September / October 2005 FREE The Lord's Notes Lord Before Us Productions BI-Monthly Newsletter What's New? In recent events, during the 38th Annual Gospel Music Workshop of America, it was announced that Daryl Coley has become the National Spokesperson for Diabetes. In light of his recent battle with the disease (causing vision problems), Daryl feels that it's time for him to give back to world as they have given to him during his (more than 3 decade) career. The Gospel (Movie) hits theatres October 7, with the likes of Yolanda Adams, Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond & Hezekiah Walker all making appearances. The Rance Allen Group was honored by the GMWA GAG (Gospel Announcers Guild), for being Gospel Legends in the industry. Noted as being the "Fathers of Contemporary Gospel", their career spans over 20 years, and are well deserved of this honor. In Stellar news, Neily Dickerson has done it again - local group The Gospel Wonders are listed in several categories for next year's awards (to be held in Nashville, TN on January 21, 2006); will they make it to the Final Ballot;; will keep you posted. Well it's official - Verity & GospoCentric Records are now one under their parent company Zomba - and what a roster of Artists. Finally, Kirk Franklin is back with "Hero", and it is off the chain - looks like another Hit for the Mega Star... Upcoming Events Sept 17 Peggy Scott Adams presents Lee Williams & the Spiritual QC's in Concert, City of Refuge, donations $30.00 Advance, $35.00 at the door 23-24 Consultant Entertainment presents - Stop the Violence, Think Education Conference w/Tonex & Tye Tribbett & G.A., City of Refuge 25 Three Oaks B.C. annual Youth Day, featuring The Pastor's Choir & The Mitchell Twinz, Admission Is Free, Call 323-752-5017 29 - 10/1 MIA (Musicians In Action) presents their Music Ministry Retreat, The Coast Long Beach Hotel Long Beach, CA, call 323-777-3213 30 Vickie Winans presents the Rising Star Tour, featuring the country's best Gospel Talent, Wiltern Theatre, FREE - Ticket Required Oct. 1 Another Level of Praize presents Praize Night, featuring Gospel Talent & Great Food.. 213-250-ALOP / www.ALOP.net 8 D.P. Productions presents Pastor John P. Kee & New Life in Concert, City of Refuge Church, Donation: $15.00 Gen./$25.00 VIP Seating 14 Sweet Voices of Soul Community Chorale presents their 13th Anniversary Celebration, The Way World Outreach in San Bernardino, Free 19-22 Heritage Music Foundation annual Heritage Conference, Greater New Bethel B.C., Inglewood, CA , Call 310-674-1903 for more Info. 28-30 L.A. Black Business Expo - L.A. Convention Center, call 323-281-EXPO / www.BlackBusinessexpo.com for more Information. Nov. 5 McDonald's Gospelfest, featuring the best amateur groups/choirs, w/Tonex & J Moss, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, $35/$30/$25 12 L.A. Young Adults Chapter of GMWA, annual Winter Concert - Israel B.C., Admission Is Free!!! 19 Lord Before Us Productions presents their 13th Annual Pre-Winter Workshop Musical, Greater Harvest COGIC - Long Beach, FREE!!! Nov: LAVA - LIVE Recording - 11/26 Dec: KJLH House Full of Toys Jan: Stellar Awards - Nashville, TN CD Reviews Yolanda Adams Dorinda Clark-Cole "Day by Day" "The Rose of Gospel" Yolanda is back after a four-year hiatus; The Rose of Gospel is just she is bringing the Heat, this release what Dorinda is, she takes u is truly classic Yolanda; with a few right back to Church with this surprises too... Hits include: Be Blessed, project. Standouts include: So Many Times, Victory, Alwaysness, This Too Shall Pass, Tonight, and Worked Out For My Good, Nobody but God, Lift Him Up all make a hit for Atlantic Records... 7/10 and Great Is The Lord ... Pick it up Today! 7/10 DVD Reviews Youthful Praise Smokie Norful "The Praise - The Worship" "Nothing Without You" Well JJ & YP are back with their Let Smokie get up for the third offering, and this time it's a Piano and you never know little different flavor then what we what you'll get, the boy showed are use to hearing from them; but out - and gave the folks a It seems to work - in time... Standouts Stellar performance. Hits like: are: You Are So Awesome, Praise The Rock, He's Worthy, God Is Able, I Know To Much The Presence, and He Reigns. Although a change for About Him, and Power makes The kids are still Sanging! 6/10 this one for you Gospel DVD collection... 7/10 Worth a Spin: Kierra "Ki Ki" Sheard "Just Until" 7/10, GMWA - Live in Kansas City 2004 6/10, Darwin Hobbs "Worshipper" 7/10 William Murphy "All Day" 7/10, Shirley Caesar "I Know The Truth" 7/10, Antonio Neal "Days of my Life" 6/10 Worth a View: Bobby Jones - Live in Italy 6/10, Lee Williams & the Spiritual QC's - Live in Memphis 7/10 Next Issue - Hezekiah Walker & LFC "20/85 The Experience", Kirk Franklin "Hero" Event Reviews Koinonia Gospel Concert - 8/10/05 : Nice crowd - but not packed, and although it started a little late - the Praise & Worship offered by Ji Nelson & Company made up for it. The service kicked off with the Koinonia Conference Choir which were mighty in number, but due to the audio system could barely be heard. Rizen hit the stage hard, and took the saints in... The legendry Clark Sisters were good despite a few vocal & musical flaws; Karen & Dorinda sang like madd women while Jackie held down the background. Tye Tribbett & G.A. took the (leftover) crowd to a whole-nother level on "You Are My Joy", with a little help from Micah Stampley. Overall, the saint were pleases with this event. Summer Praisefest w/Ricky Dillard & New G. - 8/13/05: Started a little late, but was eased by Sonya Griffin-Lemon & Company's Praise & Worship. MC - Jonathan Grier kept the crowd motivate as they endured the less than stellar performances of Keyo - who was boring to say the least, Fons - who's first song was ok; but the second selection (with help from James Smith & Double Rock Praise Team) seem to wake the crowd up for more... Denetria Champ took center stage, but gave a boring performance; as if she didn't want to be there... After a small delay - Ricky Dillard & New G hit the stage and Sung like the church was packed (which it wasn't). For over 2 hours, they gave you hit after hit after hit, to the point were the lead singers prophesied to the audience - shouted the mics down - and didn't want to stop with their unique moves. Only downside is the crowd was small, but Ricky & New G didn't mind - they had Church! 38th Annual GMWA Convention, Milwaukee, WI - 8/13-19/05: About 10-15,000 delegates showed up in Milwaukee, WI - and was greeted with the normal GMWA routine of daily classes and nightly services (which were half empty), even the youth services were more packed this year; although Byron Cage was the only noted artist to participate. One highlight was the Marriage of Verity & GospoCentric Records (under Zomba label) who sponsored a showcase on Wednesday, and any and everybody was either performing or there to witness. Kurt Carr Singers, Marvin Sapp. The Soul Seekers, Byron Cage, J Moss, Papa San, Andre Crouch & Kirk Franklin. The praise continued until almost 5AM, and a showing of "The Gospel" movie left the saints wanting more... Overall, it was OK - but a little lacking... We shall see what Dallas, TX holds for 2006. LAVA Ministries, Midnight of Praise - 9/9/05: Started with Praise & Worship by Min. John Bernard & VOW, which woke the crowd up and prepared them for worship... MC - Theo "Ta Ta" Wilkins, took the crowd to another level with is forceful praise offering. Opening songs by LAVA Ministries was OK, and (Gospel Rapper) A-Man was good as well - hard to believe he's only 13. GLACC was good, and so was Anthony Green & Joyful Praize, but Nysa Shenay took the crowd in with her remix of "When I See Jesus". The crowd was up with praise and making up all new parts - until the Holy Ghost took over and the saints Dance & Worshipped until 1AM. Excellent event to say the least... McDonald's Gospelfest, Semi-Finals - 9/17/05: Not much to tell, this year the talent is few in number... One of the biggest surprises is that the Mary Lind Foundation Choir will not be participating this year... Here's the list of Finalist: Youth Category - Christian Unity Choir & St. Stephen Youth Choir. Adult Category: Greater Los Angeles Cathedral Choir (GLACC), SADOC Christian Singers, and L.A. Inner City Choir - now this one is going to be close; cause all are good... This year three groups will be featured: Rekindled Quartet, Soul Sensations, & Hymn, Shrine here they all come - who will the Winners be - we'll keep you posted... Event Reviews - In Short... God's Chose Onez, Summer Concert - 9/10/05: No crowd, but GCO danced like the place was packed... FOOTNOTES Musicians in Action (MIA) present their Annual Music Ministry Retreat, Thursday, September 29 - Saturday, October 1, at the luxurious Coast Long Beach Hotel in Long Beach, CA. Pastors, Musicians, Directors, Choir Members, Praise Teams and Saints it's time to take a break! You are cordially invited to join your fellow Music Ministry partners for a retreat offering REST, RESTORATION, REPLISHMENT and RELEVANCE. You can expect to be challenged and motivated by our dynamic speakers Ms. Lynette Hawkins-Stephens, Dr. Margaret Pleasant-Douroux, and Rev. Daniel K. Williams. Register today to receive the full benefit of this spiritually influenced retreat. For hotel reservations call: The Coast Hotel at 562-435-7676 and mention the MIA Retreat for the group rate. Register for the retreat via our website: www.musicians-in-action.com or email jacquelmn@aol.com or Call 323-777-3213 or 323-758-2245 for more information. Special Group rate $95.00 per person (6 or more persons). Don't wait, REGISTER TODAY! Lord Before Us Productions presents their 13th Annual Pre-Winter Workshop / Musical on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 7:30PM. Held at the Greater Harvest COGIC 1144 Olive Ave., Long Beach, CA. Guests include: LAVA Ministries, God's Chosen Onez, L.A. Young Adult Choir of GMWA, Tim "Bishop" Brown & Miracle, A-Man (Gospel Rapper), Trevor Johnson & Triumph, GLACC, Sonya Griffin-Lemon, Min. Chris Terrell & Anointed Praise (San Diego, CA), and more... Min. Dwayne Johnson will serve as our M.C., and Min. William Johnson & Echoes of Worship - will provide Praise & Worship. Come help Us lift up Jesus with Songs of Praise... We'd love to hear from you, feel free to visit Us at www.LordBeforeUs.com, and give us some ideas of how we can better serve you in the Years to come, Remember - If the Lord is before You, Who Shall be Against You...