Review: The King’s Men Tour Houston Edition

The King’s Men Tour concert in Houston’s Arena Theater was simply amazing!

I had been anticipating the September 27th concert date for quite some time and I was not disappointed! The arena was packed with excited concert goers and anticipation filled the air.

The King’s Men–comprised of Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin and Israel Houghton--put on a spirit filled show that will be remembered for some time to come.

A lot of Houston’s gospel music artists came out to support. Spotted in the audience was James Fortune and his Cheryl, V. Michael McKay, The Walls Group (they’re so cute!), Kurt Carr, Brian Courtney Wilson and Shawn McLemore.

The show started with Houston’s own Kathy Taylor and The Windsor Village Choir singing the popular song, “Oh, How Precious.” After showing Isaac Carree’s video for the hit song “In The Middle” and a warm up from a local youth pastor, it was finally time to see The King’s Men.

Things kicked off with a skit on video of Israel, Donnie, and Marvin as the Men In Black. They looked pretty dapper!! The skit included Kirk Franklin playing himself and a very funny character who promised to take the King’s Men career to another level. Funny stuff!!

The next three and a half hours was full of laughter, praising, dancing and off the chart singing! All of The King’s Men have deep music catalogs and that made for a night full of old and current hits that the audience seemed to know every note and lyric of.

Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin did a great job of directing the flow of the concert. Where does he get all that energy from?!! He doesn’t sing, but you don’t miss it one bit. He really is larger than life. And he’s a great dancer!

I was really, really looking forward to hearing him sing his latest single, “I Smile.” It was getting close to the end of the show and he still hadn’t sung it and I was starting to get a little worried. But I guess he saved the best for last. The crowd erupted when they heard the opening strains to the popular hit. As my family and I were singing along, I looked up and Kirk was standing in a chair right in front of us singing and dancing!! How cool!!

The King’s Men: Israel Houghton

Israel Houghton, who is worship leader at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, opened up his set talking about the struggles his mom had early in her life and his growing up bi-racial. He sung many of his hits old and new–in particular I loved the beautiful”I Am Not Forgotten” from the  Alive In South Africa album. Another favorite with the audience was “It’s Not Over (When God Is In It).”

Donnie McClurkin Sings I Call You Faithful

Donnie McClurkin, who I think is the oldest of the King’s Men, was the life of the party!! There was an older woman sitting next to me who was sitting the entire time. But when Donnie McClurkin came up for his set she was up on her feet!  Donnie McClurkin connects with everyone, old and young, because his music is so well known. I know “We Fall Down” is a favorite Donnie McClurkin song, but I loved when he sang “I Call You Faithful” and “How Great Thou Art.” So awesome to worship with other Christians during these songs!

Marvin Sapp Sings Popular Hits

Marvin Sapp’s set included video of his late wife MaLinda and his children. To hear him sing “My Testimony” during the video montage was almost too much to bear. I’m sure him having to go through his grieving process so publicly has been hard, but I’m sure it has helped many people to see that they can make it too. He sung the hit “He Saw The Best” during the end of his set and the audience loved it.

Support The King’s Men!!

Please support The King’s Men Tour when it comes to your city! You will not be disappointed. My kiddies, who really should have been at home preparing for school the next day, had a great time. They enjoyed the antics of Kirk Franklin and the banging music. My oldest kiddie absolutely loved when Kirk Franklin pulled a little boy out of the audience to dance with him. Priceless!!

A big thanks to Live Nation for taking a chance with a Gospel music tour of this magnitude. It was awesome and Houston thanks you.

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