January – March 2008 FREE The Lord’s Notes Lord Before Us Productions Quarterly Newsletter CD / DVD Reviews Kirk Franklin “The Fight of My Life” Kirk has out done himself again with this project, which plays as if you are turning the pages of an Autobiography - flows… Standouts include: Your Glory, Worship Medley, and more... Pick this one up and hear the new flavor in Gospel… 8/10 L.A. Young Adult Choir of GMWA “Mighty God” What a welcome edition this project is to the Industry, noted for their vocal styles - now the world can experience what GMWA has for Years… Hits include: Sanctuary, Calvary, Never Fails, and of course the Title Track… Pick this one up today, and be blessed… 7/10 Ricky Dillard & New G “The 7th Episode – Live In Toronto (DVD)” Oh My God (OMG), what energy Ricky & New G has, and this time – it’s displayed for all the world to see. Song after song, the crowd never did sit down; and when the dance broke out – it was over. Like the CD, too many hits and scenes to list – you gotta see this one for yourself, you will not be disappointed… 8/10 Worth A Spin: BeBe Winans - Cherch 6/10, West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir – No Limit 6/10 Shirley Caesar – After 40 Years: Still Sweeping Through The City 7/10, Youthful Praise – Exalted 6/10 Sound of the New Breed – Kingdom 6/10, Dr. Bobby Jones – The Ambassador 7/10 Worth A View (DVD): Byron Cage – Live At the Apollo 7/10, William Murphy III – The Sound 6/10 Upcoming Events Feb. 10 L.A. Chapter of GMWA presents the Old Landmark Concert, Many guests are invited, Second AME Church, Admission Free!!! 21-23 Gospel Heritage 2008 Praise & Worship Conference, Many Guests, College Park, GA, Call 866-864-5611 / www.GHF08.com 23 Another Level of Praize presents their 6th Anniversary Celebration/Praize Night, many guests, www.ALOP.net Mar. 1 Tim “Bishop” Brown & Miracle Mass Choir’s 14th Anniversary Celebration, Guest: Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Southern B.C. $15/$35 15 L.A. Inner City Mass Choir’s 16th Anniversary Celebration, Many guest Artists to appear, Paradise B.C., FREE Admission!!! 16 Min. John M. Bernard presents “The Resurrection Concert”, First New Christian Church 6PM, FREE Admission!!! 21 Lord Before Us Productions presents their 11th Annual Good Friday Celebration, various Speakers & Musical Guests, First Goodwill B.C. 23 EASTER SUNDAY!!! 26-29 Urban Network Summit (20th Anniversary), Newport Beach Hyatt regency Hotel, many artist to appear, www.UrbanNetwork.com April 8 - 11 Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) 41th annual Board Meeting/Planning Session, Adams Mark Hotel – Dallas, TX Apr: Dove Awards – Nashville, TN May: SCGAG West Coast Regional Conference June: Magic Mountain Gospel Celebration What’s New? Local news – The Soul Seekers will be releasing their Soul Seekers II project in the Summer, Nysa Shenay is back in the studio working on an upcoming project to be released in the Fall. Tim Bishop Brown & Miracle Mass Choir are now signed with MySon Entertainment (Bishop Kenneth Wells), look for their new release “The Miracle Experience” in the Fall. Joseph James & the SVS Chorale are putting the final touches on their Live project “The Wait Is Over” to be release in the Fall, and LAVA Ministries is preparing to record Live in Osaka, Japan in 2009 – more details to be announced. Denetria Champ may not be with JDI Records anymore, but that hasn’t stopped this Gospel Diva – look for an Independent project from her in the near future. Crystal Aikins (Sunday’s Best – BET Winner) is in the studio working on her first project to be released in the Fall, so is winner-up Shari Addison. More TV for Dr. Bobby Jones, in March he will present Bobby Jones Next Generation (focusing on new artists and urban presentations) on the Gospel Music Channel – check it out… Beverly Crawford is sanging up a storm on Tim Bishop Brown’s “He’s Done Enough”, but we would be remist if we didn’t give our condolences over the passing of her Father – Bishop Walter Camps, Bev you are in our Prayers. Vickie Mack-Lataillade (of GospoCentric) is embarking on a new Publishing venture with EMI CMG / Lilly Mack Publishing – to produce a even larger catalog of Gospel Music – check back for more details … Songbird and Gospel pioneer – Ami Rushes is heating up the charts and lifting the hearts of everyone on her “Lifting” Tour in support of her latest release of the same title, catch her if you can… The Clark Sisters may record again – we’ll keep you posted… Dionne Warwick does Gospel – look for “Why We Sing” in stores Feb. 5th, yes Dionne… Get ready for New Releases by some of your favorite artists like: Jonathan Nelson, Shervonne Wells (nationally), Brent Jones & T.P. Mobb, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Norman Hutchins, Sheri Jones-Moffett, Angela Spivey & Voices of Victory, Men of Standard, and more…. Finally, here is a partial list of the winners from the Stellar Awards: The Clark Sisters, Bishop T.D. Jakes & Potter’s House Mass Choir, DeWayne Woods, PJ Morton, Vickie Winans, Tramaine Hawkins, Donald Lawrence, Fred Hammond, J Moss, Kirk Franklin, Maurette Brown Clark, and The Rance Allen Group - CONGRADS!. Grammy Nominees include: Coko, Marvin Sapp, Donald Lawrence, Trin-i-tee 5:7, J Moss, Da TRUTH, The Clark Sisters, and Israel & New Breed – 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 – 11/17/07: Nice crowd, and a little late start. After a simple Praise & Worship by Donald Polion & Co., the event was on a roll. The Avenue kicked things off with smooth vocals, and Errol Gillett and Zyon followed suit… Up and coming group Redefine took the crowd to another level, and the Praise broke out like never before. A tribute presentation was made to the family of Regina Webb (one of our Biggest Supporter – who passed away…), and Anointed Praise from San Diego closed us in their own hip style. Another year – another Praisefest, looking forward to more… L.A. Chapter of GMWA, Live Recording – 12/1/07: Packed out, and Good Material too… With songwriters like Tony Jones, Daryl Coley, and Calvin Rhone – you can’t go wrong, even new comers – Jamelle Jones & Everett Washington seem to fit right with their own songs. Overall, this project should be well received by the masses… Martin Luther King Jr., Midnight Musical – 1/20/08: Started a little late, but the hip of the Praise & Worship by Jason & Co. made up for it… Opening sections by L.A. Young Adults took the crowd over with Praise, and it seem to go somber from there on, even T. C. Bereal’s anointed performance had the crowd wanting more… Talent was cool, but time was of the essence for this event. Good job – George Johnson… Events In Short B. McCargo & E.J.Y.C., Winter Formal Concert – 12/8/07: Packed out, and EJYC sung like never before; and they looked good too… J & P Records, Workshop Concert – 12/9/07: Good Information throughout the week, but the Concert left a lot to be desired… Open4Engagement Magazine, Red Carpet/Debut Concert – 1/12/08: Packed out, and Talent was good too… We look forward to this effort helping all Independent Artists… 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… Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) 41st Annual Board Meeting will be held Tuesday, April 8 – Friday, April 11, 2008 at the Adams Mark Hotel in Dallas, TX. Known as the Planning Session for the annual Convention (held in Nashville, TN – August 9-15, 2008), 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. Gospel 1 Radio One of the fastest growing Internet Radio Stations, is pleased to add to their roster our own President/CEO – Min. Lamont Bradley (Professa), as guest DJ for some upcoming broadcasts. Air dates are: Thursdays – Feb. 28, Mar. 13, Apr. 10, May 15, & June 12. Logon to www.Gospel1Radio.net and see what Professa has to say. Call in # 310-330-3960, request your favorite song(s) today… Lord Before Us Productions would like to thank you for your Support, and remind you that our Quarterly publication is now available via the Internet only (Print Distributed at Major Conferences & Conventions), so Log On and be Blessed, as we continue to Inform the World on the happenings in the Gospel Industry. Lord Before Us Records presents LAVA Ministries “This Is My Story”, in stores Now!!! Look for Christopher T. Jones “Just My Praise” Summer 2008 & Joseph James & the SVS Chorale “The Wait Is Over” Fall 2008. Join us on March 21, for our 11th 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! Remember – If the Lord is before You, Who Shall be Against You…