April - June 2008 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 What The Saints Are Reading… Bishop Noel Jones/Scott Chaplan "Vow of Prosperity” Have you ever wondered if you were walking in the Biblical standards to be Blessed by God? Bishop Jones and Scott Chaplan has taken the Bible and everyday life – and merged them into a good read, not only will you enjoy this book; but you just might learn something… You will learn how to obtain the things you desire without losing your mind in the process… The book covers everything from Budgeting to Credit Cards, from Taxes to creating a Game Plan to get out of current debt – and walk in Financial Freedom. Much like “God’s Gonna Make You Laugh…” Bishop takes your hand and walks you through the process – much like a personal guide, you’ll feel secure reading this informative material… Artistly Speaking w/Jonathan Nelson LBUP: Jon thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down with us, for a little one on one… JN: Not a problem, glad to do it LBUP: So how does it feel to be out in front now, with your newest Integrity project “Right Now Praise”? JN: Honestly, a little scary – but I know God wouldn’t have blessed me; without preparing me… LBUP: We know you as little Jon, and as a Songwriter to so many – who have you written and work with? JN: I’m not that little anymore…lol. I’ve worked with Donald (Lawrence), Steven (Hurd), Karen Clark, the list goes on… LBUP: Who was your biggest challenge to write for and why? What did u learn? JN: Steven (Hurd), cause I didn’t want to take him out of his Praise & Worship zone – but he gave me Freedom. I would have to say that I learned despite who the artist is – they picked me to be Me, not them; so be myself… LBUP: What would you say to the upcoming Songwriters and Artists? JN: Just be true to what God gave you – and not to where man is trying to place you… LBUP: Any last words to your fans – and well wishers? JN: Thank you for your Support, and just know that Heaven ain’t ready for me yet; so I’ll be here writing until then… Top 10 In Gospel 1. Marvin Sapp “Never Could Have Made It Without You” – Thirsty, Verity Records 2. Kirk Franklin “Declaration (This Is It)” – Fight of My Life, Fo Your Soul Music/Zomba 3. Beverly Crawford “He’s Done Enough” – Live In L.A., JDI Records 4. Shekinah Glory Ministry “Jesus” – Jesus, Kingdom Records 5. Dewayne Woods “Let Go, Let God” – Introducing Dewayne Woods & When Singers Meet – Verity Records 6. Ricky Dillard & New G “The Light” – The 7th Episode: Live In Toronto, Animated Entertainment/EMI Gospel 7. The Clark Sister “Blessed & Highly Favored” - Live: One Last Time, EMI Gospel 8. Brent Jones & T.P. Mobb “Cry Holy” – The Ultimate Weekend, Tyscot Records 9. Bishop Noel Jones “Not About Us” – Welcome To The City, Tyscot/Alpha Dog Records 10. Ruben Studdard, Mary Mary, Deitrick Haddon “Love Him Like I Do” – Gotta Have Gospel Vol. 5, GospoCentric Upcoming Events Apr. 23 Annual Dove Awards, Nashville, TN, See your Favorites shine like never before, catch it on The Gospel Channel… 26 Michael Pyles & CME Community Choir 24th Anniversary Concert, Love & Unity COGIC, Donations: $15/$20 May 3 Our President’s Birthday Robert Weaver & The Weaver Chorale, CD Releasing Concert, guests: Ricky Dillard/James Hall, Love Center Int’l – Oakland, CA 11 MOTHER’S DAY!!! 17 KJLH 102.3FM presents their annual Gospel Celebration – Knott’s Berry Farm, Many Guest Artists, call 310-330-2200 for more Info… 23-25 Seattle GAG presents the West Coast Gospel Music Conference, Tacoma, WA, Call 253-874-2644 for more Info… 25 West Angeles Young Adult Dept. presents Gospel Bash, w/Kim Burrell & Marvin Sapp, $15/$25, call 323-733-8300 for more Info… 31 Appreciation Service honoring Elder Tony Jones, Many Guests Invited, Israel B.C., Free! call 310-910-0459 / 323-993-8581 for more info June 14 Miracle Mass annual Birthday/Appreciation Service for Tim “Bishop” Brown, Many Guests Invited, call 213-276-6121 for more Info… Another Level of Praize – Praize Night, CD Release Concert for Jerohn Garnett, The Upper Room/LAX, $10/$15, call 213-250-ALOP 15 FATHER’S DAY 23 Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Gospel Celebration, Israel & New Breed and Trin-i-tee 5:7, call 661-255-4100 for info… (We Have Tixs!!!) 22-28 Edwin & Walter Hawkins Love Fellowship Conference, Sacramento, CA, Many Artists to appear… call 510-264-1766 for more Info… July 4 INDEPENDANCE DAY!!! 4-6 Essence Music Festival, New Orleans, LA, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Frankie Beverly & Maze, and many more… July: AIM Convention – Detroit, MI Aug: GMWA Convention – Nashville, TN Sept: National Baptist Convention – Cincinnati, OH CD / DVD Reviews (extended...) WOW Gospel 2008 Adorn with Dallas, TX on the cover this year, Verity release of WOW Gospel 2008 is sure to find it’s way in the hands of all Gospel Music Lovers. This years artists include: Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Myron Butler & Levi, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, LaShun Pace, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Israel & New Breed, Tye Tribbett, and more… The selections this year are in the familiar style that we have come to Love of WOW, so don’t look for a Contemporary mix like last year, this one is a true keeper… 7/10 Jonathan Nelson & Purpose “Right Now Praise” Jon and Purpose are back with avenges on the devil, this project will lift your spirits - if you’re feeling down. Their vocals are impeccable, and the harmony can’t really be touched by any group in the Industry. Standouts: Title cut, My Name Is Victory, Bettah, Yes Out There, Capacity, Only You, How Great Thou Art, and of course Jon had to put Healed on here too. If Jon and Purpose weren’t enough – guests like Nikki Ross, Sha Simpson, William Murphy III, and more – all sound better than they ever have. Recorded Live in 2006, believe me it was worth the wait. Pick this one up today and journey back to the way Church use to be… 8/10 Tyler Perry’s What’s Done In The Dark Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown – can you get any Funnier, Oh My God… This show dealt with a lot of Men health issues (High Blood Pressure, VD, Diabetes, and more…), and why black men don’t get a regular check up from the doctor. Cora and Mr. Brown shed some light on a dark topic – and made u laugh in the process. D’Atra Hicks is a madd woman when it comes to acting/vocals, and in this play she shines like never before; and “Mr. Brown goes Shopping” is too funny…. Check this one out today…. 7/10 Worth A Spin: The Blind Boys of Alabama “Down in New Orleans“ 7/10, Canton Jones “Kingdom Business” 7/10 West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir “No Limit” 6/10, Martha Munizzi “Change The World” 7/10, New Harvest 6/10 Bishop Paul Morton & FGBCF “Embracing The Next Generation” 7/10, The Clark Sisters “Encore” 6/10 Dionne Warwick “Why We Sing” 7/10, Bryan Wilson “A Second Coming” 6/10, CeCe Winans “Thy Kingdom Come” 7/10 Worth A View: Brent Jones & T.P. Mobb “The Ultimate Weekend” 6/10, Mahaila Jackson “Tell It…” 7/10 NEXT ISSUE: Tye Tribett & G.A. “Stand Out”, Dorinda Clark-Cole “Take It Back”, Regina Belle “Love Forever Shines” What’s New? Seems like the Artists have started taking things into their own hands, first up Lady Dottie Peoples has done it again, the Songbird of the South has started her own Record Label (DP Muzik Group) - it will focus on Traditional Music, so look for her first release in the Fall. Then Troy Sneed’s son TJ (Troy Sneed Jr.) has started T Records, with projects planned for Summer & Fall. Malcolm Williams & Great Faith will record their next project on April 19, with a Fall release scheduled, and Angela Spivey & Voices of Victory are celebrating the New Release of their “Eyes on the Prize “ Project, it features Angie churchin’ like only she can; check it out… Paula & Randy White has been in the news lately with their impending Divorce, but this just in – their Church Without Walls International in Tampa, is currently up for Sale for $30 Million; we’ll keep you posted… The Gospel Channel is now available on DirecTV (Ch. 338), pushing their audience from 22 Million to just over 40 Million viewers – what a blessing it is to be able to watch the Gospel 24 hours a day… Yolanda Adams is in the news, but this time for possible Tax Aviation… Reportedly the songstress hasn’t paid taxes since 2001, the IRS is investigating her; our Prayers are with her for a quick resolution to this matter. Finally, look for the Updated Sisters In The Spirit Tour to start again in early 2009; we’ll keep you posted on the line up/locations… Event Reviews (In Short...) Pan African Film Festival – 2/7-18/08: Very well attended, and excellent Films this year. Bill Duke’s “Cover” was by far the best Film … Tim Bishop Brown & Miracle Mass Choir’s Anniversary Celebration – 3/1/08: Packed crowd, a little Long… Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson & the Spiritual Voices shined like never before… L.A. Inner-City Mass Choir’s 16th Anniversary Celebration – 3/15/08: Nice crowd, and the choir sound good despite the audio system. We wish Jamelle Jones well as the official Director… 11th Annual Good Friday Celebration (When The Singers- SPEAK!) – 3/21/08: Despite a power outage & being moved to another location, God still got the Glory; the Singers were Awesome w/the word! MASK, the Play @ Pasadena Playhouse – 3/10-4/20/08: Packed house, and Very Good Production of this thought-provoking story… Good singing too from the cast…. GMWA 41st Annual Board Meeting, Dallas, TX – 4/8-11/08: Low Attendance… Congrads to Dr. Rodena Preston – New D.O.O., Annual Registration is $300.00 for off-site attendees-wow! The Luminosity Awards, L.A. Gospel Messengers – 4/19/08: Started over an hour late, but was presented in Stellar form. Despite the flaws, the event was a pleasant way to honor others…. 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: Marvin Sapp, McCoy Memorial B.C., Deitrick Haddon, Mary Mary, Shekinah Glory Ministries, L.A. Young Adult Choir of GMWA, Brent Jones & T.P. Mobb, Little Zion B.C., and many more. Contact 310-330-2200 for more info. We will not be selling discount tickets for Knott’s this year – please contact Deuna “Dee Dee” Johnson at 562-712-3021 for tickets. Magic Mountain’s Gospel Celebration Taking place Saturday, June 21. Guests Artists: Israel & New Breed & Trin-i-tee 5:7. Come for the Fellowship, Ride the New X2, or just get your Praise On… Lord Before Us has Discount Tickets for $25.00 Adults, $15.00 Kids (under 48”) (Reg. prices: $59.99 / $34.95). Call us NOW at 323-993-8581 / or Logon to: www.LordBeforeUs.com, get’em while supplies last … Lord Before Us Productions as always we would like to thank you for your Support, and remind you that our International publication (The Lord’s Notes) past and present is now available Online at our web site and at selected Conferences/Conventions throughout the year. Lord Before Us Records is currently searching for the next big Female vocalist – please see our web site for more info. The first release by LAVA Ministries “This Is My Story” is in stores now, look for New Releases by Christopher Jones “Just My Praise” Summer 2008 and Joseph James & the S.V.S. Chorale “The Wait Is Over” Fall 2008. Look for Lord Before Us Products coming Summer 2008 – Bible Covers, Black Art, Collectibles, and Novelty Items - everything you need, in One Place… Remember – If the Lord is before You, Who Shall be against You…