Gospel Music News!
1. The Rance Allen Group has a new CD in stores May 22nd~Tyscot Records
2. Aretha Franklin is hosting her third annual gospel revival in Detroit June 14-16~The Detroit News
3. Mahalia Jackson’s life is being brought to the big screen~Story
4. Conferences:
     Xtreme Takeover Youth Conference-June 28-July 1- Memphis, TN
     Heart to Heart Marriage Conference-June 13-15 2007-Woodbridge, VA
     Kingdom Conference and Fellowship Convocation-July 11-14, 2007-Baltimore, MA
5. Check out the latest CD from Melvin Williams of The Williams Brothers. More information can be found on his website and myspace page.
ways that is simply mind-blowing.
  
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Increase Your Knowledge of Urban Gospel Music Chords
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HearandPlay.com has just released their latest GospelKeys Urban Pro 600 DVD course! Visit the website to see video clips and audio samples of what the course will teach you. With this new “Urban Gospel” course you’ll be able to…
* Implement a host of simple tricks that are guaranteed to instantly add that well-known west coast flavor to your playing (like Jason White and Mike Burrell).
* Beef up your playing drastically by adding these small little grace notes, slides, and fill-ins to your chord transitions. Jon utilizes this trick at least 80% of the time and he spills the beans on exactly what to do to “own” it.
* How to master the art of passing chords so that your chord progressions and songs never sound dull or “predictable.” As you’ll learn in the course, the goal is to be “unpredictable.” That’s when you know you’ve arrived.
* Learn the ways of the west coast and how to contemporize your playing by using countless numbers of “stupid ” chords, movements, and accidentals! (Note: Please don’t be offended. This is real terminology in the gospel musician community).
* How to play tons of opened and closed chords and how to use them at the right time.
… And much much more!
It is hard to find valuable resources for gospel musicians! If you’re truly serious about learning the urban style of gospel music, this could very well be what you’ve been looking for! Visit Hear and Play today to take your skills to another level!
Notes From My Church-Still Standing!
PLACE:Lakewood Church-Houston, Tx
Joel Osteen, Pastor
DATE: Saturday, May 12, 2007
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
THE MUSIC:
The front worship team consisted of Cindy Cruse Ratcliff, Israel Houghton, Da’dra Greathouse, and Steve Crawford. Worship started with Kirk Franklin’s “He Reigns”, Lakewood’s “Free For All”, and Israel’s “I’m Still Standing”. The very, very popular “I’m Still Standing” is on Israel and New Breed’s Live in South Africa CD. I think this song is so popular because everyone can relate to the lyrics. We can all relate to being able to still stand after all the challenges of life. I will post the lyrics so you can sing along with your CD. 
You gave me courage to believe,
That all Your goodness I would see,
And if it had not been for You,
Standing on my side where would I be.
[Chorus]
If not for Your goodness,
If not for Your grace,
I don’t know where I would be today.
If not for Your kindness,
I never could say,
I’m still standing.
If not for Your mercy,
If not for Your love,
I most likely would have given up.
If not for Your favor,
I never could say,
I’m still standing,
But by the grace of God.
[Verse Two]
To You I lift my offering,
And set my heart on higher things,
‘Cause if it had not been for You,
Standing on my side where would I be.
Next up was Hillsong’s “The Stand” and “None But Jesus”. I love the part on “The Stand” that says, “with arms high and heart abandoned/in awe of the One who gave it all/so I’ll stand/my soul Lord to You surrendered/all I am is Yours”. It was an awesome sight to look around and see the uplifted hands of thousands of people worshipping God. Worship ended with Israel’s “Friend of God” and “Friend”. Brother and sister team Steve and Da’adra led “Friend”, which is on Israel’s new CD entitled Freedom.
THE MESSAGE:
Scripture Reference: Psalm 9:12, James 4:14
Subject: Making Every Day A Masterpiece
Sermon Synopsis:
Pastor Joel spoke this week on making each day a masterpiece. He said that every day is a gift from God and we should slow down and appreciate it. So many people live in the past or too far in the future. We should let each day be a new beginning and let go of yesterday and enjoy the gift of the present.
To get the most of each day, be where you are. There is power in staying in the moment. Enjoy each part of your day. Make a decision to enjoy each aspect of your everyday life, not just the vacations. Pastor Joel said that we should not put off enjoying our lives, because we may not be here tomorrow. When you get up in the morning thank God for the simple things. Discipline yourself to find something to be grateful for. Read more
Gospel Music News!
1. Don’t forget to get Integrity Gospel’s newest release from Israel Houghton and New Breed. The title is “Sound of the New Breed - Freedom”, and you will not be disappointed!
2. TV One is launching a broadband channel which will feature a Gospel Music channel.~Story Here
3. The hard working Vickie Winans has her own record label. The name of it is Destiny Joy Records and it will be distributed through Central South Distribution in Nashville.~Story
4. CeCe Winans has her 3rd Annual Always Sisters Conference coming up. It will be held July 27-28 in Nashville, TN and will feature Kierra “KiKi” Sheard, Joann Rosario and Donnie McClurkin.~Link
5. Other Conferences:
I Hear Music in The Air-May 18-20, Cincinnati, OH
Women Of Wisdom-May 25-26, Houston, Tx
6. Gospel Music is alive and well in Ghana, Africa! ~Story & Story
