Why was the North Carolina Gospel Announcer’s Guild established and what is its purpose? The NC Guild is affiliated with the Gospel Music Workshop of America (“GMWA”), an organization that was founded by the late James Cleveland. About 20 years ago, the national guild found that the organization was increasing and decided to form affiliates across the country. I was appointed to lead the NC Guild. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization which establishes new artists and radio announcers. We educate them about the industry as a whole. The artists need to understand the various components of the industry from how to get radio play, production, marketing and many other aspects. The radio announcers learn how to run a radio station, how to start a radio station and programming. We are considered one of the largest affiliates in the country and we attract artist nationwide. I noticed on the website that there are no affiliates in South Carolina. Are there any plans for this in the future? We are a part of NC, SC, and Virgina. These states are in the original bylaws. Years ago we just started saying the NC Guild. Currently we have liaisons in SC, beginning last year with Bro. Leroy Harper and Pastor Dixon out of Charleston to head up the SC area. We plan to establish others in the Florence, Spartanburg, Greenville areas as well. We have a target date for a SC meeting in June 28 for our first meeting. Talk to us about the upcoming conference and what is that thing that will be released by the Spirit of God in this conference that will make it different from the other conferences? The key word is released by the spirit of God. We always operate and are led by the spirit of God. We can plan, but we are subject to the spirit of God. This is like a week of revival. God moves in the midst and have His way in the convention. Even though people may be ministering there is still the educational component, so that the people will know the different industry trends. Even though we are saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, we must have knowledge when we approach people in the industry to discuss charts, media based, recurrence on the charts, etc. These are the different topics for classes during the week You must be full of knowledge at the same time. During the nightly services, we have groups that are coming in to minister to let people see what they have to offer to the Body of Christ. We pray, fast, anoint the location and seek God’s face concerning this move before it starts. Do you foresee a change in the gospel sound? I don’t ever think that Gospel Music will change. I think that it always come back around. Take Tommy Dorsey for instance, who wrote Precious Lord, who was not a gospel singer. He was a blues and jazz artist in the nightclubs. When he lost his wife and unborn child, he was overwhelmed and wrote “Precious Lord”. That came from what he was going through in his life at that time and now everybody is singing the song. Edwin Hawkins wrote “Oh Happy Day”, was considered too contemporary in its day, now is a traditional piece. Then the Winans came in 1983 with “The Question Is” continuing to introduce the contemporary sound. A lot of people critique Gospel Rap and do not understand the education of Gospel Rap. Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes, who is over eighty years, is one of the oldest Gospel Rappers in the world. To this day, she still continues to rap. For those who do not understand music, they continue criticize Gospel Rap, especially church people. With over 31 years in the industry listening to various types of gospel music from Bluegrass to Southern Gospel, my job is to understand that gospel music does not get old. It just comes back around again and people think that there has been a change. God is using Gospel Rap to reach a younger generation that those who are in church with traditional cannot reach or understand. I interviewed a young man from Florence, SC, who has a group called Mikey Mike, who came from the streets. He will be performing on Wednesday night at the conference. One thing that I have noticed on his Facebook page is that his brothers who are still in the street are coming to support him. Imagine all of those guys who are out in the world, in that church on Wednesday night listening to Mike minister about Jesus. Can you imagine how many will be saved through the ministry of that one young man? Give us some insight concerning the sound and the purity of what God is releasing in the atmosphere? God is raising up young people now who are not worried about the charts. These are the ones who are not concerned about industry as to where they are on the charts, but they are anointed. They are not worried about popularity. They are rooted and grounded in Christ and know that they are doing this for Christ. They are really seeking God’s face. They are doing it because God has put a charge in their life for such a time as this. I tell the artists that are coming to the conference that if you are coming to be a star, you are coming to the wrong place. It important that we remember that we live for Christ. I tell radio announcers that their job is crucial, that they are not just on the air playing music. You are releasing something in the atmosphere. If you are not living saved as a radio announcer, what are you releasing into the atmosphere? Are you betraying Jesus? Even the promoters. If you are representing Christ, being a fraudulent in your activities, you are releasing deadly and dangerous spirits into the atmosphere. You will pay for your actions because you are misleading people. Imagine what God will really do if we would practice what we are preaching and singing. Talk to us about worship. Worship is one of the most important parts of your life and not just in church. Worship before you even get to the church. Worship when you are at home meditating and on your face. Worship takes you to a place that man cannot get you out of which prepares you for miracles, and even for what the devil will try to do you tomorrow. If you put your worship in before time, you are armed and ready prepared to go to war. Don’t wait to worship Him after the danger comes, worship beforehand. In church, you need praise and worship leaders that are powerful and anointed. They have to fast and pray just like the Pastor. When you go into praise and continued on page 12 DEVINE GLORY MAGAZINE 7 DEVINE GLORY MAGAZINE 7
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