July - September 2007 FREE The Lord’s Notes Lord Before Us Productions QUARTERLY Newsletter ~ Special Convention Edition ~ CD /DVD Reviews (extended…) WOW Gospel #1’s Zomba Gospel has assembled some of the best artists with this project – from Tye Tribbett to Myron Butler & Levi, everybody is on this one. This 2 disc set offers over 2 ½ hours of some of your favorite hits… Songs like: Brighter Day, We Fall Down, I Need You Know, and more… Celebrating 10 Years of WOW Gospel, get this one Now… 8/10 Onitsha “Church Girl” From the Jingle Girl to the Church Girl, Onitsha is putting it down on this release. Noted for her background vocals with some of the top artists in the Business, now she steps in front to shine… Hits include: He Is, Don’t Give Up, Come By Here, My Life, Search Me Lord, & Come On… 7/10 Marvin Sapp “Thirsty”” Marvin has done it again, and this time – it’s more personal. Marvin’s voice just keeps getting better with time… Hits include: Magnify, Power, Possess the Land, Worship in Me, Thirsty, and the soul-stirring Never Would’ve Have Made It, ... 7/10 Judith Christie McAllister “In His Presence: LIVE” (DVD) Judy takes you on a Visual Journey to a new level of Praise & Worship with this Gem of a DVD. To see the Queen of Praise & Worship not only sound good – but look good too – is a complete delight to all… From the opening song to the closing, & the Praise Break - you will be Blessed… 7/10 In Your Interest – Min. Lamont Bradley “Independent – but not Dependant” Well it looks like every time you turn around, a new Independent Record Label is springing forth – and making waves in the Industry. I can only speak from my personal experience, and tell you – it’s easy to start a Label; but it’s hard to run one. READ – STUDY – & READ some more, don’t just rely on what you’ve heard or think you know, study to show thyself approved… (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). Don’t become Dependant on other Successful Labels to show you what to do – do it for yourself, be and innovator and not a duplicator. Build your own Relationships with Distributors, Marketing Execs, Radio Announcers – and by this time next year; you will be ready to receive your Stellar in Grande style. Remember – Success comes with Hard work, and if you obtain it Overnight, be prepared to loose it just as fast. Anything worth Having is worth Fighting for… LB What’s New? (In Short…) Vickie Winans is going to be working even harder now that she has secured Central South Distribution for her Destiny Joy Records imprint – look to see her and her artists just about everywhere... Well it’s official Be Be & Ce Ce Winans are back together and working on a soon to be released project for Ce Ce’s imprint (Pure Spring Records) ; look for the project and a tour to kick off in the Fall. Get ready for Fall Releases by some of your Favorite Artists – Brent Jones & T.P. Mobb, L.A. Inner-City Mass Choir, VaShawn Mitchell, Ricky Dillard & New G., Youthful Praise, Beverly Crawford, L.A. Young Adult Choir of GMWA, Byron Cage, The Soul Seekers, Yolanda Adams and more… In Local news our deepest condolences go to the Webb/Johnson Family on the lost of (one of Our Biggest Supporters) their Mother Regina Webb, please know you are in our Prayers… Event Reviews (In Short…) SCGAG – West Coast Gospel Industry Conference – 5/24-27/07: Nice size crowds, and this year’s event was combined with the West Coast Regional Conference of GMWA – which brought in over 400 additional delegates. Highlights included: The Clara Ward Singers, Japan Groups, Cedric Ford on Friday, L.A. Young Adults of GMWA, Johnny Sanders, Lexi, Unique, SVS Chorale, and The Covenant Messengers on Saturday Night. The Legends & Business of Music Business Panel – had a Holy Ghost good time, as did the Talent packed showcases by Get Right Records & MySon Entertainment Group. Overall one of the Best to date… Magic Mountain’s Gospel Celebration – 6/23/06: Smaller crowd this year, and it was to be expected after the success of KJLH’s Gospel Showcase at Knott’s – which featured over 20 artists; the saint came to ride the roller coasters. To look at the performance crowd, you knew where everybody was; either on Tatsu or Goliath. Myron Butler & Levi performed like troopers – and gave the half packed crowd a little bit of everything… Veteran – Donald Lawrence & Co. gave a best of Stellar performance that featured Kim McFarland (Tommie’s fame) and Blanch McAllister. Nothing big to speak of this year – in fact, the event seem to come and go; come on Saints;; our Support level has got to improve… West Coast Singles Conference 7/12-14/07: Small crowd, but very good information was given… Speakers: Donald Bell, Wanda Turner, and Bryan Loritts all gave knowledge from on high, Musical guests: GB5 & Kevin Vasser both gave Stellar performances… John Bernard & Friends in Concert 7/14/07: Nice crowd, wonderful Music was presented, a few Technical flaws – but God still got the glory… FOOTNOTES Shervonne Wells a faithful member of the Kurt Carr Singers for nearly 14 years, has released the industry’s most anticipated project entitled “Here I Am!” Displaying all styles of Inspirational forms – Praise, Traditional, Jazz, R&B, Gospel, and Rock, and at the helm of Producer Michael Bereal (Norman Hutchins, T.C. Bereal, Judith Christie-McAllister, Beverly Crawford), Shervonne takes you on a rollercoaster of awesome vocals. After providing background vocals for such notable artists as Norman Hutchins, Chaka Khan, and Stevie Wonder to name a few. She now takes the spotlight and shines like never before… For more Information, please contact MySon Entertainment Group at 909-885-5683, www.MySpace.com/ShervonneWells. JDI Records presents Professor James Roberson “Joy Unspeakable” featuring the smash hits “It’s Alright To Dance”, “I’m His Child” & Joy Unspeakable” with special guests – DeNetria Champ, Norman Hutchins, & UCLA Gospel Choir. CD available nationwide: August 21, Distributed by: Sony Red Distribution. For More Information, Please call 213-381-7177. Johnny Sanders noted psalmist from Miami, Florida is no stranger to the Industry, having worked with the like of: Regina Belle, Dorothy Norwood, Vickie Winans, Kirk Franklin, Shanice Wilson, Betty Wright, Ann Nesby just to name a few. His debut project “Lifetime” offered a complying look at Christian Life, with such hit songs as “If I Knew”, In Your Presence O God” and the break out hit “Because of You”. Get ready for a yet to be titled Sophomore project – to be in stores by early 2008. Johnny is well on his way to the top. Available for Workshops and Solo Performances, contact 305-213-5939. www.realplatinumrecords.com JDI Records presents Beverly Crawford “Live In Los Angeles”, featuring the smash hits “He’s Done Enough”, I’m Still Standing” & “God Has Been Good To Me” with special guests – Ricky Dillard, Edwin Hawkins, & Moses Tyson. CD & DVD available nationwide: August 21, Distributed by: Sony Red Distribution. For More Information, Please call 213-381-7177. Monroe’s Travel Agency is making your travel & cruise plans go smooth. Other services include vacation packages, hot deals, honeymoon registry, car rental, and hotel accommodations. In the market for a new or pre-owner car, you are just one click away from ordering any car of your choosing. Find out how to travel for discount prices. Log On to: www.YTB.com/LMonroe - and travel in Style TODAY!!! L.A. Young Adult Choir of GMWA presents the release of their debut CD Project entitled – Mighty God. After being a beacon of light to the National Convention, by way of their Live Performances, LAYAC has released a collection of songs that is sure to stir your Soul… From the thought provoking “Calvary” to the Hype of “Higher”, this project will place you on another level of praise. Contact 310-677-8785 for more information, and to get your copy TODAY!!! FOOTNOTES Give God The Glory! Series of books and devotionals… Writing for the Lord Ministries was founded by Kevin Wayne Johnson in 2000 and features the Give God the Glory! Series of books and devotionals – winners of twelve literary and media awards since 2001, including: 2007 and 2006 Christian Publisher of the Year, Book Expo America, African-American Pavilion. This nine-book series, distributed and sold internationally, is designed to encourage all readers to focus on God first and foremost – (1) in our personal relationships, (2) in the workplace, (3) in our families, (4) in our local churches, and (5) during devotional/personal time. All books and devotionals are written by Kevin Wayne Johnson, Founder, Author, Television Host, and Bible Teacher. For more information, please call 410-340-8633, 443-535-0476 fax, Kevin@writingforthelord.com. www.WritingForTheLord.com LAVA Ministries (Los Angeles Voices of Angels) 1st project “This Is My Story”, is heating up the Airwaves. Featuring the writing styles of: Dr. Calvin B. Rhone, Elder Tony Jones, B. Alexander McCargo, Min. Lamont Bradley, Derrick Lewis, Min. Michael Hilley. With Songs like “Jesus Died In My Place”, “Joy Comes In The Morning”, “Higher Ground”, “Oh Lord, You’ve Been So Good”, and “Peace In The Midst Of Your Storm”; this project is a hit, pick it up and see why… Check their web site for more information www.LAVAMin.com or call them at 323-993-8581. Lord Before Us Productions would like to thank you for your Support of our Quarterly publication – The Lord’s Notes, pick it up - and be informed! Lord Before Us Records is up and running – with the first release by LAVA Ministries “This is My Story” in stores Now! SVS Chorale will be recording LIVE on Oct. 20 for a Spring 2008 release, and the final touches are being added to Christopher T. Jones project for a Summer 2008 release. We’ve only just begun, look for Lord Before Us Entertainment – to be in your Living rooms soon this Summer, as we step into the Video stage of our Ministry, then get ready for Lord Before Us Products (Bible Covers, Journals, Black Art, and more) available Fall 2007. Join Us on Nov. 17 as we Celebrate 15 years in Ministry, detail to come.… Remember – If the Lord is before You, Who Shall be Against You…