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WARRYN CAMPBELL OF THE SOUL SEEKERS

WARRYN CAMPBELL OF THE SOUL SEEKERS

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The Soul Seekers are the epitome of a super group when you look at the makeup of the group, which consists of some of the most successful and sought after musicians, singers, producers and songwriters in the business today. If you put all 8 member’s resumes on one page you’d realized they’ve worked with almost everybody whose anybody in the music game.

It’s no surprise that The Soul Seekers newest single “It’s All God ft. Marvin Winans” is one of the most popular songs in Gospel released in the last few months. So with all the anticipation of their sophomore project, I sat down with member and hit making producer Warryn “Baby Dub” Campbell to talk about what else besides the Soul Seekers, making hits and his biggest claim to fame, Mary Mary!

(The Soul Seekers are: Warryn Campbell, Nisan Stewart, Gerald Haddon, John “Jubu” Smith, Charlie Bereal, Craig Brockman, Teddy Campbell & Eric Seats)

What do the Soul Seekers bring to the music game that is different?

One is the fact that we do quartet music and we’re very young. There are not a lot of young brothers doing quartet music. It’s generally an older genre. The significance is this is not something we’re doing for fun. It’s ministry for us. Everyone in the Soul Seekers has their own career as musicians, producers and songwriters. We have don’t have to do this, but we’re commissioned and called to do it, which is a big difference. We’re less susceptible to different things since we’re not in it for the money. We’ll go anywhere even if it’s for free, because it’s ministry.

Whose idea was for you all guys to come together and form The Soul Seekers?

Ten years ago there was a concert that Nisan Stewart was having at his father’s church one night where he’s the assistant pastor.  It was called “Take Me Back” night. At the concert he had a group of girls singing Clark Sisters’ songs, a group of guys doing Commissioned songs, a choir doing Milton Brunson tunes and one doing Walter Hawkins tunes and he said, “the only thing we’re missing is the quartet thing”.  All of us grew up on quartet singing and he said, “We should do the quartet thing”. And that’s what happened. God really came in and blessed. It was amazing. From that day on, we were asked to sing here or there and it never stopped. The year after that, we recorded our album “The Original Soul Seekers.”

There are eight guys and everyone is pretty successful in what their doing. How do you guys coordinate everyone’s hectic schedules?

Well, it’s not easy. Sometimes it doesn’t work. Sometimes we have to pass on requests because our lead singer is the drummer on The Tonight Show. Monday thru Friday 1 – 5, he’s at NBC Studios and I’m busy as well. But it seems like as busy as I am, I’m the only one who can make everything! LOL! I’m always available.  We always have two or three guys who can’t make it, so it takes a lot to make it work. If you see all eight of us and we’re not in California, it took some doing!

Does it ever get frustrating?

It does. A few times we were on the verge of saying “we’re not doing this anymore”. Then all eight of us would get together and do a show somewhere and say, “man, we can’t stop”. The way the move of God happens when all eight of us are on stage is incredible. It’s not us. So, we have to make more sacrifices to get out there. With this new album coming out, we’re going everywhere. We’re going to take three months and just tour the country. We’ve never been down south and we have to go down south with the quartet sound. We’ve been all through California and the East Coast, even the Midwest, but the south is where we want to be. We’ve even been to Amsterdam.

How is this new project different from the first?

There are different twists and turns here and there. We definitely have a bigger sound now. On the last album we didn’t have the horn section. This time we do, plus steel guitar players and percussion. We have Marvin Winans singing with us on the record too. And to my surprise we had a much bigger audience at the recording this time. I looked up and everybody was there. From Coko, MusiqSoulchild, Dr. Bobby Jones to Tye Tribbett, Fred Hammond and Rodney Jerkins.  I said to myself, “I didn’t invite these people.” LOL! They just love us and showed up. I was so grateful. We had a great time. We have a DVD that will come out at the same time the album does. Also, the DVD from our first recording that nobody ever saw is going to be on there as well.

When will the album be released?

Probably, in October.

The first single “It’s All God” is like a throwback Winans’ song. Was that intentional and who wrote the song?

A good friend of the groups, Harold Lily Jr, wrote that song. I called him and told him we needed a song and the next day that’s the song he played for me. I knew we had to do that song because it was much better than anything we had. We actually had my mentor, Marvin L. Winans, on another song, but when I heard “It’s All God,” I knew he had to be on this particular song. It came out amazing and so far people are really responding to it.

As a producer known for making hits, can you tell when a song is a hit?

Well, yeah. I can tell by how I feel. Take Mary Mary’s “God In Me” for instance.  I really, really, really like that song a lot.  Before it was a song, it was just a track that I did at home. I listened to it all day, every day.  Then when we did the song and I couldn’t stop playing it. You should get that intangible thing that makes you “feel” something about a song and it should evoke some sort of emotion that overwhelms you. If you don’t respond that way, who else will?

What is it about your chemistry with Erica and Tina that has resonated so well throughout the years?

I’m trying to figure out what the chemistry is. We’re in the studio as we speak. I can’t really explain it. Sometimes we’ll be four hours in and have written seven songs. Other times we get out what we call the “wack juice.” We just keep writing to get through whatever that phase is to get to the good stuff.

Have there been songs that you’ve done that you liked that everyone else wasn’t feeling?

Absolutely. I like most of my songs, but the gospel songs are different. With the gospel songs, I know which ones are hits. With R&B, I’m more detached because I send them in and they do whatever they’re going to do with them, especially when it comes to rap. Like I could do a record with Kanye and I won’t know if it makes the album or not. My heart has to be in it for me to love a record.  Most of the time I make records for other people. But with gospel music, the songs start from a sentiment I feel and it’s much more personal.

Do you remember what your first hit was?

It was a song called “When I Close My Eyes” by Shanice.  I was 20 years old.

What is your biggest insecurity as a producer or do you have one?

If I have one, I don’t know what it is. I’m extremely confident in the gifts God has given me. I don’t doubt God. When it comes to producing records and writing songs, I don’t do any of it. God writes the songs and I take dictation. I don’t show up at the studio trying to come up with something. I don’t place restrictions on myself, even when other people do.  When I have an idea I just go with it.

How do you deal with the backlash of doing Gospel and secular music?

You have to be yourself.  You will only be successful being yourself, especially when it comes to God’s work.  He called me to do what I do.  I came into this knowing that.  If I didn’t come into this knowing who I was, people would tear me down.  I’d be weak. I’d allow people’s opinions to sway me.  I was commissioned to do this by my father and my pastor. I was 16 years old at the time.  When I told him I was never going to do secular music he sat me down and said, “You have to treat music as your occupation and you have to separate your occupation from your salvation. Be a light when you do your music”.

WARRYN’S 20 RANDOM TRUTHS

  1. Are you afraid of heights? No.
  2. Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.
  3. Favorite Mary Mary song? “I Got It.”
  4. Favorite TV show? “Entourage.”
  5. Favorite bible story? I Samuel 21:10-15

DA GOSPEL TRUTH OR RUMOR?! LIGHT RECORDS WAS SOLD!

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According to one of my sources, it appears the Gospel label, Light Records, was sold to E1 Entertainment. Light Records has been a fixture in the Gospel industry for decades.

Pioneering groups like The Winans, Andrae Crouch & The Disciples, Walter Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins and countless other Gospel greats were signed to Light Records.

E1 Entertainment (formerly Koch Entertainment) is the largest independent music, television, and film distribution company in North America.

I don’t know the details of why this buyout happened or if it will affect any of the employees or artists (Coko, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, Shirley Caesar, Bishop Paul Morton) signed to Light Records, but as I get more information you will be the second to know! (lol)

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW THIS ABOUT GOSPEL ARTIST VASHAWN MITCHELL?!?!? VASHAWN’S 20 RANDOM TRUTHS

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I’m not a prophet or anything, but I’m predicting this summer is going to be one worth talking about. In June, yours truly, the one you can’t get enough of, the one you love to love (lol) will be 1 year better! Ain’t that just like me making it about me when I’m supposed to be talking about the artist! (lol) I’m a work in a progress!

Another milestone event that will take place this summer is singer/songwriter VaShawn Mitchell is set to release his third offering “Triumphant.” Mitchell has released two solid projects on Tyscot Records and with the buzz about his latest live recording, I’m expecting another standout debut. VaShawn isn’t what some would consider a household name, but I predict if he keeps releasing quality material like he has, it’s only a matter of time before he has a massive hit on his hands!

I like to find out about artists away from the stage…you know after all the hallelujahs and amens are silenced! I thought why not make VaShawn my next victim!  So here are a few things about Vashawn I’m sure you didn’t know!

  1. What movie made you cry? “Precious”
  2. Tyra Banks or Naomi Campbell? Tyra Banks.
  3. Favorite Commissioned song? “Running Back to You.”
  4. Favorite cereal? “Fruit Loops.”
  5. Worst subject in high school? Algebra.
  6. Favorite Bible verse? 1 Thessalonians 4:11 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you.”
  7. Bebe & Cece, Mary Mary or Anointed? Mary Mary.
  8. How often do you get a haircut? Once or twice a week.
  9. What kind of toothpaste do you use? “Sensodyne.”
  10. Do you believe in plastic surgery? Yes.
  11. DeWayne Woods, Jonathan Nelson, Myron Butler or James Fortune? Jonathan Nelson.
  12. Favorite TV show? “House.”
  13. Favorite candy bar? “Snickers.”
  14. Least favorite vegetable? Squash.
  15. Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Coko or Deborah Cox? Faith Evans.
  16. Mac or PC? Mac.
  17. Would you rather be cold or hot? Hot
  18. One insecurity? My weight.
  19. Can you swim? Yes.
  20. What was your first car? 1977 Green Buick Skylark

For more information on VaShawn Mitchell go to http://www.myspace.com/vmusiq

HOT COKO CONTEST!! HOT COKO CONTEST!! WIN A COPY OF COKO’S LATEST CD “THE WINNER IN ME”

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If you don’t know why I call her “HOT COKO,” purchase her first R&B solo CD and you’ll know why!! Plus, she’s one of my all time favorites and well…she’s HOT! (lol) Since it’s the start of a new year a lot of artists are trying to keep the momentum going with their projects. Coko released her sophomore project “The Winner In Me” back in July ’09 and the reviews and buzz around the CD have been nothing but positive since the project dropped!

Coko will be world premiering her brand new video, the title track to her album “The Winner In Me” sometime later this month. Be on the lookout as I hope to be one of the first to premiere the video! On a side note, I am shocked, dang near speechless, (lol) that a Gospel label is actually spending a little change for a music video. Keep showing them how it’s done Light Records!

To give back to some of Coko’s ride or die fans that have supported her through the years, Coko and Light Records have teamed up with me, Da Gospel Truth, to give 5 lucky winners the opportunity to win a copy of her latest CD “The Winner In Me.” I told you to get the album back when it was released in July, so you should already have it! The only reason you should be entering this contest is if you are trying to win another copy for a friend or loved one. I guess I told you! (lol I’m stupid) Anyyyywhooooo…If you follow my site on the regular, which I’m sure you all do, then winning should be easy. The first 5 entries with the correct answers to all the questions will win a copy of Coko’s CD! Please e-mail your answers to Gerald@dagospeltruth.com. Good luck and Godspeed! Til we meet again!

P.S. Some of the answers you may find right here at Da Gospel Truth!

  1. What blue-eyed male R&B singer (that means White) did Coko record a duet with from a movie soundtrack?
  2. What song on Coko’s first Gospel CD “Grateful” featured her mother Lady Tibba?
  3. Is Coko best known for her long toe nails or long fingernails?
  4. Who is Coko’s favorite R&B male group?
  5. What popular choir did Coko used to be a member of?
Jawn Murray

Jawn Murray

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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.

DARLENE MCCOY

DARLENE MCCOY

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One word comes to mind when I think about this interview with newcomer Darlene McCoy and that’s “LAUGH.” I don’t think I’ve laughed with any artist more than I did with Darlene McCoy. I don’t know if this is how she is all the time, but she had me laughing non- stop and to be honest I don’t really know what we were laughing about.  I was so excited to interview the mother of 3 because her debut CD is on my list of favorite CD’s. If you missed my review on her album go back and check it out. But just to reiterate, I LOVE IT!!!

How did you get hooked up with mega producer Dallas Austin?

My husband grew up with Dallas. We have been friends with Dallas for years and never even thought about having him help us with a project because our relationship wasn’t about business. Now Dallas and my husband have a production company together called “Darp Inspiration.” So one day we were just all sitting around and Dallas was like, “So when are we going to work on some music together?” My husband was the driving force getting me to seriously consider it. It was crazy because when we went in the studio and laid down a couple of songs as a little demo, I really wasn’t thinking much of it. I especially wasn’t thinking about a record deal or anything serious at that point. I had been working in corporate America for 12 years and was very successful, so my head wasn’t even in the entertainment business at all. My music career is truly a testament of the Lord working His hand in my life and the direction He had for me.

How did you get signed to EMI?

To make a long story short, I was singing background for Darwin Hobbs and he was signed to EMI at the time and he eventually walked my demo into the label. They liked what they heard and there you have it.

You had one of the most sought after producers in the industry working on your album. How was that?

It was wonderful. I had a blast. But it took a while to record my album because Dallas was so busy. Like you said everyone in the industry wants to work with him, so I had to wait my turn.

What was it like recording your first solo debut?

It was fun, stressful, hard and easy. It was a little bit of everything. It really just depended on what I was working on or who I was working with. The easiest song was probably “Simply Because.” I had a writing session with Antonio Neal and we were sitting around for 2 hours and we couldn’t come up with anything. He stepped out for a minute and came back singing a melody. We ended up doing that song in 15 minutes. The hardest song to record was “Finally. Darwin Hobbs started off singing background vocals on it and then that changed by the time the final mix of the song was done. “Finally” just went through so many phases lyrically and musically before it was eventually completed. I loved working with “Darkchild.” I went and recorded at Rodney Jerkins’ house and that alone is a sight to see. I almost flipped out when the gates opened for me! They worked me in the booth though! They had me singing in the rafters. (lol) The song I did with PAJAM “If There Were No You” was actually supposed to go on J. Moss’ CD “V2,” but it ended up on my album. I would say Tommy Simms was one of the producers that pushed me the hardest. He got things out of me that I didn’t think were possible.

Do you prefer being in the studio or singing live?

I like singing live much better. I hate recording in the studio because I have to be perfect and I don’t like hearing myself in my own ears.

How difficult is it to balance the ministry side, but still handle the business at the same time?

When I first started it was all about ministry. That’s all I knew. A lot of times you realize you can’t operate freely in what you do because of the business. It’s a hard thing to balance when you are totally about ministry, but there are so many other people involved who have a say and a stake in your career. Even though it’s your name and your record, there are other people attached to it. You kind of have to get prepared for that.

Do you read critiques?

I do read them. The very first critique I read was not a good one and it was on the day my album came out. They were comparing me with Dallas Austin and the situation that he was dealing with over in Dubai. I have read a couple of reviews that literally brought me to tears before. My goal is that people are blessed. I don’t want them just dancing and saying she has a good sound. When someone tells me my project affected their life or I didn’t know Christ until I heard your song, that’s why I do what I do. It’s about getting people to have an encounter with God.

How well did your album sell?

I was very pleased with how it did. Now as far as my record company is concerned they may have had bigger goals for my project. My objective was never to be a big superstar. I was able to record a CD that will be around for the ages! A lot of people never get that opportunity, so I’m grateful.

Are you still signed to EMI?

I’m not signed to EMI anymore because they just couldn’t afford to keep me on the roster. It was contractual. In my contract it stated that if I sold a certain amount of albums that I would get an even bigger budget for my next project. The recession has affected every industry. But, there is absolutely no bad blood between me and EMI. They are so supportive of my music. You may see our relationship continue in a different capacity in the future.

How did you end up on the soundtrack “Diary of a Mad Black Woman?”

Dallas Austin was the executive producer of that soundtrack. I had actually submitted 7 songs that went along with the movie and none of them made it. Then one night Dallas came to see me at a watch night service and I sang “Fallen In Love” and he fell in love with that song! The rest is history.

Are you working on another CD?

There is a track listing in the works. I just have to record the songs. I’m definitely working with Dallas and Tommy Simms again. I’m looking for a particular sound for this new project. A lot of people don’t know me as a worshipper, but I am. I want them to know the depth of my ministry. I would love to work with Prince! I want him to do a nice God song with me. (lol) I think it would be great to work with Donald Lawrence also.

How did you become a radio personality?

I’m on the number one gospel station in the country, “Praise 102.5.” And to be quite frank, I don’t know what the heck I’m doing. But I love it. It’s crazy how it all came about. My song “Already Got Joy” started charting on Urban AC. The program director had me do a guest spot on his secular show. I was actually the Praise & Worship leader on CoCo Brother’s show and I would have a morning each week to minister to ladies on his show. Then I did a radio show with Canton Jones called “Judah Jams” on Saturday night. Two months later the programming director approached me about being a midday host. I was not excited at all about having to be somewhere every single day. But, we have worked it out now and everyone is happy. This radio show has been a wonderful experience and it’s allowed me to come out of artist/minister mode, and just be Darlene.

I hear you have a show in your living room?

I actually do. It’s an online chat show that I do from my living room and it’s called “In My Living Room.” It’s a live webcam setup and I sit and chat live with people all over the world. We talk about topics that nobody likes to talk about in the church. Some of the topics can be risqué, but they are topics that need to be talked about. I come up with all of the topics on my own. But, everyone is more than welcome to bring up topics they would like to discuss. It’s been a very effective tool for ministry. About 3 weeks ago, 3 young ladies gave their life to Christ in my living room. I can’t even remember what the topic was, but it was powerful. I’m chatting live once a week every Wednesday night at 10 p.m. @ darlenemccoytv.com. I encourage everyone to join us! I guarantee you will get a blessing and stimulating conversation with people all over the world.

DARLENE MCCOY’S 20 RANDOM TRUTHS

  1. Favorite movie? “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with Jim Carrey.
  2. Favorite song on your album? “Finally.”
  3. Favorite restaurant? “Magianos.”
  4. Favorite comedian? D.L. Hughley.
  5. One snack you can’t say no to? Brownies.
  6. Favorite R&B solo artist? Maxwell.
  7. Favorite TV show? “Hawthorne.”
  8. Would you ever scuba dive? Absolutely.
  9. What’s on your iPod? 4th Avenue Jones, Nicole Nordemann, Kevin Levar
  10. Mac or PC? Mac.
  11. Favorite color? Orange.
  12. Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.
  13. Favorite bible verse? “Philippians 4:13″
  14. Where did you meet your husband? “IHOP.”
  15. One dream for your children? That they know the Lord is real and not a myth and not a religion.
  16. Favorite American Idol? Chris Daughtry.
  17. Dream Car? “BMW 725i.”
  18. Karen Clark Sheard, Sheri Jones Moffett, Coko, Joann Rosario? Karen Clark Sheard.
  19. Micah Stampley, Marvin Sapp, Tonex, J. Moss? J. Moss.
  20. TLC, Jodeci, Boyz II Men or SWV? Jodeci.

CD COVERS…WERE YOU THINKING THIS TOO??

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  1. Why is it that both of The Singletons album covers look the same?! And they are both kind of cheesy!
  2. Doesn’t LeJuene Thompson look like she’ll get you together if you say something wrong after looking at her cover for “Soul Inspirations!??!?!” lol
  3. Why did Crystal Aikin and Shari Addison’s CD covers look almost identical?!?!?!
  4. Doesn’t Coko look like “MONEY” on the cover of “The Winner of Me!?!!?”
  5. Hasn’t Trin-i-tee 5:7 come a LONGGG way since their first album cover!??!?!
  6. Kim Burrell’s photo for “Everlasting Life” really makes it look like a classic CD, like it has become don’t you think??
  7. Didn’t Mary Mary look so wholesome, so black girl next door on the cover of their “Incredible” CD with those flowers!??!
  8. Don’t BeBe & CeCe look so good on the cover on their upcoming CD “Still?!?!” That’s how you do it!
  9. Don’t you feel some type of way about Natalie Wilson’s album cover for “Girl Director!?!?” Hmmm…that scarf and that laying down pose…
  10. I’m thinking JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise get the award for best album cover for “Resting on His Promise!!” The man looks so fresh and so clean!!

ON THE RISE: DAGOSPELTRUTH PROFILES BET’S DIGITAL MUSIC DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING DIRECTOR TORRENCE GLENN

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  • News
  • September 22nd

I know you’ve probably heard me say it before, but I love Twitter. This masterfully created social network has not only allowed me to take DA GOSPEL TRUTH to another level, but I’ve had the privilege to meet and network with individuals that I may not have met in this unconventional format, like the individual I’m about to introduce you to. I didn’t know anything about Torrence, but I was following him on Twitter and the first thing I noticed was that he knew his music and secondly he was witty and articulate.  Since those are some of my redeeming qualities (lol) I felt like he was a person I should get to know and everyone else should too.

  1. How did you get your start in the entertainment business? Funny thing is, I didn’t necessarily try. It just kind of happened.  I had just finished my sophomore year in college and came home later than everyone else because I did some traveling.  So once I got back to NYC, all the “summer jobs” were taken and I couldn’t find one.  So instead, I concocted the somewhat dishonest plan of going to an employment agency and applying for a full time office/administrative job that I would just quit in 3 months when it was time to go back to school.  Well, that position turned out to be an advertising sales assistant for Turner Broadcasting/CNN Interactive. Needless to stay, I stuck around! I decided to build school around my new job. From there, I went on to do Advertising Sales/Marketing for Comedy Central before I ended up in Music Marketing for BET.com.
  2. Do you have to go to college to do what you do? I try to be careful when I answer this question.  I hate to give the answer “yes and no” but it applies here.  Can you possibly land this gig without a college degree? Yes. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll acquire the business skill sets or experience to make up for those things you didn’t get in school.  For example, in order to be an intern at most companies, you have to be a matriculating student.  So the technical answer is no, but the realistic answer is YES.
  3. How is it working for a successful television network and what are your day to day tasks? It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work.  Creative folks are some of the most “interesting” and intense folks to work with, especially in the TV/Entertainment space. Half of what you see ON television doesn’t even compare to what goes on behind the scenes to make it actually happen on TV and even on the net, which is where my focus is.  My day to day tasks can vary depending on the project, but overall I manage and program BET.COM’s music video and audio franchises (i.e., “Listen Up!”), along with contests/sweepstakes and artist promotions. So, I spend a lot of time not only working within the company, but also with labels, artists and publicists to find the best fit to promote their projects on the site. Most recently, I’ve added “blogger” to my list of responsibilities as “The Gospel According To Torrence” has started to develop its buzz and take shape.
  4. What is the most rewarding and the most challenging part of your job? The most rewarding part of my job would probably be getting the opportunity to have a role in bringing music to people and being able to influence the creative process.  What a lot of people probably don’t realize is being privy to advanced music and early listening sessions is not just to make us feel special or to give us “special treats.” It’s more than that. Because of our audience and “expertise” we’re able to give perspective and opinions that help shape what the public will eventually see and hear, especially when it comes to a brand new artist!The most challenging part would probably be trying to realistically keep everyone happy. In my position there are a ton of folks with a vested interest in what I’m doing.  I don’t simply have a boss or department that I have a stake in what I do.  I have varying departments within the company as well as record labels, artists and an audience who all rightfully have needs, wants and expectations and I pretty much have to try and meet them all.
  5. Where do you see yourself in 3 years and what is your ultimate goal?This is a good one. It’s hard to say, but ultimately I want to continue to push and promote GOOD music and entertainment programming and connecting people to it.  It seems that folks want to see me in front of the camera more so we’ll see how that goes, I’m working on it. Ha!
  6. What CD’s are in your rotation these days? Too many! My playlists can be so schizophrenic and big! Let’s see. This is just a taste, I’m usually listening to about 15 albums at a time.
    1. Ledisi - “Turn Me Loose”
    2. Vanessa Bell Armstrong – “The Experience”
    3. Rahsaan Patterson – “After Hours”
    4. Youthful Praise f/ JJ Hairston – “Resting on His Promise”
    5. Bilal, Tweet, Dwele, & Joy Denalane – “The Dresden Soul Symphony”
    6. Shea Norman – “My Heart Depends On You”
    7. Faith Evans – “Keep The Faith”
    8. Mali Music – “The 2econd Coming”
    9. Darnell Davis & The Remnant – “No Compromise”
    10. Coko – “The Winner In Me”
  7. How do you keep God in your life on daily basis with such a demanding career? Honestly, having such a demanding career is what keeps God in my life.  It forces you to call on him…hard! When you’re ripping and running and dealing with so many folks, it kind of breaks you to a point of needing God so bad just to survive or at the very least, not to go off on someone! The bible says somewhere he’ll never leave nor forsake me, so the only way I can lose him is if I LEAVE, so since he said he won’t go anywhere, I’m not either.

http://blogs.bet.com/ontv/thegospelaccordingto/

HOLY MATRIMONY…WERE YOU THINKING THIS TOO??

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  1. What is the obsession with CoCo Brother & Joann Rosario?!?! THEY ARE THE MOST SEARCHED PEOPLE ON MY SITE! I gotta admit they do make a good-looking couple though!
  2. Even though they’re not together anymore, wouldn’t you love to hear a project from Walter and Tramaine Hawkins?!?!?!
  3. Who do you think spends more time in the mirror, Deitrick or Damita? They always look like they just stepped out of “Bloomingdales.”
  4. Angelo said Veronica is more beautiful today than when they first met!!! Ain’t love grand!?!?!?
  5. Can you imagine having Michael Brooks & Lisa Page Brooks as your parents? Commissioned and Witness all day everyday!!!!
  6. Umm was I the only who didn’t know Kim Burrell got a divorce until I watched “Lift Every Voice” on BET.
  7. Are Marvin & Vickie Winans still friends?
  8. Don’t you wonder how lavish Deleon’s life is?? I mean Gary Sheffield is literally worth MILLIONS!
  9. Don’t you want to hear another duet from Joey & Karima Kibble?? “Rainbow Maker” was such a pretty song!
  10. I wonder who is louder in the Clemons household?!?! Coko singing in the rafters or Big Mike bangin on the snare??? (LOL! I need help)

GOSPEL FEMALE ARTISTS…WERE YOU THINKING THIS TOO??

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  1. Do you think we’ll hear from Crystal Aikin again after Y’Anna Crawley and Jessica Reedy release their debut CD’s??
  2. How come the female artists from Richard Smallwood’s camp don’t breakout into huge Gospel stars? (i.e. Vanessa Williams & Maurette Brown Clark)
  3. Hasn’t 2008 winner of Gospel Dream Melinda Watts been getting crazy exposure lately??
  4. Weren’t you expecting something more from that duet with Coko & Kelly Price on Coko’s new CD “The Winner in Me”?!
  5. Wasn’t CeCe Winans’ “Everlasting Love” your favorite out of all her solo CD’s?!
  6. Is anyone missing Yolanda Adams? I’m just asking.
  7. Did Vanessa Bell Armstrong try to be too urban on her last CD “Walking Miracle”?! I liked it, but I definitely heard other opinions!
  8. Weren’t we all waiting for Ted & Sheri to split so we could get a solo album from Sheri?!
  9. What happened to DeNetria Champ?? I mean she sang for Oprah’s Legends Ball!!!
  10. Didn’t Karen Clark Sheard look 32 on the cover of “2nd Chance”?! It’s amazing what weight loss, long hair and some hoop earrings will do! (LOL)