January - March 2006 FREE The Lord's Notes Lord Before Us Productions Quarterly Newsletter CD Reviews (extended...) New Life Community Choir "The Reunion" Pastor John P. Kee and the Reunion group of New Life are back, with a project that is OK for the most part; not too many songs really standouts. Some hits are: Wave It Away, Wash Me, I Shall Do, Show Up, More Than Anything, and Lilly In The Valley... 6/10 WOW Gospel 2006 Verity trys a little Urban spin for this year's collection of the Best in Gospel, well it seems to work - for the most part. Although it lacks the traditional flare, the saints seem to be pleased with this offering. Artists include: Marvin Sapp, Tye Tribbett, Mary Mary, Darwin Hobbs, Kurt Carr, Ted & Sheri, and more... 7/10 Karen Clark-Sheard "It's Not Over" Karen has staying-power, and this project seems to prove just that... Karen's vocals are unmatchable to many of the up and coming artists - she can show them how it's done... Hits include: Favor, Authority, It's Not Over, Be Blessed, and more... 6/10 New Birth Total Praise Choir "A New Beginning" Bishop Eddie Long & New Birth are back with producer Dr. Kevin Bond with a project that is sure to have Church Choirs singing their praises for years to come. This release features some good old fashion Churchy songs, and is an added bonus to your Gospel collection. Songs like: It Shall Come To Pass, Be Healed, God is, Christ In Me, and Magnify the Lord, are sure to be a Hit... 7/10 Upcoming Events Feb. 24 Lord Before Us Productions/First Goodwill B.C. Music Ministry Dept. - Black History Celebration, Many Artists to Appear, FREE!!! 25 J&P Record Productions present Black History program honoring the late Jeffrey Pearson, Holiday Inn Hotel - Long Beach, FREE!!! 26 Three Oaks B.C. Youth Dept. presents Black History program, trip down Gospel Music Memory Lane, FREE!!! Mar. 4 Another Level of Praize - Praize Night @ The Venue, Many Artists to appear... Tim "Bishop" Brown & Miracle Mass Choir's 12th Anniversary Celebration, Ami Rushes, The Soul Seekers, Upper Room, $10/$15 11 L.A. Inner City Mass Choir's 14th Anniversary Celebration, Many guest Artists to appear, Bethel AME Church, FREE Admission!!! 15 - 17 Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) 39th annual Board Meeting/Planning Session, San Diego, CA, Town & Country Inn 18 JDI Records presents a LIVE DVD Recording for Pastor Norman Hutchins & Co., Los Angeles, CA Diego Music Group presents a LIVE DVD Recording for their Artists (Voices of Fulfillment, Daryl Coley, Ect...) - San Diego, CA 31 ALW Entertainment presents Kirk Franklin's Hero Tour, with Mary Mary - Kodak Theatre, $39.50 - $52.50 April 8 L.A. Young Adult Choir of GMWA presents their annual Throwback Gospel Concert, Israel B.C., FREE!!! 14 Lord Before Us Productions present their 9th Annual Good Friday Celebration, various Speakers & Musical Guests, Three Oaks B.C. 16 EASTER SUNDAY!!! Apr: LAVA's 3rd Anniversary May: Our President's 35th Birthday (May 3) June: Edwin & Walter Hawkins Love Fellowship Conference What's New? Your boyz - Men of Standard have signed with Sony Music, and a new project is in the works for a late 2006 release. Is he really going to do it - well, it looks that way, yes Tonex is retiring. But we feel that after the death of his Father - taking over Pastoral duties of Truth Apostalic, a failed Marriage, and still Non-Acceptance in the Industry - what could you expect. He will return, cause you can't keep a Humming Bird caged for too Long - our Prayers are with him... Dr. Judith Christie-McAllister made her way to Nashville, TN for her Live Recording on Jan. 22, this Artemis Gospel/Judah Music release is said to be one of her Best to date, well - let's not forget; she is the First Lady of Praise & Worship... We mourn the passing of Lou Rawls & Coretta Scott King - two icons Black History... Pilgrim B.C. in Chicago - known as the Birthplace of Gospel Music, burned down; it was known as the place where Thomas A Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson & James Cleveland all made beautiful music together... Reid Temple in Glen Dale, MA won't be the same after Tramaine Hawkins records her Live GospoCentric project on Feb. 18. With the help of Jamie Hawkins & Kurt Carr - this is sure to be the best one yet for Ms. Tramaine... Patti Labelle is in the studio recording her first Gospel CD, with the help of Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, and J Moss - we'll keep you posted on a release date... Fred Hammond heads to the Potter's House in Dallas, TX - for his next Live Recording in April, after moving to Dallas at the beginning of the year, the Contemporary Icon of Gospel has been hard at work with rumored members of Kirk Franklin's Family group - we shall see the results soon enough... Malcolm Williams & Great Faith of Chicago, IL have signed a deal will Univocal Records headed by Industry Veteran - Shawn Tate, "Walking In My Destiny" is sure to be a hit upon it's release. Finally, here is a partial list of all the winners from the Stellars & Grammy's: - and the Stellar goes too: Donald Lawrence, Mark Hubbard & the Voices, The Soul Seekers, Dr. Charles Hayes & The Warriors, J Moss, Rizen, Walter Hawkins, Kierra "KiKi Sheard, Lil iRocc. - and the Grammy goes too: CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin & Gladys Knight & Saints Unified Voices. In Your Interest - Dr. Calvin B. Rhone "Just Think About It" I am thankful to live in a nation with such wonderful liberties. May they ever be preserved, and may we always remember that we must give account for using them. My heartfelt thoughts of healing and restoration go out to Tonex and any other artist who may be wounded at this time. I encourage all artists to know your calling and stay focused on the caller. You can only drown when you take your eyes off the One who Called You. And if you begin to sink, cry out to Him. His extended hand will always be there. Grab hold; don't let go. Stay in the race. The reward is given to those who finish. The water has its own rules. No matter who we are, the regulations abide. Know what you are diving into. Develop your skills to swim in deep water. Many have drowned even on the shallow side of the pool. Actually, God's favor is upon us all. Let no one rain on your parade, as the late Rev. James Cleveland use to say. Connected: Dr. Calvin Bernard Rhone, CalBerRho@aol.com Event Reviews LAVA Ministries - Live Recording 11/26/05: Over 700+ packed out Southside Bethel as LAVA set to make history, after Praise & Worship by Min. William Johnson - the choir was introduced by Spiritual Advisor Pastor Theo "Ta Ta" Wilkins, and lead into their first (funky) song "Jesus Died In My Place" by Dr. Calvin B. Rhone. Next up was B. McCargo with a crowd favorite "It Was Your Blood", which set the atmosphere for Worship. The Derrick Lewis penned "Higher Ground" & "Because of You" had the crowd going - and so did Michael Hilley's "I Need You Lord" & "Oh Lord, You Been So Good" - which got the Praise going... After a quick break and Praise Dance by Elder Steven Massey & Co., LAVA was back with the late Eddie Johnston penned "Joy Comes In The Morning", Dr. Calvin B. Rhone returned with "Peace In The Midst of Your Storm" which caused a 20 minute Praise Break. Tony Jones "Praise The Lord" had the crowd rocking with a Caribbean beat, while John Bernard's "I Thank You Lord" & "God Is Designing This Test for You" took the crowd to a new level of praise. Closing the night was a Milton Brunson's - Tommies favorite "He'll Make It Alright" lead by Ms. "He's Done Enough" herself - Zaneta "Motha" Brown, overall LAVA made history... Look for this release in Spring 2006 on Lord Before Us Records. L.A. Chapter of GMWA - Tribute to Rev. James Cleveland - 12/5/05: Packed out, and good - although a few of the singers were kinda off note; we think even Rev. would be pleased. The Chapter choir packed the choir stand after a 20 minute march-in to "We Are On Our Way" - they featured songs like "God Is", "Please Make Me Better", "Peace Be Still" and more... BET's Celebration of Gospel - 1/28/06: Wilshire Ebell hasn't seen this much activity in a long time, as the saints packed it out. Steve Harvey returned to host again this year - and was able to keep the crowd's interest. Kirk Franklin & Co. hit the stage with an Opening to end all openings, not much to tell here accept Mary Mary took you to Church, and so did the Worship of Shekinah Glory Ministries "Say Yes". Pastor Shirley Caesar rapped with Tye Tribbett, and Stevie Wonder sung you to death with almost everybody on stage... FOOTNOTES Gospel Sportswear.com Are you in need of some Street Gear, that will give a Positive Message - well look no further... Gospel Sportswear is here to answer your prayers, be it with a Jersey, Polo Shirt, or Hat - they have it all; and at reasonable prices. As worn by our President for our Black History Celebration - their Jerseys makes a Holy Ghost statement, that is sure to bless everyone. Log on to: GospelSportswear.com or contact them at: 678-714-0915, tell them Lord Before Us sent ya... L.A. Inner-City Mass Choir presents their 14th Anniversary Celebration in grand flare at the Bethel AME Church 7900 So. Western Ave. in Los Angeles, CA. Taking place on Saturday, March 11 at 7PM, this event promises to be a Holy Ghost filled one - with Musical Guests and Speakers to Inspire you. Guest M.C. - Tim "Bishop" Brown will bring his flare for "Stupid Church" with him, as Inner -City will Rock the Houze. Admission is Free, and seating is limited. For more information please contact: LAInnerCityMassChoir@yahoo.com. Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) 39th Annual Board Meeting will be held Tuesday, March 14 - Friday, March 17 at the Beautiful Town & Country Inn & Resorts. Known as the Planning Session for the annual Convention (held in Dallas, TX - August 12-18, 2006), this event will feature Board meetings throughout the Day and Live Performance during the Nightly sessions. For more information, log on to: www.GMWANational.org. 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. With the Installation of Lord Before Us Records in Spring of 2006, and the release of our First Artists - LAVA Ministries, you can expect nothing but the best from Us in the Future. Join us on April 14, for our 9th Annual Good Friday Celebration, held at the Three Oaks B.C. (8109 So. Hoover St. in Los Angeles, CA). It will feature the Seven Last Sayings of Christ by some of California's anointed Ministers and Musical Guests... So come kick your Resurrection weekend off right with Us! Remember - If the Lord is before You, Who Shall be Against You...