Rev. Norman Hutchins-Battlefield-JDI Records
Norman, Norman, you just wear that blue suit on your record cover. But what's with the look on your face, did you smell something or what? I can say that because I see him at church every Sunday!!! Most of all I am so so proud of you. Two-time Dove nominee Norman Hutchins who is truly one of gospel's most gifted artist who's hits include "Press Toward the Mark" with West Angeles Saints in Praise and the Grammy nominated song "You Were There" for the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Born in North Carolina and raised in Delaware he's, bringing that Delaware sound to the West Coast!! Bro. Norman is known for that good ole churchy churchin choir music. Now hold on, not only can he write and sing, this brother can preach.... he can preach tithes out of your pocket. He's been preachin since he was 8 years old, so I would hope he's got it down pack by now!! Hoopin, hollaring, sweat flying everywhere you know I remember one time he was preaching so hard, I went and got him a glass of water, do you know he was so much in high gear he told me in one breathe.."God bless you brotha I'm alright, .." I looked at him, and the crowd looked at me, I said to my self...hummm, turned that glass up and drank that water myself!! His hit title cut "Battlefield" makes you wanna run, scream, jump and shout, after hearing that song, I wanna join somebody's army and jump on a horse and just have church, and ride my horse to "The Rock" where I will "Press Toward the Mark" in Jesus Christ and sing Hallelujah with my man Jerry Woo, from the Rising of the sun to the going down of the same, "Jesus is on the Main Line", I'm gonna do more than tell him what I want, because "I Know I've Been Washed". Just totally great music, production and good ole choir singing. Mixed and produced with the anointed art of Bro. Jason White and a special arrangement blend of the maestro himself, Bro Kurt Carr. This album is power packed with good music. Now for all the choir directors out there who is teaching their choir something of this piece, do us a favor and BUY everyone in your choir the CD or cassette so they will know how the original songs really sounds like, not your un-rhythmed edition.....Great job Bro. Norman and Dr. James Roberson, you really did it up right the way it's supposed to be, and look out because JDI does great work all the time & we are proud. Hey Norman, next time if you don't take the water I give you, I aint bringing you nothing else, you gonna have to wait till you get to that water fountain behind the choir stand!!!

Vickie Winans "Share the Laughter" CGI Records
She can sing, she can act, and she can sing again, now Vickie is doing comedy. But to tell you the truth, Vickie has been funny all along. From Gospel's hardest working woman, I am so impressed by this wonderful piece. First of all I would like to issue a warning...if you are driving in your car or you put the CD on at work for the first time..STOP...take is out and listening to it at home first before you embarrass yourself. This is one of the best gospel comedy CD's I've heard in a long time. She know how to tell it just like it is, and most of all..IT's THE TRUTH!! You'll laugh, until you can't laugh no more. By the way, the organist on this is tough too, make me wanna shout. Get the tissues ready, because you will need to wipe ya face. If you're at a dull church fellowship or should I say "get together", you won't need "Mr. Microphone", just put on this CD and let it do the rest. You'll like true stories like, "Boyfriends", "Go Go Boots", "Manuel", Little Timmy", "The Diet Melody", and many more. Most of all, this CD actually ministered to my heart as well, so I knew it was a work from the Lord. Thanks Jeff Hargrove and Veda Brown for your hard work in getting the product to me!! Vickie, you go girl, and that picture on the back cover, whew, Vickie is looking good, and so fine, finer than 20 grit sand paper!! By the way, Vickie is on my e-mail list too, and she always write back!!

Winans Phase 2 Myrrh Records
Am I seeing things or what, is this the "DoubleMint Commercial", double your pleasure, double your fun, forget that, get me some new eye glasses. "No the Question Is...when will this family stop growing", I think the family reunion is like a music conference myself, I'm feel I would just go there, playing toss-across, volleyball, eat some chicken, and listen to everybody sing for 6 hours!! Well mixed and put together with the producing team of Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins, and LaShawn Daniels. "It's Alright" send me too, because I'll go. I'll be glad to go and let the whole world know that The Winans Phase 2 has arrived.
You get a happy star by your name Marvie, just a marketing expert...just every way of promotions, she thinks of it, and Ericka...what can I say, before I can say "Ahhh I need another copy of...(knocking on the door)" , and it's the mail man getting it to me before I can finish asking for it. I appreciate all your help and if ya want the mailman service to call Ericka at 615-457-2153. Hey Ms. Anna...the videos are always on time. Thanks Myrrh for the barbecue ribs dinner!!!

Independant

Oscar Hayes and A.L.F
"Let's go in the kitchen and fry me some chicken"...party hat or not the party is on!!! Straight out of the streets of Detroit, Oscar Hayes and A.L.F is taking it to "Another Level. Totally off the hook, that Midwest Detroit Funk is so slammin.. This is one of the first albums I can put on and for the 17 mins, they just have a churchin party non-stop. I mean, I can go to the corner store and make a sandwich and come back and those "chilwin" is still singing. Not only do I like the music, I just like looking at the hairstyles of all the ladies in choir, fried, dyed, and laid to the side...but ya know thats Midwest for ya Soul!! I can't take this CD now where, because everytime I turn someone on to it, they leave with it, and then I'm calling Mike Mills again!!! Move your body to the new rythm of those traditional songs done Oscar Hayes style. While listening you'll "Fly Away" to the beat of "O How I Love Jesus" because we no that "God's Got It" what ever we need to "Worship" the Lord. You gotta keep on "Keepin On", just bounce your head to this instrumental beat, in your Navigator or your Expedition while cruzin down the avenue! "Thank You" Ko-Ko and Kimmie, we "Wont Turn Back". This piece had me going crazy like a chicken at midnight!!! I can't even describe it to you, ya gotta be there for yourself. A special what's up to everyone in the Sunshine Band, the Rosebuds, and the Sunday School choirs all over America. If you're sleepy in the morning and need a good wake up jam, let Oscar do his official signature "hollar" and I bet you'll be up faster than "expresso in the ghetto"! By the way, Happy Birthday Darius "Scatman" Twyman, you always add that special flavor to every recording you do.

New Groups to Look Out For

Ametria, on MCA Inspirational. this 19 year old new gospel sensation will be breaking up the charts as she hits the market soon. Known as the "Mary J Blige" of Gospel, this young lady wants to let the world know she is saved, I mean truly saved, and she won't compromise her salvation for anything. Get ready to check her out as she bust out coming soon.

Andre' Washington and The Future out of the desert city of Lancaster,California. An anointed group of young people who really can sing. No joke, no play, no folly, they are about the business of the Lord. Here is a choir that everyone in the choir is an artist and can do a single on their own. Founded by Andre' Washington, a gifted musician with a love for the Lord and is serious about his ministry. One who will go at any length to get a tape to someone and get the exposure he needs. He has been playing and sewing seeds for so many churches in the Lancaster area, now it's time for those seeds to flourish. Andre' has one of the best demos on CD I have ever heard, and they did it in 4 hours....now you call me and I'll get ya a copy for yourself. They are looking for a record deal!! Oh by the way, Andre' would like to thank Good Guys too...!!!!

Tip of the Month:

It's not the location that makes the person, but the person that makes the location. It doesn't matter if you are in Forrest City, Arkansas swatting flies and mosquitoes like I was with my uncle Odell and aunt Jesse B, or in Somerville, Tennessee growing cotton in the back of my Aunt Dythula's house, the Bible says your gift will make room for you. The sale of Gospel Music around the world exceeded 42 billion dollars with and expect rate growth of 13% within the next few years. Gospel is now know as one of the fastest growing music industries in the world. As you see, many artist are finding the light and coming back home to God's music. Develop a great project or sound. Stick with it, perfect it, and make it unique. Go the extra mile and do what other artist is not. Find good music professionals to help you and also friends who can listen to your product before you release it out to the world. Do your homework, research, research, research, read, read, and read again until you LEARN the business and know what you're getting yourself into. Protect your works, learn how to register it and keep it on the up and up. Most of all pray and seek God for direction and He will give it to you.
If you happen to fall asleep at work after working on your stuff all night and the boss comes to your desk and you get caught sleeping on the job, just lift your head up and say..."in Jesus name, Amen, may I help you"!

Final Thought & Shout Outs!!!

It's not what you have, but what you do with it that makes the difference. A special hello to Karen and Chelci in Indianapolis, and hats off to the wonderful staff at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in New York City. A hotel who knows how to take good care of their guest!!!

Announcer of the Month

Kim Harper from radio station WLOK 1340 AM in Memphis, TN. Kim can be heard Monday -Friday from 10:00 AM-3PM with the very best in Gospel music. The whole time I was in Memphis, I would here the great sounds of WLOK almost everywhere I went. Speaking about great programming, good music formats, and great live remotes, I really enjoyed the station and even the hospitality I received from Sis. Kim while in her city. Way to go Kim and keep up the great Gospel Radio job!!!

Church of the Month

A great shot out goes to "Healing In His Wings Ministries" in the great state of Minnesota. A super church, Holy Ghost filled on fire for the Lord. They're not worried about the size of the church, but they focus on saving soul out side of the church and bringing them in. Lead by a wonderful man of God, Pastor Evangelist Counce, this is a foot stompin, hand clappin, Holy Ghost headquarters for the word of God. A fearful man of God, who once fasted for fourty days for the direction of the Lord in his life and for his ministry.
This is a word accurate church, and a place where real miracles are happening. I must say Pastor Counce really loves the Lord. As an additional note the pastors' sister has a melodious voice similar to Mahalia Jackson. So if you need some good ole churchin, step on over to Haling in HIs Wings Ministries.

Label of the Month

Tara Griggs-Magee and the Verity Records Team. Just off the hook and non stop great gospel hits. Fred Hammond, Richard Smallwood, Hezikiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, John P. Kee, Commission, just to name a few. Verity being one of the top 10 gospel labels in America keeps on putting out good music to minister, inspire, and change people's lives. What's up to Carla Williams, one who is has been getting product out to everyone from way back in the day and always on top of the gospel world. Bro. Jeff Grant, getting that product to ya for air play, just drop him a fax and he'll see that you get it... and even Erin, (our West Coast Pride) who knows how to call ya back even when you don't expect one. God bless Tara and the team at Verity. Tara, one who the Lord has elevated to a great level of success over the years and she still is the same humble woman who takes the time to talk to everyone she cans. A wonderful wife, mother, and executive. But one thing I must say about Verity....if you don't know how to operate voice mail and get the right extension, you can forget it. One of Tara's favorite lines...."ahhh see Erin and she can get that for you"!! By the way, do I get my WOW T-Shirt now!!!

See ya'll next month don't forget if you want me to review your product e-mail me at BroSteve @gospelweb.com or call me at 818-380-3833!!!