April - June 2007 FREE The Lord’s Notes Lord Before Us Productions Quarterly Newsletter In Your Interest Is It Time To Give Up? Quite often we think we know the answers to all life’s little problems – Job Stress: Take a Tylenol, Hungry: Buy Fast Food, Bored: Go To The Movies/Read A Book, Don’t Feel Like Going To Church: Lie and Stay Home, Need Some Money: Barrow It/Don’t Pay it Back... Well my friend, you are sadly mistaking if you think you know what to do, and when to do it. Often we just give up on hard problems, and try to solve the little ones; but then again – sometime we try to solve the big ones too. So when is it time to give up? When it seems you don’t know the answers – When it seems like no one will help you – When you don’t have someone to turn too... Well, the Bible states to Pray without Ceasing, meaning All the Time. So don’t give up – but yet, give it Over to Him (God) and let Him solve your problems. We’re rapidly going into Summer – when families share more of the good times together (Vacations, Amusement Park visits, Picnics, Family Reunions, Ect.), why not share God and his Awesome Power this year. You may just find that He is the Best Thing that Ever Happen to You... lb Upcoming Events Apr. 27-29 Pastoral Celebration for Pastor Andre Crouch, Christ Memorial Church, Pacomia, CA May 13 MOTHER’S DAY 19 KJLH 102.3FM Gospel Celebration, Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA 310-330-2200 24-27 SCGAG West Coast Conference, Radisson Hotel – Culver City, Many Artists to appear 27-29 Bobby Jones – International Artists Retreat, Hollywood, FL, Many Artists to appear 28 MEMORIAL DAY! June 2 LAVA Ministries “Gospel Rally” - Games, Prizes, Vendors, More 323-993-8581 for Info. 16 Miracle Mass annual Birthday/Appreciation Service for Tim “Bishop” Brown 17 FATHER’S DAY 23 Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Gospel Celebration, for more info call 661-255-4100 24-30 Edwin & Walter Hawkins Love Fellowship Conference, Oakland, CA, call 510-264-1766 27-29 Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Conference, Atlanta, GA, call 504-899-7577 July 4 INDEPENDANCE DAY!!! 5-7 Essence Music Festival, New Orleans, LA, Lionel Richie, Beyonce, Monique, more… July: AIM Convention Aug: GMWA Convention – Orlando, FL Sept: LAVA’s – DVD Taping Event Reviews Tim Bishop Brown & Miracle Mass Choir’s 13th Anniversary Celebration – 3/3/07: Started almost an hour late, but the Praise & Worship by (MC) Dr. Charles Williams woke the crowd up, and set the stage for Miracle. The dance ministry of AJay & Destiny was good – but it was (Bishop’s Niece) Diquisha that stole the show with her performance of “It’s So!” – took the saints into a Dance... Miracle’s performance as just ok this night – a medley of worship songs featuring some of the new young members was good, and even Motha’s performance of “He’s Done Enough” was just ok – it seemed as thou the Musicians were in another world... Special Guest – Nikki Ross hit the stage with a few numbers accompanied by Marvin Boone on Organ. Despite her flawless runs – it still felt like something was missing. Her final performances of “There Is No Way” and “I Give It To You” (of Ricky Dillard & New G fame) left the crowd wanting more… 25th Anniversary Celebration – Voices of Fulfillment, San Diego, CA - 3/17/07: Packed out and good to the Last note – is the only way to describe this event. The Fulfillment reunion choir featured songs and members you haven’t seen in over 10 years. Anything from Thomas Whitfield to Milton Brunson and the Tommies – Tina Wilson, Yvette Williams, Vera Lagrone, and more; even Tonex had to add his flare to the mix… If Fulfillment wasn’t sanging – they were Shouting, yes the Praise was in the house like never before… We wish them another 25 years! Beverly Crawford’s Live Recording – 4/21/07: Late start but a Nice crowd, Praise & Worship was provided by Faithful Central’s praise team – and it woke the crowd back up. Intro was provided by Aundrae Russell (102.3Fm KJLH), and opening prayer by Walt “Baby” Love, which all set the stage for Beverly to make her entrance. Opening song Lion of Judah had the crowd on their feet, despite hoarseness; Bev gave it her all… The band was slamming with Producer - Michael Bereal as head, you could expect nothing but the best; and the Background Singers was on point too. Bev’s remake of “He’s Done Enough” (Tim Bishop Brown) had the crowd wanting more, as she ended the first half. UCLA Gospel Choir & LAVA Ministries both were an added treat to the break, but the saints were waiting on the second half which featured: Ricky Dillard (directing like a Madd Man), Moses Tyson on organ (play boy!), and Edwin Hawkins helped too… Closing hit “Praise Jehovah” had the crowd in a praise… Some good music, and we look forward to this JDI Records release in August. Event Reviews (In Short...) LAVA Ministries – Just Churchin’ Concert – 2/23/07: Nice crowd, LAVA was good but Errol Gillett took house with the crowd’s favorite “Stand”… GMWA Board Meeting / Brooklyn, NY - 3/13-16/07: Plans went smooth... Standouts were: all New York groups, Japan Chapter… Thank God the snow left Saturday Morning… L.A. Inner-City Mass Choir’s 15th Anniversary Celebration – 3/24/07: Packed, and the Kids sounded Great… Surprises for Jeffrey went off without a hitch… Beverly Crawford sung like never before.. Cuttin’ Up – The Play, Pasadena Playhouse – thru 4/19/07: Very good, amazing to see the Actors play so many different Characters – what Talent… The book is good/Play is better… Calvin Rhone’s Birthday Celebration Concert – 3/31/07: Nice crowd, and Calvin sung like a Madd Man… What was up with Inner-City not being allowed sing… Good Friday Celebration – 4/6/07: Ok crowd, and the Speakers were good too, SVS Chorale & Kim Pollard both gave stellar performances… He’s Alive Concert – 4/8/07: Started a little late, but Shari Demby & Co. praise worship made up for it… Oslo Soul Children (Norway) were good, but LAVA took the crowd to another level… The Singletons & Kim Stratton were ok too… LAVA Ministries – 4th Anniversary / CD Releasing Concert – 4/14/07: Small crowd, but anointed just the same… LAVA gave it up and so did Special Guest: Shervonne Wells & Co. CD Reviews (extended...) Tramaine Hawkins “I Never Lost My Praise” Well the title kinda sums it all up, Tramaine is back – with a Holy Ghost vengeance… With Kurt Carr & Jamie Hawkins at the Production helm of this project, Mother offers a little something for everyone on this release. Hits include: title track, Excellent Lord, The Worship Medley, Lord You Are, Like Never Before and the remake of Oh Happy Day will have you wanting more…. A few hits remind you of Kurt’s “One Church” project – but still good just the same, and one for your collection… 7/10 LAVA Ministries “This Is My Story” What an entry into the Gospel Industry is LAVA with this project. The project starts off hard hitting with Jesus Died In My Place and continues to flow with the closing Oh Lord, You’ve Been So Good. Reminisce of Live Recordings by James Cleveland and Thomas Whitfield – the sound of this project takes you back to the days of less production and more Church, the mix could have been a little better – but the anointing shines through…. Standouts also include: Praise The Lord, It Was Your Blood, Peace In The Midst of Your Storm, and a remake of the Percy Bady penned “He’ll Make it Alright” which features Ms. “He’s Done Enough” herself (Zaneta “Motha” Brown). Pick this one up today and journey back to the way Church use to be… 6/10 J Moss “V2…” Sounds like another hit for J moss and the Crew of PAJAM, with hard hitting Production and Raw Vocals – you can’t loose with this one… J is good, with guests like: Byron Cage, Marvin Winans Sr., Karen Clark-Sheard, Kirk Franklin, Kierra “KiKi” Sheard, and Anthony Hamilton – you gotta hear this one. Songs like: Jump, Jump, Praise On The Inside, We Love You, I’m Not Perfect, Operator, and Know Him are sure to have you going to the next level… J is sure to be up for another group of Awards with this project... 8/10 Worth A Spin: Long Beach Children of Christ “A Reason To Celebrate“ 6/10, Onitsha “Church Girl” 7/10, The McClurkin Project “We Praise You” 7/10, T.C. Bereal “Valley Worship” 7/10, Maurette Brown Clark “The Dream” 7/10, Ben Tankard “Let’s Get Quiet” 7/10, The Clark Sisters “Live – One More Time” 8/10, Worth A View: WOW Gospel 2007 8/10, Mahalia Jackson: The Power the Glory… 8/10 What The Saints Are Reading… What’s New? Sidney Poitier Just a few Note-Worthy things to tell you about “The Measure of a Man” It would seem that Tonex & Verity have let go of all the Drama – and he is working on a New Mr. Poitier takes you on a Project, Welcome Back brotha! Brent Jones Timeless journey of his life has signed with Tyscot, and will release “The and the struggles he had to Ultimate Weekend” in October, way to go Brent! endure to obtain his success. Bryon Cage takes Gospel to the Apollo for a Live Very easy read, and a moving Recording on April 26, look for this release in the and Spiritual one as well… near future. Finally, Our deepest condolences to Pick it up today… 8/10 the Family of Bishop G.E. Patterson; as well as Congratulations to Bishop Charles E. Blake, as he is now appointed Presiding Bishop of COGIC, Int’l. FOOTNOTES 102.3FM KJLH’s Gospel Celebration Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park will set the stage again this year, for the Gospel Celebration to take place. Guests include: Beverly Crawford, Coko, LAVA Ministries, Tramaine Hawkins, L.A. Young Adult Choir of GMWA, J Moss, Trin-i-Tee 5:7, Greater Los Angeles Cathedral Choir, Marvin Sapp, The Soul Seekers, GB5, and many more. Contact 310-330-2200 for more info. Lord Before Us has Discount Tickets for $25.00 Adults, $20.00 Kids (3-12) (Regular price: $33.95 / $24.95). Call us at 323-993-8581 / www.LordBeforeUs.com get them while supplies last / we sell out every year… LAVA Ministries is proud to announce the release of their first CD project “This Is My Story” on Lord Before Us Records. This release has something for everyone, be it Contemporary flare to the Traditional Gospel style – the Story will be told. Pick up your copy TODAY! at your Local stores or CDBaby.com. Join LAVA on June 2 – for a Gospel Rally, featuring: Live Performances, Games, Prizes, Vendors, Moon Bounce & Face Painting for the Kids, and more… If you’d like to participate, contact them today for more information…LAVA Ministries – 323-993-8581 / LAVAMin@aol.com / www.LAVAMin.com. Southern California Gospel Announcers Guild (SCGAG) will present their annual West Coast Industry Conference at the Radisson Hotel – Culver City, CA. This years conference will feature such Panel Sessions topics: Hollywood Meets Gospel, Women In Power, The Business of Music and The Legends. Guests include: Bishop Sam Williams, Bishop Al Hobbs, Rodena Preston, Edna Tatum, Trin-i-Tee 5:7, Eric Carrington, Cedric Ford, L.A. Inner City Mass Choir, and many more… Nightly Showcases will feature Local and Recording Artists and more… Registration is only $50.00 – and worth every penny… For more information, please logon to: www.GospelAnnouncers.com. Lord Before Us Productions would like to thank you for your Support, and remind you that our Bi-Monthly publication is now QUARTERLY. Because of the great demand that is on our Ministry, we decided to Extend the time for you our Advertisers and Readers to be a part of our International Publication. Lord Before Us Records is up and running, with the first release of LAVA Ministries “This Is My Story”, pick it up & be transcended back to the LIVE Recording that many called the Best in years. Songs like: Jesus Died In My Place, It Was Your Blood, Joy Comes In The Morning, Peace In the Midst of Your Storm, Higher Ground, and Oh Lord, You’ve Been So Good – are sure to be Classic hits. The story is being told – have you heard it yet? Ask for it in your Local stores, goto CDBaby.com or LAVAMin.com, and get your copy today… Coming Soon: Live Recording of: Joseph James & the S.V.S. Chorale – Oct. 20, 2007. Remember – If the Lord is before You, Who Shall be against You…