Sup folks.What would we do without social networks? I’m serious, I feel like there has been so much that I’ve found out via twitter, facebook, etc. that I may have never heard or known about otherwise. Today’s post is an example. I kept hearing buzz about this new artist Justin Savage who had released a single called “Encourage” that folks were loving and many wanted to know what I thought of it.

I’ll be honest and tell you why they wanted to know what I thought of it. Most of you know that I’m not always a fan of what I like to call “Pretty Jesus” music. (I’ll tell the story one day of how that name came to be.) But in case you don’t remember what it means, I tend to label Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and Praise & Worship (as a genre) pretty Jesus music, because it’s well sometimes a little overly….. pretty. I hope I’m making sense, it’s a matter of taste so don’t go going off on me! Well, anyway a lot of my gospel folks were falling in love with this song and wanted to know what I thought about it because the song kind of rides the fence of Gospel and “Pretty Jesus.”

But the verdict is in and the song is GREAT! Yes, the song is overwhelmingly “pretty” but it’s really a BEAUTIFUL song. Justin’s voice is one we don’t get to hear in gospel too often, it’s pure. During the Sunday Best Season, I touched on the need for more voices that just sounded good with nothing extra. Tricks, runs, growls, screams etc. are great in their proper place and he does a few but it all starts with the voice! Add to that, lyrics that aren’t typical but are genuinely….encouraging? I can dig it!

Justin’s story is interesting because he’s been known in the industry for years mainly as a musician/producer/songwriter for some pretty big names. (Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Donald Lawrence and Richard Smallwood, Israel & New Breed (the reigning CEO of Pretty Jesus Incorporated) and quite a few others.) The artist role is new for him and is a big step but after listening to this first single I think he’s doing the right thing and I’m looking forward to what’s next from him. Long live the pretty, beautiful Jesus music! Ha!

Listen to “Encouraged” by Justin Savage, tell me what you think and if you like it go grab it from iTunes. (I’m back on my BUY gospel music so you’ll have gospel music campaign HARD!) Read the rest of this entry »

Sup folks! Recently I sat with the co-hosts of Verizon’s “How Sweet the Sound” choir competition Donald Lawrence and Cece Winans. We talked about how the show has grown, the importance of choirs, the differences between choirs in different cities (Donald broke down the difference between NYC and Chicago vibrato!) and a lot more. Watch! Read the rest of this entry »

Sup folks, just letting you know that Verizon’s “How Sweet The Sound” deadline for entries is coming up soon. They’re looking for the best church choir in America and I’ve been to some of you guys’ churches, y’all have some good ones. You have until Monday, June 7th to register your church choir. So what that means is if you want to enter, you need to get your choir together THIS WEEKEND and make  your video and register! Hey, do it in  Sunday morning service if you have to, but it’s time to get it done. I’m a big “choir head” so I’ve been following this competition for the last few years and it keeps getting better and better.

I understand that Donald Lawrence is back this year to host along with Cece Winans. That should be good! Read the rest of this entry »

Sup folks! Stellar Awards weekend in Nashville was a beast. It was literally non stop and I don’t think I slept the entire time.  Well I’ve had some time to regroup and decompress.  You didn’t think I was just going to go and not tell you about it right? I can be selfish and funny acting but Im’ not that bad.

My first major event of the weekend was the 11th Annual BMI Trailblazers Of Gospel Luncheon to honor Donnie McClurkin & Andrae Crouch at Rockettown. Not only was it my first event of the weekend but it was also my first BMI luncheon ever. After hearing about it for all these years, I was excited to finally be in the mix.  As soon as I walked into the venue I knew that it was going to be first class all the way. Read the rest of this entry »

Sup folks. Me again.  Don’t clap, just worship!” (That is a Celebration Of Gospel inside joke that, if you remember past years, will hit you later, lol)

But anyway, I’m back with some more highlights from Day 2 of rehearsals for Celebration Of Gospel 2010. (Forgive my tacky picture taking skills, lol.) Read the rest of this entry »

Yeah buddy!!!!

It’s that time again! Celebration of Gospel (or COG as we call it in the industry, so lazy we are) 2010 is taping in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, December 12, 2009! We’re going back to the Orpheum theater and this show is shaping up to be hot! It’s about to be a “family affair” and you can see why as you check out who’s scheduled to perform. Read the rest of this entry »

Yes, you heard me, right. “The 2009 Soul Train Awards.”  Centric, BET’s new “grown and sexy”  sister network has brought it back! (it’s late and I’m too tired to find a more original description, but you get my point.)

As I was looking at the nominations, I realized that Gospel will be front and center at the awards show and wanted to congratulate the nominees.  Read the rest of this entry »

Sup folks. It seems to be a year (or season in “church talk”) of comebacks.   First it was Whitney Houston and & Barbra Streisand (had to do it, lol).  Well this year in gospel in no different.  Bebe & Cece Winans, the brother and sister duo who totally owned the 80’s and part of the 90’s are back together with their first CD in over 15 years! Read the rest of this entry »

This one might be long or short. I just won’t know until I’m done typing. My apologies for not posting this immediately after the show Sunday like I normally do, Read the rest of this entry »

Sup folks! Sunday Best is really moving along.  I feel like we were just in ATL, Chicago, and DC auditioning singers and now we’re down to the final 4!  Read the rest of this entry »