Default Headline

Default Text

Member Login

Lost your password?

Not a member yet? Sign Up!

V3

Last time we met our “Journey to Cricketville” stopped by a machine known as American Idol. Well as luck would have it, it didn’t take us long to reach our next destination at EMI Gospel. And there is we found or actually didn’t find the ladies of V3.

The sister trio that made up V3, was comprised of Shelley, Sacha and Latoya Vinson. Their urban driven, debut CD, was released in August of 2006.  The ladies were poised to take the Gospel community by storm with their Black “barbie doll” image and sweet, breathy, simplistic harmonies.  But as we’ve seen time and time again sometimes it works and other times…ehhhh not so much!

I must say I actually kind of liked this CD. I liked at least half of the CD, which is saying a lot! Their single “Close To You” was almost identical to Bad Boy Records signee, one hit wonder, Cheri Dennis’ song “I Love You.” I always wondered about that?!?! And if my memory serves me correct I think they released a remix CD too. Now if I’m right about the remix CD, my question is, if the album didn’t sell in the first place, what was the point of a remix CD?!! I’m just asking that’s all!

Anyway, you guys know how the story ends by now. We haven’t heard from the sisters since and I don’t even think they are signed to EMI anymore. So basically they’ve been getting CRICKETS since about ’07.  If anyone knows their whereabouts holla atcha boy!! I really would like to talk to them!!

RJ HELTON

Our next “Journey To Cricketville” has us stopping by the pop culture machine known as “American Idol Season 1” where we were introduced to RJ Helton.

RJ Helton was fortunate enough to become a top 5 finalist going against an unknown by the name of Kelly Clarkson. RJ was booted before he got the chance to claim the top spot of “American Idol Season 1,” but as we’ve seen time and time again, getting eliminated doesn’t always mean you lose!

After “American Idol” went on to find a whole new crop of potential hopefuls, RJ Helton signed with Gospocentric Records and in March of ‘04 released his debut Christian album “Real Life,” which went on to sell about 20,000 copies.

Almost two years later, Helton confessed to the world that he was gay and no longer wanted to hide in the closet. And after that it was pretty much CRICKETS! And I’m sure you can guess why. I think before he “came out” his album was getting CRICKETS, but that just signed, sealed and delivered it!

KINGDOM

Picking up where we left off in our never ending quest to “Cricketville” we were just about to discover what happened to the last Gospel group when another group popped up unexpectedly on the journey. Well it wasn’t really that unexpected! (lol)

Kingdom was a choir that released two albums in the early 90’s “Amazing” and then their sophomore project “Serious.” I had both albums at the time on tape and now for the life of me I can’t find either of them. Kingdom’s first project had an incredible song called “Fully Committed” that I still love today. It definitely sounds dated, but you can find it on YouTube and it is still a beautiful song! After their second album“Serious” was released they fell off the scene and then CRICKETS! We never heard from Kingdom again.

Well folks that’s it for Kingdom. I really have no idea where they were from and names of any of the members because I can’t find either of my tapes. Well you guys know what to do if you have any information on them. HOLLA ATCHA YOUR BOY!!

NUJOI

I won’t start this feature off with the usual CRICKETS and “Journey to Cricketville” opening credits because this foursome released a very strong debut CD, but virtually vanished after it was released.

NuJoi hit the scene in July of ’95 with their self-titled debut. Hmmm…thinking back I was a junior in high school in ‘95. LORD JESUS I’m getting old! Anyhooo…if my memory serves me correctly I think most of us were still rocking to our Witness CD’s. Witness was really the only female group that was releasing albums on a somewhat consistent basis. So when I got turned on to NuJoi, it was a breath of fresh air. Their contemporary urban sound was kind of nonexistent at that time. If they came out now they would probably do very well. But again after the album dropped…CRICKETS! They were never heard from again.

This past year I read something about one of the girls working on a solo project, but I haven’t heard anything else about her since.

I would recommend that some of you check it out, but to be honest some of the tracks I know will probably sound a little dated at this point. So with that in mind listen or purchase at your own risk. But back in the day,NuJoi was in heavy rotation!

*** “Unto the Lord” by Nu Joi playing on Da Truth Tunes right now!! Check it out!

True Solace

Crickets, Crickets and more CRICKETS! Ok, now let’s begin our usual journey to “Cricketville!”

This U.K. based female Gospel quintet hit the scene over 10 years ago with their debut release on Atlantic records entitled “A New Beginning.” The ladies of True Solace looked like they had all the ingredients to make a pretty decent splash on the Gospel scene, but it just didn’t happen.

I still don’t know how I even have their CD. I’m sure someone must have given it to me. Well folks this portion of Da Gospel Truth is getting shorter and shorter because I really don’t have much to say about them. They had one song that I really liked on the CD which was track #1 “Heaven’s Glory.” But other than that I remember this CD getting what everyone…yep you guessed it, CRICKETS!

I have no idea what happened to them after their debut. My educated guess is they probably broke up! If anyone has any information on the ladies, I’d actually be kind of interested to know what happened! That’s it! Stay tuned for our next exploration to “Cricketville.” (LOL)

BOBBY PERRY & R.A.I.N.

For 2010 I think I may change the title of this section to “CRICKETS” instead of “WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS.”Wait a minute, I can’t do that because CRICKETS doesn’t necessarily mean something is bad, it may also mean that we just haven’t heard a peep from that artist in a goooooooooodddddddddd minute!

Well our latest journey to “Cricketville” leads us to a group that released their debut CD in 2006 entitled “All About You.” Bobby Perry & R.A.I.N (Royal Agents Influencing Nations) WHEWWWWWW I’m never typing that part of their name out again…that is just too incredibly long!! Jesus please take the wheel because I need serious help! (lol)

Well I think I’m just about done with Bobby Perry & R.A.I.N. because I really don’t know much about this group that would ignite a major spark. They are from Boston, their lead single was called “Right There” and I knew a member of the group! I think I just about covered it all. Oops, I forgot something…yep you guessed it,CRICKETS! (lol) I kind of would like to check the album to see how it sounds to be honest. If anybody has itHOLLA AT YOUR BOY and send me a copy!

www.myspace.com/bobbyperryandrain

KRISTY STARLING

DON’T START! I already know what you’re going to say because I’m going to say it too. CRICKETS! If you’re asking,”Who IS SHE?????“ Kristy is another casualty in the world of reality singing competitions. Honestly, I don’t know that much about her either, but I did have her CD at one time before I sold it on eBay. My friend gave it to me when he was working at Berean Christian Bookstore?!?! (Are they still in business?!?!) Sorry I digressed. Kristy’s claim to fame peaked when she came in second place on “The Today Show’s” singing competition “Today’s Superstar.” You probably don’t remember that contest either! I actually do, vaguely. I wonder what the winner is doing??! Anyway, winning second place turned out to be not such a bad deal for the unknown blonde Christian. In April of 2003, Kristy released her self-titled debut on Warner Bros. Records produced by the renowned David Foster. It appears that her album had a mediocre amount of buzz and success, but nothing major. Traditionally, as the story goes we really haven’t heard much of anything from Kristy since. CRICKETS!! I really don’t know that much about her to feel a loss, but I’m sure she’s a nice person. Kristy if you’re out there, give me a buzz or an S.O.S!!

WOODY ROCK

Woody Rock went from Dru Hill to Gospel, to re-joining Dru Hill, to leaving Dru Hill AGAIN to go back to Gospel. I’m not judging the man at all, but I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to keep up. In between ALL that running back and forth surprisingly he actually found time to record his first and only Gospel release on Gospocentric Records called “Soul Music” in 2002. His debut had moderate success, but I don’t know how much the Gospel community really embraced this album. I remember this album having some good moments. I mean how could it not, with all the guest features from artists like; Mary Mary, Men of Standard, BB Jay, Dru Hill, Case, Natalie Wilson & SOP, Gospel Gangstaz and Ruff Endz. Basically, there was a guest spot on almost every track. I can’t knock him for that, though. If you’re going to merge the two genres together to get the buying public to give you a fighting chance, that is the way to do it. But after this debut release, we never heard from Woody Rock again, on the Gospel scene that is. CRICKETS!!! I hear them, don’t you??!?!? In early 2008, the original members of Dru Hill reunited and during a radio interview with WERQ in Baltimore, an argument erupted when Woody Rock announced he was leaving the group again to go where? You guessed it, GOSPEL! In what some people say was a staged uprising, after lead member Sisqo walked out, the other 3 remaining members got into a verbal altercation. So folks, there you have it!! If anyone out there knows where Woody Rock is or what he’s up to…HOLLA AT YOUR BOY!!

LONDA LARMOND UPDATE!! FIND OUT WHERE SHE’S BEEN!

If you missed my write up on Londa Larmond a few months back, just go back and read what you missed. I’ll even be nice and provide you the link, so you can play catch up. (www.dagospeltruth.com/?p=458) I actually caught up with Londa courtesy of Twitter and I told her she HAD to tell me where she’s been! So here it is…

  1. How did you get your deal with EMI? I got the deal based on my work with Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale.  EMI was looking for a new female singer and Ken Pennell, along with my manager, Richard Picart, suggested that EMI look at me as a possibility.  Personally, I believe it was a good choice!
  2. How come we never heard from you again after your release on EMI?It was a challenging time in the industry and the label had to make decisions on which directions they wanted to pursue.  Unfortunately, I was not part of the plan going forward for them, but they have always continued to support me.  My introduction to the industry came because of EMI and I will always be grateful to Ken Pennell and Shawn Tate for believing in my ministry.
  3. Will there ever be another Londa Larmond project?  And if so, will you go the independent route or seek another major label deal? Yes, there will be…it’s taking a lot of time, but there will be another project.  I’m currently working on some new material and look forward to having a single out in the first quarter of 2010.  Yes, it will be an independent project.  Is it great to be signed to a major label?  Yes it is, but there can be some cons, such as, profiting from album sales from the get-go.  I have to recoup, but all of the money comes directly to me.  Are there cons to being independent?  Yes, but my personalbelief is that the pros can outweigh the cons if you work really hard at it.  Once you become an established artist, like the Donnie’s, the Kirk’s or the Mary Mary’s, then it may make more sense to be signed to a major label.  It’s just not a part of my short-term goal at this time.
  4. What is your favorite song on “Love Letters” and why? Definitely “Hold On” written by Asaph & Miranda Ward.  It’s such a beautiful song and very personal.  I’m one that fell into the deceptive trap of wanting to commit suicide 2 times in my life.  And that is a very, very dark place to be.  You can’t see the light of God anywhere.  Anytime the spirit of depression tries to encircle me, I hear the voice of God telling me to “Hold On”.  “It’s a daily struggle, my child, I am aware, but I’ll never put more on you than you’re able to bear.  Hold on, be strong!  Remember the promises I made you”.  The song is written as if the Lord is speaking directly to us.  Letting us know that He’s not ignorant to what is going on in our lives.  He’s well aware.  He hasn’t left us, nor has He forsaken us and His hands are outstretched as we are about to fall off the cliff of LIFE and He’s saying “Hold on my son/daughter, don’t let go of My hand, I’m right here with you.”  Then He pulls us up to safety from the pit of the enemy.  That’s the God I serve!
  5. One piece of advice you would give to a new or upcoming artist who wants to get into the Gospel industry? It’s not about making money.  God has a bigger agenda!  This is bigger than you.  Be sure you’re entering into the Gospel industry because God has called you. Not because you haven’t tapped into what your purpose really is, but you figure you can sing.  So, you’ll try it.  Know your purpose.
  6. What is the most memorable experience you remember during the time “Love Letters” was out? My most memorable experience was singing in South Korea to a stadium of 55K+ people.  It was awesome!  Also, singing in Nigeria, Africa.  I love ministering outside of North America.  I just find the folks abroad are hungry for the Gospel, whether in word or song.  And I’m just happy to be a vessel that God uses.

http://www.myspace.com/londalarmond

SHARON RILEY & FAITH CHORALE

I’ve been noticing a pattern lately. It seems like EMI is very good about giving new artists a chance, which is great. But, I’ve also noticed that a lot of their artists never get to record a second album with the label. This Canadian Gospel songstress, Sharon Riley & Faith Chorale hit the scene in the late 90’s with the debut project “Life Is.” Honestly I haven’t listened to this CD in YEARRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSS, but from what I remember it was not bad. For Sharon being a new artist at the time, the producer roster was not bad at all with Roger Ryan producing the bulk of the album, along with Sanchez Harley and Fred Hammond offering a track or two respectively.  On one of my favorite songs, “Get to Know Him,” I discovered that another EMI one album wonder, Londa Larmond was the featured vocalist and part of the chorale. Also, another male gospel artist that has gone on to make a small presence on the gospel scene, Sean Simmonds was part of the Riley Chorale. Interestingly enough, even though Sean was never signed to EMI, he’s the only one out that went on to release a second project. As the story goes, after the release of Sharon’s debut CD, I think you know what’s next! CRICKETS! Yep that was it. I really never heard anything about Sharon Riley & Faith Chorale after that. Although recently in the last couple of years, new photos of the group have surfaced and they were featured on Sean Simmonds’ second project, but still no new music from Sharon. Well, I know that Sharon is alive and well because I follow her on Twitter. So SHAROOOOOOOOOOONNNN, holla at your boy!! I would love to know what you’ve been up to and what’s been going on since hmmm…’98! By the way check out this project.  As I’m typing this I’m listening to this CD and there are some songs I still really like!STANDOUT CUTS: “Get to Know Him,” “Moment of Praise,” and “How You Came to Love Me.”

www.myspace.com/sharonriley

P.S. I think Sharon is a graduate of Oakwood University, which is the same university that has a hot compilation CD on iTunes that I did a feature on awhile back. If you missed it check it outwww.dagospeltruth.com/?p=598