DONALD LAWRENCE IS BACK WITH A NEW TRACK! PLUS FIND OUT WHAT OTHER PROJECTS HE’S SAID TO BE WORKING ON

• News
• September 10th

Producer and lyricist extraordinaire, Donald Lawrence, is back with a new song and it smells like another hit to me! “Your Righteous Mind ft. Dorinda Clark Cole” is catchy, biblically based and uplifting as always! And if Lawrence and his SANGINGGGGG background vocalists weren’t enough, he had to completely take us out by adding Dorinda!! Honestly D. Lawrence can do no wrong to me anymore!

This song has throwback Andrae Crouch ALL over it, which makes me love it even more. It takes me straight to Crouch’s “No Time Lose” project. That is one of my favorite Andrae Crouch CD’s ever! Get ready to hear this song all over the radio and Donald can just go ahead and add this one to his list of hits!

Now while we’re on the subject of Donald Lawrence, according to my sources, Lawrence has been tapped to produce Bishop Paul Morton’s upcoming CD and also produce and finish the late Bishop Walter Hawkin’s “Love Alive 6.” Yall should know by now that I always like to cover myself by saying, this is simply what I’ve heard. If it’s true, then you heard it hear first. If it’s not true, you didn’t hear from me! LOL Just forget you heard anything!

To hear the new song click here track #2 http://www.dagospeltruth.com/wp-content/plugins/datruthtunes/newplayer.html

UPDATE: GOSPEL ARTIST MARVIN SAPP’S WIFE LOSES HER BATTLE TO COLON CANCER

• News
• September 9th

This is such a sad story to report, but Marvin Sapp’s wife, Malinda Sapp, lost her battle with colon cancer sometime this morning,  September 9, 2010. Let’s keep the entire Sapp family in our prayers, especially Marvin and his kids. We know this will be a very difficult time in the days ahead. As details are released, I will keep everyone updated!

Chart topping Gospel artist and Pastor, Marvin Sapp needs all of our prayers more than ever before. Sapp’s wife of 15 years, Malinda Sapp, is battling colon cancer and the prognosis seems to be grim.  The singer best known for his massive crossover anthem “Never Would Have Made It” posted to his website Marvinsapp.com that he, along with his Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, had launched a 24 hour prayer campaign for complete restoration and healing for Malinda.

Apparently, Malinda battled stage 4 colon cancer in the past and appeared to be in the clear, until recently. She has been in hospice care for the last few weeks. Marvin opted to cancel all scheduled travel dates and committed to only being at his church on Sunday, so he could spend all his time with Malinda.

I am petitioning everyone to keep the Sapp family in prayer that no matter what the outcome that God will be a healer and provider of peace during this difficult time.

EXCLUSIVE NEW TRACK FROM ZIE’L’S FORTHCOMING CD

• News
• September 8th

Many industry professionals and Gospel music lovers alike have been anxiously waiting to hear what the ladies of Zie’l have been working on since their last project “Genesis Live.” So this is an exclusive you won’t hear anywhere else.

I got my hands on an exclusive track called “The Race,” produced by none other than the highly sought after Gospel producer, Asaph Ward. To let you know how exclusive it is, the track is still unmixed and mastered. But you can still get the idea and so you know I had to share it with my people.

So check it out playing here on Da Truth Tunes and PLEASE leave your comments so Zie’l can know if you’re feeling all of their hard work!

Click here to listen http://www.dagospeltruth.com/wp-content/plugins/datruthtunes/newplayer.html

WHAT’S NEXT?!? DURWARD DAVIS OF BET’S SEASON 3 OF SUNDAY BEST OPENS UP!

• News
• September 8th

He was positioned as the favorite to go head to head with the gritty, around the way singer, Leandria Johnson in the finals of Season 3 of Sunday Best. I, along with millions of other viewers, thought that just MAYBE a guy might actually have a chance of winning. But, as we know all too well, in life and especially in the world of TV, things don’t always pan out, as they should. Durward Davis was sent packing back to Oklahoma and the lovable senior Elder Goldwire McClendon advanced to the final spot.

So now that all the hoopla has died down and there are no more cameras, competition or craziness, I wanted to know WHAT’S NEXT for the 30- something crooner with the world at his fingertips?!?!

What made you audition for Sunday Best and are you happy you did?

I had seen the commercials for the previous seasons and never once thought I should audition.  I just didn’t have the interest or the will to travel anywhere and stand in any long lines for someone to tell me go home and you’re not good enough.  But, as I watched the BET Sunday Morning Inspirational programming prior to season three, I felt like I was going to have a destiny moment.  I didn’t hear any audible voices.  It just felt right, I went and the rest is now history.  You better believe I’m happy.  It was too easy to stay home.  I thought if I’m wrong, I have nothing to lose and at least I tried.

I think many people were surprised you weren’t in the top two. Were you surprised you got eliminated?

Somehow I knew this question was going to come up.  Well let me say this.  True Story!!  The morning of my elimination while in prayer I sensed that I was going home and that I wouldn’t be in the top two.  I wasn’t really upset about it particularly because I had the opportunity to potentially reach millions of people on an international stage.  Gerald, I know people who would nearly kill to have had the same opportunity.  To keep from having an anxiety attack and going all crazy, the Lord led me to a passage of scripture that summed it all up for me.  He led me to Proverbs 16:33 (We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall – NLT). It was simply the Lord’s Decision and I had to be okay with that.  So to answer your question, no I wasn’t at all.

Do you feel Sunday Best is a talent competition first and a TV show second or vice versa?

Good question!  For me, Sunday Best was a gift, a platform and a global stage that I was given to share my passions; God and good music.  If you have an opportunity to chat with some of my fellow contestants, I am sure they will tell you that I was never really engaged in the whole competition mindset.  I’m very comfortable in my lane.  I know who I am and maybe that’s why this season was so attractive to me, I don’t know.  The only time I felt pressure was when I was given the song “I Believe In You and Me” by Whitney Houston.  Who wouldn’t be?  Kim Burrell had just blazed the song on the BET Honor’s show.  That had the potential to be career suicide had I not been able to deliver!!!

Are you married or single? And where are you located?

HA!  Nope…I’m not married, however I look forward to the day when I can share my life and dreams with the woman that I am absolutely madly in love with.  I’m a hopeless romantic dude who loves the chase.  I CAN’T WAIT!  Contrary to what I see, I still believe in Love and happiness. I still believe in the American Dream and the white picket fence. I still believe that there is some great and brave woman out there full of the grace to be my wife.   For now I am still in Tulsa, OK.  I’m not really sure what will happen or if and when I will move.  I’m just playing it by ear.  I’m open to wherever the Lord leads!

What were doing before you tried out for Sunday Best?

That’s a loaded question.  Long story short, I have been grinding for years behind the scenes working in music ministry, background vocals, voice-overs and I served as the Pastor for a small congregation here in Oklahoma. But most of all, I was waiting for the moment when preparation and opportunity would finally meet.

Are we going to hear an album from Durward Davis in the near future?

Absolutely.  Yes, you will.  In fact, I am looking forward to it!

And the question everyone wants to know is….WHY were you absent from the finale?

Here’s how it works.  Everyone goes home the morning following elimination and that’s what I did.  No pun intended, however, some of the other cast members had the opportunity to go home and regroup and return for the finale.  Because so many of the contestants decided to return to the show at their own expense, the executives thought it would be a good idea to include them in the finale.  It just wasn’t economical for me, considering I had lost wages the entire time I was taping the show.   It would have been great.  I really wanted to be there, but I just couldn’t get back to New Orleans, as well as keep up with my responsibilities.  So I chose to stay at home and watch it on television like everyone else.

If you could perform at the Stellar Awards with one artist who would it be?

That’s a good question too.  You know I can’t just choose one!!  It would be Dorinda Clark-Cole, Kim Burrell, Brandy Norwood, R. Kelly and Marvin Winans…all of us singing an R. Kelly inspirational tune.  THAT WOULD BE CRAZY!!!!!

THROWBACK: CRYSTAL LEWIS REMAKES CECE WINANS’ “IN RETURN”

• News
• September 1st

It takes some BIG…(well you guys know what I want to say lol) to cover any song done by the Winans family. Especially when your skin is that milky colored complexion and your hair doesn’t require a hot comb! Lol But hey when you can sing, you can sing. And no one can take that away from one of my FAVORITE singers Crystal Lewis no matter what she looks like.

On Crystal’s 1997 release “Beauty for Ashes,” Lewis took on the mighty task of remaking the beautifully penned song “In Return” from Bebe & Cece’s self-titled 1990 album. You can’t come in booth feeling squeamish if you’re about to sing something CeCe originally recorded.

But if you know anything about Crystal Lewis there is a rawness and gritty soul that comes out of her that many blue eyed soul singers can’t duplicate, specifically speaking in the world of Gospel. They switched up the arrangement just a little but didn’t veer to far off from the original, which I appreciate. Crystal’s interpretation was still simplistic, but moving just like CeCe’s.

I don’t think any version will rival the original, but Crystal can be proud because she did the song justice. And there are many singers who wouldn’t dare touch it!

DA GOSPEL TRUTH PROFILES MARTIN WILLIAMS

• News
• August 31st

Martin Williams is a newborn in the Gospel Industry. Basically I’m calling him a baby, (lol) but only because of his age. His work is anything but young! It’s professional, insightful and wise beyond years.

It’s evident why Gospel Music Channel and Gospelflava.com scooped Williams up and added him to their successful roster of contributing writers.

Martin Williams is an up and comer who is doing it the right way. So all of you out there who want to know how to get in the business you might want to start taking notes starting about…NOW!

You’re in school right now…what are you studying and does it have a direct connection with what you want to do in the Gospel Industry?

First of all let me just start out by telling you Thank You! This is the first time anyone has taken the time out to talk to me; it’s normally the other way around, so I really appreciate you for the opportunity. Yes, I am in school at American InterContinental University here in Atlanta. I am majoring in Entertainment Sports and Marketing. The funny thing is I began doing things in my field before I even got started on my major core classes. The hands on experience that I have been able to experience taught me so much more than a textbook could per say. I’m finding that my “career” if that’s what I can call, it is taking a different turn into the journalism field. I had no idea that I would be blogging and writing like I’m doing. I remember when I was first approached about the idea; my response was who would read what I have to say. I honestly didn’t feel that I had an influential voice that would draw people and make them pay attention. In high school and college my teachers always said I could be a great writer, but I never really paid any attention to it. But I see now it’s all coming together to paint one big picture. I have a pocket full of dreams and things that I want to do in Entertainment, my prayer now is that God’s perfect will to be done in my life. That phrase is used so much, but in this season of my life it’s what I have had to stand on.

Tell me exactly what you do and how you got your start working in the Gospel industry?

That’s a good question and I am asked that a lot! LOL I am the Atlanta blogger for Gospel Music Channel’s “GBeat”. GBeat is the blog section on their site and they have bloggers placed in certain markets and I was chosen for Atlanta.  I am also a contributing writer for GospelFlava.com.  I started out as an intern for Gospel Music Channel and Canton Jones’ company CaJo International in the summer of 2007 when I was about to enter into my senior year of high school. I got a chance to work under the dynamic Alvin Williams while at GMC. He was my boss and really groomed and showed me some of the in’s and outs of Gospel. I was able to see the company launch and grow to where it is now. I got the opportunity to meet and work with CeCe Winans, Israel and New Breed, Mary Mary, and countless others. Simultaneously I was interning at Canton’s company and traveling with him on the weekends whenever my schedule would allow. So I would be in the GMC office one minute and then on an airplane the next day. I left GMC as an intern when I started my freshman year of College, and then I was contacted during the summer going into my sophomore year that they wanted me to blog for their site. So it was there I began blogging. In the process of that, I got a chance to meet a guy who I had admired for so many years, Gerard Bonner. Gerard and I exchanged information and I became connected with Bonnerfide Radio and my life has never been the same. He’s like family to me now.  I remember we all were getting ready to head to Nashville for the Stellar Awards, and he hit me up and said Melanie Clark the CEO of Gospel Flava wanted to talk to me. This was a dream come true because I had been a fan of the entire Gospel Flava family and always wanted to be apart, but I never knew how I would make the connection or if the opportunity would even come. So I am eternally grateful for them taking a chance on me.

What’s the most difficult part about being so young and trying to navigate through this industry?

Wow! It’s hard to even put that part into words. I think the most difficult part is being so young and working hard to be respected. I’m still young and growing and learning in this game every single day.  I’m constantly trying to network and get my name out there because some are like who is thing young man? Contraire to what some may say, everybody doesn’t know Martin Williams! I still have a long way to go and have leaps and boundaries that I have to overcome and doors that I have to go into. The field that I am in is one that is very hard to break into and it can almost feel like a country club at times. If you want to be at the forefront and in the know you have to know the right individuals, network and put the work in. My goal and purpose is to be informative, real, and relatable. I grew up in the church and sang in the youth choir and the adult choir, so I was introduced to good music at a young age. So when I am asked my opinion about a song or album, it’s given from the perspective of someone who knows a little something about music.

What is the biggest misconception about what you do?

The biggest misconception is that what I do is easy and that when you sign up for it, things and opportunities will come to you easy.  Many people think because I am doing all of this stuff that I make a ridiculous salary and that’s not the case at all. If you want to do this it’s truly a labor of love. Everyone in this field is truly working hard and grinding to do what they do. All of my colleagues work hard to maintain. It’s truly a faith walk. I’ve had to get out there and network, network, network. I had to introduce myself to the artist, meet the producers, BGVs, songwriters all of that.  There are days when you don’t think what you are doing is making an impact and you want to give up. To be in this industry, you have to have a personal relationship with God, a life of prayer, praise and worship. That will make your skin tougher and you learn to not rely on your own strength. I’ve been blessed to meet a lot of great people, one of which is Fantasia. I remember one day I wasn’t feeling well at all and she called me and said always remember, “Even angels learn how to fly. Keep on pressing babe.”  That stuck with me and whenever I need that reminder, I just think about what she told me.

Who are your top 5 favorite Gospel artists?

Now Gerald don’t ask me that question, lol! You know that’s a tough question because I love so many of them. But If I had to narrow it down to five, I would have to say CeCe Winans, Mary Mary, DeWayne Woods, Kirk Franklin, and Marvin Sapp.

Who are your mentors in this industry and what have you learned from them.

Melanie Clark- My lessons from Melanie are endless! She’s like a mother to me, even though she’s too young to have a 20-year-old son! LOL But Melanie has taught me to be diplomatic, remain professional, but always be true to who you are and to know there is greatness on the inside of you.  She’s always challenging me to go deep, and that your words have power, so use them wisely.

Gerard Bonner- Uncle Gerard as I like to call him is the ultimate encourager. Gerard has taught me that support is everything and that you can change someone’s life by just giving them a chance.

Torrence Glenn- Torrence is the ultimate big brother. He’s taught me to be true to myself, and don’t be afraid to speak the truth. He told me it was okay to be different and it was okay if everybody didn’t like me! He told me that people will try to make this a competition but it’s not, there is room for everyone’s gift.

Gerald Jones- You sir, have showed me that it’s okay to ask those tough questions that everyone is thinking. I love how real and genuine your work is and it always has that hint of sarcasm that just makes it perfect and relatable.

Editors note: I didn’t pay him to say this, but I like what he said! lol

Jawn Murray – I love how he holds down so many different arenas. He’s one of the leading journalists in his field and his commentary is usually spot on. He’s another one that I grew up observing and paying attention to what he does.

http://Gmclife.com/gbeat/martin

EXCLUSIVE NEW MUSIC FROM JONATHAN NELSON & ANN NESBY PLAYING ON DA TRUTH TUNES

• News
• August 16th

You know how I love to give exclusive news and first listens! Well just to wet your appetite enough until the releases hit the stores, I am sharing new music from Jonathan Nelson’s forthcoming CD “Better Days” and also a new cut from 2x Grammy winner, Ann Nesby.

Just click on Da Truth Tunes here on the site or on the link provided below to hear TWO new tracks from Jonathan Nelson, “Another Way” and “Cry Holy.” And then check out Ann Nesby’s newest offering, “I Get An Answer.”

Make sure to leave your comments and let me know what you think!!

http://www.dagospeltruth.com/wp-content/plugins/datruthtunes/newplayer.html

TYE TRIBBETT RELEASES NEW SINGLE “FRESH”

• News
• August 11th

Tye Tribbett, one of the most infamous men in Gospel music today, is back with a new single “Fresh.”  This track is from his forth-coming release by the same name, due in stores October 19th.

Check out “Fresh” playing here on the site on Da Truth Tunes. It is track #7 on the playlist! PLEASE let me know what you think. I’ll save my comments for my upcoming review I plan to do on the single. Right now I want to hear from you guys!

For related stories on Tye Tribbett

Tye Tribbett Get’s A Makeover http://dagospeltruth.com/?p=605

Love Triangle  http://dagospeltruth.com/?p=572

THE MERGE SUMMIT LA LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY! FOUNDER DR. HOLLY CARTER EXPLAINS WHY YOU CAN’T MISS THIS YEAR!

• News
• August 9th

If there is one conference you should mark on your calendar as a “must attend” event this year, The Merge Summit LA is it! The second annual conference based out of Los Angeles, CA begins on August 26^th-28^th, 2010. www.themergesummit.com

After seeing some of the biggest names from Hollywood and the Gospel community on the same bill, I knew I NEEDED to sit down with the Founder/Chairperson, Dr. Holly Carter, to find out how she managed to put together such a dynamic and innovative three-day event.

Tell me how The Merge Summit LA came about?

The Merge Summit LA was birthed while I was writing my thesis for my doctoral program. I was writing on merging the sacred and the secular, Christianity and Hollywood. During the length of time it took me to write that paper, I was also working in the entertainment business. It was an interesting dynamic being a Christian and seeing the different nuances and different happenings in Hollywood and the impact it had on the community of believers. So I felt it was necessary to create an opportunity that would bring a body of believers, those in the world of Hollywood and the Gospel community, where they could effect, impact, and hopefully change some of the influences that are portrayed in the entertainment community. I think that, at the end of the day, with me traveling, promoting my artists and different movies that I need to expose and platform the body of believers that have creative art, creative gifts that can cross over into the mainstream marketplace with the hope that they would make an impact for the Kingdom of God.

What type of company do you run?

My company, Releve’ Entertainment, is a family and faith- based management and production company. We manage artists and produce family, faith-based films and television. My clients include Mary Mary, Detrick Haddon, Kierra Sheard, Cece Winans, Donnie McClurkin as well as other well known names.

Why is it so hard for mainstream media and gospel to co-exist?

They are two different ideologies. The gospel market comes with strong positions of faith and the mainstream market comes with what it represents. It requires a gentle handling to merge. That is what the summit is about. It’s about gently connecting communities together in a way where they both benefit. One of the features of the conference is the Saturday morning leadership panel. That panel is comprised of three entities; entertainment, corporate America and the church. I’ve got 5 pastors, 5 corporate leaders and entertainment leaders. The purpose of it is to foster a discussion on how the three industries can engage to create relationships and opportunities amongst each of the audiences. I did that because each industry needs each other. The religious community needs branding, entertainment needs the church to go see their movies and corporate brands need both industries.

Who are some of the people that will be participating this year?

Denzel Washington’s wife, Pauletta Washington, will be opening the summit in what we call “Midnight at the Merge.” That’s where our local pastors, our celebrity VIP panelist, and our attendees can come and do red carpet photos and rub elbows. There’s music and an address to open the night and get everyone excited for what’s to come.

There’s an artist showcase Hezekiah Walker is hosting for the second year in a row. Kirk Franklin will host and perform at the Merge concert, which is a benefit concert for my father who passed this year. Along with Kirk, J. Moss The Soul Seekers and Isaac Carree will be performing. Hezekiah Walker and Chrisette Michele will teach a class on expanding your ministry to the mainstream audience. Kirk Franklin will be leading a class based on his brand new book of the same name, ”The Blueprint.” Neicy Nash will do a class on sharing the journey and living the dream. Wendy Raquel and Tia Mowery from “The Game” will be participating in an actor’s panel and workshop along with Terry Lennox. Obviously we’ve got talent agents, managers, producers, directors, writers who have worked on hit shows such as “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Friends” and “Gossip Girl.” We also have the Senior VP of Programming for Showtime Networks and ABC’s casting director. We’ve got a lot high profile industry executives and talent to give a person that’s coming up an opportunity to interface, partner with and be inspired to go back and get themselves in gear.

Who are some of the sponsors that helped you put The Merge Summit LA together?

Johnson Products, Upscale Magazine, Verity Gospel, Columbia Records, BMI Publishing, Kaiser Permanente, Wellness Interactive and Bronner Bros. Those are my partners in this, they came to the table last year, they came stronger this year and my hope is that they’ll stay with me. They have really made this possible in terms of really being able to lay this out and provide a great summit for the attendees. So I really want to say thank you.

For more information on how to register and attend go to www.themergesummit.com

For more information on Releve Enterainment go to http://www.releve-ent.com/

DA GOSPEL TRUTH PROFILES CEO & FOUNDER OF GOSPELFLAVA.COM MELANIE CLARK

• News
• August 6th

I would say there is no need for an introduction, but I’ll make this one short! Melanie Clark is beloved by many in the Gospel industry and has worked super hard to create a name that is held in such high esteem among her colleagues.  And because of this she is someone I want all of you to know about! So without further a due, Melanie Clark…

How did you get your start in the Gospel industry? And tell me about all the different things you do.

Well as the story goes, I grew up singing in my church choir, and then for many years with the late Rev. Donald Vails while I lived in DC. I moved to Charlotte in the mid-90’s and had some fun singing with Pastor John P. Kee. I was working my day job and singing with him on the weekends or whenever I had a chance. That involvement in the industry sparked an interest in the behind the scenes stuff.

I was a frequent visitor to the site Gospel International and had met some folks in the chatroom there. Oftentimes, by virtue of the various places we were working in the industry, we’d have information about what was going on before it was posted. So I drafted a template and called a few guys (James Robinson, Stan North, Gerard Bonner and the late Mark Tilles) and told them we should do this. Some of them didn’t know each other. Most of us had little web experience and definitely no programming experience, but we came together and got it done. In 1997 Gospelflava.com was born. Funny, the guys picked the name. I didn’t like it, but it was a democracy and that’s what won.

My jobs? Yikes! Well, first of all, I’m a mommy! My favorite job! Then I am the CEO and Founder of Gospelflava.com. I am partner in ownership and I’m not sure what else of Evidence Gospel Records (lol!) – home of Youthful Praise (yay!).  James Robinson pretty much runs that.  I am drive-time host of Radio One’s Praise 100.9 in Charlotte. I also have a small faith-based e-blast service in the Carolinas, The Power List.

Why do you think Gospelflava.com has been so successful and is still thriving today?

I don’t know! We never really set goals. We never really had business aspirations. Honestly, the only thing we all agreed on was that NONE OF US wanted to be “out front”. We weren’t much of personalities. It was all about the brand. And that was largely about integrity and edification. It all sounds pious and deep now, but it was just kind of who we were. We didn’t want to be associated with certain types of news. Not that I’m mad at anyone who is – it just wasn’t for us. I think that’s the beauty of the industry. There is something for everyone. Everyone has a place and a position. But to answer your question, I think our longevity can be credited to two things. One key part is knowing who we are in the landscape of gospel media and never trying to play outside our part.  It doesn’t mean you don’t grow, but that you don’t compromise what brought you to the game in the beginning. You have to be careful not to succumb to the pressure to answer people who don’t understand why we do what we do – or for that matter why we don’t do what we don’t do. And the other is establishing and maintaining relationships. We live this. The people in the industry are our friends. The same people we interview are the same people whose weddings we attend.  The people we connect with at industry events – our children are friends. I have a business conversation and then have the “girlfriend” conversation with many of my associates.

Where do you see the Gospel industry in 5 years?

Clearly social media is at the forefront right now. I think that trend will continue, but we will break new ways to monetize the numbers that we are able to interact with. I think in general we’ll see more grassroots efforts gain profitability (sales of singles, indie success, underground artists) because of it. The middle channel is less and less necessary. If artists are smart they will begin to see more of the dollar they put out for production come back in profit. The trouble is people are turned on by volume. But the math tells us that 5% of 20,000 is the same as 50% of 2,000.

Give me your top 5 favorite Gospel artists?

Using the term “gospel” VERY loosely (lol!) Even though one of them is a CCM artist, one is MY artist, one is no longer with us and the other one is a Pop star – I’m inspired by a lot of different things!

Fred Hammond

Sara Groves

Youthful Praise

Thomas Whitfield

James Taylor

I know you get a lot of people trying to give you their demo. What is your best advice to an aspiring artist or writer that is trying to get noticed?

Work where you are. Play your current position well. If that’s at church…do that. If you have a burgeoning local ministry…do that.  Everybody is in a hurry to get “there,” but the truth of the matter is no one who is major and on the scene now, got there overnight. Yolanda Adams started out as a teen with the Southeast Inspirational Choir. Fred Hammond was on the road with The Winans and of course then Commissioned.  Kirk Franklin and Kurt Carr worked with Workshop choirs through the years. Pastor Donnie McClurkin did the play circuit and New York Restoration. It takes time and it should.