As we all know, one of the greatest singers, songwriters and vocal producers, Bishop Walter Hawkins died yesterday from complications with pancreatic cancer at the age of 61. It’s still rather surreal and feels like it just shouldn’t be and pulling together this blog is no easier than yesterday’s.  As we, members of the gospel music industry, deal with this tremendous loss; many have taken the time to remember Walter and his legacy so I wanted to share with you. So I’ll be passing the mic to some industry colleagues and artists now.

****old school COGIC mic toss**** Read the rest of this entry »

Hey folks. This one will be short but if you didn’t go to the Gospel Music Workshop Of America (GMWA) last year, then you may want to get a plane ticket to Cincinnati, OH this summer.  Now this post will be what I call “good gossip.” It’s technically all hearsay and I don’t know if it’s completely true and the information is changing as we speak but I got it on good enough authority that I thought it was worth sharing. So if ANY of this changes, don’t go around saying I got the story wrong, ok? Thanks! Read the rest of this entry »

Sup folks, why didn’t anyone tell me I hadn’t blogged in a little bit. Y’all know I need help! Ha!

But anyway, I’m excited about what I’m sharing today. I’m unashamedly a CHOIR BOY! I love all forms of gospel music and music in general, but I’m a church kid through and through and there’s nothing like some good ole choir sanging. Choirs have somewhat lost their place in gospel music over the last 10 years as more and more groups/ensembles and solo artists have kind of been moved to the front of the line. I sometimes fear that the appreciation and legacy of the gospel choir is in jeopardy.  There aren’t many new choirs putting out music on a national level. If you listened to gospel radio or gone through the shelves of the local record store, there wouldn’t be much there. Of course choirs like Hezekiah Walker and LFC, James Hall & Worship & Praise, and Ricky Dillard & New G are holding it down, but they can’t do it alone. JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise also do an excellent job of maintaining the classic choir sound while still sounding current and relevant.

So with that, I’m especially excited to feature the music of Patrick Riddick & D’Vyne Worship’s new single “Testimony.” 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, I’m excited that my first post of the New Year is this one. Read the rest of this entry »

Sup folks, gonna jump right into it, you already know what this is. 2009’s  Yes, No, Maybe? Part 2. If you missed Part 1, click here!  NOTE: I realized after I posted part 1 that I somehow left out 3 albums from my “Yes” category yesterday so th is one may be a tad bit long, but I trust you’ll stick with me….RIIIIIIGHT?

So, Part Deux starts NOW.. Read the rest of this entry »

September 1 is HERE! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

Ok, now that that’s out of the way.  Read the rest of this entry »

Sup folks. I love soloists and groups with the best of ‘em, but when I want to really feel like “church,” no one person can do what a choir can for me, a good one that is. Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »

Sup folks!  Two posts in one day.  *Put those hands together!*

As I mentioned last week, this past Sunday I got to attend the live recording concert of JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise from Bridgeport, CT.  Traffic got the best of us and we got there a little late, but being the seasoned saints we are, we were right on time.  (Let’s be real folks, what major church event EVER starts on time?)

JJ and crew re-energized my love for choirs and choir music.  Arguably, choirs as we knew them have kind of taken a backseat to groups and ensembles or dance troupes and step teams POSING as choirs.  It was so refreshing to see a group of people stand on stage and just SING strong but with youthful energy.   Awesome job YP!  I can’t wait for the CD to come out! You had to be there to truly understand how dope it was, but my dude Gerard Bonner fom GospelFlava.com who was on my row taking photos hooked me up with a few so I’m sharing you guys who couldn’t make it.  Enjoy

JJ opened the show looking sharp. Suit, tuxedo shirt, bowtie and Nike Blazers. Glad we got this picture though, because you know he didn't keep that jacket and bowtie on for long!

This is what SANGING looks like. Dorinda Clark-Cole sang the blood out of a song that I can't remember the name of, but by the time she was done there was no one sitting down. But that wasn't it. Donnie McClurkin was sitting in the front row to support but Dorinda and JJ couldn't just let him sit there, so he jumped up and took us ALL THE WAY IN! I'm gonna stop here, I'm going in again just thinking about it!

Deon Kipping (Mr. "Incredible God") also showed up as a special guest. Yes, that is an iPhone in his hand. (I won't get into it...)

Bishop Eric McDaniel (known for the original recording of the Ricky Dillard & New G hit "One More chance") was also in the building.

Lorraine Stancil almost turned the stage into a mini war zone. There was so much stuff flying accross that stage. Dorinda Clark-Cole hit her in the head with a handkerchief and Lorraine kicked both her shoes so high in the air that she almost assaulted the entire alto section, making her the official Pattie Labelle of Gospel. But theatrics aside, the woman can BLOW. I think her voice could wake the dead!

Praise & Worship artist Stephen Hurd was also in the building. That's my preliminary judging buddy from the D.C. auditions for Sunday Best!

Troy Bright (of the Kurt Carr Singers) leading the Youthful Praise tenors.

Final shout out to JJ and everybody in Youthful Praise for a hot session.  I better get the very first copy of the CD so I can share with the folks on BET.com. I’m putting y’all on blast! Ha!

I’m out.

Torrence