip to LA and tickets to Celebration Of Gospel. Enter The Celebrate  You! Celebration OF Gospel Sweepstakes for your shot!

Go to BET.com/Celebrate now!

1. Too many CD’s come out in a year and many of them shouldn’t.

2. When you’re honest about not liking something, a lot of people think you’re hating. I don’t know what world you live in but everything simply ain’t good… TO ME. And that’s OK! Ha!

3. SOMETIMES I wont’ like a CD at first and it has to grow on me and sometimes that doesn’t happen within the year so I may give it a “no” now but call me in 15 years and I may love it. Ha! But anyway, here goes.

YES!

Jonathan McReynolds – Life Music

Hands down Jonathan McReynolds in my opinion is the best thing to happen to gospel in 2012 and in a very long time for that matter. A LOT of music came out this year and lot of it was great so it says something when a project can cut through all of that and cause me to stop what I’m doing and pay serious attention. Describing Life Music as refreshing is an understatement. Ever year I’m asked what my favorite CD of the year is and I keep the answer to myself for fear of alienating and turning off people but this year I couldn’t keep it to myself and just had to say it. This guy and this CD are special and we NEED him! If you don’t got it, get it. Do what I say!

James Fortune & FIYA – Identity

I’ll admit, this CD had a whole lot of tracks so it took me a long time to listen to all of it but I have to say that I enjoyed this CD. I’m going to say this the nicest way I know how but is it me or did FIYA just get better this go round? I don’t know if he got a new group of singers or something but they just sound better. The songs are and have always been good so that part’s not new but I really appreciated the upgrade in the background vocals on this project. Identity was a solid CD and I liked it a lot. The features were spot on and some people thought they couldn’t or wouldn’t make it with the label change. *hmpf*

Myron Butler – Worship

Worship was a different sound for Myron Butler but not really. It was different to most who are only familiar with his work with his amazing group Levi, but this go round he decided to take us into his “day job.” As the worship leader at Bishop TD Jakes’ The Potter’s House church in Dallas, TX Myron is responsible for taking the large congregation all the way in on a weekly basis. It was a risky move but one I appreciated. Although the single was a song called “Bless The Lord” featuring Tasha Cobbs the “moments” on this CD were two songs “Changed” and “The Blood Of Jesus.” Take a listen now!

Isaac Simpson & DP – The Process

I struggled with giving this CD a yes because although when I first got it and played it in the car with my friends, we really liked it and we listened to it for a quite a while. Then when it came time to do this list, I couldn’t remember what I liked about it so I figured “well Torrence, it couldn’t have been that good or you’d remember.” But that’s not fair because I am required to listen to so much music and that can happen. So I put it back in and had to remind myself. Aside from the title track “The Process” lead by Sunday Best 4 finalist Roosevelt Griffin, I especially loved this “Declaration” song which is a super simple praise song that every time I hear it I want to sing during a long offering line. It’s just fun. Listen!

Le’Andria Johnson – The Evolution Of Le’Andria Johnson Deluxe Edition

Ok, I can finally say this. Although I can appreciate Le’Andria’s first CD The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson and what it did for her, I really wasn’t a fan of the project. It felt like her first time in the studio and nobody was there to bring the best out of her although live, she ALWAYS KILLS! But this time, I felt like she found herself a little more in the recording process and the result was better songs and a better studio Le’Andria. The stand out moments for me were “Sooner Or Later” and “He Was There.”

J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise – After This

Full disclosure. When I left the live recording I was slightly underwhelmed and was nervous about how it would turn out. It was just OK to me. And I told JJ this myself soon after so all you messy ones can go and have a seat. He in turn told me he had some surprises and some more songs they’d be recording in the studio that he thought I’d like. Well, when I got the finished product he was right!

Marvin Sapp – I Win

Not my favorite Marvin Sapp CD of the recent years but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t good because it was. The “moment” on this CD for me though would have to “Keep It Moving.” Don’t ask me why because that’s not typically my kind of song but hey, you like what you like!

Anita Wilson – Worship Soul

Ever have a CD that you put on and an hour and a half later you notice you’ve been in and singing along the whole time. Worship Soulis that CD. There aren’t many gospel CD’s that have been able to actually create a “vibe” that flows like a live show at an intimate venue, even when they’re recorded that way. You usually find the songs you like; you skip to them at will, etc. But Anita managed to put me in a mix of church service and supper club with this CD and that’s a hard task. For most people, “Speechless” and “Jesus Will” were the stand out cuts but if you still don’t have this CD or have only heard those 2 songs, make sure you check out “Show The People,” “Perfect Love Song” and “More Of You.” Then, call me when you get off the floor.

Goldwire McClendon – The Best Of Goldwire McClendon

Ok, don’t laugh but you know when you saw “Best of” you were a little taken back wondering how in the world can a debut CD be a best of? Well, it’s the best of his songs from Sunday Best Season 3. I’ll admit, I was afraid that this CD wouldn’t be good because it’s one thing to kill in competition and set a stage on fire but it’s another to go into the studio and craft a song that works in our CD  and MP3 players. Well, wasn’t I surprised to hear the good Elder doing his good crooning when I put this CD on. He sounds current and classic all at the same time. And shout out to the background vocalists who support him without singing on top of his delicate tenor. And the production? CLEAN!

Zacardi Cortez – The Introduction

The Introduction was a really well rounded project. It was churchy in some spots, contemporary in others and even almost jazzy at parts. It’s no secret that Zacardi Cortez sings his entire face off but that doesn’t always mean a good CD will follow (see the rest of this year’s NO’s for examples.) This time, it worked!

Jason Nelson – Shifting The Atmosphere

It’s no secret if you’ve ever read my blog or have seen one of my interviews that Jason Nelson is probably one of my favorite gospel voices of all time and I’ve said time and time again that history will be very kind to him. Years from now we’ll be honoring him, doing tributes, trying to sound like him, etc. So it’s pretty safe to say that he can do no wrong in my eyes. Well wait, everybody can mess up even a phenomenal singer like Jason Nelson. Fortunately, that didn’t happen! Ha! I loved the honesty and balance of this project.

James Hall & Worship And Praise – A Trip Down Memory Lane

Ok, at first when I looked at the track listing I said to myself “Wait a minute Torrence, you know all these songs. Is this a greatest hits CD? What’s the point?” Then I put it on and the way that those re-imagined tracks and updated vocals SLAPPED ME upside my head I was instantly in! Now this CD is not for the faint of heart. If you’re not a choir head and you don’t like barking, squalling and hollering this won’t work for you but as for me and my house, I LOVE IT!

Amber Bullock – So In Love

I was happy to see Amber get a chance to “do her” alongside PJ Morton and this CD “felt” really good. It’s great to put a CD on and feel like the artist is excited to be doing what they’re doing and wants you to enjoy it just as much as they are. Amber takes musical risks but it’s part of who she is and what made fans fall in love with the Sunday Best 4 Winner.

J. Moss - V4: The Other Side

Here’s the thing, you’ve got to contextualize this CD to really get it. We know J. Moss can sing so that’s not even what makes this CD good. If you’re like me and of a certain generation you know and can remember the glory days of 90’s R&B. So if you want some good 90’s r&b for Jesus? This CD will take you right there! Ha!

Tamela Mann – Best Days

YES – I don’t even know what to say. JUST YES!

Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy

Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy’s self-titled CD literally forced everybody who heard it to step up their ear and creativity. It really was a form of musical therapy, especially for someone who has to wade through so much of the same ole same ole to get to something great like this. Whew!

John P. Kee & New Life – Life & Favor

The industry treated this CD as a comeback of sorts for John P. Kee & New Life and that’s fine. Because they came back hard and SINGING! John never disappoints vocally and gets better with time and the “ensemble” still rocks hard. Now I don’t even know where to begin with the features, every and anybody who could sing  and would sing found their way on this project and I loved every bit of it!

Vashawn Mitchell – Created 4 This

It’s always tough for an artist to come back with a new project after a stellar year and a super hit like “Nobody Greater.” Most times it’s like winning an Oscar for some folks, the next movie after the win is just terrible; but not in this case. This CD was awesome and it had a very inspirational quality to it that I just loved. And by inspirational I’m not talking about church kids who think they’re something so special and unique that the gospel genre doesn’t apply to them. I’m talking about inspirational in that after you listened to it you feel good and want to keep going while still singing about Jesus.

Le’Andria Johnson – The Experience

A lot of people had a lot of bad stuff to say about this CD. You can’t go wrong with Le’Andria live, I’m sorry. I’m good with this CD, hear?

Jonathan Butler – Grace & Mercy

No, seriously I know Jonathan Butler doesn’t always get “picked up” by the gospel genre but let me tell you that this dude does his good good good singing on this CD and it will take you right on in. Trust me on this one. It may not be squalling, hollering and throw stuff gospel but listen to this “Lay My Head On You” to see what I mean.

Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis – Live In Memphis

I’ve enjoyed Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis for some time now ever since I heard them at a GMWA showcase some years ago in Cincinnati and this CD doesn’t disappoint. And me being the choir head and unofficial preserver of the sound that I am, it excites me to see a young choir really going hard for the squall. Ha!

Joshua Rogers – Well Done

Whew I was nervous about this. That Joshua can sing is undeniable. We watched him sing us crazy week by week on Sunday Best 5 but like we all know, after you get off that stage and get into the booth and record, who knows what you’re going to get. This collection of his “hits” from the show is actually quite good and I love the live feel of it. Now I can’t wait to see what happens when Joshua gets the chance to sing his own original material. This CD however, is a great primer!

NO!

Juanita Bynum – The Diary Of Juanita Bynum 2

Ok, I have to admit I didn’t hear this CD and you probably didn’t either but it’s pretty safe to assume that this was just wrong. Juanita Bynum the “artist” only works when the songs and the production are right and they haven’t been for a long while.  I guess it would be fair for me to listen to this CD at some point but unless her and Myron Williams have a “come to Jesus” meeting and she goes back  on the  Threshing Floor with her white prayer shawl, I kind of don’t want to even bother. (Yes, I heard that’s how she would record when she was Juanita Bynum Sr. or the 1st or whatever you call the original…)

Brian Courtney Wilson – So Proud

It breaks my heart to give this CD a “no” because Brian Courtney Wilson is probably one of my favorite people in this business both as a vocalist and a person. However, the problem I have with So Proud is that his voice is too good for these songs. Simply put, there’s better in him and I can’t wait to hear it on his next project and there’d better a next project because his voice is AMAZING!

Andrea Helms – Moving Forward

I love Andrea Helms, but I did not love this CD. Deep down I believe she’s better than this and they didn’t let her do her. An artist like Andrea needs to be listened to before she records if that makes sense. You can’t just give someone a dress and say “wear this” if you haven’t bothered to measure them. I’ll stop there.

Forever Jones – A Musical Revival

Grrrrrrrr! Once again, this hurts me because if you’ve ever been in the presence of the Jones family or seen them live, you’ll know why there’s just so much to love about them. But somehow on this CD, it just didn’t translate there. Perhaps they should do something live next time because they get me EVERY TIME I see them on stage, I mean EVERY TIME.

Byron Cage – Memoirs Of A Worshipper

I don’t know what happened here. People left the recording GOING IN about what they heard and by the time the CD came out it just didn’t really happen. There is however one shining moment on this CD that I just love and it’s “Out Of Them All.” Don’t ask me why but I just love this song!! It’s probably because it feels good and has a slightly old school choir feel to it.

Chrystal Rucker – You Deserve

This CD was frustrating. This is another example to show that you can have the greatest voice in the world and be a bonafide show stopping beast live but if the songs and production don’t line up, you can have a pretty difficult to listen to CD. That happened here. Like I said for some others, the trick may be to capture Chrystal in a live church setting and record her that way since that’s where she always kills. And maybe even slap a choir behind her she can holla and they can holla back, something!

MAYBE?

Fred Hammond – God, Love & Romance

OK, got to be honest. Although I loved the single “I Feel Good” after a while I was a little nervous to listen to the rest  of this project so I haven’t yet. You know I feel some kinda way about gospel artists trying to go into folks “happy time.” I’m good on that… But he’s Fred Hammond and pretty amazing so I guess at some point I’ll have to bite that bullet. Just not yet.

Take 6 – One

Like every year, there are CD’s I just don’t get to but I don’t count them out because I know the artist’s track record and potential are very high so that’s how this CD found its way into the maybe column.

Deitrick Haddon and the Voices Of Unity – A Beautiful Soul

Ok, so since there was a song with my favorite singer Faith Evans called “No Betta,” I have to admit that it’s the only song I ever got to listen to on this project but because that joint was so fantastic, I have to give this project a maybe for that song alone. Ha!

Charles  Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago – The Best Of Both Worlds

Honestly, this CD almost made it into the “no” category but I forced myself to listen one last time to make sure. I realized that the CD wasn’t exactly bad but it wasn’t great either; it was just kind of “there….” I know the single “Awesome” was awesome but after that it was just….

Marvin L. Winans Presents The Praise & Worship Experience

This was almost a “no” but I just had a hard time saying NO to the voice that is Marvin L. Winans. To make a short story even shorter Marvin sounds great but that choir? Not so much…

Gerald Scott & Co. – Incredible

I’m giving this CD a maybe because I haven’t had the chance to listen to it but I LOVED Gerald Scott & Co’s Don’t Let Go project so I’m hoping I’ll love this one just as much.

Deon Kipping – I just Want to Hear You

I gotta keep listening to this. I really love the title track though, still struggling to really get with the rest of it though but I know it has potential.

Well that’s it!!! The year in music as I saw it. Did I get it right, all wrong? Tell me what you think?

Thanks everyone for hanging with me for another year an all the support and love. Trust me, it outweighs the crazy by a lot! I’m looking forward to 2013 and all it has to offer musically and otherwise. You should too! But remember this, don’t try and force God into timetables you create. New Years are cool and fun to celebrate but don’t let this time of year get you down or hype it up too much either. He’ll do what he said and the time WILL be right. Remember 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV) 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Everybody be good! Til next year!

If you’ve read this column for some time, you know how I feel about certain things and understand the method to my “madness”  in how I cover things as it relates to gospel music and issues surrounding church culture. And one of the things I’ve always attempted to do is help “us” with how we portray ourselves and the things we do and represent in the name of “faith,” “church,” etc. So although we’re quick to say “well I don’t represent all Black people” or “we’re not all the same;” the truth is whether you want to or not, your actions and behaviors (or someone else’s) can and many times WILL  represent a group you’re a part of.  So let’s fast forward to a story I read and saw today that broke my heart which will explain the title of this post “Christianity  Shouldn’t Equal Crazy!”

I’m on all sorts of social media platforms (too many if you ask me) and I follow quite a few folks, and I ran into this story twice so decided to actually open it up and read it. From the title of it, I assumed it was a hoax or something like that. Because certainly it couldn’t be true that two parents were being accused of beating their 7 year old son to death for not reading his bible. You read that right…. 7-year old Roderick “RJ” Arrington, Jr. was admitted to a Las Vegas hospital on November 29 because he was unresponsive. Doctors discovered severe bruising and brain swelling on the boy and called the police as these were signs of abuse. RJ died the following afternoon.

Police arrested RJ’s mother (Dina Palmer, 27) and his step-father (Markiece Palmer, 34) and charged them with RJ’s murder. Why? Because Markiece acknowledged that he had spanked RJ on November 26 and 27  for not finishing his homework and for lying about having read the Bible. Police allege that RJ’s step-father beat him with a spatula (yeah, that utensil you’re removed to flip your burgers with) a belt and a wooden paddle. He’s also believe to have shaken the child severely enough to have caused the swelling in his brain. RJ’s mother also allegedly hit him with a belt and her hand.  But for what though? Because a 7 year old didn’t finish his homework or read the Bible to their satisfaction? The level of ridiculousness in this entire tragedy makes me want to scream! I’m all for fervor, zeal and being “on fire” for Christ but this is where it just goes too far and it also caused me to ask two questions? Are these just two abusive parents who needed a quick excuse so decided to throw some God talk into their defense in hopes to get off? Or were these actually two genuinely religious nutcases who thought this was the way to “train up a child in the way he should go?”  Well, as I continued to read I got my answer…

Once RJ became unresponsive and it was clear that something was wrong, what did the parents do? They called their Pastor BEFORE calling 911. I’m no prophet nor a preacher but here’s what I know, Jesus didn’t tell them to do that either! What irks me so much about this part is when they had the opportunity to possibly save their child, they made the wrong call. Now before you get deep on me, let’s just use some practical sense and wisdom. You can be praying the entire time you’re dialing 911 and getting your child help. Unless your Pastor is the dispatcher at the Emergency call center, you may want to call him later. Shoot, even he was surprised. KSNV writes, “Pastor Kenneth Hollingsworth says he’s as shocked as anyone that Markiece Palmer chose to call him before first-responders.” What’s even scarier is that I’ve heard people “testify” this way before. “I didn’t call the doctor til I called on Jesus!” Sir/Ma’am, it’s in your best interest to ask God to give you the gift of multitasking! But this story is so unfortunate for so many reasons. Not simply the obvious ones  that that little boy lost his life due to the disregard for his life and well being by his foolish parents. But because these fools tried to blame their murder on some skewed brand of Christian values. Thanks Markiece and Dina, this is just what “we” needed!

The only bright side to this is that RJ is in a way better place and away from these two psychos and that they’ll get what’s coming to them. I’ve never been to jail but if there’s ever been a place to have extended alone time with God, that would be it! So I’m asking all of you to do me a little favor. If somebody brings this story up to them, just remind them we’re not all crazy. Some of us have the good sense GOD gave us!

Torrence

Get more on this story below.

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It’s official! Edwin Hawkins, Lady Tramaine Hawkins and Kurt Carr will be the honorees at the 2013 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon during Stellar Awards weekends in Nashville, TN. The invite-only soiree which is always heralded as the premiere event of the weekend will take place on Friday, January 28 at Rocketown. (And trust me, the list for those invites are HARD to come by!)

I only see one problem… How in the world will they manage to get all those hits and classic songs into one show? BMI has their work cut out for them, but in my years of attending this event I’ve got to say; they always hit it right so I’m excited to see who’s chosen to sing what and to whom! So now what to do? Sit and wait and pray that my invite comes this year and hope for a nice table with a good view and hopefully no crazies! EXCITED!

Who do you think is going to sing what? Let’s take guesses. You first and I’ll chime in!

Torrence

Dontavies Boatwright, finalist from Sunday Best season 2 has died of an apparent heart attack. He was 33 years old.

Dontavies was one of the most memorable contestants from his season and even after his departure from the show kept himself busy in the gospel music industry as a radio announcer in Jacksonville, FL along with singing at industry events and concerts all over the country. Equal parts classical vocalist and Sunday morning squaller, Dontavies was a rare breed of modern gospel singer. In an era where high notes are sometimes misused to determine a singer’s skill level, Dontavies was a soaring and unapologetic baritone who’s range was found in his depth.

Aside from his ability to sing, he was genuinely a nice guy and always had a smile on his face. He constantly joked with me that I never took any photos with him when we’d see each other, so each time we’d take a photo as if it were the first time until we’d see each other again and he’d sure enough say “You take pictures with everybody but me, let’s take one right now!”

Our thoughts and prayers are with Dontavies’ family.

Torrence

Vashawn “Nobody Greater” Mitchell recently released a new CD Created 4 This to much critical acclaim. He stopped by our studios to talk about the new CD, the process for creating “the sound” of this new CD and a whole lot more. We dug into some things. Watch it and tell me what you think. And you know what I always say, we gotta support gospel music, especially when it’s good and Created 4 This is good. Go get it!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… OK, almost but hey, better early than late. I caught up with James Fortune and we were talking about Christmas. Yes, in September. Why? Because James Fortune and FIYA have a new Christmas CD called Grace Gift on October 16th. (But you can Pre-Order now.)

Now don’t get me wrong, I (like you) was curious as to why with all the success they’d been receiving with their most recent CD Identity, that they’d decided to do a Christmas record this year:

This has been something that we had been praying about doing for about 2 years now and after the release of Identity in January we decided to move forward with working on a Christmas Album. We weren’t sure if it was going to come out this year or next year but GOD started allowing everything to fall in place as we began writing and recording songs for the album so I contacted James Robinson and told him that I would have a Christmas Album ready to come out this fall and he was excited and he and the team at Light Records got behind it so here it is.

So then I wanted to know what would make his Christmas album different (since everybody does at least one) and here’s what he said:

“The cool thing about the FIYA Christmas album is that it features songs that are new and relevant, but also classically framed and delivered. It’s a Holiday project, but it’s true to the FIYA sound — a musical, high-energy journey with incredible vocalists and honest lyrics.”

I can dig that and when I saw the tracklisting and list of featured vocalists, I had to believe him. So you can’t listen to Christmas music without thinking about your favorite Christmas. Turns out last Christmas was the Fortune family’s favorite so far.

Last Christmas was an amazing Christmas! It’s always a joy to have the family over and to see the excitement on the kids faces as the open gifts, But also to sit down as a family and retell the Christmas story and discuss the real meaning of Christmas. But what made Last Christmas so special was to be able to take our kids Christmas shopping not for themselves but to buy gifts for kids that are less fortunate than they are. It was a chance to get them to really understand that it is more blessed to give than to receive. It’s a tradition that we will do every holiday season from now on.

Well I couldn’t just say “oh yeah, there’s a new James Fortune Christmas CD coming out go get it.” So I talked James and the folks over at Light Records to let me let you hear the title track and reveal the upcoming track listing. Listen to “Grace Gift” and tell me what you think!

Grace Gift Tracklisting:

1. Holy Night (feat. Josiah “JoJo” Martin)
2. Christmas Time
3. Grace Gift
4. Gabriel’s Message
5. Mary’s Song (feat. Cheryl Fortune)
6. Love Came Down (feat. Todd Galberth)
7. Go Tell It/Wonderful Child (feat. Lisa Knowles & Shawn McLemore)
8. The First Noel (feat. D’Shondra Rideout)
9. Worship The King
10. This Christmas (feat. Isaac Carree & Minon Bolton)
11. Fortune Kids Christmas Interlude
12. I Believe – Part 2 (feat. Zacardi Cortez & Shawn McLemore)

So I just found out that R&B/Funk legend and diva Chaka Khan is working on a Gospel EP to be released in January and if the little birdie who told me is to be trusted (and they are), it’s bound to be good because she’s set to work with some great names in the gospel industry who I think can and will produce the mess out of Chaka Khan. (No, I can’t tell you who!) This wouldn’t be Chaka’s first foray into gospel as she’s been featured on “Precious Is Your name” (Richard Smallwood), “All Around The World” (Andrae Crouch) and even performed a gospel rendition of “Through The Fire” on Celebration Of Gospel 2011 among other appearances. I gotta say I’m pretty excited about this, especially since Chaka’s been in such great voice and appears to be in such good spirits lately. Gospel audiences can be notoriously fickle when mainstream and pop musical acts decide to pursue gospel (and in many instances, rightfully so) so I’m wondering how this will be received, although I’m sure her core fans will love and support it either way. Are you excited about the upcoming Chaka Khan gospel EP?