Wednesday, June 3, 2015

The Distinguished Gentleman of Gospel Music CONRAD MILLER Celebrates Black Music Month With New Single Release “CAUGHT UP”

Caught UpConrad Miller is a respected and esteemed artist whose authentic personality, crisp clean style and pristine vocals hail him as Gospel's Most Distinguished Gentleman. Conrad has a rich musical background and his devotion to traditional gospel music has generated the vocalist a faithful fan base. The beloved singer has been in the studio working on a new release that will continue to reflect his distinguished style and delightfully extend Conrad into Contemporary Praise and Worship.
Conrad celebrates Black Music Month by releasing an all new single "Caught Up". Written and produced by Stellar Award Winner Earl Bynum, "Caught Up" will be available on iTunes June 16 with pre-order available now.
Conrad is an accomplished singer, composer, arranger and recording artist with a traditional soothing sound noted on his hit singles and 2009 debut solo project MY JOURNEY (produced by Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award winning producer Steven Ford). His follow-up 2013 project, KEEP PRESSING, added a contemporary flair to the more traditional style that fans have been accustomed to.
Gospel, R&B and Jazz music has always been a part of the Doylestown, PA resident's life. He started an R&B group along with his brother Doug, an accomplished jazz saxophonist and member of The Count Basie Orchestra. Their group, The Soulful Seven, performed throughout the US over a five year span and eventually was signed to a recording contract with MGM Records, alongside label mates Lou Rawls, The Righteous Brothers and Donny & Marie Osmond. Conrad has also had the opportunities to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York, the iconic Kennedy Center in Washington DC and tours throughout Europe and the Canary Islands.
With a career span of over 20 years, Conrad has nurtured his gift and shifted with the obvious changes in music and the Gospel industry. He has continued to remain relevant in an ever-changing industry garnering respect of musical colleagues and an increasing fan base. “The key to remaining relevant is to be dedicated and focused in your walk with the Lord, remaining in prayer, meditation, study, and worship,” he articulates. “Secondly, your music and your message must remain relevant. That doesn’t mean you change your style, it’s about keeping your sound fresh,” he continues. “Third, it’s about surrounding yourself with a “team” that helps stretch you creatively and musically. It’s an ongoing process!”
And with that, Conrad has gathered a brilliant assemblage of producers and songwriters for his future release. Stellar Award Winning vocalist/arranger Earl Bynum, Garland “Miche” Waller (former musical director for John P. Kee) and noted songwriter Martin Luther Wardlaw (of The Wardlaw Brothers) all are contributing to Conrad's forthcoming Fall 2015 release.

Legendary Gospel Superstar Karen Clark Sheard to Release 6th Solo Album ”Destined to Win” on July 17, 2015

Karen Clark Sheard-Destined To Win-album cover artOn Friday July 17, 2015, music icon Karen Clark Sheard makes a powerful declaration of praise and victory with the release of her highly-anticipated new album Destined To Win, with album pre-ordering available now. Ushering in her sixth solo project and her second solo album to be released on her record label Karew Records, the 4-time GRAMMY®-winning gospel superstar’s renowned voice and captivating performance style come together before a packed audience of listeners to create a powerhouse live album experience on the 10-track album.
Recorded live in an historic night at Chicago’s House of Hope, Karen Clark Sheard delivers a bold statement of faith and spiritual encouragement on Destined To Win, teaming up with long-time collaborator Donald Lawrence, who produced the album along with Daniel Weatherspoon, as well as her son J. Drew Sheard II, who produced the song “My God Is Big.”
Karen Clark Sheard shares, “I’ve had some tests and trials….but I kept pushing through. God gave me a word that you have to speak because your words have power. I want the album to be a driving force to move people to where they need to be.”
Exalting faith and inspiring listeners to find strength in facing adversity through God’s constant love and guidance, Karen Clark Sheard’s spectacular vocals and impassioned ministry permeate throughout the album – from tracks such as “Destined To Win,” “Already Looking Better,” the acclaimed singles “My Words Have Power” (feat. Donald Lawrence & The Co.) and the GRAMMY®-nominated “Sunday AM” – to “The Who Doesn’t Matter” (feat. Faith Evans), a stunning performance of Richard Smallwood’s “The Resurrection,” and more.
Clark Sheard also adds a surprise family moment in a special performance of Andraรฉ Crouch’s “Where Jesus Is,” reuniting The Clark Sisters and daughter Kierra Sheard to join her on stage, along with singer Kim McFarland, for a medley that is featured as three bonus tracks on the Walmart exclusive version of Destined To Win.
Karen Clark Sheard: Destined To Win
Album release: Friday July 17, 2015 (Karew Records/Entertainment One Music)
Destined To Win Track Listing:
1. The Who Doesn’t Matter (feat. Faith Evans)
2. Destined To Win
3. The Resurrection
4. Sunday AM
5. Only Call on Jesus
6. My Words Have Power (feat. Donald Lawrence & The Co.)
7. Already Looking Better
8. The Worst is Over
9. My God Is Big
10. We Acknowledge You
Bonus Tracks on Walmart exclusive version:
1. Where Jesus Is Part I feat. Kim McFarland
2. Where Jesus Is Part II feat. The Clark Sisters
3. Where Jesus Is Part III feat. Kierra Sheard
Pre-Order the new Karen Clark Sheard albumDestined To Win:
Amazon
iTunes

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Digging A Way Out

Digging A Way Out
Written by Guy Finley

There's a man who has been by himself in a prison cell with a dirt floor, crude stone walls, and there's two windows one of which looks out towards the ocean. All of the sudden, he hears a scratching noise, and he looks down at the ground that is furthest away from the window facing the ocean. He sees the ground moving, and he starts to think he's losing his mind. But soon the ground breaks, and up pops a head with long hair and a beard... it's a prisoner.

And the prisoner says "Sssh. Listen. A group of us have been tunneling for about six years, and we've finally reached your cell. We have ways to cover up my entrance into this, but now it's all on your shoulders, man. All you have to do," he said while pointing out the window towards the ocean, "you just start digging here and go down about six feet and about 75 feet in that direction and there is freedom, and we're outta here!"

"Oh, I love that! That's great; I want to be free!"

"Okay, I'll check back with you in a few weeks."

Two weeks later, the pops back in to check on his friend's progress, and his friend nods back with great affirmation. "Yeah, I've done it."

So the man who was providing the instructions pops down the hole, and two seconds later pops right back up and says, "What have you done?!?!?"

"Huh?"

"I told you to dig in the direction towards the OCEAN! This tunnel that you dug goes back under the wall and into the prison yard."

"Well, the digging was easier in the other direction..."

Reflection Questions
  • In your life right now, :), what is one way you are digging in the "easy" direction?
  • How might your life be different if you were to dig towards the metaphorical "ocean"?
  • What tools or resources would enable you to dig in the direction of the "ocean" more often?