Kurt Carr-Just The Beginning
BlackGospel.com has a very interesting interview with award-winning Gospel music artist Kurt Carr that gives a great inside look into his world. In the interview Carr talks about his start in Gospel music and the big influence that Rev. James Cleveland had on his career.
I remember having lunch in the early/mid 80s. It was in New York City at Madison Square Garden. I was having lunch with a Pastor and singer, Richard “Mr Clean” White . In walks Rev. James Cleveland right into the restaurant and he sits down at the table with us. Rev. Cleveland and Pastor White were really great friends. I had never met Reverend Cleveland before this moment. My group travelled to the GMWA convention for years, hoping Rev. Cleveland would discover us and every time, he was never there to see our set. And it just so happened this year, the convention was in New York, and I’m from Connecticut so it was right up the street. This particular year, I did not bring the group or anything. I just waited for a couple of days to pass, join the workshop and then head right back home because I had to be at choir rehearsal.
That afternoon, I met Reverend Cleveland. We sat at the table with ‘Mr. Clean’ and we talked for hours. Mr. Clean said to Rev. Cleveland, “He’s a great musician. You should hear him play.” That afternoon, we had a youth service. Rev. Cleveland said “Come on. Join the youth service with us”. So I walked over to the convention center. Mr. Clean shoved me over to the organ. Rev. Cleveland said, “You know we want to hear you play.” So of course, when the King of Gospel asks you to play, you play (laughter). Little did I know that he needed a director at that time and Calvin Bernard Rhone had given his letter of resignation as the Music Director because he started a new church ministry.
I really enjoyed the part of the interview where he spoke about 89 year old Narcissus Hinton Brown. She was the star soloist of his first church and had never been recorded. With the prompting of God he put her on the Just The Beginning CD and took her to the White House to sing for President Bush for a concert celebrating Gospel music. Be sure to read the article to get her reaction to Kurt’s kindness.
Sunday Gospel!-Kurt Carr-Almost Let Go
You Sang It!!-Kurt Carr-Almost Let Go
Watch the real deal with Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers .
Learn to Play All your Favorite Christmas Songs by this Holiday Season!
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Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers Release “The Beginning” on October 28th
New York, NY (BlackNews.com) - Internationally renowned and celebrated, Kurt Carr is one of the brightest jewels in the crown of Gospel music. He has penned numerous #1 songs, including the ubiquitous "In the Sanctuary" - which has been translated into nine different languages, re-recorded by 20 different acts and is a Sunday morning favorite at churches around the globe. Since his 2005 release One Church, Carr has helmed numerous projects including I Never Lost My Praise, the critically acclaimed "comeback" CD for the legendary Tramaine Hawkins; and Bishop Paul Morton’s powerful "Still Standing." On October 28, with the release of his 7th CD JUST THE BEGINNING, Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr singers reunite to deliver a powerful opus of good ‘ole church music with Carr’s trademark cross-generational, cross-cultural appeal.
"The last album was a thematic album; it was a stretch," says Carr. "We had bagpipes, accordion–sounds that have never been associated with Gospel music," Carr says. "The songs on Just The Beginning are very singer-friendly, very congregational. This time, I’m going back to my roots."
JUST THE BEGINNING offers Carr’s unique brand of Sunday-morning liturgies and soaring choir-friendly melodies. The first single "Peace & Favor Rest On Us" is a clarion call that points listeners to the essence of life in Christ. The song is destined to be an enduring classic. Another high energy track is "Don’t Let Your Light Go Out," which is preceded by a musical treat from 89-year-old Narcissus Hinton-Brown, a traditional soloist from Carr’s hometown in Hartford, Connecticut and one of his mentors. "As a kid, she was a star soloist at my church," says Carr. I didn’t start going to church until I was 15 and God used people like Narcissus to inspire me in my musical journey. I just always wanted to do something special for her because she never received great national acclaim, yet she remained steadfast and faithful to her calling.
"I feel like this CD is for people like Narcissus because people need to be reminded that age nor circumstance matter when it comes to God’s blessings. God also touched my heart to take her to the White House, and she tore that place up! So no one should ever stop believing God has great things in store for them."
"Psalm 23 — I Don’t Have To Want For Anything" features Kurt Carr and the dynamic vocals of contemporary christian vocal group Avalon. It is a pure praise and worship song that musically interprets one of the most well known scriptures in the bible. "Right Time, Right Place" is at once rousing and reassuring and beautifully demonstrates Carr’s penchant for complex, neo-classical arrangements, while "Spiritual Makeover Extreme" is powerful with its never ending hook declaring ‘I don’t look like what I’ve been through.’
"This CD represents the beginnings of many new horizons for me," says Carr. "New adventures, new business relationships, I’m excited about what the Lord has in store.
"More importantly, God has called me to preserve and perpetuate the music of the church so that there’s substance to feed seasoned saints, and new converts once we catch them. That summarizes my calling, and these songs are those that God has given for such a time as this."
For Bookings Contact:
Kurt Carr Ministries - 281-835-5731
For More Information, Contact Zomba Gospel Publicity:
Kymberlee Norsworthy/212-833-6640/Kymberlee.Norsworthy@sonybmg.com
Jamie Clark/212-833-6649/Jamie.Clark@zomba.com
Learn to Play All your Favorite Christmas Songs by this Holiday Season!
