Music Notes: New Music from Claude Deuce & Coko
July 14, 2009 – Check Out the New Albums from Artists Coko Clemons and Claude Deuce
Coko’s album ‘The Winner in Me’ is her second one, and it is released by Light Records. The album is refreshing, diversified in sound and upbeat, definitely making it’s mark in the the gospel arena. I especially like "Make a Way" featuring Canton Jones which has an urban-rock-soul, even "reggae-ish" feel, weaved with gospel. Other artists featured on the album include Kelly Price, who sings on the R&B-esque track "Oh Mary," empowering young women, and Israel Houghton on "Joy Of The Lord." Coko is the former lead singer of the platinum recording R&B trio Sisters With Voices. Be sure to check out the album and order it online on Itunes or Amazon. Visit Coko online at www.myspace.com/cokoclemons.
Claude Deuce’s debut album, ‘Claude Deuce, The Young Elder’, releases on Livin’ It Productions and showcases his versatility in music. He calls his style “an urban hymnal…Reality & Beats–my R&B,” and his music caters to everyone from the young to the “elders” with relevance and a unique flavor. Songs like "4 Who U R, " have an old-school feel with contemporary gospel vibrancy. Claude is a licensed Elder in the Church of God In Christ and serves as Minister of Music at New Life Worship Center in Augusta Ga. He’s is a writer and producer who has worked with artists like Deitrick Haddon, Canton Jones, Izzy, Tonex, Sean Simmonds and more. Defintely check out his album which you can purchase on Amazon, and visit Claude at www.myspace.com/claudedeuce.
Writing & Revealing His Glory: The Story Behind Revelation Song
It’s awesome to see the process and inspiration of songwriters and what inspired them in the creation of their music. The worship song "Revelation Song," written by Jennie Lee Riddle, beautifully and lyrically displays the splendor and glory of God, and it’s sung in many churches and by various artists.
Kari Jobe sings Revelation Song on her album "Kari Jobe," and describes the song as "all about His glory" and a "foretaste of what we’ll sing in Heaven." In interviews she says she thinks it’s "God’s favorite song," for her to sing because every time she does God’s presence is "brand new and anointed."
Last month Kari Jobe lead worship at my church, and as the song was sung not a dry eye was in the place as hands were raised all around by people of every age and every color. Here’s a video of her singing it at another church:
Integrity Music recently put up this video of the writer, Jennie Lee Riddle, and recording artists, Kari Jobe, and Phillips, Craig & Dean (who sang the song as the single of their upcoming album "Fearless") discussing what "Revelation Song" means to them, and how it came into fruition. (Update: Phillips, Craig and Dean’s version of “Revelation Song” recently peaked at #1 on the Billboard’s Hot Christian AC.)
"…We needed a sight of Jesus, we needed somebody so much bigger than ourselves to lift our eyes up off of our daily, and off of the rubble and off of the worry, and magnify Him… To get to see Her, every generation, denomination, every nationality singing to Him, and just enjoying His beauty and His holiness, and Him wrapping Her up as one, it’s just overwhelming and humbling. " – Jennie Riddle
In an article she wrote, Jennie Riddle says she "asked the Holy Spirit to help me write a song that painted Him; a song that the angels and creation were already singing, so that we could join in with One Voice, as One Bride, to One King." She says the verses Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 4 were her inspiration:
“And then, as they stood with folded wings, there was a voice from above the dome over their heads. Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day—that’s what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God! (Message)
Growing into Your Calling: Part 2 of Interview with Dr. Naima Johnston
In Part 1 of the interview, Dr. Naima Johnston introduced herself and her passion to share her past mistakes in ministry to help aspiring artists. In Part 2 she shares how she overcame many obstacles to respond to her call to sing, and gives even more advice on finding your calling. Her new book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth of their ministries. If you missed it click here to read Part 1 of the interview.
Dream in Soul: How do you think someone knows what their ministry calling is? How do you know if you are called to sing?
Dr. Johnston: I think that we have to pursue our healthy passion. What’s that thing that you’ve always wanted to do? What’s that problem you’ve always wanted to fix? What’s that thing that’s a burden to your soul? I think you take that and begin to pursue that passion or try to fix that problem, or work to relieve that burden.
Sometimes I think we make the call of God so deep and difficult. Like it’s this elusive thing we can’t seem to get a grip on. But I think deep down most of us know what we’re called to do, it’s implanted in us before we are born. We just need to know how the Lord would have us to live out that call. Some folks have a true burden for missions work, then it gets specific, to a particular country and they go. Some people wind up living their entire life on the mission field, some go once a year. Some folks are called to full time music ministry to travel and share with others, some are called to stay in the local church and lead worship.
Prayer… lots of prayer about the thing that you are most passionate about and then start walking in that. I truly believe if you go forward with a sincere heart and an open ear, God will correct if you’re off course.
DS: How should Christian artists regard their craft, and how do they stay focused on the task of ministry vs. industry?
Dr. Johnston: Wow, I just wrote a whole blog about that at www.naimajohnston.blogspot.com called Chasing The Dream. I had just finished reading, “No Compromise, The Keith Green Story.” That book impacted me greatly. Keith Green was one of the founding fathers of Contemporary Christian music, he died in a plane crash when he was only 28 years old. I recommend all music ministers and Christian Recording Artists read this book. He walked away from the industry when he was it’s biggest star to focus his music on a more ministry minded level – the fruit has been huge. Thousands of people have had their lives changed because of his ministry. And that’s a question artists need to ask themselves – are you doing this because you want to sing or are you doing this because you want to change lives?
If you’re doing it to change lives you’ll accept and be content with wherever the Lord leads you. We can’t all be CeCe Winans and Fred Hammond. But that does not mean our ministries are not as important or as needed. You have to do what you the Lord calls you to do, be faithful there and be happy with where He takes you.
As I get older and more mature in the Lord, industry becomes less important and ministry becomes the most important thing. People are dying and going to hell, that’s why God gave you the gift He gave you. And the saints need to be encouraged as well, and music ministry or “Christian Entertainment” plays a big role in that as well. It’s a fine line and you have to learn to walk it. Artists have to ask themselves, where is the fruit? I know the Lord told me I was going to sing to nations, and in my mind, I had a very specific idea about what that meant. Recently I learned that people were downloading my music in Japan. I’m about to send off a box of donated CDs to a ministry work in the Philippines – seems to me that’s singing to the nations. I may never be well known on earth but I’m living my dream and sharing the love of Christ with as many people as I can.
As for craft, I believe that all artists should “perfect” their craft. You should take voice lessons and study your instruments, you should practice daily and you should read books about songwriting and attend conferences, lectures and workshops. And you should find a mentor if you don’t have one. You’ve also got to practice the craft of being a Christian, prayer, church, the word! When the anointing meets a prepared vessel – watch out now!!!
DS: Do you have a favorite Bible Scripture that is your mantra, or that sustains you in difficult times?
Dr. Johnston: That changes depending on where I am at the moment, but right now it’s Psalm 32 Verse 8: :
And now with the recession and people afraid to walk into fulltime ministry I really love Psalm 37, especially verse 19: They will survive through hard times even in famine they will have more then enough!
DS: You’ve been through so much in the past few years. How have you been able to overcome it all, and what advice do you give to others to overcome their obstacles to follow their God-given dreams?
Video – Group 1 Crew: Ordinary Dreamers Movin’ to a Soulful Beat
Rising high in their passion for God and following a heavenly beat, Group 1 Crew inspires generations to live and dream for the Kingdom. "Movin’" is a track from their latest album "Ordinary Dreamers," that won the 2009 Dove Award Winner for Best Rap Hip Hop Album. The song is motivating and upbeat, and the video is just as energetic:
"On your mark, get set, here we go
Time to make your future unfold
And put aside what’s killing your growth
You know what’s best for ya so let’s go
Holla back if you really feel me
Holla back now if you are with me,
No time to waste the clock is tickin’
Enough wishin the walls out of commission, ain’t no superstition
No need to make your own prediction
Your destiny is in your possession
How bad you want it is the question …"
– Group 1 Crew From "Movin’"
Check out these interviews with the members of Group 1 Crew below about their vision, advice for inspiring young artists, and defining moments:
Manwell on what G1C is trying to do for this generation:
"When you put on our pair of sunglasses which is Group 1, you just get a different facet of who God is… Our whole goal is to get people to stop, to look and to fall in love like we did." – Manwell
Blanca gives advice to young artists starting out:
"Stay focused and know that it takes alot of hard work… Know that God knows what’s best for you and He has everything under control, and at the right moment at the right time He will open that right door…" – Blanca
Pablo on a defining moment in his walk with God:
"I developed a passion to want to know just how just God speaks, how Christ walks… I just fell in love with this God and our Savior…" – Pablo
Interview Courtesy of Vimeo and Music Compass.
"…God gave us a new dream that was birth in the idea that our dreams truly are for other peoples dreams to come true. If group 1 sells millions of records and wins a bunch of awards but doesn’t inspire a single person to dream for themselves, then our music meant nothing! Our dream is your dream!!! Success is never fulfilling unless you have someone to share it with…" Manwell in an interview with StereoTruth.net
Connect with Group 1 Crew and share your own dreams with them on their official website, www.group1crew.com and on Myspace at www.myspace.com/groupone.
Group One Crew Bio (From Website)
A self-professed entertainer, a pop diva, and a bona fide producer: that’s the makeup of breakout urban sensation Group 1 Crew, three everyday Latinos who rose above their circumstances and the middle-of the-road to become one of the most exciting aggregates in faith-based music.
Ordinary Dreamers, the trio’s anticipated second album for Fervent Records, shatters any and all preconceptions created by their out-of-the-box, Dove-winning debut, Group 1 Crew, to position itself as one of the most unordinary offerings of the moment—an amalgam of rhythm and rhyme that takes the best of urban pop and hip-hop and turns them upside down.
Called to Sing: Interview with Author and Singer Dr. Naima Johnston, Part 1
Dr. Naima Johnston shares how she overcame many obstacles to respond to her call to sing. Her new book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth of their ministries.
Attempted suicide at 14. Sexually assaulted as a teenager. Told she wasn’t good enough to sing at 18. Struggled with eating disorders in college. Abused by live in boyfriend at 22. Saved by grace at 24. Broken-hearted and desolate at 30.
These are some of the tribulations that Dr. Naima Johnston faced throughout her life. In her early 30s, after she left her position as the Associate Director of Student Life at Wright State University to pursue a career in Christian music, she found herself confused, financially bankrupt, emotionally drained, and doubting the calling of God.
After a serious year of reflection, soul searching and surrender, Dr. Johnston decided to rebuild her ministry with great enthusiasm and faith. Today she is a full-time minister and recording artist, and is free by the love of Christ. She shares her experiences in her book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry. Geared towards independent Christian artists and those contemplating a career in Christian music, this book addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth and development of their ministries.
As a minister, Christian recording artist and the CEO of Broken Box Ministries, Dr. Johnston uses her extensive personal experience as a “failure” to assist others who are building a music ministry. Here’s what she had to share with Dream in Soul and aspiring artists about following your call to sing:
Dream in Soul: How did you begin in Christian music, and how would you describe your style of music?
Dr. Johnston: I always wanted to be a singer, from the time I was a little girl. But as I got older I was discouraged from pursuing that dream. Not by my parents, they were always great. But professionals and music teachers and I never thought I was good enough. I went to college and dropped out of the music program because I had several teachers who were not very supportive. I began to pursue a career in Higher Education Administration, I thought if I can’t sing I’ll be a university president! But God had other plans. One of my best friends got married in Jamaica and I was sitting on the beach studying for exams since I was working on my PhD at the time, I told the Lord, this is really not what I want to do. And He spoke back and said, “Good, cause this is not what I called you to do!” So I spent the next two years trying to figure out how to launch in Christian music ministry and wow, what a journey it’s been! I left my job two years after that with no clue as to what I was doing!
My musical style is really interesting. My ministry team and I finally came up with a name for it. We call it “Urbs-spirational Worship.” The best way to describe it would be if Nicole Nordeman and CeCe Winans were sisters and Martha Munizzi was their cousin, I’d be the middle child!
DS: Why did you decide to write this book, and what do you hope readers take from it?
Dr. Johnston: Artists and music ministers would always ask me how I got started in music ministry and how could I afford to do it fulltime. So many people were sending me emails and calling and wanted to spend hours talking about their music ministries and how to launch. I loved being a resource but it was taking up so much time… I had made so many mistakes when I started in music ministry, so many costly mistakes. I wanted to share my testimony so that others wouldn’t make those mistakes. My hope is that readers will avoid those mistakes and save themselves tons of heartache, financial loss and spiritual depression.
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