January – March 2007 FREE The Lord’s Notes Lord Before Us Productions Quarterly Newsletter CD Reviews (extended…) Darnell Davis & the Remnant “Psalms of the Remnant” Darnell Davis is no stranger to the industry, after being the musical force behind the group Excelsior; he now enters the scene with Remnant;; they are Badd! Hits include: Stop Frontin’, I’m Yours, Show Your Glory, and Worship Medley. Pick this one up and hear the new flavor in Gospel… 7/10 WOW Gospel 2007 Verity returns to the stuff we Love for this year’s 10th Anniversary collection, of the Best in Gospel. This is Best blend to date, it makes u want more! Artists include: Smokie Norful, Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Tye Tribbett & GA, Kurt Carr, J Moss, Vickie Winans, Darrell Petties, Donald Lawrence, Lashun Pace, & more… 8/10 Greater Los Angeles Cathedral Choir “Because I Have Faith” We’re proud of one of our Local group from L.A., with their entrance to the Industry. Making a good statement, this project offers good music and vocals… Songs include: If He’s Been Good To Ya, It’s Already Alright, Because I Have Faith (Sang LaWeta!), and more... 6/10 Worth A Spin: The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle 6/10, Kirk Franklin – Songs for the Storm 8/10, Bishop Paul Morton – Still Standing 6/10, Tavis Smiley/The Covenant 7/10 Kelly Price – This Is Who I Am 6/10, Greg Jones & Ministry – The Romans Road 6/10, PAJAM Sing To the Lord 6/10 Worth A View: Verity (DVD) releases from: Hezekiah Walker, Fred Hammond, Richard Smallwood & Commissioned – 8/10 Upcoming Events Feb. 11 L.A. Chapter of GMWA presents the Old Landmark Concert, Second AME Church – 55th & Hoover St., Admission Free!!! 23 LAVA Ministries presents Just Churchin’ featuring Church Ministries at their Best, First Goodwill B.C., Admission is FREE!!! 24 J & P Records presents their Annual Black History Celebration, Many Guest Artists, Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro, $10 28-Mar. 3 Gospel Heritage 2007 Praise & Worship Conference, Many Guests, Washington D.C., Call 866-864-5611 / www.GHF07.com Mar. 3 Tim “Bishop” Brown & Miracle Mass Choir’s 13th Anniversary Celebration, Special Guest: Nikki Ross, Lewis Metropolitan, $20/$25 10 Bishop Kenneth Wells 20th year in Radio Celebration, many Guests to appear, Spirit of Love in San Bernardino, 909-885-LOVE for Info. 13 - 16 Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) 40th annual Board Meeting/Planning Session, Brooklyn Marriott Hotel, Brooklyn, NY 24 L.A. Inner City Mass Choir’s 15th Anniversary Celebration, Many guest Artists to appear, Bethel AME Church, FREE Admission!!! 28-30 LAVA Ministries present s Spring Revival – Dr. Susie Jones, Pastor Theo “Ta Ta” Wilkins, Dr. Charles Williams, FREE!!! 31 Annual Birthday Celebration honoring Dr. Calvin B. Rhone, Praises of Zion B.C., Free Admission, Many Guests Artists… April 6 Lord Before Us Productions presents their 10th Annual Good Friday Celebration, various Speakers & Musical Guests, First Goodwill B.C. 8 EASTER SUNDAY!!! 14 LAVA Ministries CD Release / Live DVD Taping, Donations: $10.00/$15.00/$20.00, Call 323-993-8581 for more Information Apr: Beverly Crawford – Live Recording May: SCGAG West Coast Regional Conference June: Magic Mountain Gospel Celebration What’s New? Local boyz – The Soul Seekers recorded their New Project on Jan. 19, under their own My Block Records imprint; to be released this Summer. Vanessa Bell Armstrong is gear up for the release of “Walking Miracle” on EMI Gospel, and if the single is any indication – Nessa is sanging on this one… But don’t sleep, LaShun Pace isn’t playing with her new EMI Gospel release (“Complete”), “All Things Working” is slamming… Denetria Champ is in the process of Taping her first Feature Movie with Loretta Devine, Nia Long, and Mekhi Phifer, look for it around Christmas time… We mourn the passing of James Brown – a True Musical icon in Black History… Our Prayers are with Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson as well as Minister Louis Farrakhan – for speed recoveries…Natalie Wilson is presently working on her first Solo project – without S.O.P, Nat said “she looks forward to the challenge and hopes the Industry will continue to Embrace her and her Ministry”, look for this release later this year…The Queen of Soul- Aretha Franklin is throwing her hat back into her Gospel roots, she’s now working on a high anticipated Gospel CD – with Mega Stars & Producers – to be release on her own Aretha Records by the end of the year. Max Siegal has decided to step down from the Gospel Industry (Zomba Gospel) and take to the Road – via NASCAR. Max will assume the position of President of Global Operations, we wish him all the Best – and would personally like to thank him for the words of Encouragement… Our deepest condolences to our homegurl - Vickie Winans on the passing of her Mother - Mattie Bowman, know that mom left here Proud! Tyscot Records announces the signing of Shirley Murdock , wih a release forthcoming this year… Our Prayers are with Ricky Dillard, who’s house burned down in Atlanta, GA – at press time cause of the Fire was unknown. Finally, here is a partial list of all the winners from the Stellar Awards: Donald Lawrence (x7), Myron Butler & Levi, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Kirk Franklin, Bishop G.E. Patterson, Tye Tribbett & G.A., Shirley Caesar, Ce Ce Winans, John P. Kee & New Life, Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Da’ TRUTH, and Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson- CONGRADS!. Grammy Nominees include: Tye Tribbett, Donald Lawrence, Yolanda Adams, Israel Houghton, Kiera “KiKi” Sheard, The Caravans, and Kirk Franklin – good luck! 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 artists 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 (This Entry was from 2006 – but still applies!) Event Reviews Pre-Winter Workshop / Musical – 11/18/06: Nice crowd, and a little late start, but the Praise & Worship by Kadmil Siler & Co. made up for it. Evang. Cheisa Dixon’s first time Hosting turning out better than she expected – she had the crowd in the Palm of her Hand. Guests: LHP Mass Choir, A-Man, LAVA Ministries, Unique, Voices of LOF, Anointed Praise of San Diego, Unveiled, and GLACC were all good to the last note… Tionne Williams, Holiday Celebration – 12/23/06: After a Late Start, and unorganized host – the event was nicely attended, and Talent Packed. Praise & Worship was given by Rhema, and left the crowd wanting more… L.A. Inner City, L.A. Young Adults of GMWA, and Shervonne Wells & Co. all gave Stellar performances… The Soul Seekers, Live Recording – 1/19/06: Despite almost an Hour and a Half late start, the Packed out crowd didn’t seem to care. After a brief Praise & Worship by City of Refuge Praise Team, and Comedy by Broderick Rice; The Soul Seekers hit the stage… “Holding On” & “Come On Jesus” were sure hits on the First Half, but it was the Second Half (which almost didn’t start – from Tye Tribbett’s Anointed Introduction) featuring Marvin Winans on “All Good”, and Warryn Campbell’s lead on “What Will It Take”. Overall – Off the Chain… Events In Short L.A. Young Adult Choir of GMWA, Annual Concert – 11/11/06: Packed out, and LAYAC sung like never before; better Audio this year too… J & P Records, Workshop Concert – 12/10/06: Small Crowd, but a good effort nervertheless… Greater Los Angeles Cathedral Choir’s (GLACC) CD Releasing – 1/20/07: Despite some Audio problems, GLACC hit hard with Dress and Vocals… 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 KJLH’s Gospel 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… LAVA Ministries presents Just Churchin’ taking place on Friday, February 23 at 8:01PM, at the First Goodwill B.C. (6900 So. Compton Ave., L.A., CA 90002); this event will featured the Best Church Ministries in Southern California. Invited Guests Include: Voices of Triumph – Double Rock B.C., Church of the Word – Praise Team, Greater Mt. Zion Praise Dancers, Awesome Praise – Mt. Pilgrim B.C., Comedian – Cizzle C, and many more…Admission is Free, and seating is limited. For more information please contact: 323-993-8581 / LAVAMin@aol.com. Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) 40th Annual Board Meeting will be held Tuesday, March 13 – Friday, March 16, 2007 at the Brooklyn Marriott Hotel in Brooklyn, NY. Known as the Planning Session for the annual Convention (held in Orlando, FL – August 11-17, 2007), 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, this will be the last year to get our International Publication in Print format – it will available via the Internet beginning 2008. In April 2007 Lord Before Us Records will release LAVA Ministries “This Is My Story”, as well as record several additional Artists LIVE before the end of the Year - Expect the Best! Join us on April 6, for our 10th Annual Good Friday Celebration, held at the First Goodwill B.C. (6900 So. Compton Ave., 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…