BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON

• Interviews
• August 5th

It may appear that Gospel newcomer, Brian Courtney Wilson, has sprung into the limelight overnight. But in most cases, as his, that is never the real story. It just so happens, we’re seeing his success magnified on a larger platform as God rewards the fruits of his labor.

Over 52 weeks on Gospel’s billboard charts with his debut cd “Just Love” and still going strong, Wilson seems to be making a nice home for himself.  And once you read this candid interview with the singer, you will know why it’s happening and rightfully deserved!

You started out wanting to be an R&B singer, is that correct?

Well, for me that seemed like the only option at the time. I was in college and I met this girl, that I’m still friends with today, and she heard me sing in a talent show. Her dad was working on some music in Chicago, so she introduced me to him. He was an R&B music producer, so that’s all he knew. But growing up, I never thought gospel music was something you could make a career out of. That was always associated with R&B music. You know, becoming a big star. I remember taking pictures and I had on a cut off shirt trying to show my muscles and everything. It was just whack! It wasn’t me. At that point I had kind of let the music thing go.

How did you end up singing Gospel then?

When I moved to Houston, I joined a church and started volunteering in their music ministry. That led to an opportunity for me to start writing for an outreach service and also record an album for the church. I volunteered to record an album. A song I recorded, “Awesome God” written by Matthew Mercer, started getting radio play and kind of took off on it’s own. Then a song called “Already Here” got Matthew attention. I had no intentions of getting into the music business. I struggled with it because I had a great pharmaceutical job and I was comfortable. But there was also discomfort. I felt like God was pulling me to do something more. So I came to a decision that I was going to quit my job and follow God’s calling.

What did your wife have to say about your calling? Were you afraid to tell her you were quitting your job?

It was horrible!! I remember it like it was yesterday. I brought home Wing Stop and I was explaining to her what I was planning to do. Even when I was telling her, I sounded ridiculous, to myself. Even though I was saying it out loud I was thinking, “This is not making any sense.” But to my wife’s credit, she stayed faithful. I know she was mad. I know she felt betrayed in a sense because women want security, and part of security is knowing what’s next. But she stuck it out with me and now she’s smiling proudly, from what God is doing in our lives.

Did it ever become ‘touch-and-go’?

Financially, yes, but never from the standpoint of our marriage.  There were times where I was like, “man, I can’t believe she’s still here.” The vows ‘for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer’ really manifested in those times. It’s not like we’re rollin’ in dough now! But now people are caring about what I’m doing and my music is being played on the radio. It’s not a pipedream anymore.

Let me ask you a question about a big scandal that has kind of died down that made a lot of noise. What was your take on the Tiger Woods situation?

I hate to see any family going through what they’re going through, even worse to go through it publicly. I hope he can continue to earn a living, period. I think every man deserves to earn a living, even when they make mistakes, they deserve to go out and work hard and earn money. I hope he’s restored in his relationship with his wife, some trust comes back and they can lean on each other and be faithful.

Do you think sexual addiction is real?

Well, I’m not a psychiatrist, but I know people have said that they have it. Absolutes make me uncomfortable to a certain extent. I think that until you’ve walked a mile in a man’s shoes, it’s hard to judge them. It’s hard to say what their pain or what their struggle could be. For example, I know I’ve never been addicted to drugs at all, but I understand addiction because I feel like I am addicted to sugar. There are times I’m eating sugar and I know it’s bad for me. I know its counter productive to the goals I’ve set for myself. I know it’s making me feel a certain way, but its like something keeps calling me to it. I imagine that sex can be like that for some people.

Are you surprised at how everything has taken off so quickly?

It’s been overwhelming. This is also what I prayed for. I prayed to God that if we had the opportunity, if we stepped out on faith, that He would allow my ministry to reach as many people as possible and beyond. It’s what I saw, but then I marvel at it too because I know that the odds are long, especially for a new artist. I’m blown away everyday.  I also have a great team who is supportive and passionate about my project.

How is it working with Matthew Knowles?

It’s been cool. He has allowed me to be myself and get this music out. What I’m most thankful for is that I don’t feel like I’ve had to compromise any of who I am to reach the number of people that we’ve reached. He’s allowed me to do that. I can tell you horror stories of people trying to change your image and who you are and make you sing certain songs, but he never did that.

And of course EVERYONE wants to know if you’ve met Beyoncé (lol)??!?!

Yes, I’ve met her! Will she remember who I am? Probably not, but I know her from afar. But the family has been kind to me. They’re very supportive. As a matter of fact, Solange just reached out to me on Twitter not too long ago to congratulate me.

What artist are you listening to right now?

I love PJ Morton’s latest CD! There’s a song called “Mountains and Molehills” and when I heard it I was really moved. I like PJ Morton because I think what he’s doing is expanding the boundaries of what music can be. It’s what I would expect from a son of a preacher man to do, that wasn’t gospel music. He’s doing a tremendous job!

BRIAN’S 9 Random Truths:

1. Who is your favorite male R&B singer? Donny Hathaway.
2. Fantasia or Jennifer Hudson? I really love them both… Jennifer Hudson, just by a hair.
3. Martin, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or the Cosby Show? “The Cosby Show”
4. Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant? Michael Jordan.
5. Female artist you want to do a duet with? Kelly Rowland.
6. Favorite candy bar? Hershey’s w/ almonds.
7. Last book you read? “Lovely Bones.”
8. Do you snore? Sometimes.
9. 9. Favorite dish your wife cooks? Crowder peas.

ISAAC CARREE

• Interviews
• August 4th

Isaac Carree is best known as one of the front vocalists for one of the most popular contemporary Gospel quartets, Men of Standard. 5 albums in and a greatest hits CD, MOS decided to take an indefinite hiatus and individually pursue outside endeavors.

As Isaac prepares to release his first debut CD “Uncommon Me,” coming this September, I sat down with him to find out exactly why Men of Standard actually took a break, why he and Lowell released CD’s at the same time and what we can expect from “Uncommon Me.”

How did Men of Standard come together?

Well, after singing with John P. Kee, Lowell and I were just trying to find our way from a musical standpoint. I started doing stage plays with Michael Matthews from ’94-’96. In ’96, Lowell and I decided to start Men of Standard. The crazy part was it was only the two of us, so we had to find two more members. I knew Bryan from one of the plays. I knew he had a dope voice, a great personality and he was a preacher.  So we recruited Bryan and another friend introduced us to Michael, so that’s how the group started.

Why do you think male groups tend to stay together longer than female groups?

Guys don’t hold on to stuff. Guys aren’t emotional like that. We have issues, we talk about it, we fuss, we may fight, but when it’s over with, it’s over. We are able to separate business from everything else. So with that being said, Men of Standard was able to gel and have a chemistry that allowed us to always be honest and trustworthy. We never let anybody divide the group. We knew people were trying to get Lowell to do a solo album and others were trying to get me to do a solo album outside the group. But we didn’t let those things infiltrate the group. We showed loyalty to each other.

Why did Mike leave the group?

Mike wanted to do some other things. Mike is a writer and he really wanted to do some mainstream stuff. He felt like his time with the group was up. It was funny because we had just gotten out of our deal with Malaco Records and we were about to sign with Sony. We were like, “Are you sure you want to walk away now?” He said he was burned out, so we totally understood. But all of us still talk either everyday or at least once a week.

The money was being split four ways. Were you financially ok?

Interestingly enough, we were making money all those years, and that’s all we did. If you think about it, praise and worship gigs weren’t the jumpoff back then. These days everyone has a church gig now. If you were trying to do music, you didn’t have another outlet if you weren’t doing shows or concerts or if you weren’t writing or producing. God stayed with us!  We would record a CD almost every 2 years and after that we would do shows. We would do so many shows in between that money was always coming in. On top of that, back then there was only one of us in the group that was married, which was Bryan. So we didn’t have the large overhead of families. But don’t get it twisted, in the beginning we could take care of our bills, but that was about it!!

How did you guys agree on taking a break from Men of Standard? Was everyone in favor of it?

About two and half years ago we were doing a show in Milwaukee at Bishop Hines’ church. Some things had been tugging on us individually and we hadn’t communicated it to each other because we didn’t want anyone to feel abandoned. Wanting to go in a different direction could take money out of someone else’s mouth. So we all sat down after the conference and laid it all out. Bryan expressed that as a pastor he needed to be at his church on a consistent basis and Lowell and I wanted to do some different things. When you’re doing things collectively God can bless you, but He also has things for you individually. And what happens is you get so comfortable being in a collective situation that you miss out on all of your individual blessings.

So was it your plan to do a solo album?

I never wanted to do a solo album. I was always cool singing background. So we sat down as a group and put together a five to seven year plan. I wanted Low and I to do a duet album, like Dawkins&Dawkins or Mary Mary. But Lowell felt it was our time to do separate projects. So he was really instrumental in pushing me out there!

Why is it that your CD and Lowell’s are being released so close to each other? It could appear to be a little competitive.

The reason we’ve done albums at the same time is because we don’t think it will affect one another. Lowell’s style of singing and music is totally different than mine. He is more of a quartet church dude, who can do contemporary. I am more of a contemporary, urban dude, who can do church. It’s like if J. Moss and Smokie Norful put out an album at the same time, they pretty much wont affect each other in a negative way. So ultimately, if I win, he wins and if he wins, I win, because we’re a team. I know people are going to come out and say well I like Lowell’s better than Ike’s or vice versa, but it’s all to our benefit.

What is your biggest fear as a solo artist?

It’s funny that you asked me that because I know the bible says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.” But I really struggle with fear in my life: fear of dying, fear of not accomplishing goals, fear of people not liking my music, etc.  I read books about it, I talk to Kirk, talk to different people, different artists and pastors who I trust spiritually to help me through this process. To know it’s me, myself and I when I step on stage puts me in a place where I have to totally lean and depend on God and that’s scary, man. It’s more mental than anything else. The spiritual side of it is that I don’t want to ever walk on stage so confident where I don’t have to lean and depend on God.

When is the album “Uncommon Me” going to be released?

Well, the single, “Redeemed” is on iTunes now. But the full album is coming in September! I worked with some really great producers. I worked with Adonis (Beyoncé, Alicia Keys), Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary), Harold Lilly (Fantasia, Angie Stone) and others! I have a duet with Eric Dawkins from Dawkins and Dawkins that is incredible. And I went back to where I started and did a song with John P. Kee.  I’m just excited about the whole album! This album was designed and originated to show people who Isaac Caree really is because you never really get the true essence of a person as long as they’re behind someone else.

What’s behind the title “Uncommon Me?”

I entitled this project “Uncommon Me” because in this journey I found things about myself that I didn’t realize from a musical and personality stand point.  I had to see my fears, my insecurities and my shortcomings. I had people fooled like I had it all together, but I didn’t.  I grew up in a home without a father, which devastated me. Then I got married at a young age, had two kids and then divorced because I never had a father to show me how to be a good man.  Then I got remarried six years ago and I have a wonderful family, but even still, having to blindly walk this road alone, just God and me, is scary. God said,” I don’t want you to be common. I don’t want you to be regular. I don’t want you to just be ordinary, be extraordinary. Get back to who I made you to be and who I made you is the good, the bad, and the ugly”. What we try to do is cover up the bad with the good and make people think that we got it all together, and God’s like, “No, I want to use your ugly too. Your ugly is going to help somebody else come out.” So I entitled the record “Uncommon Me.”

How do you feel about Gospel artists being called “celebrities?”

How can you be a Gospel artist, but be a celebrity? That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. I’m not saying you can’t be successful, but success doesn’t equal celebrity. I don’t think the gospel was intended for people to be celebrities and stars. Bill Gates is not a celebrity. He’s successful and rich, but that doesn’t make him a celebrity. Beyoncé is a celebrity. Usher is a celebrity. The genre of music and the lifestyle they’re in can put them in that platform. But we don’t sing about ourselves, we sing about a Higher Power, we sing about Jesus. So they can sing about their cars, their houses, their cribs, their jewelry, their wives, and whatever else. Everything that we sing is about Jesus, so how does that make me a celebrity? I’m glorifying somebody else. So I just don’t get that whole thing. I said that to say, I’m a regular person.

ISAAC’S 10 RANDOM TRUTHS

1. 1. Favorite Kirk Franklin song? “Hosanna.”
2. 2. Least favorite Men of Standard song? “MOS Praise Party.”
3. 3. Smokie Norful or Deitrick Haddon? Deitrick Haddon.
4. 4. Bungee jump or skydive? Skydive.
5. 5. Favorite R&B female singer? Brandy.
6. 6. Most underrated female Gospel singer? Crystal Aikin.
7. 7. 112, Dru Hill, Jagged Edge or Boyz II Men? 112.
8. 8. Favorite ice cream flavor? Breyers butter pecan
9. 9. A song you wish you would have recorded? “Let Go” by DeWayne Woods.
10. Take 6, Commissioned, The Winans or Men Standard? Of course Commissioned.

CRYSTAL AIKIN

• Interviews
• April 13th

Every contestant who wins a singing talent competition doesn’t end  up a casualty. Some say it’s still too early to predict the future of one of the Gospel industry’s newest sensations, but Crystal Aikin seems to be right on track towards a successful career. Two time Stellar Award winner and winner of BET’s Gospel reality singing competition Sunday Best, Crystal Aikin is riding high off the success of her critically acclaimed first CD and a near perfect performance on this year’s 2010 Stellar Awards telecast. At 35, Crystal is self-assured, confident, spiritually grounded and most importantly, at peace that her life is right in line with where God wants her to be!

You’re living in Dallas right now. What made you relocate there?

I’m taking a bit of a sabbatical right now. There were a couple of different cities I was thinking about initially. Dallas wasn’t my first choice. But it kept sticking in my head, so I know it’s where the Lord wanted me to be. I’m very content with where I am right now.   I wasn’t necessarily running from anything, but more of running to something. I was looking for a place of solitude. When you’re at home you can get busy with the comforts of home and it can all be distracting. In Dallas, I don’t know everybody and I don’t know where all the hot spots are, so it’s allowed me to focus on Crystal. I’m out of town more than anything, so I know I’m not here to be out and about, but to work and get closer to God.

Now that you’ve won two Stellar Awards, do you think it solidifies you as a real artist?

I was extremely surprised I was nominated for 4 Stellar Awards. Then to win 2…it’s just incredible. I looked at all the people in my categories and was like what am I doing here? Going from a television show to being the last woman standing and then having an album come out, it’s crazy. When you have a project, you’re hoping everybody respects and appreciates it and is getting God from it. Then to be acknowledged for your hard work is amazing. Winning 2 Stellar Awards does set me up more as an artist and pulls me away from just being the winner of Sunday Best.

Do you read blogs and other reviews on your CD?

I do hear about blogs and critiques, positive and negative. Coming up through Sunday Best was great training ground for dealing with opinions. The minute you show up on television everyone has access to say whatever they want about you. I feel I have a phenomenal first album. Marvin Sapp said to me it’s good that your album was great, but now it’s going to catapult you for the next project. He said people often want the first album to be a huge hit but they end up dropping off because it can’t be duplicated. That was so wonderful coming from him. It’s about an evolution. In the beginning some things I read hurt a little because you want people to like you and what you do. But I learned to let that all go because I have to be me and a good representative of Christ.

There was a lot of controversy about you and Shari Addison coming out on the same day and basically having the same album cover. What is your opinion on everything?

My true opinion is that I’m so glad Shari is an artist in the industry. I believe there is room for all of us. Initially, I was like wow. But Shari and I have moved on from that. I know it was a dream for her just like it was for me. I think Zomba/Verity have to be what they are and that’s a business. When you look at it spiritually it goes beyond what people see and say. I just wish people wouldn’t pit us against each other. It’s like we’re still competing.

But Crystal don’t you feel like it took away the prestige of being the “winner?”

I know how it looked to everyone and I heard stuff from people I knew and those I didn’t. They would say, “Why would they do this and why are they even putting her album out?” I think what it said to me is that when people vote they want to see and hear who they voted for. Just like when Ruben Studdard won American Idol, but you heard so much about Clay Aiken. It almost diminished his winning and America’s votes. So in a sense the record label wasn’t actually servicing who the public was anticipating because if so Clay would have been the winner. I think people are going to feel how they feel and I let them pick up the slack on that issue. At the end of the race there is one winner, but there are always prizes for everyone that participates. So I’m ok with everything. That’s how life is. I didn’t let it temper my spirit and dampen things. The world needs to know that Shari is where she’s supposed to be. At the end of the day we both gained our natural reward, but I know that we are both working on our eternal reward.

You’re sporting a new hairstyle and you’ve lost some weight. What brought about the change?

Truthfully I was nervous about the new look. I tried to keep my twists. That’s how people recognized me from the show. I thought it was time for a change. I wanted people to see that I’m developing. And it was never my desire at thirty-five to represent for the big girls. That isn’t my claim to fame. (lol)  As I’ve been traveling, I realize how important it is to be fit and healthy. Going from city to city and not getting a lot of sleep can wear you down. So it is my desire to shed some of the weight. I’m just more conscious of what I put in my mouth.

Are you single?

Yes I am single and have no kids. Right now I’m happy with my singleness. When God requires your time it’s nice because at this point I don’t have to consider anyone else’s feelings. But I am looking forward to the day when I will have a family. If the right man came along though and captured my heart then I would do things to adjust accordingly.

What have you learned about the music industry that you didn’t know?

I wish that once you come out of a competition or you get inducted into the industry that there was an “Industry 101” class. I know there are books, but it would be nice to sit and take notes. After the show, everything happened so fast. I had to make sure I had the right team in place like an assistant, management, publicist and an attorney. Those components are so important because I wasn’t thinking about those things when the show was over. It’s also good to be well rounded. It’s like when you apply for college, they not only look at your academics, but your extracurricular activities. There are so many other areas you can tap into, especially in Gospel, not just with acting, but with endorsements too. So I learned there is more to Crystal than I thought there was.

How are your finances since you’ve won the show?

A lot of people assumed I won money too, but I didn’t.  I’m not overly rich, but I don’t want for anything either. As a Gospel artist your deal isn’t a multi million dollar contract like these secular artists get. When you do Gospel you really have to let your ministry do what it’s going to do but you have to be a business person too. I’m a registered nurse so I’m used to knowing exactly what I’m bringing home. And now you don’t always know because you have someone else working on your behalf to make sure your calendar is full to meet those same needs. But I left my job in ’08 because my schedule got so full. I believe it was the right time and God was setting everything up.

Had you not won the show do you think you would have been discovered?

I don’t think so. I was not really hustling for a deal. There was a part of me that was extremely content. I worked very hard to become a nurse and I wasn’t at a job that I hated. I did feel deep down that there was something more I was supposed to be doing and when I stepped out on stage and I would speak the word of God I felt whole. I believe all of this is an answer to my parent’s prayers. I believe that when you are obedient, there is just a reward to obeying God. I truly have a passion for God and seeing people bless God. That is so important to me.

CRYSTAL AIKIN’S 20 RANDOM TRUTHS

1. Favorite Whitney Houston song? “You Give Good Love.”
2. Least favorite fruit? Honeydew melon.
3. Manicure or pedicure? Manicure.
4. 3 artists on your ipod? Lalah Hathaway, Dawkins&Dawkins & Diana Krall.
5. One male artist you want to do a duet with? MaliMusic.
6. Favorite season? Summer.
7. One country you want to visit? Australia.
8. On time or late for church? Late.
9. Smokie Norful, Deitrick Haddon, Fred Hammond or Tye Tribbett? Tye                                                           Tribett.
10. Beyonce or Alicia Keys? Beyonce.

Tarralyn Ramsey

• Interviews
• February 26th

She’s been compared to arguably one of the best female voices of our time, Ms. Whitney Houston. And even with that comparison, Tarralyn Ramsey has still managed to carve a niche for herself as one of the most powerful and distinctive voices in music today.

But it wouldn’t be fair to call her a “DIVA” if she didn’t experience everything that comes along with the title such as scrutiny, speculation and criticism.

This interview was unequivocally my most interesting to date and one I won’t soon forget. I won’t go into details of why, but if I ever decide to write a book you can bet the bank this account will be in there!

How did you get discovered?

I was living in Melbourne, FL and I was singing in this talent show. A man came up to my parents afterwards saying he was a record executive who had connections to Jive Records. He was basically propositioning my parents to do a photo shoot and record a demo. So we went into the studio and recorded 2 songs. He took them to Jive and then Verity Records got a hold of the demo and that’s how I got signed. I was 14 at the time. “O Holy Night” was the first song I recorded signed to Verity Records, which Fred Hammond produced.

Were you excited to sign with a major label?

You would probably expect me to have these wonderful stories about signing my first major deal, but that wasn’t the case. I remember the contract coming in the mail and looking at the terms. It didn’t have specifications for years; it only had specifications for amount of albums. I remember thinking, ‘I hope this works out, because if it doesn’t I’m going to be 25 still locked into this agreement’. So, I wasn’t as happy as I should have been, but I ended up signing because I was living at home with my parents and my mom really wanted me to sign it. There was something in my spirit that just didn’t feel right about signing this contract.

Was it always the plan for you to be a Gospel artist?

Whatever my parents decided is what it was. Initially I was being groomed to be like a young Brandy, Whitney Houston type artist. My dad didn’t know anything about the music industry and he wasn’t comfortable with me singing Pop/R&B, so that’s how I ended up singing Gospel. He was afraid they were going to put me out on stage half naked.

How was the recording of your first solo album?

That whole record was made over a period of 6 or 7 years. I was signed with Verity from age fourteen until I was twenty one. I was twenty one when the album was finally released. By the time the album came out, I wasn’t the same person anymore. The excitement was gone and I was ready to move on to something new. It wasn’t fun anymore.

So what were you doing in between all those years?

I was sitting home, not making any money, waiting on my album to come out. Other record company’s and executives would approach me, but I couldn’t do anything because I was stuck in that contract with Verity. It was so frustrating to be signed that long and not having anything to show for it. To this day I’ve never received a check from that album, EVER. I did receive an advance when I signed my deal, but that’s it. They’ve made that money back 10 times over, I’m sure. You have people who are supposedly protecting your interests and when bad decisions are made, you are the one who takes the fall. Not to mention after I won the “Born to Diva” contest, Verity repackaged the CD and sold even more albums.

Were you angry at how Verity handled your project?

I was very resentful for a few years on how some things went down. Now that I’ve learned the business, I’ve let those feelings go. It was all a learning lesson. There were definitely times when I didn’t want to do it anymore. But this is my job, my ministry, so you can’t let it break you. But that’s why I entered the “Born to Diva” contest because I was tired of sitting around broke.

How exactly did you end up on VH1’s “Born to Diva” contest?

I got out of my contract with Verity, but I was at home depressed with how my career had stalled. So one night a commercial came on and it said if you think you have what it takes to share the stage with Whitney Houston and Beyoncé then come try out for this contest. It said you had the opportunity to perform on “Divas Live” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  So I drove to Atlanta and tried out.

Didn’t you think people would recognize you since you had a CD in stores?

My album was never released worldwide. It was only released in certain markets. I didn’t even know anyone knew who I was. Never ever in a million years did I think I would make it through the line. I didn’t think anyone would recognize me because I had gained so much weight sitting at home. I didn’t think I was what they were looking for because all the girls in line were skinny and had on these sexy outfits. I thought the contest was going to be based more on looks than talent. And it was a VH1 production. I never thought a black, churchy, overweight girl had a chance of winning. I really didn’t. I remember standing in line and being overwhelmed by all the talent I heard. I heard some girls whispering in line saying, “I think that’s Tarralyn Ramsey.” But again I had gained so much weight I didn’t expect anyone to recognize me. Even one of the judges asked if I was Tarralyn and I said no. I made sure I brought my paperwork to show I didn’t have a contract.

You had to know the Gospel community was going to have something to say about the possibility of you recording a secular album.

The competition was never about winning a record deal. A record deal wasn’t even on the table in the beginning. It was only to perform on stage live at “Divas.” It wasn’t until we got to New York for the next phase of the show that we found out about the record deal. They gave us a record management contract on Friday and we had to have it signed and back to them on Monday to be able to continue in the contest.

From the show it was easy to see that you were the front-runner. Did you think you were going to win?

I really didn’t. I was floored. Everybody knows I am a die hard Whitney Houston fan. When they called my name I blacked out. Whitney Houston came up to me and said, “Out of everyone that’s ever been compared to me, you really do sound like me”. That was such an honor.

How was it working with Tommy Mottola and being one of the first artists signed to his new label Casablanca Records?

Working with Tommy Mottola was not what I expected. After my single “Up Against All Odds” came out, my record went to the left. They basically told me what to sing and that’s what I did. I didn’t have a say in what I sang, how I sang it, who I worked with, what clothes I wore or even how my hair was. They paid me to sing and that’s what I did. In the end the CD just wasn’t me.

Did you make money from the album?

I made more money signing that deal than I had made in my whole career.

Why do you think everyone came down on you so hard for recording a “secular” CD?

I didn’t win Sunday Best, I won on a competition on VH1. I signed a contract and I had to fulfill my commitment to record a pop album. Ruben Studdard and I won 3 days apart, but I’m the one who was crucified. I don’t regret anything that has happened. I accept that as God’s will for me. You can be comfortable and at peace when you know your place. My road wasn’t Jennifer Hudson’s or Fantasia’s. I never misrepresented who I was.

Tell me about your new album “Beyond the Darkness.”

I started working on this project about 2 years ago. I stopped because I really didn’t want to hear everybody saying, “Oh she’s coming back to Gospel” after making a secular album. But I prayed about it and just let God take control of everything. I sang every lead and background vocal. I was in the studio 24 hours a day. To me it’s my best work yet. This album will answer ANY questions someone may have. It’s the real Tarralyn Ramsey.

If there is one thing you’ve learned up to this point, what would you say?

God is faithful!

I’M SURE YOU’VE HEARD: KIM BURRELL GETS SLIM & “SECULAR”

• News
• February 8th

At first I didn’t want to write about this, but I keep getting emails from other people and friends asking me if I’ve heard about Kim Burrell. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, everyone I’ve heard! The only way I wouldn’t have heard the news is if I was trapped in my house with no Internet or cell phone access.

I guess it is kind of big news. She is one of the industry’s biggest Gospel artists that have managed to capture the admiration of a large portion of the secular music community. I’m just not on Kim Burrell’s jock like many others because I haven’t really been happy with much of her material since that awe-inspiring, musical masterpiece “Everlasting Life.”

I have to admit that Kim Burrell is looking a lot lighter and younger due to the 100lbs. she recently lost. I saw her on TBN a couple of months ago talking about how she had suffered 3 heart attacks, so it was definitely time to make a change. Along with her weight loss, Kim has a new image, lucrative endorsement deals, a new reality show and a new secular album all coming in 2010.

The news of Kim recording a secular album has some members of the Gospel community up in arms. But after seeing Kim’s incredible, show-stopping, chill-sending tribute to Whitney Houston performing “I Believe in You and Me” on the “BET Honors,” it should have silenced most of the naysayers.

My take on Kim doing a secular project is that this is her livelihood. If those Gospel CD’s ain’t selling, why not reinvent yourself!?!? Many artists would jump at the opportunity to reach the masses and still maintain a positive Christian image. Often times it’s their one chance to reach an audience they would normally NEVER have access to by selling 10,000 copies of their album to Gospel music lovers only! And something tells me the “secular” album Kim is going to record won’t be anything like what we hear from Rihanna, Keri Hilson or Beyoncé, so I think we can all relax and eat some bran!! (lol)

Make sure you check out her new look and website at www.backstagewithkim.com

Shelea

• Interviews
• February 8th

If you were to get a peek at this rising star’s resume you might assume she’s already a veteran when you learn; she was the voice behind the theme song to CW’s hit TV show “All of Us” or that she wrote and produced “It Ain’t Supposed To Be This Way” the first single off of Chante Moore’s latest CD “Love The Woman” or that she’s shared the stage with the legendary Stevie Wonder.

Shelea is no average artist as you can probably guess. She is poised to take the music industry by storm and some of the biggest names in music have already taken notice.

Despite all she’s accomplished, she’s extremely humble and doesn’t hesitate to proclaim that Jesus is the reason for everything she’s become and everything He has prepared for her. She’s just walking in God’s will for her life!

What’s your take on singing “secular” music?

I’ve been hearing it all my life. Keep singing for Jesus. If I put music to the Song of Solomon it would be a very graphic song that most Gospel artists would cringe at if they didn’t know it was taken from the book of the Bible. I totally understand what people are getting at, but to me it goes across the board. If you’re a banker, a professional skater, a pastor, a teacher or whatever career you choose, you have to give glory to God. And singing secular music, you can still have to give glory to God because God is in everything. What I find so interesting is that it’s only pertaining to music that people differentiate between secular and Gospel/Christian. No one calls a teacher “secular” if they teach in a public school as opposed to a private Christian school. For some reason it’s singers who are perceived as doing something evil. So when people ask me am I singing for Jesus, I say I’m living for Jesus. There are SOOO many Gospel artists I have met that do not represent anything about Jesus. They are so stank, mean spirited and it’s all a competition. Sometimes I feel it’s even worse in Gospel because they aren’t making any money, so it’s even more cut throat. You have to do what God has called you to do. I’ve had the opportunity to share my faith with so many people in the “secular” arena that I would have never reached in church or in my own safe environment.

You were in a girl group that came very close to getting a deal. What happened?

I was in a Gospel girl group called “Forgiven.” We were about to sign to Blackground Records, but things between the four of us weren’t meshing at the time. Looking back on that situation I realized we were really young and kind of going in different directions. Unfortunately sometimes it’s hard for 4 women to get along. You can look down through the history of girl groups and see that it can be a challenge. There are a lot of things personally that I would probably do differently. But being in the group gave me my first introduction to the industry and it just completely consumed me. My junior year in college, I told my mom I wanted to stop going to school and pursue music full time. She quickly told me, “No you’re not!” But the feeling was so intense at that point. When we broke up though, I really felt like I could do it by myself.

How does it feel to have worked with some of the biggest artists in the music industry?

I just know I’m walking in God’s purpose. I remember meeting Brian McKnight and being ecstatic that I was going to sign to his label. He told me I was the female version of him! He even wrote a couple of songs for me. That was an amazing time in my life. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out because he was dealing with some professional and personal issues at the time. But to know someone I applauded and looked up to felt I was good enough was just incredible.

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis are LEGENDARY producers! What was it like to be in the studio with them?

I was their session singer/songwriter! Going to work everyday with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis was life changing. I remember pinching myself in complete awe. I would see Terry write an amazing song in twenty minutes. I just tried to soak up every minute. My connection with Jam & Lewis afforded me to get my film credits; “Shark’s Tale,” “Hotel Rwanda,” “The Will Grace & Soundtrack” and “Akeelah and the Bee.”

How did you end up being featured on Take 6’s latest CD “The Standard”?

When I was 7, I remember listening to “He Never Sleeps” from their first album and being entranced by that song. I was so emotional at the music I was hearing. I would lock myself in my room and listen to it for hours! I remember thinking, if I ever get the chance to sing with Take 6, it would be a dream come true! So when I got the call from David Thomas I was in a state of shock. I felt like I didn’t have to record another thing, EVER! They are like my brothers, so to work with them was an awesome experience. The song I recorded “Someone to Watch Over Me” kind of became the first single too!

You performed with one of the biggest legends in music, Mr. Stevie Wonder. Was that like a dream?

I remind myself all the time of what God has already done for me thus far in my career. Things I would have never imagined. I may not have been able to put out my own project yet, but there are so many solidified artists that will never have the introduction that Stevie Wonder gave me at his show. That is nothing but God! Being on Take 6’s album was the catalyst that opened so many doors for me. He heard the song I did with them and said I have to meet her. I actually went to his studio!! There are no words to describe what I was feeling. It was almost like I was in a movie or something. I grew up in a family where I wasn’t allowed to listen to secular music, but whenever Stevie Wonder was on TV, the Frazier family was watching.  I got a call from him not long after our initial meeting and he said I would love for you to perform with me at my benefit concert, “House Full of Toys.” I literally started screaming. My husband thought something was wrong with me because I don’t normally get like that. Two days before the actual show, I was so nervous I was shaking. I had never sung in front of an audience of thousands. The interesting thing is, is that when I hit the stage and sat next to him, I felt so calm it was like I was singing in my living room. I honestly felt like I was at home.

You also got the opportunity to sing in Washington, D.C. during the historical inauguration weekend for President Obama. How did that come about?

When I sang for Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys concert there was a lady in the audience, Stephanie Meyers, who was part of the inaugural committee. And the second song I performed was a song I had written called “I Believe.” My mom kept pressuring me to write a song and I was like nobody wants to hear a song like that from me. But after I voted, I was just so emotional and the lyrics just started pouring out. Before I knew it, I was performing at 3 inaugural events. President Obama wasn’t at any of them, but they were official events. Just to be in the midst of history is something I will never forget.

This industry is full of ups and downs. How do you keep a positive outlook?

It’s hard to be honest. I feel so bad for people that don’t have a relationship with God and know that if the door is meant to be open, He will open it. But, I can totally see how people can go into a deep depression, especially in this industry. You get so close and it’s so promising and everyone is saying you’re so amazing and then nothing happens. But for me personally, the filter I use is spiritual. I absolutely have to believe and do believe that God has me where He wants me to be. Around 2003, I can look back now and see that I probably was depressed. I was sleeping a lot and just going through the motions. But I didn’t know it back then. But, when you’re connected to God, He will give you that belief in faith that He has you right where He wants you. And at 29 I have that figured out now!

What artists have inspired you?

I grew up listening to Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Commissioned, The Hawkins, The Winans (all of them!) and Tramaine Hawkins. Vickie Winans’ first album “Be Encouraged” is still one of my favorites to this day. There are also 3 women that are just untouchable to me; Whitney Houston pre “Preacher’s Wife,” Barbara Streisand and Sandi Patty. Particularly, Whitney Houston because I don’t think there is any artist who understood phrasing, tones and melody as well as she did at her peek!

So what’s next for you?

My project is coming, which will be more jazz influenced. I would love to continue writing and producing for other artists also. Most people don’t know this, but I love country music. I would love to write for some country singers. If there was ever an artist I would love to be a female version of it would be Babyface. He crosses so many genres and boundaries. One of the best songs he’s ever written in my opinion is “Take a Bow” for Madonna, but then he turns around and does “Change the World” for Eric Clapton. He’s such a prolific artist.

SHELEA’S 10 RANDOM TRUTHS

1. Favorite TV show? “Private Practice.”
2. Favorite hymn? “There’s Room at the Cross.”
3. Favorite male R&B singer? Usher.
4. Favorite cereal? “Frosted flakes.”
5. Favorite Beyonce song? “Crazy in Love.”
6. Duet with any female artist? Shania Twain.
7. Daryl Coley, Smokie Norful, Marvin Sapp or Fred Hammond? Fred Hammond.
8. Morning or night person? Neither.
9. Target or Wal-Mart? Target.
10. Can you change a tire? I guess if I had to lol but I’d call AAA!

THE STELLAR AWARDS WEEKEND RECAP PT. 2 & THE LIST OF ALL THE WINNERS!

• News
• January 26th

I’m going to pick up right where I left off…so let’s go

Friday, January 15^th,  around 9pm Bonnerfide Radio Launch Party

I would say one of the most talked about, eagerly anticipated events during the weekend was definitely Gerard Bonners’ “Bonnerfide Radio Launch Party” hosted by my boy Jawn Murray. Gerard just recently started an interactive internet radio show that has become relatively successful in a short amount of time. So much so, that his radio show was nominated for a 2010 Stellar Award for Internet Radio Station of the Year. He did not win, but I know he was excited that he was even recognized. Gerard is a good guy that has embraced me and I wish him nothing but the best. Now that I’m done with those pleasantries, let’s get to the stuff I like.

I knew I had to be on point because it was going to be a GANG of “celebs” in the house and it lived up to the talk! By the way I think I looked rather dapper, if I do say so myself! (lol and I do) Check Da Gospel Truth Facebook fan page for all the pictures!

The line-up was rather long which indicated to me that the show was going to be long and I was right! With that said, the list of performers definitely made me want to stay around. Half of the artists I had heard of before, the other half were all brand new to me. Here’s who was performing so you can get an idea; Sheri Jones Moffett, George Huff, CMO, Melinda Watts, Karima, Candy & Peaches West, PJ Morton, Lisa Page Brooks, Jonathan & Jason Nelson, San Franklin, Adrianne Archie, Rae Ellis, Claude Deuce, JJ Hairston, Tre Thomas, Dominique Side and more and more! You get the idea right…it was a lot of singing! (lol) Overall I enjoyed most of the performances that I can remember. It’s all a bit of a blur now. It was also good to see my man Torrence Glenn of BET getting his direct on with the BRC Choir! There were a couple artists that got CRICKETS from the audience who will remain nameless. But I will say this, the Gospel audience is a HARDDDDDDDDDD crowd to move. To get a reaction you basically need to do a back flip, while holding the mic, singing on key, juggling fire, with no pants on and you MAY get a handclap!! LOL I’m dead serious! But almost 5 hours later the show came to a successful end with nothing but smiles and kudos!

The turnout was absolutely great! Beyonce’s daddy Matthew Knowles was in the building!! Ok I’m going to say that again, BEYONCE’S DADDY MATTHEW KNOWLES was in the building!! THAT’S MAJOR!

One of the funniest moments that no one knew about but me, was when Jawn Murray came up to me and asked what is the name of this artist new CD and what’s her single that’s out?!?! They really didn’t give him much information to go off of about the artists. But Jawn basically gave this artist CRICKETS because he didn’t know anything about her! AAAAAWWWW I felt kind of bad but if I said the name you would ALL know who it was!!

Make sure you check out Bonnerfide Radio everyday from 9am-12pm EST at www.getbonnerfide.com

Saturday, January 16^th, 11:00am Radio Station of the Year Awards Ceremony

I was still tired from the night before, so I really wasn’t pressed to get to this event. But I needed to meet someone at this event to pickup my ticket for the Stellar Awards so I had to go and I’m glad I did.

We got there a little late, but I really didn’t care about the awards they were passing out. I just wanted to see the performances. So I’ll tell you about those and keep this portion of my day pushing!

Wife of R&B/Neo-Soul singer Anthony Hamilton, Tarsha Hamilton performed two songs which I thoroughly enjoyed. She looked beautiful and she sounded even better. I definitely need to get my hands on her CD! And thanks to my lovely friend Veda Brown, I had a front row seat!

Next up was everyone’s favorite comedic actress/Gospel singer Mrs. Tamela Mann. All I know is that lately every time I see Tamela perform, whether it be on TV or at an event, she looks like MONEY!! I’ve worked in TV for many years, so I know the Mann’s are making some nice change! Tamela sang the title track to her new album “The Master Plan” and wore us out! Enough said!

Lastly there was a group of ladies that I just had to stay and hear. I told my friends we could not leave until I heard them because previously many months ago I gave them CRICKETS! The Nevels Sisters were up! I can admit when I’m wrong and I will be writing a retraction on what I said VERY soon! I’ll just say hair and vocals. Hair and vocals! Oh yeah hair, vocals and energy in that order!! (lol) They were outstanding! LITERALLY they were the highlight of the whole show. They were so good, after they walked offstage, they brought them back out for an encore!! So CRICKETS to me!

Saturday January 16^th, 5pm The Stellar Awards

The purpose of the whole weekend was actually here, The Stellar Awards! I worked the red carpet, but almost missed it because I accidentally set my ticket down to the actual award show and didn’t notice until we were half way back to the hotel to change. So we had to turn around and go back. Luckily I found it and the crisis was averted!

The red carpet was cool. Nothing all that exciting to talk about, so I’ll keep it moving.

It was the Stellar Awards 25^th Anniversary and the theme of the show was “Collaborations.” It was a nice idea. Since I really don’t feel like typing out EVERY detail of the taping, I’m going to give you quick hits! Watch the show to get the full effect! Am I being lazy?? LOL

• Show was hosted by Donnie, Vickie and Kirk. Vickie was hilarious!
• The show opened with Ricky Dillard & New Generation and Hezekiah Walker & LFC. GREAT way to open the show with two of the top choirs in the industry sharing the stage.
• Vanessa Bell Armstrong came out and the audience gasped at how AMAZING she looked! I don’t even know if anyone paid attention to her singing her single “Good News” because she looked that good!
• Tramaine Hawkins, Dottie Peoples and Shirley Caesar on stage together! Nothing else needs to be said…except that Tramaine sounded like she was still in her teens. She sounded incredible! She’s my all time favorite!
• Richard Smallwood and Smokie Norful created a beautiful and classy moment grand piano to grand piano.
• Crystal Aikin gave my favorite performance of the night! I was taken aback at how beautiful she looked and sounded.
• Bebe & Cece sang “Grace.” Thank God it didn’t slow the shows momentum down. It was cool.
• Kirk Franklin and some of the Family and some of his new singers did a medley that was too short! He just has too many timeless hits!
• James Fortune & Fiya performed his hit “I Trust You.” Everybody just loves that song.
• Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp and Byron Cage sent that room into a praise frenzy! It was definitely the highlight of the evening! THEY SANG!
• Kirk Franklin came out and gave us a sermonette.
• Israel Houghton did a creative video performance with Mary Mary of their duet “Every Prayer.” My favorite song on the CD.
• Donald Lawrence & Co. and the winning choir of “Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound Choir” contest Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir closed the evening out with the infectious “Back II Eden.” P.S. There was a member of that choir that was going INNNNNN!! LOL Hit up Neily Dickerson to see the footage! LOL

Well folks that’s it! There you have it! My first Stellar weekend ever! I had a great time. Let me know what you think of Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 of my recap?!? Did you feel like you were there with me??? I hope so!

For Part 1. go to www.dagospeltruth.com/?p=1655

Artist Of The Year – Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Song Of The Year – “God In Me” by Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

Male Vocalist Of The Year – Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live (EMI Gospel)

Female Vocalist Of The Year – Vickie Winans, How I Got Over (Destiny Joy)

Group/Duo Of The Year – Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

New Artist Of The Year – Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin (Verity)

CD Of The Year – Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Choir Of The Year – Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Producer Of The Year – Donald Lawrence & Daniel Weatherspoon, The Law Of Confession Pt. 1 (Quietwater/Verity)

Contemporary Group/Duo Of The Year – Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

Traditional Group/Duo Of The Year – Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs, Fall On Me (MCG)

Contemporary Male Vocalist Of The Year – Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live (EMI Gospel)

Contemporary Female Vocalist Of The Year – Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin (Verity)

Traditional Male Vocalist Of The Year – Donnie McClurkin, We All Are One (Verity)

Traditional Female Vocalist Of The Year – Dottie Peoples, Do It! (DP Muzik Group)

Contemporary CD Of The Year – Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Traditional CD Of The Year – Shari Addison, Shari Addison (Verity)

Urban/Inspirational Single Of The Year – “God In Me” by Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

Music Video Of The Year – “How I Got Over” by Vickie Winans, How I Got Over (Destiny Joy)

Contemporary Choir Of The Year – Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Traditional Choir Of The Year – Bishop Paul S. Morton & The FGBCF Mass Choir, Cry Your Last Year (Light)

Special Event CD Of The Year – The Clark Sisters, J. Moss & Kierra Sheard, Silky Soul Music – A Tribute To Maze (Barantera Music Group)

Instrumental CD Of The Year – Ben Tankard, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Verity)

Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel CD Of The Year – Da’ T.R.U.T.H., The Big Picture (Cross Movement)

Children’s Performance Of The Year – Rev. Dr. Emory Andrews & Oxon Hill High School Choir, Amazing (Yrome)

Quartet Of The Year – Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs, Fall On Me (MCG)

Praise & Worship CD Of The Year – Stephen Hurd, Times Of Refreshing (Integrity)

Recorded Music Package Of The Year – Denise Trotman for Donald Lawrence’s The Law Of Confession Pt. 1 (Quietwater/Verity)

Jawn Murray

• Interviews
• December 21st

I actually have a nickname and theme song for the man I am HONORED to call my mentor in this business, “HOLLYWOOD!” (Thanks Jay-Z & Beyonce!)

Entertainment journalist guru Jawn Murray – despite living in Washington, DC – is truly Tinseltown’s finest!  It’s one thing to meet one of the people you admire, but to be able to call them a friend is a dream come true.

Jawn is more than an entertainment personality you hear on the radio or read on the internet.  Jawn is a shrewd business man that has strategically, successfully and prayerfully climbed to the top with all the integrity in the world.  There are not too many people in this business who are genuine, real and not threatened by someone else’s success.  But that’s why he stands out among the crowd and why God continues to bless his ever-growing empire!

What exactly do you do? What does your job entail?

I do a bunch of stuff. Most people kind of surmise that I’m a celebrity journalist. But I have my deal with AOL for the column BV Buzz under their Black Voices division.  My other deal is my twice-weekly spots on the Tom Joyner Morning Show.  I also make television appearances as an entertainment and pop culture subject matter expert.  I also do a lot of consulting for record companies, corporate brands, artists and other entities.  I’m my own CEO, which was unconventional when I first started out.  Luckily the way I structured my business, I haven’t been affected by the recession and the changing business.  It’s been 10 years as of May ’09 that I’ve been in this business.

What was your first real gig in the business?

I took a year off from school in ’99 and I started interning at a local Washington, DC radio station, WPGC.  I didn’t necessarily want to be in radio at the time, but I wanted to be diverse.  One of the mid-day radio hosts,Michel Wright, took a liking to me and she started letting me produce entertainment news segments on her show.  When I left the station to go back to school, she kept me on retainer and I continued to produce entertainment segments.  Michel really encouraged me to brand myself and get aggressive about making a name for myself.  At the time the internet was taking off real big and I created this e-zine called Garek News.It was basically an entertainment newsletter that was patterned after a popular news wire called EUR, which now only exists as an online website.  I used to send out emails to a small database of people in the business and it just grew from a few hundred to several thousand in a short time.

How did you get all your information since you were new to the scene?

In a matter of three or four months from working at the radio station, I had established a lot of relationships with industry people.  Then I started traveling doing all kinds of press junkets right from my dorm room.  By the time I had left Norfolk State, I had a meeting with EUR.  I disbanded my Garek News e-zine and adapted it into a column called Jawn’s Juice. The reason I called it Jawn’s Juice is because I had been doing local radio show in Norfolk with my good friend Phil Thornton, who now is a television and music mogul in Hollywood.  So the column was birthed from the radio segment.  EUR took my career to a whole new level.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part is dealing with crazy celebrities. The reality is celebrities can be temperamental, sensitive, manipulative and controlling.  They want to have their cake and eat it too.  They want the press, but they also want to dictate and control how it’s told.  In addition, the ex-wives, the entourage and all those extra “hanger-ons” who are trying to be famous or live vicariously through the celebrities are even crazier.

Do you remember the story that put you on the map?

The first big story I ever broke was with my column Garek News and it was that Destiny’s Child was breaking up.  I had done a radio event where original D.C. member LaTavia Roberson had expressed some concerns with things going on behind the scenes.  For whatever reason she connected to me and I knew the breakup was coming even before Mathew Knowles knew.  That was the first story I ever broke and people started doing pickups on it and really crediting me for getting that exclusive.  Honey magazine interviewed me about it and everything. That’s when I realized my voice carried legs.

Why do you think so many celebrities respect you and treat you differently than other entertainment journalists?

That used to be a question I asked myself all the time because I didn’t understand why celebrities took to me the way they did.  When I started in this business, there were all these misnomers about journalists like; nothing was ever truly off the record.  But, I would interact with an entertainer or celebrity and literally after one or two conversations they would tell me all their business.  But it wouldn’t just stop there, they would give me their home number to stay in touch and just deal with me on a personal level.  I think they found it comforting to talk to me.  It was really just the favor of God that people took such a strong liking to me.  People would be surprised at some of the conversations that I’ve had.  I’ve been part of some celebrities’ major life-changing decisions.  They know when I’m not working and my tape recorder isn’t on, I’m just their friend.  I’m not a name-dropper.  I’m a real dude who happens to work as a journalist.  I know the difference between having real time and operating in industry time.

How do you maintain a spiritual relationship with such a demanding career?

My relationship with God is everything to me.  It’s the reason why I’m in this business and why people have taken to me.  My relationship is so emanate with God, I think people naturally gravitate to that.  They recognize something different about me.  I’m a bonafide church boy and I’m very comfortable dwelling in a church setting, but I can also be in L.A. at an industry party and be comfortable there too.  I just may not be doing everything everyone else is doing.  Sometimes you deal with these crazy people in the industry and you want to fight back.  So there is a big battle between the spiritual me and the flesh in me who wants to just cuss some people out.  But my relationship with God has helped me make a lot of mature, imperative decisions.

How much of what we see and hear in the media is true?

It’s hard to tell. I tell most people to consider the source. A lot of what we see and hear about celebrities is fabricated to sell a product. We’ve heard countless stories of rappers saying they’re a gangster and they’re from the hood, but they really went to prep schools in the suburbs.  There are a lot of actors and actresses who on the surface look like millionaires, but really they are living with four other people or moved their parents in to help pay their rent.  So it’s a lot of smoke and mirrors.  With blogs being an intricate part of where people get information now, it compromises the traditionally journalism rules.  But as a rule of thumb, I tell most people that if the blog isn’t written by a respected journalist or attached to a credible news source, then the news should be processed accordingly.

I know you love music. Who are some of your favorites?

I’m a church boy, so I like singer-singers. They are currently joking me on my morning show because I am NOT a Sade fan!  But I do love real vocalists like Ledisi, Coko, Jennifer Hudson, Dave Hollister (really happy he’s doing R&B again), Lalah Hathaway, Shanice, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, Gladys Knight, Beyonce, Kelly Price, Ann Nesby, Kierra Sheard, Eric Benet, Ruben Studdard, Deitrick Haddon, Rahsaan Patterson, Anthony Hamilton, Johnny Gill, Nikki Ross, Tank, The Clark Sisters, Kim Burrell, Charlie Wilson, New Edition and so many more.  I could go on all day about singers.  But recently I’ve really gotten into U.K. artists too so I’m digging singers like Mica Paris, Beverly Knight and Lemar. I’m a Brit at heart!

How do you feel about artists who go back and forth between R&B and Gospel?

I don’t have a problem with it. As long as the lifestyle is intact, I don’t have a problem with what you sing. You can’t have vulgar lyrics and sing inappropriate songs on Saturday night and then sing sacred songs on Sunday. That’s just inconsistent. I’m a big champion of PJ Morton right now because I like the fact that he stepped out and said it is ok to sing about love. You can have integrity, be saved, go to church and sing about love. Just because you’re sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost doesn’t mean you’re called to sing gospel music. I think it’s a misnomer that you should only do one thing. There is a market for clean music and I think people who are saved can also sing that music. A lot of times I find mainstream artists are way more effective than some of the full-time Gospel artists because they are coming from a sincere place about their issues and struggles. That’s why there’s a connectivity that you may not get from a Gospel artist. A Gospel singer will sing and shout you into the ground and then get backstage and cuss you out because the offering isn’t what it’s supposed to be. I know many secular artists who tithe and actually belong to a church where they are not on staff as minister of music, unlike many Gospel artists. Some of the same Gospel singers, who complain about artists singing both, if given the opportunity, would sing “secular” music themselves in a New York minute. The very ones protesting the loudest are living the worst; having babies out of wedlock, cheating and everything else under the sun.  I get real passionate when I talk about this because there is so much judgment in this area and most of it is unwarranted.

What advice would you give to up and comers who want to do what you do?

I get emails all the time from people saying they want to do what I do. I tell them you see the glory, but you don’t know my story.  I love what I do, but there is and was a lot of sacrifice and heartache that went into this.  Let’s not mention the countless hours of prayer.  I’ve made some good decisions and some bad ones; but in the end it’s about being the tortoise and not the hare.  I’ve been blessed for it and it’s earned me longevity.

JAWN’S 10 RANDOM TRUTHS

1. Favorite TV show? “The View”
2. Favorite SWV song? “Weak.”
3. Would you ever bungee jump. Yes and I want my best friend VaShawn Mitchell to do it with me.  Plus, I’m afraid of heights!
4. How many kids do you want? Zero. I don’t like kids.
5. Favorite American Idol. Both Fantasia and Ruben Studdard.
6. Favorite award show to attend? The NAACP Image Awards.
7. Mac or PC? PC.
8. Favorite male R&B group? New Edition.
9. First car? Mazda 323.
10. Mary Mary or BeBe & CeCe? Mary Mary

For more information on Jawn, check out his column at www.BVBuzz.com.

RAE ELLIS

• Interviews
• November 12th

A dummy, she’s not! But extremely talented, she is! This 30 year old is not only a rising diva on the music front, but she is right on track to graduate with a Masters degree in Business Marketing after receiving her undergrad at Clark Atlanta. If nothing else, Rae Ellis is a survivor and exudes a resilience that is hard to ignore when you talk to her. She has a story to tell and anyone who is willing to listen, she tells with a no holds barred approach! I have nothing but love, admiration and respect for how far she’s come and how far I know she is going to go!

How did you end up singing with the group Uneek?

I jumped at the chance to sing with a national recording group. I was only 17 at the time. One of the members left the group for reasons I’m not completely sure about. I happened to be friends with the group’s drummer and he told me they were looking for another member. So that’s how it sort of all happened. I sang with them from time to time after the second album. The girls were great. I still talk to a few of them all the time. I learned a lot as far as artistry and music business 101.

So tell me what you learned in “Music Business 101?”

Well I remember our management being a little questionable. One New Year’s Eve we did three services, sweating our dresses out and at the end of the night I was given a check for $50.00. I couldn’t believe it. I later found out the girls had no idea I had got short changed like that. I didn’t really make anything when I was in the group because I never signed a contract. I wasn’t even in the group a full year. Ultimately after my dad saw how that situation turned out, he made me leave the group. I realize now that it was a blessing. I’m definitely not disappointed about the experience because I learned so much.

What’s a downside to this industry that you’ve had to learn?

Something I’ve learned is that just because it’s Gospel and you are spreading the good news, doesn’t mean everyone carries the same sentiments. Everyone in this business does not have a relationship with God just because they are in the Gospel industry. I’ve had other artists, who will remain nameless, watch my MySpace page and contact promoters trying to get on the same show in an attempt to upstage me. It’s crazy the things people will do. At the end of the day it seems as if this whole thing seems jaded. I came up being taught that this thing is about holiness, righteousness, and being sanctified or set apart. Everything just seems to blend now days and so many are self absorbed and forget about GOD. We are conduits or literally a mouthpiece for God. I really thank God for people like Cedric and LeJuene Thompson. They are real God-fearing people. LeJuene is just a class act.  Pastor John P. Kee has been very instrumental in my ministry also. He actually called me one night out of the blue to encourage me. Above all my mamma who’s not in the industry, keeps me holding on to my truth which is “he that begun a good work in me WILL perform it!” She’s amazing!  These are the people who keep you going.

I know you were involved in an abusive relationship. Tell me what happened.

I ended up getting involved with this guy who I thought was my dream guy. We met through a mutual friend when we were 20. We started off as friends, but I really took to him right off the bat. It’s interesting because I saw signs in the beginning, but they were so subtle. He was very manipulative. I was dating another guy at the time who was a very successful lawyer, but I didn’t feel like I was good enough for him, so I went for the blue collar guy. I think I also felt comfortable with him because he accepted me at the weight I was at. I lived in Atlanta at the time and it was like home of the big girls. I loved it. He started wanting to spend every moment together and wanting all my attention. He was very aggressive and controlling.

When was the first time he hit you?

I don’t remember what we were arguing about, but I got real “flip” with him and told him what I wasn’t going to do. I had no idea he was going to hit me. All of a sudden out of the blue he backhanded me. He wouldn’t just hit me though, he would pinch me under my arms and I would be black and blue all over. He would criticize my weight and when I would go walking, he would trail me in a car laughing and talking about my jiggle.  The abuse went on for about a year.

Did anyone know what was going on?

Well not really. I was at home visiting my parents and I was putting on my pajamas and my mom walked into the room and she saw the bruises on my body. This was close to the end of our relationship. I begged her not to tell my father. She said she would give me time to talk to my boyfriend about everything, but that she was going to tell my father what was going on. I didn’t want to move back home because I didn’t want “church folks” to know what was going on and going home to me would seem as if I failed in this area of my life. That’s why I didn’t want her to say anything.

How did the relationship end?

We were arguing because I told him I wanted out of the relationship and of course he didn’t want to let me go. This time when the argument escalated and he hit me, I fought back like a man!(throwing blows the whole nine yards) Strangely, when I told him to leave, I was miserable without him. I was so down and depressed I actually tried to kill myself. I took a whole bottle of muscle relaxers and tried to end it all. But God had a different plan. I waited to fall asleep and go peacefully, but nothing happened. So I drove myself to the ER and the traffic was bumper to bumper. God’s grace and mercy was with me. It was nothing but God that I didn’t fall asleep at the wheel. When I finally got to the hospital they tried to pump my stomach and I threw up. The muscle relaxers were still in pill form! My body never digested them. I knew God had saved my life.

Did you ever go back to him again after everything was over?

He still tried to come by, but by that time my parents had got involved. I haven’t seen him since. He reached out to me 3 years ago via email and I put him on my spam list and kept it moving!

Why do you think you ended up in this type of relationship?

I think it has to do with how I viewed myself. I was always the life of the party and the class clown, but never had a boyfriend. I was the talented girl that didn’t have anybody. I had low self-esteem. I exuded confidence, but predators can see right through that and they prey on your insecurities.

Is your weight an issue for you that you struggle with?

I definitely battle with my weight. I love to cook and I can throw down in the kitchen! I am the Patti Labelle of Gospel. I’m a size 18 (on a good day). I don’t exercise as much as I should because I don’t like to sweat. (lol) I only like to sweat when I’m singing. I think being overweight is in my genes. (and in my shirts and shoes lol) We call it the “fat gene.” I can’t say I’m big because of the way that I eat. I don’t eat fried chicken and bonbons all the time. I don’t eat a whole lot. But I do admit that I don’t have the best eating habits, like eating late at night. But I have lost weight before. I lost 80lbs on the Atkins diet.

Your dad died of cancer in ’06. How hard was that to deal with?

It was very hard. He died of cancer at 52 in May of ’06 and it changed my life. My father, Bishop Nathan Halton, was a preaching machine. He was the founder of Greater Faith Bible Tabernacle Church in Buffalo, NY. We grew up in a Pentecostal Apostolic environment. My dad was an educated entrepreneur, like me. (I have a real estate firm and working on a boutique) I prayed God would extend my father’s life and he saidNO! I mean three times in my prayer I heard God say NO! But, I rebuked it thinking it was my flesh, my faith, failing me. God, that experience taught me so much. You can want something so bad that we will rebuke GOD himself when he says no! When my dad lost his ability to walk he continued to come in on a walker or in a wheelchair preaching and teaching the word of God. My biggest lesson was taught to me was in those moments. I learned I don’t have a right to give up nor do I have a right to use excuses for not doing what I’m called to do

Are you working on an album?

Yes, I am. Hopefully the album will be released sometime early next year. I am going for a major label deal, if they can do for me what I envision for my ministry. Staying independent would be cool too. And I’m not specifically seeking a deal with a Gospel label. Whoever I sign with, I want them to respect my most sacred values. I REPRESENT GOD! I have such eclectic tastes that I want to be with a label that will really get behind me. My sound embodies everything that is in my brain. I love Ella, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Mattie Moss Clark, Donny Hathaway and Andrae Crouch just to name a few. I listen to a lot of old stuff and instrumental music. I love music and lyrics that tell a story. I grew up on CCM music too, though, like Morris Chapman, Larnelle Harris and Sandi Patty.

Is there anyone in particular that you would love to work with?

I would LOVE to work with J. Moss, Darkchild, Jill Scott and PJ Morton, among others.

What are some of your other passions?

I want to do it all. I love to act. I am waiting on Tyler Perry to call me. I know it’s going to happen one day. With everything I’ve been through in my past, I know it’s great training and preparation for the stage. When you limit your dreams and aspirations it limits the power of God and what He can do for you.

RAE’S 20 RANDOM TRUTHS

1. Favorite perfume? “COCO MADEMOISELLE” by Chanel. I smell delicious in it!
2. Favorite season? Fall.
3. Least favorite fruit? Bananas.
4. Biggest insecurity? My stomach.
5. On time or late for church? Depends on who is preaching!
6. Favorite R&B male group? Levert. They will squall at you!
7. Favorite TV show? “The Cosby Show.”
8. Would you rather be hot or cold? Cold.
9. Favorite city to visit? Nashville.
10. Guilty pleasure? Chubby Hubby Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
11. How many kids do you want? Two and an oops.
12. Biggest misconception about you? That I’m not a sensitive person.
13. Take 6, Commissioned, The Winans or Men of Standard? The Winans.
14. Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Rihanna or Ciara? Beyonce
15. The Anointed Pace Sisters, The Clark Sisters, The McClurkins? The Clark Sisters.
16. Favorite reality show? “Real House Wives of ATL!”
17. Would you skydive? I sure would!
18. Tomboy or a girly girl? A mix of both.
19. Favorite dessert? Carrot cake and Breyers ice cream.
20. Favorite CCM artist? Mercy Me

LOVE TRIANGLE TAKES ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING! THE STORY UNFOLDS ABOUT TYE TRIBBETT & DA’ T.R.U.T.H.

• News
• November 12th

When I started this blog one of my initial intentions was to do my part to keep the Gospel music industry entertaining.  As of late, I haven’t had to do much of anything and things have progressed from entertaining to outright shocking.

The men of the Gospel industry have been keeping me VERY busy fielding emails from readers who are catching wind of their questionable actions.  I’ve pondered for a while now about whether I should address this topic, but I guess I won’t prolong this.

Everyone has been whispering about – though most media outlets have refrained from covering – what is going on with Gospel singer Tye Tribbett and Christian rapper Da’ T.R.U.T.H. Like me, I am sure the other gospel sites have seen the countless queries in the search engine where readers are looking to find out details about their quiet scandals.

As unbiased as I can be, let me attempt to report the facts from what I’ve gathered thus far.  Earlier this year, Tye, one of the industry’s top Gospel acts was apparently caught having an extramarital affair with a member of his choir.  Supposedly his wife discovered the affair around Mother’s Day, of all holidays.  The girl wasn’t just a member of Tye’s Greater Anointing choir, but she also happened to be the baby’s mother of one his best friends, who also sings in the group.  Made your eyebrow raise, huh?

After getting caught, Tye went on a 60-day sabbatical of consecration in an effort to get right with God.  The question most people were asking was simple, “Did he take the sabbatical because he felt guilty for participating in an ongoing affair or was this a real attempt to repent for his backslidden state?”

The problem here is that Tye had been extremely vocal (read: judgmental) about a lot of things, particularly things pertaining to mainstream music and culture.  For nearly two years, Tye preached a sermon during concerts where he openly rebuked everyone from Beyonce to Omarion as he told concertgoers that their “secular” music would cause them “death.”  His “Life or Death” message also challenged believers not to wear clothes by rappers like Sean “Diddy” Combs (Sean John) and Jay-Z (Roc-A-Wear) because you “carry their spirits” and “you don’t know the spirit behind these guys.”

There are several ironies here.  One being that Tye himself built his career on working with “secular” acts ranging from Faith Hill to Justin Timberlake. His deal at Sony Music came via a production deal with the same R&B label that signed neo-soul singer Vivian Green.  Additionally, the other irony is that apparently for a good portion of the time in which Tye was casting stones at mainstream music’s finest, he had some extracurricular spirits of his own that he was participating in – the main one being adultery!  (The old saying goes: “What’s done in the dark will come to the light.”)

If you have noticed, we haven’t heard so much as a PEEP from Tye since about May, except that awkward video interview with The Belle Report where they danced around the issue and his CNN appearance where he challenged PJ Morton’s music.  I find it very interesting that the man crowned as one of the most outspoken Gospel artists in the industry hasn’t mumbled a single word about his own transgressions.  For even the Bible in Revelation 12:11 says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”  Translation: If he can call out other people’s sins, the least he could do is come clean about his own.  Wouldn’t that be true ministry?

Since Tye never publicly addressed this issue, most media outlets ignoring the story, and Tye’s publicist not honoring requests for comment, I figured things would quiet down and folks would move on.

Well, apparently not.  Last week my search engine was abuzz again with queries about Gospel rapper, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. For those who don’t know, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. is a Stellar Award winner who happens to be Tye’s mentee.  On his personal website, the rapper posted a message that he was taking a sabbatical.  He announced that he was removing himself from the limelight for an indefinite period of time because of a “moral indiscretion.” (See his full statement on www.DaTruth.net )

I am not a fan of Christian Hip-Hop and couldn’t tell you the name of one song by Da’ T.R.U.T.H., however, I was aware that he, like Tye, had a pretty vocal stance towards mainstream music and during an interview on BET’s Lift Every Voice, he spoke about music producers who create both gospel and non-gospel music and declared God wasn’t pleased.

Apparently Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s “indiscretion” was an extramarital affair of his own.  As the facts are slowly unfolding, and as much as it sounds like an episode of the Young & The Restless, the affair was allegedly with Tribett’s wife Shante.  Yes, you read that correctly!

Confused? Well, here’s the recap in a nutshell: Tye cheated on his wife with a choir member who was his good friend’s baby’s mother. Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Tye’s mentee, cheated with Tye’s wife.  And it’s all going on in gospel.  Who would have thought?

Though I wasn’t a participant in any of these outrageous affairs, I know I’ll get countless e-mails from readers telling me I’m wrong for writing this story.  I was almost hung and dang near shot for writing an unfavorable CD review a few weeks ago.  But criticism aside, the bigger picture here is that none of us are exempt from the deception of the devil.  We are all sinners and the devil’s goal is to get us off course and make us look like fools; some of us just make it a lot easier for him to do it!

I hope that in the end, other artists and ministers of the gospel will learn from Tye and Da’ T.R.U.T.H. and stop condemning and judging people so radically without compassion.  But now, both of these brothers need everyone to forgive them and not forever hold their sins over their heads.

We serve a God that has the power to redeem us from our sin sick ways and God’s grace is enough to forgive us for ANYTHING we’ve done.  There is nothing we can do or say that will separate us from the Love of God.  Now, that doesn’t mean God isn’t disappointed with our actions and there won’t be consequences, but we will be forgiven.

So as you read this, I hope your first reaction is not to condemn the parties involved or even condemn me for speaking on it, but to pray and lift everyone up in prayer that God will renew a right spirit within each one of their lives and that they will repent and come out pure as Gold.

Scriptures to reflect on:

But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:5-6) NIV

For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23) NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) NIV

See also Colossians 1:9-11 & Colossians 2:6-8

For more stories on Tye Tribbett go to www.dagospeltruth.com/?p=1566