|
|
|||||
| today is |
|
||||
|
|
|||||
|
Carol is the Music & Entertainment Editor for the Mid-South World formerly Mid-South Christian Banner. The following are some of the articles she has contributed to this monthly periodical. If you have any music news or would like to know more about Memphis Music click the links below. Would
you like to syndicate my column in your local paper? Click
Here! "Music
Notes" Column 2003 "Music
Notes" Articles 2002 Music Notes 2001 Use of Materials The right to download and store or output the materials in our site is granted for the user's personal use only, and materials may not be reproduced in any edited form. Any other reproduction, transmission, performance, display or editing of these materials by any means mechanical or electronic without our express written permission is strictly prohibited. Users wishing to obtain permission to reprint or reproduce any of her "Music Notes" articles for authorization please send an email to Carol.
|
|||||
|
NACAS on
the Move with Top Artists© Carol Yvonne Sherrod
is the President of the Memphis chapter of the National Association of
Christian Artists and Songwriters and a member of the Memphis and Shelby
County Music Commission. The
Skillet Is Burning!©
Carol Yvonne Sherrod
is the President of the Memphis chapter of the National Association of
Christian Artists and Songwriters and a member of the Memphis and Shelby
County Music Commission. Are
Gangsta Rappers going Gospel?©
A recent phenomenon has
taken place in recent years where several hard-core gangsta rappers have
exchanged the sexually explicit lyrics for Godly lyrics that uplift
Christ. It’s no wonder that many of them are turning to gospel; one can
only go just so far in the gutter before they realize that there is no
peace or satisfaction in their life style; before they finally look up and
find all that they’ve been searching for – Christ. One example of this
phenomenon is with 23-year old Delmar Lawrence a.k.a. Mr. Del former
member of Three 6 Mafia. This is a platinum selling gangsta rap group,
(which equates to millions of dollars) as a matter of fact they are one of
the top groups in the Gangsta Rap industry; and they show no signs of
slowing down. However this is what Mr. Del gave up all this when he
accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in the Fall of 1998. Del is
still rapping and bouncing but he has changed partners. His debut hip-hop
gospel release “Enter the Light” is ministering to the hearts and souls of
teens and young adults across the country. Mr. Del also recently opened
“The Refuge,” a Christian youth nightclub on the U of M campus designed to
win young people to Christ. The name was inspired by a scripture in
Proverbs 14:26: “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence… and his
children shall find refuge.” He holds workshops and teen summits there
as well. He will soon release
his sophomore project called “The Movement” with his backup crew, The Holy
South that consist of teens and young adults who are warriors winning
souls for the Kingdom through their music and testimonies. Mr. Del admits
life-changing experiences are not always easy or popular, as he states- “
I lost a lot of friends when I made my transition… You figure out who your
real friends are when you try to do something that’s right. The moment you
try to do something right it seems like everybody wants be against
you.” However, one person isn’t against him and that is his former band mate Gangsta Boo (Lola Mitchell) was the only female member of Three 6 Mafia is now known as Lady Boo. She came to one of Mr. Del concerts to announce that she too has been saved. She states, “I’m not necessarily going to be a gospel rapper, but I’m cleaning up my image a lot.” Mr. Del has also done some touring with born-again gangsta rapper Mase. While he continues to pray for his former band mates in Three 6 Mafia and his friends that do gangsta rap. Mr. Del has realized that it is his mission to minister the gospel …and that the mission has only begun. Carol Yvonne Sherrod
is the President of the Memphis chapter of the National Association of
Christian Artists and Songwriters and a member of the Memphis and Shelby
County Music Commission.
Natalie Wilson Carol Yvonne Sherrod
is the President of the Memphis chapter of the National Association of
Christian Artists and Songwriters and a member of the Memphis and Shelby
County Music Commission.
Michael W. Smith
hosted the Dove Awards and won the award for "Best Pop Contemporary
Album." Michael was chosen as the host for the Dove Awards, because the
Gospel Music Association Board felt a believer from the Christian music
industry was better than a mainstream host, as in previous years. Michael
stated that he was honored to be chosen. The highlight of Gospel Music
Week for Michael was the Sunday night "Praise & Worship" service. He
fought hard with the record companies so no one artist was highlighted or
featured in the service. Every artist sang in the choir and collectively
lifted their voices to praise the Lord.
He currently has a
praise and worship CD, as well as a book on the market. He was asked to
do this praise and worship CD a couple of years ago, but did not want to
be accused of jumping on the praise and worship bandwagon. Moreover, he
laughs when talking about writing his book, since he barely passed English
in high school. In his book, he shares his successes and failures, and
talks about the Columbine school shooting. He says that writing this book
allowed him the opportunity to share his heart with his audience, which he
loves doing.
He is the same wild
and crazy guy that you know and love. As the host of TBN's real videos
and he is the one and only T-Bone. He was once heavily involved in gang
activity. Then one day his best friend died right before his eyes as he
choked on his own blood. He knew that if he did not make changes in his
life, he would die the same way.
He took 3 years off
from touring because he was getting caught up in the business aspect of
the industry. Slowly but surely he was getting farther away from God and
His true purpose. During this time off he sat under the leadership of his
pastor who help him to get a fresh prospective on his ministry. "My
objective now is not what can I get from the industry but what can I give
to the industry," he states.
He also has his own label named "Bone Yard Records" that is being distributed through Flicker Records. He wants to continue to do Urban Music so that he can reach the youth who are walking down the same path that he once walked because he wants to help them to become a Redeemed Hoodlum!
Dove Awards 2001 Part II©
Music Without Walls was
the theme of Gospel Music Week and the Dove Awards; with the hope of
crossing all racial barriers, musical prejudices and simply worship our
Savior. Deborah Robinson, head of Robinson Omnimedia, did a great job in
succeeding in this feat at her showcase at T-Square. With artists such as
Tammy Trent, Jo Scaife, The Lesters, and Common Bond, just to name a few,
Robinson brought together 12 artists from very different areas of music.
She has a website,
www.musicwithoutwalls.com, as a companion piece to this event. She
hopes to promote the various performers and their individual ministries.
Robinson would like to have a series of "Music Without Walls" showcases at
different venues in Nashville for signed and unsigned artists.
Dove Awards 2001 - Part I©
This is my fifth year attending the Gospel Music Week, which concludes with the Dove Awards. Every year it get better and this year it gets better and this year was no exception. I had the opportunity to meet the Oak Ridge Boys. I had seen them on television during their heyday with their most popular hit "Evira." If you have followed their career, you know the Oak Ridge Boys sang gospel music for 12 years before they started singing secular music. However, through it all the Oak Ridge Boys never left their roots in Gospel music. After listening to their CD "From the Heart," I noticed a recurring theme; living for and loving the One whom first loved us, no matter how difficult the road. My favorite song was "Fall to Fly," which paralleled God's love with love of a mother eagle, and how she knows when it is time to lovingly let her baby eagle go, so it can learn to fly. The parallel being that this is why God allows us to fall or fail so that we can learn to fly and become better Christians because of the experience. It took them 3 1/2 years to complete this project. They said there were times when the tears flowed so heavy; they had to stop the recording session. The Gospel tunes in those sets, managed to accomplish their goal of recapturing the magic they once had in Gospel music. Kathy Troccoli talked about her new women's conferences, her bout with bulimia, and what it is like being single at 43. She was very honest, candid and loving. She has started her own women conferences call "An Evening for Women with Kathy Troccoli." One topic, which is covered in these conferences, is close to Kathy's hear, the world's heart, the world's view of beauty. She went through a stage of bulimia where she abused laxatives and went through a stage of anorexia where she would only eat rice cakes and green beans. She got down to 117 pounds and was still trying to lose more, only later to return to bulimia. However, after 10 years of eating disorder, she was finally set free, through counseling and prayer. Kathy adds, that one of her favorite verses, in Psalms, after being set free, says, "Those that look to Him are radiate. That is what makes us truly beautiful," she said. She goes on to say, "That our Fragrance must be Jesus, not a certain perfume we wear. but simply Jesus." Finally, she address being single, stating there are obviously certain times of the year; Thanksgiving Christmas, and birthdays that are harder to deal with than others. However, she chooses to focus on God's blessings. Because Jesus said that laying your life down for a friend is greatest love, not marriage. Therefore, until the right guy comes along, she chooses to enjoy her Godly friends and her new venues in her ministry. Next month, I will share with you what David Foster, who produced Plus One, and Nicole C. Mullen have on their minds. Carol Yvonne Sherrod is the President of the Memphis chapter of the National Association of Christian Artists and Songwriters and a member of the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission.
Are you a musician that has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and need financial assistance? Or maybe you are a singer/songwriter who has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic osteomyclitis, and you need help because you are uninsured. Under normal circumstances this would be something you would have had to handle on your own but there is someone who cares; MusiCares®. The situations just mentioned are actual cases that MusiCares® has assisted. The MusiCares® Foundation was established by the Recording Academy® in 1989 to promote wellness through emergency financial assistance, addiction recovery programs and outreach and leadership activities. NARAS® (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc.) also known as the Recording Academy was established in 1957 and is most known for the Grammy Awards is responsible for numerous groundbreaking outreach, professional development cultural enrichment, education and human service programs. However, over the
years, the music industry has evolved into an amazing worldwide network of
individuals and multinational conglomerates grossing over $50 billion a
year. Yet, the very people whose creativity and ingenuity fuel this
massive cash machine have few places to turn in times of trouble.
Furthermore, you don’t have to be a member of NARAS® to receive this
assistance; you need only to meet a few simple requirements. It is the
mission of MusiCares® to ensure that music people have a place to turn in
times of financial, medical or person crisis. Its primary purpose is to
focus the attention and resources of the musician on human service issues
that directly impact the health and welfare of music people. The heart and soul of
MusiCares® is the Emergency Financial Assistance Program, which provide
critical funds to music people struggling with financial, medical or
personal crises. This program offers financial assistance for medical
expenses including doctor, dental and hospital bills, prescription,
addiction recovery treatment, psychotherapy, treatment for HIV/AIDS,
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other critical illnesses, as well as basic
expenses such as rent and utilities. The local NARAS®
office run by Jon Hornyak puts on a MusiCares® Health Fair that offers
free Blood Pressure Screening, Cholesterol Screening, Diabetes Screening,
Hearing Test, and much more. This is all provided to help musicians do
preventive maintenance as well as to give them a jumpstart on any possible
health problems. This year’s health fair will be held the summer, for
more information call 901-525-1340. MusiCares® raises
funds through its “Person of the Year” auction/reception, dinner and
benefit concert. This year’s honoree was Paul Simon. This year
MusiCares® partnered with QVC® to expand it’s fund-raising efforts. Furthermore,
MusiCares® is also providing aging members of the music community with
comfortable, safe and dignified housing through the development of a
senior housing facility called Encore Hall. It will also give the
residents the opportunity to use their artistic skills and life experience
in the music industry to create a forum in which to teach young people
about the art of music. This will be accomplished through a series of
mentoring programs that will be done in partnership with the GRAMMY®
Foundation’s GRAMMY in the Schools Program as well as with community-based
efforts geared towards high-risk youth. The first Encore Hall being built
in Los Angeles will house approximately 160 units of independent living
and congregate care. MusiCares® is committed to providing prompt and confidential help to those in need, they provide a toll-free crisis hotline staffed by full-time social workers on call 24 hours a day days, seven days a week in Nashville at 1-877-303-6962. When you think that no one cares remember that MusiCares ® Carol Yvonne
Sherrod is the President of the Memphis chapter of the National
Association of Christian Artists and Songwriters and a member of the
Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission. When Jars of Clay came together as an unassuming "dormitory acoustic group" while attending Greenville College in Illinois during the mid-1990's, they had no idea that just a few years later, their music would bring them millions of fans, numerous awards, huge record sales and opportunities to share the stage with artists including Sting and MatchBox20. The multi-platinum success of Jars of Clay, with their 1995mainstream debut album which included the hit single "Flood," and their Grammy Award-winning 1997 sophomore disc "Much Afraid," has transported the group, once affectionately known as "Jar Boys," to the world of enormous venues, frenzied fans and critical acclaim. With their latest disc If I Left the Zoo, (for which they were recently awarded a Grammy for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album) Jars of Clay Dan Haseltine, Stephen Mason, Matt Odmark and Charlie Lowell come together with an eagerness and spontaneity that reflects both their youthful spirit the band's desire to take creative risks. If I Left the Zoo reintroduces the more playful sound captured on their first album through its collection of songs, which invites the listener to look beyond the obvious and appreciate discoveries. "We really want to challenge others to do what we've done, as individuals and as a band, and that is look inside and see what you see, but not take it too seriously," says lead vocalist Dan Haseltine. A play on the title of a Dr. Seuss book, If I Left the Zoo reflects the project's dominant lyrical theme of not allowing one to get hemmed in by one's own preconceptions. "The title kind of takes on the significance of wanting to get out of our boxes," explains keyboardist Charlie Lowell. "We are saying: what if? What if I picked a different career, what if I changed my life? What might be, if we considered all the possibilities?" "I think there's more on this record than new songs; there's a new attitude," adds guitarist Stephen Mason. "We were each taken out of our comfort zones and pushed to be more playful where we may not have been before." Lowell says, "This album is definitely a reflection of how we've grown musically as a band." This growth could definitely be seen in their Mid-South concert with Luna Halo and Jennifer Knapp. In a fast paced concert, they performed for an hour and half, which brought out parents and kids alike. No one seemed to mind the length of the concert (which was a total of three hours long including the other two acts). Parents seemed to be simply thrilled with the fact that this was a rock band that they didn't mind their children listening to because of the band's Christian influence. They had people on their feet for about an hour and a half jamming to all their previous hits, as well as their latest releases. Even though this isn't the Gospel music we grew up with, it is what is working now for young people. Furthermore, Jars appeals to more than just Christian youth. According to a Billboard review, If I Left the Zoo should appeal not only to Christian audiences (who'll appreciate the band being open about its faith) but to the mainstream, too. If they choose to accept the challenge, Jars has a long career ahead of them continuing to make a Christian music impact on the world. Carol Yvonne Sherrod is the President of the Memphis chapter of the National Association of Christian Artists and Songwriters and a member of the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission.
Mid-South Gospel Artists At The Grammies©
Finally,
The University of Mississippi Gospel Choir not only made history by being
the first college gospel choir to be signed by a major record label (Malaco
Records). They also were the first to be nominated for Grammy. Nominated
for Best Gospel Choir Or Chorus Album, choir directors Ron Briggs, Jason
Clark & Dee Thomas lead the way on their new CD Send Up The Praise. Clark,
a Mid-South native, started his professional music career at age 16, when
he served as musical director for Kevin Davidson & The Voices, produced by
the late James Moore. This led to major musical director and/or
performance credits with artists such as Yolanda Adams, Gerald Thompson,
Beverly Crawford, Music City Mass Choir, and the Mississippi Blvd.
Children's Choir. Clark's most notable accomplishment is producing The
University Of Mississippi Gospel Choir. He wrote nearly half of the songs
for Send Up the Praise. He saw potential and true love in the choir - that
the choir "wanted to spread a universal message". Based in Memphis, Clark
also has a production and management company with his partner Terrance
Lester.
The Music Commission and It's Missions©
Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana have taken the initiative to establish music commissions in their state capitals. However, Louisiana took it one step further by also setting up various local music commissions in New Orleans. The New Orleans commission focuses on the state's jazz heritage. Tennessee touts its gospel, blues and soul heritage through the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission (MSCMC). Let's look a little more closely at MSCMC, whose mission is to promote a viable, prolific music industry by building on the rich cultural heritage found here in Memphis. MSCMC currently promotes a unique health care plan for musicians, which is probably one of the first of its kind in the country. This plan assures that local artists have access to a variety of insurance programs, from emergency care to standard health care to access to a discretionary fund for final expenses. Additionally, MSCMC hosted the world premiere of the Arts and Entertainment (A&E) Biography program "Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n Roll". Phillips contributed significantly to the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis. He uncovered their raw talent and changed the face of American music forever. Finally, in June, MSCMC will host the International Black Broadcasters Association Convention. Nationwide record company executives and top programming executives will gather in Memphis for this event. Jerry Schillings, president of MSCMC, says: "We are a support system for the musicians. As a result, MSCMC has plans of forming a musicians' advisory council. This council will help to keep them informed as to the needs of our musicians to insure their growth and success. Furthermore, MSCMC plans on compiling a music industry resource guide. This guide will include names of the musicians, recording studios, music conferences, retail outlets and other components that will provide detailed information to help MSCMC understand the impact that Memphis music has on the world." To gather more information, MSCMC will hold a town hall meeting at Strings & Things on February 15, at 5:30 p.m. to hear input from musicians to better meet their needs. Jerry Schillings knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that MSCMC's efforts will not only promote Memphis music, but also music in Nashville, New Orleans, Texas and music worldwide. For up-to-date information on what's happening with MSCMC, call 901-543-5334 or visit their web site at www.memphismusic.org. Carol Yvonne Sherrod is the President of the Memphis chapter of the National Association of Christian Artists and Songwriters and a member of the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission.
In a quiet, quaint little corner, deep among various categories of books, sits a group of people reading their favorite books, sipping coffee and listening to soft inspirational Christian music in the background. This was the atmosphere at the average Christian coffee house. Well, praise the Lord, many coffee houses have changed their tunes! They now play everything from disco to rock to hip-hop for background listening. Being a Christian should be fun, too. No wonder we have such a hard time trying to get people interested in being Christians. They look at many Christian lives and see no excitement. They can find happier faces on bottles of iodine. A growing part of the Christian community, Christian clubs and coffee houses offer great ways to fellowship with other Christians, while at the same time offering a non-threatening atmosphere for the lost to hear the good news of Christ.
Recently, I checked out a few places around Memphis to see how we're
keeping up with the changing Christian atmosphere and found that we
weren't doing half-bad. Shabachs Christian Fellowship Center, located at
2124 E. Holmes Rd near Airways, has different groups performing in an
elegantly decorated establishment. They are open on the second and fourth
Friday of every month. Their mission is to provide Christians with clean,
godly fun and entertainment. There is even a bar (that provides
nonalcoholic drinks) with bartenders who are trained ministers standing by
to counsel those in need. I had a great time! The Chi
Music House located on Huff-N-Puff Rd in Lakeland has mostly Christian
rock music. They feature such artists as Broomtree, Polarboy, Skillet and
Waterdeep. This is definitely a place where high school students and
college age kids can take their unsaved friends and witness to them. The Soul
Factory located at 704B N. Highland is described as a bumpin' hip-hop/rap
club. Most of the kids come here from various churches with their youth
pastors from various inner city neighborhoods. However, it is open to
anyone. They meet once a month and have a real heart for reaching inner
city youth for Jesus with their style of music. Once when they gave an
alter call, out of a hundred or so youths, 30 came forward to receive
Christ. Finally,
we have Obadiah's Café located inside of Strings & Things at 1553
Madison. The word Obadiah means "servant or worshiper of the Lord," as
stated in 1 Kings 18:1-16. They are a bit closer to the traditional
coffee house. If you are looking for a place to have a meeting or do some
reading, listen to some great Christian music and have great coffee and
desserts, this is the place for you. By the way, it's the only coffee
house where you can also check out the stores in the Strings & Things
mall. There's not a "right or wrong" way to have Christian entertainment, because God gives different people different visions. The ultimate goal is to ensure that there are a variety of Christian outlets that provide a place for believers to fellowship outside of church and lead nonbelievers (some of who may never step foot in a church) to the Lord. Carol Yvonne Sherrod is the President of the Memphis chapter of the National Association of Christian Artists and Songwriters and a member of the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission.
|
|||||
| © 2000 - 2003 Sherrod Ministries All Rights Reserved. privacy policy site map help | |||||
™
