Choir Jokes

THE YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO THE SATB CHOIR In any chorus, there are four voice parts: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Sometimes these are divided into first and second within each part, prompting endless jokes about first and second basses. There are also various other parts such as baritone, countertenor, contralto, mezzo soprano, etc., but these are mostly used by people who are either soloists, or belong to some excessively hotshot classical a cappella group (this applies especially to countertenors), or are trying to make excuses for not really fitting into any of the regular voice parts, so we will ignore them for now.

Each voice part sings in a different range, and each one has a very different personality. You may ask, "Why should singing different notes make people act differently?", and indeed this is a mysterious question and has not been adequately studied, especially since scientists who study musicians tend to be musicians themselves and have all the peculiar complexes that go with being tenors, french horn players, timpanists, or whatever. However, this is beside the point; the fact remains that the four voice parts can be easily distinguished, and I will now explain how.

THE SOPRANOS are the ones who sing the highest, and because of this they think they rule the world. They have longer hair, fancier jewelry, and swishier skirts than anyone else, and they consider themselves insulted if they are not allowed to go at least to a high F in every movement of any given piece. When they reach the high notes, they hold them for at least half again as long as the composer and/or conductor requires, and then complain that their throats are killing them and that the composer and conductor are sadists. Sopranos have varied attitudes toward the other sections of the chorus, though they consider all of them inferior. Altos are to sopranos rather like second violins to first violins - nice to harmonize with, but not really necessary. All sopranos have a secret feeling that the altos could drop out and the piece would sound essentially the same, and they don't understand why anybody would sing in that range in the first place - it's so boring. Tenors, on the other hand, can be very nice to have around; besides their flirtation possibilities (it is a well-known fact that sopranos never flirt with basses), sopranos like to sing duets with tenors because all the tenors are doing is working very hard to sing in a low-to-medium soprano range, while the sopranos are up there in the stratosphere showing off. To sopranos, basses are the scum of the earth - they sing too damn loud, are useless to tune to because they're down in that low, low range - and there has to be something wrong with anyone who sings in the F clef, anyway.

THE ALTOS are the salt of the earth - in their opinion, at least. Altos are unassuming people, who would wear jeans to concerts if they were allowed to. Altos are in a unique position in the chorus in that they are unable to complain about having to sing either very high or very low, and they know that all the other sections think their parts are pitifully easy. But the altos know otherwise. They know that while the sopranos are screeching away on a high A, they are being forced to sing elaborate passages full of sharps and flats and tricks of rhythm, and nobody is noticing because the sopranos are singing too loud (and the basses usually are too). Altos get a deep, secret pleasure out of conspiring together to tune the sopranos flat. Altos have an innate distrust of tenors, because the tenors sing in almost the same range and think they sound better. They like the basses, and enjoy singing duets with them - the basses just sound like a rumble anyway, and it's the only time the altos can really be heard. Altos' other complaint is that there are always too many of them and so they never get to sing really loud.

THE TENORS are spoiled. That's all there is to it. For one thing, there are never enough of them, and choir directors would rather sell their souls than let a halfway decent tenor quit, while they're always ready to unload a few altos at half price. And then, for some reason, the few tenors there are are always really good - it's one of those annoying facts of life.. So it's no wonder that tenors always get swollen heads - after all, who else can make sopranos swoon? The one thing that can make tenors insecure is the accusation (usually by the basses) that anyone singing that high couldn't possibly be a real man.. In their usual perverse fashion, the tenors never acknowledge this, but just complain louder about the composer being a sadist and making them sing so damn high. Tenors have a love-hate relationship with the conductor, too, because the conductor is always telling them to sing louder because there are so few of them. No conductor in recorded history has ever asked for less tenor in a forte passage. Tenors feel threatened in some way by all the other sections - the sopranos because they can hit those incredibly high notes; the altos because they have no trouble singing the notes the tenors kill themselves for; and the basses because, although they can't sing anything above an E, they sing it loud enough to drown the tenors out. Of course, the tenors would rather die than admit any of this. It is a little-known fact that tenors move their eyebrows more than anyone else while singing.

THE BASSES sing the lowest of anybody. This basically explains everything. They are stolid, dependable people, and have more facial hair than anybody else. The basses feel perpetually unappreciated, but they have a deep conviction that they are actually the most important part (a view endorsed by musicologists, but certainly not by sopranos or tenors), despite the fact that they have the most boring part of anybody and often sing the same note (or in endless fifths) for an entire page. They compensate for this by singing as loudly as they can get away with - most basses are tuba players at heart. Basses are the only section that can regularly complain about how low their part is, and they make horrible faces when trying to hit very low notes. Basses are charitable people, but their charity does not extend so far as tenors, whom they consider effete poseurs. Basses hate tuning the tenors more than almost anything else. Basses like altos - except when they have duets and the altos get the good part. As for the sopranos, they are simply in an alternate universe which the basses don't understand at all. They can't imagine why anybody would ever want to sing that high and sound that bad when they make mistakes. When a bass makes a mistake, the other three parts will cover him, and he can continue on his merry way, knowing that sometime, somehow, he will end up at the root of the chord.

Johnny Cash: The Maniac in Black

Their love affair was immortalised in the film Walk The Line. But a new book about music legend Johnny Cash and his wife - by their own son - reveals the dark reality of life with...

Was this one of the most romantic proposals of all time?

Johnny Cash, with his rough-hewn outlaw image, was performing one of his legendary ballads before 7,000 people on stage in Ontario, Canada, when suddenly he stopped in his tracks and asked his petite co-star June Carter to marry him.

It was the union of two great musical legends - a union documented in the 2005 film Walk The Line, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon - and the start of a marriage that would last 35 years.

Cash, who with his deep brown voice invented rockabilly, and June, who wrote one of his greatest hits, Ring Of Fire, had performed together for many years on America's country music circuit.

Yet all the time they had battled against their growing love because both were married to other people and held deep religious convictions.

The story of how Cash finally left his first wife and four daughters in the Sixties just as June obtained her second divorce is part of music history.

June and Johnny moved in together to his idyllic lakeside house near Nashville, Tennessee, and were so happy there they christened the place Camelot.

Their idyll was complete when, in 1970, their only son was born. They called him John Carter Cash and doted on him - as he later did on them, growing up faithful to his musical heritage by becoming an award-winning record producer.

Now, just four years after his parents died within four months of each other, John Carter has written a poignant new book which offers a unique insight into the reality of living with these musical legends.

As John Carter reveals, there was a tragic downside to their enduring love story - the drugs, the infidelities and the slanging matches - a side which the public never saw.

While June threw her energies into retail therapy and prayers, her husband popped enough pills to fell anyone with a lesser frame, sometimes sleeping so deeply the family feared he was dead.

Fabulous wealth, fine homes, celebrity friends, nothing could deter the brooding Cash from his self-destructive urges.

For little John Carter, it was a see-saw existence.

On the one hand, his parents' money brought him a fairytale life; on the other, he was witness to his father's distressing binges.

Cash's musician friends claimed that, when they all took drugs together, Johnny was the life and soul of the party.

But John Carter says that at home Cash would either stare into space or sink into depression, yelling abuse.

Throughout it all June Carter remained astonishingly supportive. Yet as her son now reveals, even she was unable to escape the family curse in the end.

One by one, she watched her daughters by her first two marriages and then her beloved son with Johnny all descend into addiction alongside her husband.

She, too, succumbed to drug abuse in her final years, which hastened her death.

Yet throughout, the music continued. Cash was one of the best-loved country singers of all time and his wife was a star in her own right when they met.

Born in a remote country valley in Virginia, June Carter became a child radio performer, singing alongside her sisters and her mother Maybelle, who was known as the Queen of Country Music.

At the age of 14, she claimed she saw tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost and believed the Holy Spirit entered her body.

June's faith was one of the most important elements in her life and Cash, with his gospel singing background and his habit of dressing in black, resembled a country preacher. It was inevitable she would be attracted to The Man In Black.

They first performed together in 1956 - she was already married to Grand Ole Opry star Carl Smith and had a young daughter - and from the start June was in awe of bad boy Cash, even though he was so drunk the day after their first concert that he refused to carry on the tour.

When her marriage fell apart, she first went to New York to study acting. But she was soon drawn back to Nashville.

Before long she was making frequent stage appearances with Johnny Cash, who was now so famous he had his own television show. And in 1961 she made her own first appearance on the show.

Yet June was wary of getting personally involved.

Not only was she married again - this time to a stock car driver, with whom she had had a second daughter - but so was Johnny, albeit unhappily.

In 1954 Cash had tied the knot with his Catholic childhood sweetheart Vivian Liberto, who lived in California with their four daughters. They led almost separate lives and Cash rarely visited as he and his band performed on the road.

They were the original rock rebels, setting the record for wanton destruction on tours. They liked to trash hotel rooms with a chainsaw which Johnny carried in his car. He was also taking drugs.

Life on tour was so disorientating that he travelled with a bag full of magic potions to wake him up or send him to sleep.

And Cash consumed vast quantities. He was once arrested crossing the border into Mexico with 668 amphetamine tablets and 475 tranquillisers.

He finally became such a hopeless junkie that one evening on stage he smashed 60 footlights with his microphone, showering glass over his audience.

But if audiences were willing to forgive him, June wasn't. Whenever she caught Cash popping pills she would wait for him to fall asleep and then flush his stash down the toilet. Johnny would promise again and again to kick his habit but he always went back on the stuff.

Even when he bought an apartment in Nashville in order to be closer to her, he shared it with legendary hellraiser, bassist Waylon Jennings, and the two egged each other on in their drug-taking.

Cash divorced his wife in 1966 and finally bought the lakeside house he wanted to share with June. But still she wouldn't marry him unless he got free of drugs. The breakthrough came when she told him she would not work with him again unless he kicked his habit.

Cash used to tell a story of how, after that ultimatum, he went into a vast warren of caves intending to lie down and die.

With him he took his guitar, but when he put it down in the dark he couldn't find it again. Lost in the caves, he finally got down on his knees and prayed to God to show him the way out. And when his prayers were answered, he found the strength to throw off the drugs. He then asked June to marry him in 1968 on stage.

Life for June from now on would be very different. She moved both her daughters into Cash's house and her stepdaughters and parents were always welcome.

When Cash lived there alone, it had been sparsely furnished. June, who had a mania for collecting furniture, filled it with period pieces and with staff, who attended the couple's every whim.

She loved being Johnny's wife, even though their life held many surprises. Once he told her that 24 people would be coming for lunch. Instead 76 showed up.

And to begin with, Cash made it easy for her. Having adopted her Christian values, there was a brake on his wild behaviour, though as his son points out, his father was not above going to church and coming home to take drugs.

In public Cash wasted no opportunity to preach the gospel. He and June made a movie, Gospel Road, and their friends included TV evangelist Billy Graham.

The Cashes were at the high point of their fame when in the 1970 their son was born.

But they did not let the addition to the family slow them down. Little John travelled all over the world with his parents, who took him on stage even before he could walk.

By now the celebrity couple had homes all over the U.S.

They also bought a legendary old estate, Cinnamon Hill in Jamaica, built by an ancestor of the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Cash romantically copied out the Browning poem 'How do I love thee' and gave it to his wife.

But by the time John was seven his magical youth was at an end. Cash was heavily back on drugs and his eye was wandering.

He was fighting with June and she considered leaving him for good, running away to London to stay with her daughter, who was married to British rocker Nick Lowe.

Then just as it seemed they were set to divorce, they decided instead to reaffirm their love by renewing their marriage vows.

From now on the couple would never be apart, although Cash's drug-taking continued. At home the great man would sit for hours in a trance, barely functioning.

John Carter often shared his father's room when they travelled and he would listen to Cash's laboured breathing as he slept off an overdose. Once Cash stopped breathing for so long that John, aged 12, had to help his mother haul him into a cold bath to bring him round.

June bore the brunt of it all. No matter how much she tore the home apart trying to find where Cash had put his pills, there would always be another hiding place she could not find. By now her daughters were also consuming quantities of hard drugs.

In 1983 Cash had become so ill he required surgery for digestive problems in Nashville's Baptist hospital.

Then he overdosed on the pills he had smuggled into the hospital.

Finally, he agreed to treatment - and went into the Betty Ford clinic in California along with the whole family.

But this was not the end of the Cash family's troubles. By the age of 14, John Carter had started drinking himself into oblivion and was soon popping pills just like his father.

And Cash's own resolve did not last long. Within two years he was back on drugs and a victim of diabetes and a chronic nerve complaint.

Still, June was a tower of strength - until one day in 1993 she, too, succumbed to a drug habit. Just before she was due to go on stage in Missouri, John Carter found her collapsed in her dressing room.

The years of holding everything together had become too much.

From now on, she and Johnny often took drugs together.

Cash would spend hours just sitting silently with his wife. And though they were no longer the beautiful couple, their records were still popular.

For the son who was in thrall to both of them, there were still blissful moments.

One of his most treasured memories was the sight of his parents singing the Far Side Banks Of Jordan together, looking deep into each other's eyes, their heads almost touching.

Though Cash was now confined to a wheelchair, each morning he hauled himself over to his studio to record some of the best music of his career.

June still sang in public, often with her daughters and granddaughters, but time was taking its toll on her music-making, as arthritis and heart disease made it impossible for her to play the instruments she loved.

By now the Cashes were both so ill they kept their own suite on the top floor of the Nashville Baptist hospital.

It was there that June Carter Cash died unexpectedly at the age of 73 in 2003 after an operation for a heart valve replacement.

Two thousand people turned up to the funeral lovingly arranged by Cash, who afterwards steeped himself in work to obliterate the pain of his wife's death.

But it became obvious he could not go on for long without June. Tough man Cash was inconsolable. He refused to sleep in their bed and gave away all the furniture she had bought.

Fulfilling a pact with June, he made a couple of surprise performances at her home town in Virginia.

But it was almost too painful to watch as he read a tribute to his wife before singing their hit Ring Of Fire. Cash barely made it to the end of the song.

And, less than four months after June's death, his body finally gave up in the same hospital suite where she had died.

The love affair was over.

• Adapted from Anchored In Love by John Carter Cash, published by Thomas Nelson on September 10 and distributed by New Holland Publishers at £8.99. To order a copy (p&p free), call 0845 606 4213.

Selton Porter Jr., 65, gospel singer and social worker

Selton Porter Jr., 65, of Lawnside, a gospel singer and retired social worker, died of complications from diabetes Tuesday at Pennsylvania Hospital.
Since his childhood in South Philadelphia, Mr. Porter had been performing with the Porter Family Singers. The gospel group included his mother, Evelyn, his sisters Darlene and Deborah, his brother, Tyrone, and later his wife, Brenda Robinson Porter.

His father, Selton Porter Sr., managed the group, which sang in area churches, and for 10 years, until 2000, on the Gospel Highway Eleven radio program on WNAP (1110-AM). The Porters recorded two albums in the 1980s, Follow You and Did You Stop to Pray This Morning. The albums included several of Mr. Porter's compositions, which received four-star ratings from Billboard Magazine. Mr. Porter graduated from Thomas Edison High School and attended Philadelphia Community College and Coombs College of Music in Philadelphia. He studied voice, piano and trumpet and was often a featured artist at concerts.

For 25 years, Mr. Porter worked as an employee of the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspection and then as a case manager for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. He retired eight years ago.

In addition to his sisters and brother, he is survived by a son, Sultan, and four grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents and his wife.

A life celebration will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at New Hope Temple Baptist Church, 711 South 12th St., Philadelphia. Friends may call at 8 a.m. Burial will be in Ivy Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Source : philly.com

Gospel legend Jack Toney honored

By George Jones
The Reporter

Published August 4, 2007

In life, Sardis City born gospel singing great Jack Toney was named a “Living Legend” by his peers.

Recently, the state of Alabama and the community he called home honored Jack posthumously by naming the section of Alabama Highway 205 from the Etowah–Marshall County line to U.S. Highway 431 the “Jack Toney Memorial Highway.”

Thursday, his widow, Gail Toney, Boaz Mayor Tim Walker and long-time friend and fellow gospel singer Glenn Smith of the Southern Gospel group “The Fishermen” paused beneath the sign and remembered the man who authored more than 500 songs, received many awards and was inducted into both the Gospel Music and Southern Gospel halls of fame.

The sign, paying tribute to Toney, became a reality through the efforts of Mayor Walker and the Boaz City Council, and State Sen. Hinton Mitchem’s introducing it to the state legislature.

Gail Toney, who lives not far from the sign, said, “Every time I drive down this road to town and back, I am reminded how proud I am that Boaz did this to honor Jack.”

Smith said, “Jack, while he was alive, was at every one of our recordings. He sang and filled in with us whenever we needed somebody. He was just a good friend – I loved Jack and I miss him.”

Walker said, “In his field he made it to the top. There was no one who reached true stardom and is more famous in Boaz than Jack Toney.”

The man credited with having one of the “smoothest voices” in Southern Gospel music lives on through records, CDs and the Gaither Homecoming television series.

Toney died of a heart attack at his home in Boaz April 15, 2004

BET LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR GOSPEL SINGERS

BET builds on its success with "Celebration of Gospel," the #1 religious program in television history, and Bobby Jones Gospel with "Sunday Best," a national search for America's next great gospel singer.

Brought to you by one of the producers of the original American Idol, "Sunday Best" will scour the country from storefront churches to mega-churches looking for the best, undiscovered gospel singers in America.

The search begins in Los Angeles and moves on to Atlanta and Chicago -- hopefuls planning to audition should arrive early, as only the first 500 attendees are guaranteed an audition! SUNDAY BEST'S celebrity judges will narrow the field down to 20 finalists who will travel to Los Angeles to begin the competition.

One anointed singer will be crowned BET's "Sunday Best" and receive cash and prizes for themselves and their church community.

Here's the audition schedule:

AUGUST 4, 2007 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- 9:00 am PT
The Renaissance Montura Hotel
9620 Airport Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045
**Call backs with celebrity judges August 5

AUGUST 11, 2007 -- ATLANTA, GA -- 9:00 am ET
Renaissance Atlanta Hotel -- Downtown
590 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308
**Call backs with celebrity judges August 12

August 18, 2007 -- Chicago, IL -- 9:00 a.m. CT
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
2233 South Martin L. King Drive Chicago, IL 60616
**Call backs with celebrity judges August 19
"Sunday Best" is scheduled to premiere Tuesday, October 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. For more information, visit http://www.BET.com or call 888-PSALMS-95.

Amy Grant to Release Memoir

Legendary Christian artist Amy Grant’s memoir will release next autumn, Flying Dolphin Press/Waterbrook has announced.

Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far will be released on 16 October 2008 and will be published as a trade paperback the following year.

“We’ve come to know the much beloved Amy Grant through her remarkable career as a singer and a songwriter. Now she has put pen to paper to deliver a beautifully written and deeply moving memoir that we are very honoured to be publishing,” says Suzanne Herz, publisher of the book.

The book will coincide with EMI Music Group’s CD release of Amy Grant’s Greatest Hits on 2 October 2008. EMI has digitally re-mastered Grant’s entire music catalogue and will release the CDs on 14 August 2008.

“Amy’s music has impacted millions of people worldwide and now her life will continue to do so through the printed word. Mosaic promises to be an intimate look back at seasons of this multi talented singer/actress/songwriter's life that I know will inspire and entertain those who read it,” said Bill Hearn, President and CEO, EMI CMG.

Amy Grant’s career spans more than 25 years and stretches from her roots in gospel to becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality, and philanthropist.

Grant has won six Grammys in multiple categories, beginning with the platinum-selling Age to Age in 1982. She also has six #1 hits, including “Baby, Baby” and “Every Heartbeat”.

Grant released her first live recording in 25 years with Time Again...Amy Grant Live in September 2006, and she is conducting a symphony tour through 2007, performing with local symphonies in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and more.

The hit song “Baby, Baby” is currently featured in a line of 200 Hallmark song cards that plays music from original recording artists when opened.

Source : http://au.christiantoday.com/article/amy-grant-to-release-memoir/3010.htm

Donnie McClurkin sings for Cayman

On his very first time in Cayman Islands, multi-awarded Gospel singer and Minister Donnie McClurkin moved people to their feet in an inspiring night of worship last Friday, 20 July at the Lion’s Centre.

Mr. McClurkin’s performance was much anticipated by the crowd whose warm reception was rivaled only by the heat inside the venue. “I would say that the event was a spiritual success,” said Raphael Bodden, President of Cayman Outreach Association, which organized the concert.

According to Mr Bodden, Pastor McClurkin really came through and did his part as he entertained and inspired the audience. “This was a night for the Lord and the Minister made it just that,” he said.

“The really touching part of the night was his testimonial,” Mr Bodden added.

Donnie McClurkin related how he was sexually violated when he was eight and by another male relative when he was 13. He also struggled to overcome family drug addiction, alcoholism and leukemia. His dark past had been his source of victory. It has rendered meat to his faith and depth to his music.

In sharing his story, he brings hope to others, reminding them that they are not alone and that they can be delivered. This message is outlined in his song “Stand”, the hit which earned his first album a gold status and a Grammy Award nomination.

“We have been getting a lot of great comments from people who were there to experience the event,” said Mr Bodden. “The VIP section was something that people liked because it was beautifully decorated with bouquets,” he added.

Cayman Outreach Association aims for Christian Unity but this, Mr Bodden feels, did not manifest on Friday night. “I still believe that more people and more pastors should have gotten involved,” he disclosed.

Mr Bodden shared that the concert could have been more successful had people kept their promises to support the event. He also expressed his wish for a better venue that would provide comfort for the performing artists as well as the audience. “The committee should get together and plan for a facility that is enclosed and air-conditioned,” said Mr Bodden.

The COA President is urging people to stay committed and faithful. “Sometimes, people fall away just when something great is about to happen,” Mr Bodden said.

Cayman Outreach Association’s activities to look forward to include an exciting lineup of speakers on their monthly dinners. There will be a youth outreach scheduled in September, a Filipino Celebration in October and a Latin Celebration in November. The Christmas Celebration will feature a local theme and will highlight events from the rest of the year.

Source :http://www.caymannetnews.com/news-816--6-6--.html

Twenty-five years after Keith Green's death, his gospel music rediscovered

by Matt Curry

GARDEN VALLEY, Texas (AP) - Christian singer-songwriter Keith Green never shirked an opportunity to share his vision.

Offered a chance to provide an aerial tour of the wooded East Texas pasture that was home to his Last Days Ministries, he didn't hesitate.

The overloaded, twin-engine Cessna crashed less than 30 seconds after takeoff, killing all 12 aboard. The dead included Green, 28, two of his young children, pilot Don Burmeister and missionaries John and DeDe Smalley and their six children.

That was 25 years ago. Now Green's work is about to be rediscovered.

EMI/Sparrow Records is painstakingly going through recordings saved by his wife, Melody. An ITunes release with music never before heard by the public is planned for August. More material will be released next year, said Bryan Ward, director of artist development with EMI Christian Music Group.

The July 28, 1982, accident doused one of the brightest lights in the Jesus Movement, a youthful Christian counterculture. The bushy-haired evangelist with a distinctive tenor voice was posthumously inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Green sold between 560,000 and one million records, Ward said, although exact numbers are difficult to determine. Green gave away many records, and sales were tallied differently then.

Melody Green, who co-wrote “There Is a Redeemer” and other songs, said advances in sound quality-enhancing technology make the timing right to release more of her late husband's work.

“I have kept every little thing that Keith's done,” she said.

Green's emotional lyrics exude spiritual discovery, while his boisterous attack on piano keys brings to mind Elton John.

Admirers included Bob Dylan, who played harmonica on Green's “So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt” album.

“I think he was one of the best songwriters of the modern era of Christian music,” said John Styll, president of the Gospel Music Association in Nashville, Tenn. “It was vulnerable and transparent and absolutely not contrived.”

Others agree that Keith Green was an original.

“He was intense about everything - everything from his music to his spiritual journey to where you could get the best cheeseburger with grilled onions and a chocolate malt,” said Randy Stonehill, who wrote “Your Love Broke Through” with Green and Todd Fishkind.

Green's compassion was so deep that he invited street people to stay in his home, which grew to become a Christian commune with seven homes and 70 people. “My life was radically changed by that experience,” said Jerry Bryant, the commune's first pastor.

Yet Green could also offend the flock with his blunt “no compromise” approach to faith. “Christians don't like to talk about hypocrisy any more than turkeys like to talk about Thanksgiving,” Green often said.

He groused about being celebrated for his music, considering himself simply an instrument of God. Giving him credit, Green said, was like praising a pencil for producing a poem.

He was critical of the “industry” of Christian music, which grew explosively after his death.

At the peak of his career, he became convinced that ministry should not cost money. He talked his way out of a record contract so he could give his music away for “whatever you can afford.”

Green earned a recording contract at age 11 with Decca Records. Time magazine called the Sheepshead Bay, N.Y., native a “pre-pubescent dreamboat” who “croons in a voice trembling with conviction.”

But when child stardom didn't happen, Green, who had a Jewish background but grew up reading the New Testament, turned to drugs and to an intense spiritual quest.

He embraced Christianity in the 1970s.

“The thing is, he could be abrasive because quite often his spiritual zeal got ahead of his biblical understanding or his personal maturity,” said Stonehill. But he also described Green as deeply relieved “to see where hope lived.”

Eventually, the Greens' work grew to include a newsletter, and their organization was called Last Days Ministries.

The couple moved from California to tiny Garden Valley, east of Dallas, in 1979, where they were near evangelists such as Leonard Ravenhill and David Wilkerson (“The Cross and the Switchblade”).

In the 25 years since her husband's death, Melody Green, now 60, has suffered a stroke, been through a painful divorce and spoken around the world. She lives in Kansas City and is overhauling the ministry's website - technology not available when her husband was alive.

In 1996, she sold the Texas property to Teen Mania, founded by Ron Luce. The modern campus, which includes a television studio, has a dormitory named in memory of Green.

The singer was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Tribute albums have rolled out, and many Christian artists sing his songs.

But the void created by his death still seems unfilled.

“I keep having people tell me how no one has really taken that place. Everyone thought, 'Well, God will raise someone else up to be similar and do something like that.' I thought that,” Melody Green said. “He was just a unique person with amazing talent and with an amazing heart for God.”

On the Net:

http://www.keithgreen.com/

Source : Prince George Citizen.com

Everlasting

A Christian music video based on John 3:16. The writer of the song, Scott Johnson, lost his wife in a car accident. It gives you a little insight on that final verse.

Everlasting - The best free videos are right here

Plenty Good Room

The Pictou District Honour Choir, Pictou County, Nova Scotia,Canada, Performs the Gospel Song "Plenty Good Room" under theDirection of Monica George Punke, during a visit to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, May 2005

Plenty Good Room - The most popular videos are a click away

Tribute to gospel legend - Dorsey's widow, 93, attends musical celebration

Chicago Sun-Times suntimes.com

--By Staff reporter

The widow of gospel music legend Thomas A. Dorsey glowed as she listened to a musical tribute to her late husband Sunday across the street from his old church, Pilgrim Baptist, which is trying to rebuild after it was consumed by fire last year.

Dorsey is credited with creating gospel by blending spirituals and a bluesy beat. The legendary Mahalia Jackson sang his famous song, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," at the funeral of the Rev. Martin Luther King. His hymns have comforted people for decades and were covered by artists including Elvis Presley, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.

But to Kathryn Dorsey -- still a lovely belle of Greenville, Miss., at age 93 -- he was the husband she laughed with and loved.

People lined up to greet her at the church community center, 3300 S. Indiana. They knelt to hug her under her broad-brimmed white hat.
She likes old-timey gospel. Today's music has "gotten away from the Christian feeling," she said.

"He was proud of just about all of [his hymns], but 'Precious Lord' was the best, I thought," she said.

Dorsey wrote the hymn in the depths of despair after his first wife, Nettie, died in childbirth in 1932. Their infant son died soon after, and they were buried in the same casket.

Kathryn Dorsey was humming the hymn a few days before her husband died in 1993. Dorsey, longtime choir director at Pilgrim Baptist Church, "was trying to direct [me]."

It didn't go very well, she said. "I couldn't carry a note if they gave it to me," she laughed. "He always said 'if you can talk, you can sing.' And I always said, 'I haven't learned to talk yet.'"

Dorsey met his second wife at church. "He said he was looking over the crowd and when he saw me, he said, 'That's my wife,'" she said.

"I was standing waiting for my bus, and he said 'I'll take you home.'"

She knew who he was. "He was more famous then than he would be now." They married in 1941.

Dorsey wrote "Peace in the Valley" and hundreds of other hymns. "He would go to bed sometimes and get up and write a whole song, and then they would sing it in church."

"How many people have been blessed to witness that song? It's been sung in theaters, parks, funerals, schools, auditoriums," said WVON gospel host Pam Page Morris. "It's been translated into 52 languages."

"That's really what carries the church, and is carrying them now," said Tyrone Jordan, 51, a church trustee and Chicago police officer.

Donations to restore the church may be sent to Pilgrim Baptist Church Rebuilding Fund, Amalgamated Bank, P.O. Box 94433, Chicago, Ill., 60690-4433.

ANNUAL GOSPEL CONCERT AND EVENTS RETURN TO LONG ISLAND: The NY Call hits New York for three days

Annual outdoor gathering, THE NY CALL, to return to Long Island this Summer with the exciting addition of YOUTH EXPLOSION events and Gospel concert. The traditionally one-day event has expanded into a 3-day affair that will incorporate a special assembly for the brothers; dynamic speakers; family entertainment and an All-Star Gospel concert that meets the interests of the entire family.

NY CALL/YOUTH EXPLOSION opens on Thursday, August 30th with a kick-off service that will feature an evening of praise and worship music as well as local speakers and pastors. On Friday, August 31st PASTOR DONNIE MCCLURKIN to host the 'BROTHER-to-BROTHER' gathering in Eisenhower Park with special guest speaker BISHOP TD JAKES. A call for men and their families to come together in unity, the service kicks off at 1:00pm with family-fun events and musical guests. This extraordinary FREE event will bring forth the powerful word of God to heal and restore families. Eisenhower Park is located at Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow, NY.

It will be a Sensational Saturday on September 1st with an All-Star Gospel Concert headlined by the superstar KIRK FRANKLIN. Other artists slated to appear include Latin Pop Gospel group, SALVADOR and smash breakthrough artist Da' TRUTH. The concert takes place at Nassau Coliseum located at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale, NY.

Registration is $40.00 and includes admission to 2-day's of workshops, a youth fashion show, special seminars and Preferred Seating at the All-Star Gospel Concert. The kick-off service on Thursday and Friday afternoon's BROTHER-to-BROTHER Service with Bishop Jakes is free admission. Concert tickets are available without registration for $30.00.


Participating supporters of the NY CALL/YOUTH EXPLOSION include American Airlines, Pepsi, Wal-Mart, Nyack College, AARP, AHA, JP MORGAN CHASE and WorldVision.

Envisioned by Gospel singer and Pastor, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, THE NY CALL & YOUTH EXPLOSION is an annual event that brings together churches, ministries and youth from the Tri-State area to promote unity and cohesion within the Christian church. The NY CALL was launched in 2004 and the YOUTH EXPLOSION debuted last summer and had thousands in attendance.

Check out the website for more information, details and artists updates - www.nycall.org

Michael W. Smith's First-Ever Fan Cruise Sells Out

Thursday, July 12, 2007
Source: CMSpin

Michael W. Smith sets sail on his first-ever fan cruise, on July 14. The eight day cruise will depart Seattle, Wa. this Saturday taking Smith, his family and more than 900 fans to four different Alaskan ports, and Victoria, Canada, BC, before it returns to Seattle.

Special guest artists attending are Leeland, Michael Olson and comedian, Bob Nelson. The itinerary will be filled with fun including nightly concerts, and even “Smitty-oke,” where guests on the ship get to sing - accompanied by their favorite piano player, Michael W. Smith.

Smith, enthusiastically notes, “This is going to be a fun week. My entire family is attending. All my kids, our parents, in-laws and grandmother! It’s going to be non-stop, but fun. I’m really looking forward to it.”

A full itinerary is available on www.michaelwsmith.com under the "Tour" tab.

Smith’s next release, It’s A Wonderful Christmas, is due out on October 16. More information on this collection is forthcoming.

About Michael W. Smith
Over his 24-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 19 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, 3 GRAMMY Awards and 40 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. In addition, he holds 16 Gold and 5 Platinum albums, 31 #1 radio hits, and has been named one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People. In addition, Smith has scored film projects and written 11 books. His tours consistently rank among the best attended in the country and he has performed to capacity crowds throughout the world. Constantly giving back to the community, one of his current projects is Rocketown -- a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. -- serves as safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He is married to Debbie Smith and they are the proud parents of five children. Stand, Michael’s 19th album, released November 7, 2006.

YOLANDA ADAMS TOPS MOST BEAUTIFUL GOSPEL ARTISTS POLL: Shereese Magazine reveals results of second annual poll

The two-year-old Dallas-based beauty magazine, Shereese, has announced the results of its second annual Top 20 Most Beautiful Gospel Artists Poll in their July 2007 issue.

The editors polled over 1000 gospel music lovers and asked the following question: "Who is the most beautiful gospel artist to you?"

Last year, CeCe Winans came out on top but this year, the readers have chosen Yolanda Adams.
Here are the results:

1. Yolanda Adams
2. Donnie McClurkin
3. CeCe Winans
4. Shirley Caesar
5. Smokie Norful
6. John P. Kee
7. Kirk Franklin
8. Mary Mary
9. Vickie Winans
10. Tye Tribbett
11. Hezekiah Walker
12. Juanita Bynum
13. Kelly Price
14. Dottie Peoples
15. Fred Hammond
16. KiKi Sheard
17. Richard Smallwood
18. Donald Lawrence
19. Albertina Walker
20. Shirley Murdock

Tye Tribbett, KiKi Sheard, Richard Smallwood, Donald Lawrence, Albertina Walker, Shirley Murdock, Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker, Kelly Price all make their debut on the artists poll.

Meanwhile, Marvin Sapp, Karen Clark Sheard, Martha Munizzi, Tonex, Joann Rosario, Tamela Mann, Tramaine Hawkins and Helen Baylor fell off of this year's list.

The magazine is published by Antonio Johnson, who is program director at KHVN 97 AM, a Dallas gospel music radio station. The magazine also listed the sexiest chests lists.

Actor Mario Lopez topped that list. However, no gospel artists made that list. Log on at www.shereese.com for more information.

Ghana Music: Gospel Music Awards launched

The 2007 edition of the Ceval Gospel Awards scheduled for October this year was on Monday launched in Accra. The event, which is second in a series and is being organised by Ceval Consult, seeks to recognise excellence in gospel music that had won the hearts of gospel music fans.

As part of the entry requirement for this year's award, artists' albums must have an international outlook and should be sold around the globe. Video clips, particularly, must have screen translations, among others.

The requirements also stipulated that any song derived from another artist's copyright work should come with the original composer's written audio and visual recorded consent before it would be accepted.

Mr. Cephas Amartey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ceval Consult, said the notion behind the awards was to raise and maintain the standard of gospel music in the country and beyond.

"We intend to create avenues to upgrade the status and earning of those who will be committed to the standards we set and ultimately endeavour to promote their gospel work on the international scene," he added.

He said the awards were designed with very serious and disciplined gospel artists in mind, especially those with an eye for both the national and the international markets. Mr. Amartey stressed that they would work hard to enhance the place of gospel music in the industry and gradually build a brand to grow to hit the top.

He bemoaned the numerous problems confronting the gospel awards initiative in terms of sponsorship and urged corporate bodies and other gospel music lovers to support the project to make it a success.

Kwaku Gyasi, he was adjudged the best Gospel Musician of the year 2006 @ the just ended Ghana Music Awards, organized by Charter House Ghana

Source: GNA

By Grace - And Indian Gospel Rock Band

MEMBERS
Glyston Gracious - Drums
Ryland D’Souza - Keyboards
Brass Gonsalves - Saxophone and Flute
Nyzel D’Lima - Lead Guitar
Shawn Pinto - Rhythm Guitar and Acoustics
Ryan Fernandes - Bass Guitar
Lenny Soares - Vocals
Neivesita D’Souza - Vocals
Gail Dias - Vocals
Gwen Dias - Vocals

GENRE
Rock,Reggae,Jazz

A truly anointed and talented band, ‘By Grace’ is the official music ministry of the Torchbearers for Christ and has been traveling all over the country giving the youth a wonderful experience of Gospel music.

As the name suggests, ‘By Grace’ has been the outcome of the Lord’s never ceasing grace and mercy. The band is testimonial to the fact that as humans we cannot do things on our own and cannot help but rely on the Lord’s grace at every moment of our lives.

It bears witness to the truth that the Bible proclaims in Ephesians 2: 8 which says, “By grace, through faith, we are saved by our Lord Jesus Christ.” Truly it can be said that the very birth and existence of ‘By Grace’ is a marvelous deed of our Lord!

Popular for its effervescent music, the band is renowned for taking the Gospel to various places like Goa, Chennai, Daman, Kolkatta, etc. Songs of jubilant praise and intimate worship are synonymous with the band and is the core of what the band is all about.

History was created when at the recently held Rock of Ages, 2005 Gospel concert, ‘By Grace’ was the first ever Gospel band that performed for a crowd of over seven thousand youth of Mumbai. Never before has Mumbai city witnessed such a huge gathering of youth for a Gospel concert!!

With music genres varying from contemporary rock, jazz, reggae, ballads, etc., ‘By Grace’ has been fulfilling its dream of helping millions of youth give their lives to Christ.

‘By Grace’ also had the honour and privilege of composing the theme song for Kairos, 2005 (lyrics given below) at Chennai last December.

It's been a glorious and splendid walk with the Lord for ‘By Grace’! The band anxiously awaits the coming of the next year to be a part of the Lord’s divine plan.

Source: http://www.greenozone.com/bygrace.htm

The 77s

The truth is that the 77's might be the best rock & roll band in the world. From their inception in the early 80's, this Sacramento-based unit has built a well-earned reputation as quite simply one of the best rock and roll bands anywhere, gathering a strong following of committed fans who insist that of all the bands that matter, the 77's are among the few that matter most. They have left many a critic's thesaurus tattered and torn, searching for the right adulatory adjectives, and have for many come to epitomize the very essence of the "cutting edge."

There's just one problem. After twelve years and seven releases, very few people have ever heard them, and their reason is simple: they're a relentlessly intense "alternative" rock and roll band, who are also explicitly, although far from typically, a "Christian" rock and roll band. The 77's are also a perfect example of what Larry Norman meant when he talked about being "too Christian for the radio, and too radio for the Church." Indeed, the enigmatic 77's have been a puzzle to the CCM establishment, who have been unable to find a place for the band's thoughtful and dark lyrics in the context of positive Christian radio. Meanwhile, the arbiters of mainstream radio might welcome the band's intense honesty, but are terrified of that honesty in the context of an explicit faith. In many ways, the 77's have been caught in the middle, the quintessential "underground band," seemingly destined to perennially set trends without ever being trendy.

But with their newest release for Myrrh Records, Drowning with Land in Sight, the 77's seem poised to reverse that destiny. A perfect follow-up to their 1992 self-titled release, Drowning is as an intense and provocative record as any that will be released for any market this year, and one that cannot be ignored by either Christian or mainstream radio.

Musically, this record captures Mike Roe and company at their finest, hard-rocking best. Perhaps the most intense disc on a Christian label in years, Drowning flows in the trajectory of songs like "Woody" or "Look" from their last project, or "Perfect Blues" from their 1987 release for Island records. The opening track, the infamous "Nobody's Fault But Mine" (which Led Zeppelin stole form Gospel pioneer Blind Willie Johnson) sets the tone for the disc, an all-out, no-holds-barred, sonic assault on the listener. With the rhythmic foundation laid relentlessly by bassist Mark Harmon and legendary drummer Aaron Smith, Roe's searing lead guitar work and second guitarists and co-songwriter Dave Leonhardt's exceptional support work have opportunity to shine on the disc's 60 minutes worth of music. There is little doubt after listening to Drowning that the 77's are no sanitized studio creation: they are a real, live, sweaty rock and roll band who cheerfully celebrate their musical influences, among whom they count such a diverse grouping as Led Zeppelin, the Beach Boys, and even recent modern rockers like Pearl Jam or the Stone Temple Pilots.

"Nobody's Fault's" original Gospel lyrics set the thematic tone for Drowning as well, with their three-fold affirmation of the life and death difficulty of life, the possibility of redemption, and our responsibility to live in the light of both these truths.

"I got a Bible in my house/I got a Bible in my house/If I don't read it and my soul dies, well/It's nobody's fault but mine"

For Roe, the 77's brutal honesty and intensity are essential to the mission of the band, an intent that he insists is first and foremost a ministry, albeit one not normally thought to fit into most "Christian" radio formats. There is no "happy, happy, joy, joy" Christianity here, but instead an absolute commitment to find the heart of the Gospel - unmerited favor - for the absolute worst in us.

"The record is about being taken to the deepest and darkest parts of ourselves and our lives," says Roe. "It's deep into the theme of abandonment - complete loss of moral foundations and moorings, both emotionally and spiritually. In other words, it's a state that many Christians find themselves in today, but are either unwilling to admit or simply cannot face."

"The theme of the album," says Roe, revolves around "someone so far gone that they finally get to the point where they realize they need a Savior at least. This is after knowing God in their youth, in having a Savior all along, but finally coming to the realization that your actually need one."

Drowning is at once a cry to those who are coming to recognize their need, and to those who haven't recognized it as well. "I think a lot of people that grow up in church get sort of strong-armed into the whole business of Christ as Savior," says Roe plaintively. "They don't really appreciate what it means to be saved from oneself, from the world, from sin. In fact, until you're a victim of all those things and realize how totally strangulating they are on your freedom and well-being, you may always resent the fact that you had to have a Savior from something you weren't sure you wanted to be saved from, or even know what it was worth."

This return to desperate spiritual need which Roe speaks of is no theory for the 77's. Last year, guitarist David Leonhardt was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease, a kind of cancer, and Drowning was recorded in the wake of that news, some of it during his treatments. While overwhelming in and of itself, through the making of the record, Leonhardt's struggle with the disease became a paradigm for the Christian's struggle with self. But while the disc reflects "the most desperate" of the band's despair and struggle coming from that turmoil, it also was born out of a commitment to and belief that in telling the truth about their despair, they could reach out to the despair that others experience, regardless of its source. Roe's conviction that what Christians need most is to know that they are not alone in their struggles - regardless of their nature or source of those struggles - is the driving force behind Drowning, and indeed, the band itself.

Out of that commitment to "helping heal what made me sick," Roe and company have written an album of gut-wrenching, truth-telling, no-rules rock and roll that both nods back to the raw energy of early rock, and paves the way for the ground-breaking sounds of the new alternative movement.

But more importantly, Drowning clearly leads, not only to a recognition of our common, desperate need, but to that cry of a need to a God who meets us in it. The closing cut, "For Crying Out Loud" reintroduces the themes of "Nobody's Fault" and makes the source of redemption unmistakable, as well as the truth that, in reality, ultimately, no one need drown. While seemingly an excursion into despair, Drowning with Land in Sight is in reality an examination of our first step toward redemption: recognizing its need, and telling ourselves the truth about ourselves. That's where Drowning begins, and it's where grace will meet us.

---

Discography

Studio Albums

1983 - Ping Pong Over the Abyss (produced by Steven Soles)
1984 - All Fall Down (produced by Charlie Peacock)
1987 - The 77s
1990 - Sticks and Stones
1992 - Pray Naked
1994 - Drowning with Land in Sight
1995 - Tom Tom Blues
1999 - ep (EP)
2001 - A Golden Field of Radioactive Crows
2002 - Direct (EP)

Live Albums
1991 - 88 (1988 performance)
1996 - Echos o' Faith (The 77's Played Naked) (1992 performance)
2000 - 88/When Numbers Get Serious, re-release of 88 w/bonus disc containing various live tracks (1987-1998)

Fan Club Releases
2001 - Happy Chrimbo! from The 77's
2003 - Guilty Pleasures

Compilations
1989 - More Miserable Than You'll Ever Be (originally released under the 7&7is moniker and later remastered/re-released under The 77s banner); features Mike Roe solo tracks, demos/outtakes from The 77s' self-titled album, and unreleased material from The Magnets (Michael Roe & Larry Tagg)
1995 - 1 2 3, boxed set re-release of The 77s' first three studio albums
2000 - Late, contains the entire ep album, alternate takes/mixes from A Golden Field of Radioactive Crows and Tom Tom Blues, and solo tracks from Roe's 1997 solo tour

Video Releases
2006 - 77s DVD Collection (2 DVDs, includes rare footage from The 77s' archives, including promotional videos for "A Different Kind Of Light," "Mercy Mercy," "Ba Ba Ba Ba," "Nuts For You," "Snake," "For Crying Out Loud," "The Boat Ashore," and numerous concert performances)

Special & Limited Edition Releases
1980 - Rock & Religion Radio Show (06-01-1980), live cuts as Scratch Band
1992 - FlevoTotaal Festival - Live Tapes Volume 1 compilation, "I Can't Get Over It", live track, 1990
1992 - Shirley Goodness & Misery compilation, "Someone New" (alternate extended remix), 1984
1995 - Bootlevel compilation, "Mercy Mercy," "Smokescreen," and "Good Directions," from 1984's All Fall Down sessions
1999 - When Worlds Collide: A Tribute to Daniel Amos and the Music of Terry Scott Taylor compilation, "Shotgun Angel"
2000 - A Golden Field of Radioactive Crows: Radioactive Singles—Related/Mr. Magoo, CD single

www.77s.com mp3 (Archives)
1983 - "No Party in Hell" (live track)
1983 - "Modern Guy" (live track)
1996 - "Jazz Jam Warmup" (live track, 08-27-96)
1996 - "Pray Naked" (live rehearsal track, 08-28-96)
1998 - "How Do You Dig It Now" (basic studio track)
1998 - "Blue Sky" (early arrangement)

77s Songs Covered by Other Artists
1990 - The Ocean Blue, Laugh Tour (with The Mighty Lemon Drops and John Wesley Harding) - "Renaissance Man" (from Ping Pong Over the Abyss)
2000 - Smalltown Poets, Third Verse - "The Lust, the Flesh, the Eyes & the Pride of Life" (from The 77s)
2004 - Lost Dogs, MUTT - "The Lust, the Flesh, the Eyes & the Pride of Life" (from The 77s)
2004 - Lost Dogs, MUTT - "It's So Sad" (from Ping Pong Over the Abyss)
2004 - The Radiant Dregs, Send $2.00 And A S.A.S.E. To... - "Leaving" (from A Golden Field of Radioactive Crows)

Source : Wikipedia/Word

Karlene Bartolo

Jamaican-born singer/songwriter Karlene Bartolo has been singing inspirationally for more than two decades. After working with The Grace Thrillers (the Caribbean’s most popular recording and touring group), she migrated to Canada where she launched a solo career. In addition to her solo work, Karlene continues to expand her musical horizon assisting choirs, other vocalists and worship teams. She has toured in North America, the Caribbean, and the U.K and shared stage with renowned artists such as Shirley Caesar and CeCe Winans. Her memorable songs, powerful voice and stage presence have made her a household name to all who have experienced her in concert. Karlene currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Richard and their two children.

Karlene Bartolo is poised to introduce the world to a fresh new sound with her debut CD “Father of Light”. The project is set to be released November 16th, 2004 and promises to take you to another level in worship. "Father of Light" was produced by Jeff Rogers of BRogers Music in Atlanta. Jeff has worked with successful artists such as Babbie Mason, and D’Vine. “Father of Light” consists of 10 original songs, all written by this dynamic minister. When one speaks of “memorable and anointed”, these songs have got it! This project demonstrates Karlene’s passion for the Lord and dedication to ministry. She captivates you right from the start and there is something for everyone. This contemporary singer brings you praise with an edge on the energetic “Glory to the King”; a track that is sure to have you stomping. She brings you hope on her inspirational “Jesus Will Be There”, and takes you to the Throne with her sensational ballad “Father of Light”. A track that will also take your breath away is her Jewish-influenced “Holy is Your Name”. When you are through with this one, only tears remain. This CD is a must have!

Albumns
Father Of Light

My Space

Official Site

Concerto For Mother TERESA - Song + Video Clip In Loving Tribute

A spiritual song + video clip, in loving tribute to Saint
Mother Teresa, from a CD Album which has been blessed by late
Saint Mother Teresa & His Holiness the late Pope John Paul II more...

Profoundly idealistic, the altruistic work and extraordinary
devotion of Mother Teresa have deeply marked the composer of
this song. It was in this spirit that, already in 1986, he had
composed this Concerto For Mother Teresa, directly inspired by
the charisma and the abnegation of the founder of the
Missionaries of Charity.

This song is part and parcel of a CD album entitled Concerto
For Mother Teresa, which content is made of 17 spiritual songs
- for solo voice, male choir, piano and symphonic orchestra.
This CD Album has been blessed by Mother Teresa (to whom this
CD album and this title is wholeheartedly dedicated) and His
Holiness Pope Jean-Paul II.

A cassette of this song was sent to Mother Teresa at the end
of 1996, and she wrote back a few months later (9th May 1997)
this beautiful and touching letter:

Dear Sir

Thank you very much for your beautiful gift! I am sure it
expresses the love you have for God and for His poor. Keep the
joy of loving through sharing. God love you and bless you as
you reach out to many hearts to comfort them through your
music. Let us continue to work, making Jesus loved, known and
cared for, more each day, in each other and in His poor. Let
us pray.

GOD BLESS YOU.

MOTHER TERESA, Calcutta (India)

Mother Teresa said once those touching words:

People are not hungry just for bread... they are hungry for
love. People are not naked only for a piece of cloth... they
are naked for human dignity. People are not only homeless for
a room made of bricks, but they are homeless being rejected,
unwanted and unloved. MOTHER TERESA

Concerto For Mother Teresa
(English lyrics)

When one Madonna’s crying
For all the people dying
A voice full of emotion
Bespeaks her love's devotion

Who lies in dust forsaken
Her love is there to waken
The miracle of coping
Reviving faith and hoping

Mother Teresa
A shower
Of love and devotion
Mother Teresa
A tower
Of light in the ocean

Where shattered lives
Need mending
Her toil seems never ending
A gift of love she showers
Bestowed with healing powers

When overwhelmed by sorrow
When hope has no tomorrow
When promises are broken
She dries the tears unspoken

Mother Teresa
A shower
Of love and devotion
Mother Teresa
A tower
Of light in the ocean

A wasted body quivers
Awaiting death in shivers
A torch at heaven's portal
A mother's love immortal

Profondément idéaliste et humaniste dans l'âme, l'oeuvre
altruiste et l'extraordinaire dévouement de Mère Teresa ont
fortement marqué le compositeur, arrangeur et interprète et
co-auteur de cette chanson. C'est d'ailleurs dans cet esprit
qu'en 1986, déjà, il avait compose, à son intention, le
"Concerto For Mother Teresa", directement inspirée du charisme
et de l'abnégation de cette femme d'exception.

Morceau emblématique de l'album " Concerto For Mother Teresa",
cette chanson est donc entièrement dédiée à cette femme
d’exception.

Voici d'ailleurs la traduction d'une lettre que Mère Teresa a
écrite au compositeur, peu après avoir reçu la copie cassette
de cette chanson composée à son intention.

Cette lettre a été rédigée de la main même de Mère Teresa,
quelques mois avant sa mort :

Dear Sir,

Merci pour votre magnifique cadeau ! Je suis persuadée qu'il
exprime l'amour que vous ressentez envers Dieu et ses pauvres.
Gardez intacte la joie d'aimer par le fruit du partage !
Puissent l'amour et la bénédiction de Dieu accompagner votre
musique, dont le rayonnement essaime son pouvoir consolateur
au sein de nombreux coeurs ! Continuons à oeuvrer pour faire
connaître et ressentir chaque jour plus intensément l'amour et
la sollicitude bienveillante de notre Seigneur Jésus, afin
qu'il puisse régner dans le coeur de chacun d'entre nous et
dans celui de chacun d'entre ses pauvres ! Prions ensemble !
Que Dieu vous bénisse !

MÈRE TERESA

Rien sans une parcelle d'amour ! MÈRE TERESA

Le coeur d'une Madone
“Concerto For Mother Teresa”
(French lyrics)

Le coeur d'une madone
Est si grand qu'elle donne
Un amour qui résonne
Et dont l'aura rayonne

D'un chagrin qui égrène
Elle adoucit la peine
D'un coeur qui se désarme
Elle séchera les larmes

Ave Teresa
Amie
Des vies
Qui fuient

Madre Teresa
Amie
Des heures
Qui pleurent

Pour ces âmes en détresse
Que la douleur oppresse
Que le tourment désole
Elle prie et les console

Quand tout espoir chavire
Rongé par la discorde
Elle offre son sourire
Plein de miséricorde

Ave Teresa
Amie
Des vies
Démunies
Madre Teresa
Amie
Des heures
Qui pleurent

Un corps lassé frissonne
Quand la vie l'abandonne
Mais dans ses yeux rayonne
L'amour d'une madone

Mother THERESA Me Mère Teresa faith hope religion devotion
altruism altruistic love catholic Catholicism abnegation care
understanding Calcutta India Vatican angel angels mercy
miséricorde foi altruisme amour altruiste


Concerto For Mother TERESA - Song + Video Clip In Loving Tribute - Click here for more amazing videos

OH HAPPY DAY - Allan Rich Vdos Music Videos

Live performance - Dimanche on 03.06.2007


OH HAPPY DAY - Allan Rich Vdos Music - The funniest home videos are here

NEW WEBSITE FOR CHRISTIAN AND GOSPEL ARTISTS

Epraisemusic.com allows artists to share and sell their creative artistic content online.

Epraisemusic.com is a new Website for Christian and Gospel artists.

The artists are allowed to create an account to share and sell downloads such as music, video, ebooks, etc.

They are also allowed to sell physical merchandise such as CDs, books, DVDs, etc. Music fans can sign up to listen to the artists. The artists can also create their own cost-effective WebTV Internet Channel via www.gospeltube.com and be added to the Christian Web and search directory www.aboutgospel.com free of charge.

Source : www.eurweb.com/story/eur34644.cfm

Eoghan Heaslip

Eoghan Heaslip is a worship leader whose album, Grace in the Wilderness, is an impressive, mature and confident piece of work. For Years his songs has given a new meaning to gospel music.

Albums
Deeper Still - Eoghan Heaslip
Grace In The Wilderness - Eoghan Heaslip
Mercy - Eoghan (Owen) Heaslip
Deeper Still - Eoghan Heaslip
Worship From Ireland - Double CD
Journey In Faith - New Wine 2002
Hope Of The Nations
Detling 2002 - Your Kingdom Come
Powerscourt - Live Worship 2000 / David Ruis
Summer Madness 2000 - True Intimacy

Read The Interview

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Country singer warms his voice for Burnham

A COUNTRY singer is warming his voice ready for a concert next Wednesday (July 4) at Burnham Baptist Church in Burnham.

George Hamilton IV will be performing in Somerset as part of his UK Gospel Country Music Tour.

After his first hit, A Rose and a Baby Ruth, in 1956, he toured with Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers.

Top ten country singles including Before This Day Ends, Three Steps to the Phone (Millions of Miles) and If You Don't Know I Ain't Gonna Tell You paved the way for 1963's Abilene, which topped the country charts for four weeks and reached 15 on the pop charts.

Besides more than ten tours of Great Britain and several BBC productions, Hamilton became the first country artist to perform behind the Iron Curtain - he also toured Africa, the Orient, New Zealand, Australia, and even the Middle East.

George Hamilton will be performing with accomplished musician Alistair Macdonald.

Source : Bridgewater Mercury

FIXED - I Receive You

Title: I Receive You
Album: Flashback
Artist: Swapna

Song from the Divine Retreat Center's Television Program called "Divine Vision - Streams of Grace".

Divine Retreat Center, Muringoor, Chalakudy, Kerala, India. Visit: http://www.drcm.org/dvineretreat/gene...

Swapna - Jesus Alone

Title: Jesus Alone
Lyrics, Music & Vocals: Swapna
Album: Flashback
Cuts: Shando A Uruvath
Camera: Jino Vagamon & Justin Jose
Direction: Maria Sangeetha

Notice clip(s) of Fr. Stan Fortuna if you look closely during the cuts.

Song from the Divine Retreat Center's Television Program called "Divine Vision - Streams of Grace".

Divine Retreat Center, Muringoor, Chalakudy, Kerala, India. Visit: http://www.drcm.org/dvineretreat/gene...

Smokie Norful

Smokie Norful is an American gospel singer and pianist. With his soulful tenor vocals and an unerring ability to fuse contemporary gospel with hip-hop sensibilities, Smokie Norful is one of the brightest lights on the current gospel scene. The son of an African Methodist Episcopal minister, Norful spent his first 14 years in Muskogee, OK, where he absorbed music ranging from sacred gospel to the secular soul that was popular at the time, and both strains would serve him well when he began his professional singing career. By the age of two he was picking out melodies on piano, by four he was actively playing and singing in his father's church, and by ten he was a featured artist on a custom album assembled by a regional music director. Although music was his enduring passion, Norful instead opted to study history at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, eventually working as a history instructor for four years before relocating to Chicago in 1998 in order to earn a Masters of Divinity degree from Garrett Theological Seminary.

After his graduation, Norful remained in Chicago as an assistant pastor at the Rock of Ages Baptist Church and stayed active in various church choirs, eventually catching the ear of Joe Anne Brunson, leader of the Thompson Community Choir, who asked him to sing one of his original songs for the choir's Real album, which essentially launched Norful's professional singing career. His debut solo album, I Need You Now, was released by Chordant in 2002, followed by an EP called Limited Edition from EMI Gospel in 2003. Norful has characterized his music as "urban inspirational," an apt term that allows him to stretch the boundaries of traditional gospel while still remaining true to its purpose. EMI Gospel also released Norful's second solo album, Nothing Without You, in 2004. Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

Discography

1. 2006 Life Changing
2. 2005 Nothing Without You [DVD]
3. 2005 Nothing Without You [CD & DVD]
4. 2004 Nothing Without You
5. 2003 Limited Edition
6. 2003 I Need You Now/Life's Not Promised (Single)
7. 2002 I Need You Now

Homepage
Also Read the Interview :
http://www.blackgospel.com/psalmists/smokienorful/interview/2006/

Source : Starpluse

Participants gearing up for Gospel music festival

By Steve Eighinger
Herald-Whig Staff Writer

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Nicole Foti views the lineup of artists for the inaugural "Praise the Lord" weekend as one of its chief strengths.

"The wide variety of music should allow all age groups to worship the Lord in their own way," said Foti, a Wentzville, Mo., resident who is promoting the event.

The Oct. 5-6 Gospel music festival will be held at the Quality Inn and Suites in cooperation with the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tri-State Bluegrass Association.

Don't be fooled by that "bluegrass" reference, however. The lineup also offers contemporary Christian artists Jon Webb of Texas and the group Alathea from Tennessee, along with Little Roy Lewis and the Lewis Family, Green Valley Grass, Southern Accent, Arlington, Hilton Griswold and Redeemed.

Redeemed, based in Hannibal and featuring Christine Poage as lead singer, is one of the top contemporary praise and worship acts in West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri.

Green Valley Grass is a four-time Missouri Gospel Group of the Year award winner. The Lewis Family is billed as "America's First Family of Bluegrass Gospel."

Serving as a keynote speaker will be the Rev. Jack Herren of Quincy.

"This could really turn into something great," Foti said. "So many people have helped pull this all together."

Foti said the wide-ranging lineup of artists is no accident. She is hoping to draw old and young alike and hopes the event will especially appeal to younger music fans through the inclusion of artists such as Webb and Alathea.

While Webb is a Christian recording artist, he is also involved in children's ministry. Alathea is extremely active in Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry that has dozens of Christian recording stars helping spread its message.

"We want to reach as many people as we can through this event," Foti said.

The festival schedule begins with a 7 p.m. Oct. 5 show. Oct. 6 shows are at noon and 7 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for each individual show, or $20 for admittance to both of Saturday's performances. Children under 12 attend for free; and tickets are $9 for ages 12-16. Handicap-accessible seating will also be available.

For more information, call Foti at (636) 327-5596.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Eighinger at seighinger@whig.com
or (217) 221-3377

Source :whig.com

(Online Edition Of The Quincy Herald Whig)

Elvis Is In The Building

By ALLEN ARRICK
Staff Writer (The Tyler Paper.com)

There’s an old saying that humans are biologically classified into two distinct groups: Beatles people and Elvis people.

The T.G. Field Auditorium in Longview was packed to the brim June 23 with the latter for the first-ever “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest” sanctioned by the Elvis estate in Memphis.

The winner from the contest will go on to Memphis during Elvis week in the fall to compete to be the “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” (emphasis on “Ultimate”).

“Most of (the tribute artists) grew up listening to Elvis,” said event coordinator Carol Shahin of Jacksonville. “They love him so much that they want to pay the best tribute they know how to an icon in their eyes. They take it very seriously. They purchase high dollar replica jumpsuits. You will not see any Halloween-type costumes.”

Perhaps the contest, the only one of its kind in Texas, created more questions about Elvis’ legacy than it attempted to answer.

What compels people to spend several thousand dollars on a jumpsuit?

What is it in estrogen that makes women of all ages magnetically attracted to slick, sparkly, rhinestone-incrusted, jumpsuit-wearing, mutton-chopped men who simply look, act and sing like Elvis?

And perhaps most important: Why Elvis? Why are we here 30 years after his death watching grown men sport hair-do’s they would never wear normally, and wear clothes that would only look good on someone trying to look like Elvis?

Why don’t we have “Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute Artists” or “Ultimate Roy Orbison Tribute Artists” complete with horn-rimmed specs?

These questions and more lead backstage at the contest, where a surreal atmosphere of multiple Elvis look-a-likes roamed around, waiting to get strapped into their jumpsuits to sing for the crowd.

Some hummed tunes to themselves to prepare, some posed for pictures with fans.

ELVI’S UP CLOSE

A young-looking Nathan Belt, a Grapevine resident, was there with his wife (his very dedicated and understanding wife).

Belt wasn’t anywhere near ready to perform. His hair was done, but he was in shorts and a gray T-shirt.

Growing up, Belt was always told he sounded like Elvis.

“There’s only one Elvis,” he said. “There’s been no one since then that had that charisma.”

Charisma, a word just about every Elvis tribute artist uses as a blanket statement to define Elvis’ character.

Charisma is too vague. Mussolini had charisma, and no one has “Ultimate Mussolini Tribute Dictator” contests.

But then Belt dropped the bomb.

“There wouldn’t be the Beatles if there wasn’t Elvis Presley,” he said.

Belt seems to be the exception to the rule about Beatles/Elvis people.

His wife, who has accompanied him on his performances since their marriage began, is very supportive of her husband’s passion.

“When I met him, he was a singer-songwriter in Nashville,” Jeanice Belt said. “He didn’t tell me until later about being an Elvis tribute artist.”

One can imagine that conversation.

His wife helped him climb into his $3,000 white rhinestone jumpsuit before taking the stage. The suit was donated by a “very generous” friend, he said.

“She believes in me,” Belt said.

He sings gospel music at his church, and said Elvis’ gospel roots are one of the many reasons he loves the king.

(For the sanctuary, Belt leaves his jumpsuit at home.)

Try telling any one of the Tribute Artists they are “Elvis impersonators,” and you get looks that could kill.

“A tribute artist is someone who really puts his heart and his money into it,” Belt said. “It’s not a parody.”

Similar convictions were shared between the Elvi’s.

Richard Cook, a Shreveport resident and longtime Elvis tribute artist, said he started “being Elvis” in front of a mirror when he was 4 years old.

“I started in front of people when I was 14,” Cook said.

Cook said he’s drawn to Elvis because “The King” never forgot where he came from.

A good friend of Cook said he’s the real deal.

“This is him all the time, the way he acts now,” Angie Lafisca said. “He’s always (Elvis) 24 hours a day ... he believes it so much he makes me believe.”

CROONIN’, GROOVIN’

When the lights dimmed and the first performer came on stage, the audience lit up with excitement.

Packs of women and girls flocked to the front of the stage to grab one of many silky scarves discarded by the artists.

On a side note, the artists were ranked according to looks, stage presence, singing ability and other things. What basketball coaches call the “intangibles,” — the stuff that doesn’t show up on a stat-sheet — the way Shaqille O’Neal intimidates when he has the ball.

The winner of this contest could dunk on anybody — at least anybody with a pompadour.

To get people to speak of the intangibles was not an easy task.

Some women focused strictly on what they described as the handsome factor.

“It takes us back to a better time in life,” Barbara Peterson said. “And don’t get us started on the looks.”

“When he sings, it feels like he’s singing to you,” an excited Diane Rose said.

But can that really sum up Elvis’ legacy — a few nice ladies contemplating Elvis’ era, as well as his other, um, attributes?

Meanwhile backstage, the second half of the performances were about to get under way while an Elvis tribute artist was belting out some vocal chords in his dressing room.

“Gotta’ get loosened up for those high notes, man.”

BIG WINNER

Some of the Elvis artists stood out. One in particular was Trent Carlini, a Vegas showman.

Carlini emigrated to the U.S. from Italy, and he quickly became a rock and roll fan.

Put aside the long biography which includes an appearance on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and you get a guy who looks identical to the king.

Carlini’s pearly whites show through his Elvis-esque smirk, complemented by perfectly dangling bangs.

He walked around backstage like a force. One imagines that people look at him as if they had seen the ghost of Elvis.

(We would hope that our ghosts would look like we did in our prime, which is what Carlini achieves: Elvis in his prime)

Backstage before the show, a strange conversation happened between one of the security officers and the tribute artists.

“Is there an Elvis back here named Trent?” the guard asked.

“Trent’s not here yet,” the emcee said.

“There’s some women out front who want to meet him.”

“None of the Elvises are available out front right now.”

Thirty years after the death of Elvis, a man who presented himself as a mere figment of “The King,” was attracting women in droves.

In 1990, Carlini was chosen by the Global Records Star Search in Dallas as “Entertainer With The Most King-Like Charisma.”

There’s that word again.

Needless to say, Carlini took the show — he won the competition and will go on to the final round in Memphis in the fall. His intangibles showed through, even if they’re hard to name.

But that’s as good as it’s going to get. Maybe “charisma” is the only word to describe Elvis.

“They have to have a little bit of it all, the charisma, the charm, the stage presence, how they deal with the crowd,” Mrs. Shahin, the event coordinator, said.

That’s how Elvis can be summed up: Charisma of a benevolent dictator, presence of Shaq and the, well, physical assets, of Elvis.

Leaving the auditorium, a lady said, “I told you the guy from Vegas was going to win.”

She said he looks a lot like young Elvis, but he’s still far from the real thing.

Maybe the ladies were referring to something Carlini was missing – something indescribable.

Perhaps the only word to describe Elvis is “Elvis.” The jailhouse rocker is his own universal language in American culture.

And that’s why he’s so broadly appealing. We just don’t need words.

Allen Arrick, a summer intern at the Tyler Courier-Times—Telegraph, offers his personal reflections on the Elvis phenomenon.

Source : tylerpaper.com