ARMORED

I am writing you to solicit your support of a film, ARMORED (http://www.ArmoredMovie.com.), that is currently in theatres. The film was directed by Nimrod Antal and the cast includes: Matt Dillion, Jean Reno, Laurence Fishburne, Amaury Nolasco, Fred Ward, Milo Ventimiglia, with Skeet Ulrich and COLUMBUS SHORT!

I am encouraging those in my social network to go out this weekend and support. As you know, opening weekend will make or break the box office results of the film.

Thank you in advance for your support.

JJ Hairston And Youthful Praise Burn Up The Charts

I had the pleasure meeting this awesome servant of the Lord a few years ago. A mutual friend and colleague, Joseph Burney, an executive at Zomba/Verity introduced us. I have had the privilege of working with some of the entertainment industries most gifted and talented artists and celebrities and by far this young man ranks amongst the most humble, grounded, and gifted artist I have ever met.

As for the music, this project features three of my all-time favorites, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Evangelist Dorinda Clark Cole and Myron Butler. Pastor Caesar lends hear vocals on the tag “High Praise”. This toe tappin’, hand clapping, head swaying song is a joyful up-tempo track that takes you to church. Pastor Caesar is one of the few gospel icons with whom I have yet to work. I hope to accomplish this sooner than later. Evangelist Cole not only is one of my favorite artist to work with, but her vocals are always smooth as silk and off the chain! As always, she delivers a powerful performance on the jazzy gospel selection, “Still Mighty, Still Strong.” Myron Butler graces the project with, “Great Expectation.” This up-tempo song is a wonderful praise and worship song with its celebratory overtones.

Other notable mentions are, “Powerful God”, “Lord You’re Mighty”, and the title song, “Resting on His Promise” is an awesome anthem of encouragement, hope and faith that speaks to the awesome relationship that we have with our Father and Maker, and the promises He has made to us.

“Resting On His Promise” is currently in the #4 position on Billboard’s Charts.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.

The Merge Summit: Where Industry Meets Ministry

I had the privilege of attending The Merge Summit this past weekend. The summit is the brain child of industry executives Holly Davis Carter, and Robbi Reed with the purpose of providing opportunity and access to Christian talent who had a heart for ministry in the marketplace. The conference theme, “Integrating Ministry and Entertainment.”

There were several workshops offered with panelist and moderators that included the “whose who” of the entertainment industry at large. A few of the workshops offered were:

Artist Development - “The Making of An Artist” Master Class

In this Master Class, Mary Mary shared techniques and their insight on developing skills as a brandable artist, the gave advice including tips on imaging, style, and originality. They will also shared their in-depth knowledge and expertise in building a life in entertainment.

Music Business - “The Sound of Music” - An In-depth Discussion with Hitmakers

In this Class, hitmakers Warryn Campbell, President and CEO of MyBlock Records, Rodney Jerkins, CEO, Darkchild Entertainment were joined by “Big Jon” Platt, President West Coast Creative, EMI Music Publishing. In this class attendees gained perspective on writing hits across the musical spectrum.

The New Business of Gospel Music

Explored the inner workings of the new label system as it relates to artist development, budgets, content output and the new game of radio.

Over my twenty something years in the industry I have attended several conferences. I must say for this to be the inaugural year of this conference, they have gotten off to a great start. I would strongly urge you to add next years conference to your calendar, which is slated to take place in Atlanta, Ga.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.

In the lineage of gospel songwriters, Donald Lawrence ranks amid the best of them. You can certainly hear his spiritual growth as it relates to being Kingdom minded permeating through on his last few renderings.

With his latest release, The Law of Confession, Part I, Donald Lawrence & Co. do not disappoint, and the project is true to Donald's classic sound. With well written, delivered, and produced hits this release further establishes Donald Lawrence as one of this eras' Gospel Icons.

This project reminds me of the days of James Cleveland, The Hawkins, Richard Smallwood and The Smallwood Singers, Milton Brunson and The Thompson Community Choir/Singers; when you played the entire album from beginning to end. Inextricably

A few of my favorites, "The Word Of The Lord", "Back II Eden", "The Law Of Confession" (Featuring Tobbi White-Darks And Blanche McAllister-Dykes), "The Blessing Is On You" (Featuring Kim McFarland-Anderson which made her debut as a member of Milton Brunson and The Thompson Community Choir/Singers, "Word Of My Power", and "Citizens Of The Kingdom." This project is certainly a must-add to your gospel collection.

Donald - As always, JOB WELL DONE! You have certainly not only blessed me, but the entire Kingdom of God with this project. Thank you.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.

Smokie Norful Live, is the fourth project from the Grammy Award-winning artist. With this his first live album, Pastor Smokie Norful, Senior Pastor of Victory Cathedral Worship Center in Chicago, Illinois, imparts a message of hope, praise, love, and justification.

The project begins with the opening proclamation that “God’s Gonna Do It” (featuring Tye Tribbett) to the Sunday morning anthem “I Will Bless The Lord,” to “Jesus Is Love,” (featuring Heather Headley) which is a heartfelt cover of the hit song recorded by the Commodores and written by Lionel Richie, to the first single, “Justified,” an appropriate and undeniable hit song of forgiveness. Smokie Norful Live offers its listeners a true Sunday Morning experience, and ushers you into the presence of the King.

As expected, the project is well written, well produced and unquestionable well delievered by Pastor Smokie Norful’s signature vocals.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.

Coko Wins With The Winner In Me

With this her third gospel project, Coko seems to be settling more more into the fabric of the gospel community. Her latest rendering, "The Winner In Me", which was released this week captures an array of songs for all ages.

The lead single, “Wait,” caught my ear prior to my even knowing that it was a single. This song is a modern day traditional choir song. Choirs across the country are sure to be singing this blessing to the body.

The title cut of the album, “The Winner In Me,” is an awesome mid-tempo driving song that uplifts the listeners spirit as you listen.

“Make A Way” is a riveting contemporary up tempo track driven song that is laced nicely with both slamming lead and background vocals. As a special added treat, listeners our further blessed with a feature from Canton Jones. I believe that this song could very well provide a strong showing for Coko on the CCM side.

With “Rescue Me,” Coko creates a new genre of music, easy listening gospel. This a well written, well produced song and Coko hits a home run with her delivery of the song.

“May Be My Last Time” is slammin’! I listened to the song 5 times in a row. This also promises to be “anthem” added to the repertoire of choirs across the country. With its catchy lyric, and beat you can’t help but join in on singing the song.

If her label, management team and marketing/PR team work in concert with one another, this album should garner great acclaim.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.

The One King Who Won’t Ever Die

By Derrick Wade July 10, 2009 8:00 am

1 Timothy 6:15-16 (New Living Translation)

For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

Psalm 113:5-6 (New Living Translation)

Who can be compared with the Lord our God,
who is enthroned on high?
He stoops to look down
on heaven and on earth.

Matthew 5:4 (New Living Translation)

God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

The Kings of Rock,

Rock & Roll,

Gospel,

Soul,

and now Pop are all gone;

but the King of Kings still sits high and looks low, and He will heal us all as we mourn.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.

GI (God's Image) BGA Entertainment/Black Smoke

GI (God’s Image) BGA Entertainment/Black Smoke

Branden, Curtis, Lamonte and Marlon are their names. They are not only group members, but brothers, having grown up together. They are singers, dancers, songwriters, and musicians. It is rare that you find all of these talents wrapped up into one unit. Collectively they are known as, G.I., which stands for God’s Image. Together for 10 years, the group has garnered a fan base across the country. With performances at major venues and at events such as The World Famous Apollo Theater, The Verizon Center, The Bobby Jones Gospel Artist Retreat, and GMWA Conventions the group has began making a name for themselves.

“Get Up” is the first single and video from G.I.’s highly anticipated debut album. The video was shot in Richmond, Virginia and features relatives of G.I. and locals dancing along to the song. BET star producer, Tia Smith of Talented Sol Productions and R&B video director, Bobby Yan, produced “Get Up”. Yan’s music video for Louisiana rapper Hurricane Chris, entitled “A Bay Bay”, was one of the top ten videos of the year in 2007.

G.I.’s full-length album was released on April 7, 2009. Mostly Produced by Derek Clark for Hitland Entertainment and Written mostly by members of G.I., “GOD’S IMAGE” (the CD) has something for everyone, including teenagers, young adults, and the grown and mature audience. It embraces various styles of gospel music, including contemporary and traditional. In addition to “Get Up,” their contemporary-meets-traditional smash hit “Something Got A Hold of Me” was produced by veteran musician Gorden Campbell with vocal production by Derek Clark. Campbell has played for the who’s who in the music industry with a stellar list that includes: Earth, Wind & Fire, Mary J. Blige, George Duke, Jessica Simpson and Neyo to name a few.

“Temptation” is another cut from the CD that will undeniably be another fan favorite. Find out more about G.I. by checking out their internet reality show “GI’s Journey” by visiting www.youtube.com/gisjourney. The show takes viewers behind the scenes as the group travels on the road, hits radio stations, and performs live.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.

King of Kings

The Kings of Rock, Rock & Roll, Gospel, Soul, and now Pop are all gone; but the King of Kings still sits high and looks low, and He will heal us all as we mourn.

- Derrick L. Wade

McDonald's - Discrimination Against the Homeless

Mortified is a fragment of what I felt while purchasing breakfast at a McDonald's located in an affluent area of Los Angeles, CA.  A patron of the restaurant purchased a meal for a homeless person and asked that the meal be given to the homeless when they came in to the counter.  The manager of the location was taking the order and received payment for same.  When asked to give the meal to the homeless person when they came inside, the manager advised the patron that they would have to take to the meal the outside because the homeless were not allowed in the restaurant.  The patron strategically asked a series of questions to all of which the manager finally responded, "That's what they told me, I can not serve the homeless."  The patron tried to reason with the manager for awhile, but ultimately gave up due to frustration and since of bewilderment at such a discriminating policy.

In this grave economic climate, with more and more people becoming unemployed and the escalating numbers of those being displaced, one would think that an International Corporation like McDonald's would at best have a program in place to feed the homeless on a regular basis.  And certainly, at least be feed a homeless person for whom a meal has been paid.  Needless to say, I will be writing correspondence to Andrew McKenna, Chairman of the Board and to the Board of Directors at large.   They need to be reminded that we are all but a tragedy away from being in the same place as the homeless women that was refused service this morning.  

- There but for the grace of God, go I. (John Bradford)

VISION

I had a conversation with a very dear friend this week with respect to vision. While speaking with him at 10:30pm (he was still at the office) I was led to encourage him to rekindle his quest to be an entrepreneur rather than an employee. He has become comfortable with the plush salary, awesome benefits package, and perks second to none; nonetheless, he was still void of fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment. I challenged him to revisit that which he was holding on to but was yet to manifest - his VISION. His total fulfillment was certain NOT to come until he had walked in that which he was called do and that which he was called to be.

I was only able to encourage him to dust-off, revisit and implement his VISION because I had just had a meeting of minds with that consortium consisting of me, myself and I as recent as last week. All to often we are given divine revelation with respect to what which God has called us to do and be, and in a moment of panic, we let go of the vision that He has given...all because the vision tarries. This is certainly no coincidence, it is the strategic attack of the enemy trying to abort the vision. And your particular vision has been targeted because he knows how powerful it will be if its manifestation were to come forth.

With that mental overhaul and tune-up last week, I received more than enough to remind me that I am more than conqueror, to be steadfast, be persistent, and that it shall come to pass!

Here are a few steps that may help in the fulfillment of your VISION:

VISUALIZE the implementation of the VISION. Visualizing is creating a mental picture in your mind as to how the project, business, goal etc. looks. If you can see success, then you will be able to achieve success.

WRITE IT DOWN. Take your vision or goal and put on paper. When you write your goals down you are serious in making a commitment to achieve them.

DEVELOP A PLAN. A plan is essential for your success, you can not achieve your goals without one.

TAKE ACTION. Take your plans and break them into small accomplishable steps. That way you have no excuse not to take action.

HOLD ON AND PERSIST. Success comes to those that hold while others let go. so continue to hold on and persist until you achieve success.