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.
