January – March 2009 FREE The Lord’s Notes Lord Before Us Productions Quarterly Newsletter CD Reviews (extended…) Stephen Hurd “Times of Refreshing” Hurd has a gift of taking a Song and turning it into a musical masterpiece, and Refreshing – has done just that; what a note-worthy project… Just a few of the hits are: Great Name, You Are, Amazing, The Water, & Hymns of the Church (Medley)… 7/10 WOW Gospel 2009 This is truly a Year of Change, and Verity has done it again with this collection. It’s time to go back to Church – and this years’ WOW has done just that. Artists include: Marvin Sapp, Crystal Aikin, Beverly Crawford, Tye Tribbett, Mary Mary, City of Refuge, Byron Cage, Kirk Franklin, and more… 8/10 Shari Addison Shari where have you been? This girl can really Sang, and this project – showcases her at her best. As the winner-up for BET’s Sunday Best - Shari won the hearts of many with her old-school style; well get ready! Hits include: Please Make Me Better, I Praise You, No Battle- No Blessing, and more... 7/10 Tye Tribbett & G.A. “StandOut” LIVE (DVD) If you thought Tye & G.A. was something on the CD – waiting until you look at these Saints in action. Not only is there over 2 hours of a Concert, but also almost another 2 hours of Bonus footage (Interviews, Sermonetts, and Testimonies); to really let you know where this Radical Man came from. Songs like: StandOut, I Need You, Look Up, Let Us Worship, So Amazing, & more, will all make you watch this Video over and over… 7/10 Upcoming Events Jan. 31 Birthday Celebration honoring Dr. Charles D. Williams, Grace Temple B.C., Free, Many Invited Guests… Feb. 5-16 Pan-African Film Festival, Culver City, CA, www.PAFF.org or call 323-295-1706 for Showtimes/ (New) Locations 8 L.A. Chapter of GMWA presents their annual Back to the Old Landmark Concert, Brookins’ AME Church, Many Guests, FREE!!! 51st Annual Grammy Awards, Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA - Who Will Take Home The Gold? 28 GLACC presents Spring Sing Musical & Ministry Fair II, Many Invited Guests, First Goodwill B.C., Free, call 877-452-2207 Mar. 7 Tim “Bishop” Brown & Miracle Mass Choir’s 15th Anniversary Celebration/Live Recording, Ricky Dillard, $15/$25, Maranatha Church 11 - 13 Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) 42nd Annual Board Meeting/Planning Session, Birmingham, AL, Sheraton Hotel 14 L.A. Inner City Mass Choir’s 16th Anniversary Celebration, Many Guest Artists to appear, Antioch COGIC in L.A. 28 Kingdom Worship Arts Ministry 3rd Annual Concert of Movement, goto – www.KingdomWorshipArts.com for more Info. April 10 Lord Before Us Productions present their 12th Annual Good Friday Celebration, Yahweh’s House of Prayer in Los Angeles, FREE!!! 12 EASTER SUNDAY!!! Apr: LAVA’s Reunion Concert May: KJLH Gospel Celebration June: Edwin & Walter Hawkins Love Fellowship Conference TOP 10 In Gospel 1. Mavin Sapp “Thirsty” 6. Tye Tribbett & G.A. “StandOut” 2. Mary Mary “The Sound” 7. James Fortune “The Transformation” 3. Shekinah Glory Ministries “Jesus” 8. Ricky Dillard “The 7th Episode” 4. Kirk Franklin “The Fight Of My Life” 9. Damita “No Looking Back” 5. Beverly Crawford “Live In L.A.” 10. Jason Champion “Reflections” What’s New? Freda Battles recorded on December 19, 2008 in Durham, NC – entitled “Seasons of Change” this was said to be one of her best records to date; look for this release this Summer. Micah Stampley’s latest project “Ransomed” is starting to turn the heads of some Big names in the Gospel Industry, as it continues to zoom up the charts. The voice we have grown to Love – Ann Nesby (Sounds of Blackness fame) has signed with Tyscot Records, look for The Lula Lee Project due out this Spring. David “Pop” Winans is home recovering after a few health issues – we wish him and the entire Winans family all the best… Dr. Teresa Hairston takes her famed “Gospel Heritage – Praise & Worship Conference” to The Park Ministries in Charlotte, NC (February 26-27), with a guest list that includes: Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Donald Lawrence, Pastor Sheryl Brady, & Dr. Judith Christie-McAllister, just to name a few… BET launched 106 & Park: Generation Gospel – on January 11, with host Jor’el Quinn (21:03) & Angel Taylor (Trin-i-tee 5:7), for a younger audience of Christians. We’ll keep you posted on their results, but the starting lineup included: Marvin Sapp & Kierra Sheard… Congrads to our girls Rizen, who was just signed to Zomba Gospel… Dr. Judith Christie-McAllister is the newly appointed President of the Music Department for the Church of God In Christ, International – we wish her well… Finally, Our deepest condolences go to the following Families who lost loves ones over the course of the last three months: Dr. Kevin Bond (Father), Yolanda Adams (Mother), Donnie McClurkin (Sister), Shervonne Wells (Mother), Maurette Brown-Clark (Sister), Tommie Ellison and Ethel Holloway; know that you are All in our Prayers… Event Reviews Pre-Winter Workshop/Musical – 11/15/08: Nice crowd and Talent was non-stop. Pastor Theo Wilkins & Sounds of Praise kicked things off with Praise & Worship, that set the tone for what God was about to do. Guest Worship Leader – Min. DeSean Horne (Las Vegas, NV) was funny and inspiring as he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. Rapper- A-Man and Pasadena Chorale were good, and new group The Ensemble had the crowd singing the Praises of God… Arthur Dower’s performance of “Seasons” left a lot to be desired, while Kym Branch & Kingdom Worship Arts Dance Ministry both gave Stellar performances. But the night belong to Errol Gillett – who’s version of “Create In Me – A Clean Heart” took the crowd In for points… Closing choir – L.A. Inner City had the crowd rocking with their hit song “Lord I’m On My Way To Heaven”, overall this 16th Annual event was good from beginning to end… B. Alexander McCargo & EJYC, Live Recording – 12/6/08: Packed out, and good – some of the best music to be presented at a Live Recording in a long time. EJYC looked good and sound even better, some would say that B’s East Coast flare was represented – but we feel God is taking him and the choir to a whole-nother Dimension… Look for this project in the near future… Praise Party 2008, Faithful Central/Forum – 12/31/08 – 1/1/09: Over 10,000 saints made their way to the Forum on a Foggy night in Los Angeles, to witness some of the best in Gospel. Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers were No Joke, as they gave the crowd some of their New and Favorite Music – even Kurt jumped high on “Sanctuary”. Crazy woman – Vickie Winans was a tripped as she walked thru the audience and clowned with the Crowd, before killing us with “I Hear The Music In The Air”. Kirk Franklin & Company hit the stage with a vengeance – and he even had the Youth from Faithful Central join him for a dance-athon. As Bishop Kenneth Ulmer counted down to Midnight – the Saints rejoiced… Another year to be thankful for… King Day Celebration/Live CD/DVD Recording, L.A. Inner City Mass Choir – 1/18/09: Packed and good are the only ways to describe this new level for Inner City. Those that didn’t make the trip to the Inauguration (Washington, DC), made their way to Rancho Palos Verdes to witness – History in the making. Guest soloists Calvin B. Rhone, Rose Neal and others were beyond words – as was guest director B. McCargo. But the night belong to Jamelle Jones – who not only wrote the majority of the material but directed and sung like a madd man too. Get ready for this release… Events (In Short…) Fire Victims Benefit Concert – 11/25/08: The saints really came out for a good cause… The Donations are still coming in too… Darnell Davis & Remnant in Concert – 11/29/08: Started a little late, but the Talent was good… Darnell & Remnant gave the crowd a Stellar performance… No More Drama Please – Play – 12/19-20/08: Good Cast, and a nice venue as well… Hats off to Dr. Candace Cole and crew for a job well done… City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir’s 2nd Live Recording – 1/4/09: Packed out, and the Music was good; but Interesting… Mary Mary & Tye Tribbett were good too… California Gospel Showcase, Open4Engagement Magazine – 1/17/09: Packed out and the Talent was good… MC – Dr. Susie Jones kept the ball rolling… FOOTNOTES Stellar Award Winners / Grammy Nominees Marvin Sapp picks up a record-breaking 9 awards, Jonathan Nelson & Purpose took home 3 awards, Ricky Dillard & New G took home 2 awards, and Beverly Crawford got her first Stellar. For a complete list of the Winners and Air Dates – goto – www.GospelFlava.com. Grammy nominees include: Mary Mary, CeCe Winans, 21:03, Kirk Franklin, TobyMac, Dorinda Clark-Cole, West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir, Tye Tribbett & G.A., and The Murrills. Check out www.Grammys.com for details. L.A. Inner-City Mass Choir presents their Annual King Day Celebration / Live Recording to be held at the Peninsula Community Church 5640 Crestridge Rd., Rancho Palos Vedes, CA. Taking place on Sunday, January 18 at 7PM, this event promises to be a Blessing to all that attend – as Inner City makes History. Guests include – B. Alexander McCargo, Pastor Theo Wilkins & Sounds of Praise and more... Admission is Free, & seating is limited. Also join them on March 14th for their 16th Anniversary Celebration. For more information please contact: LAInnerCityMassChoir@yahoo.com. Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) 42nd Annual Board Meeting will be held Tuesday, March 10 – Friday, March 13 at the Beautiful Sheraton Hotel, in Birmingham, AL. Known as the Planning Session for the annual Convention (held in Cincinnati, OH – NEW DATE July 25-31, 2009), this event will feature Board meetings throughout the Day and Live Performances 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. Lord Before Us Records is gearing up for the Summer of 2009, release for Christopher Jones “Just My Praise”, get ready to experience this rare talent, and another level of Worship. Join us on April 10, for our 12th Annual Good Friday Celebration, held at the Yahweh’s House of Prayer (7101 So. Menlo 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…