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)