Praise Collection CONTEST WINNERS

I would first like to say that I am a lover of gospel music. As long as the story of my Lord is being told, I love to hear and sing it! I recently attended Youth Fest 2006 for the Texico conference in Corralles, NM. I live only 30 minutes from where they held the event, so I was able to attend and I am soooo blessed to have experienced Take 6 in concert on February 18th, 2006.

You may not realize it but hardly any gospel singers perform in Albuquerque, NM, let alone Corralles. So not only was I shocked, I was ecstatic when I heard that Take 6, some of the best vocalists ever were coming. Then I was mad because I was telling the whole world about it (well people here in NM) and nobody knew who they were. I was speechless! Nevertheless the concert was great but way too short. They had to fly out soon after so I don't think we even got an hour. Still, it was the best experience and a wonderful addition to my spiritual life. It was like a jumpstart for me.

I remember seeing Take 6 live when I was younger.  And let me tell you, they had me thinking I could go right home and “blow”. I figured if they could sound so good without any instrumentation that, hey, I could do the same. So I got a few guys together even got a name and we started doing our thing. The only problem was I was the worst singer in the group and they wanted to kick me out. Can you believe it, the group I started wanted to kick me out, but they couldn’t because it was my group, and I was going to sing O Mary Don’t You Weep, even if I had to die doing it.

Well, needless to say…I never got my chance to sing a cappella but I did get the opportunity to meet the guys of Take 6 and express how awesome I thought they are. Where I live now, we don’t get the opportunity to see many of the Gospel greats, but thank God for BET, TBN, and BlackGospel.com.  It keeps me in the know. But I have heard that Kirk Franklin and Mary, Mary are coming to Kansas City, which is about 4 hours from me and I hope to attend…and you never know, maybe they’ll inspire me to start another group.  However this time, it will be a group of observers.

Most memorable performance was of Kirk Franklin. Although I’ve witnessed him before at concerts, this one was extremely special.  It was held at the Paramount Kings Dominion Amusement Park in Doswell, VA.  That day, it was Deaf Awareness Day.  I have a deaf son. That was the first time my son, myself and the deaf ministry from our church was able to Praise together, and enjoy a Live Concert together because it was interpreted for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired. We hand-signed all of Kirk’s songs and sang (in voice and sign language) together.  What an awesome and unforgettable time in the Lord we had!  God Bless You and Thank You!

I remember the most memorable moment was in 2005 in Bennettesville, SC, where it was Slim and the Supreme Angels, the Canton Spirituals, Keith Wonderboy Johnson, and a few other groups.  I was in the first row when Harvey Watkins Jr. begin singing the song "I'll be Alright" featuring Paul Porter of the Christianaires. As soon as he began, I know I wouldn't be able to hold myself.  That is one of my favorite songs.  As he got toward the end of the song Harvey Watkins Jr. and Paul Porter began their ministry of healing and being delivered. 

As he (Paul) began talking about how he was healed from his aneurism, I began thinking of how the doctor told me that I had cancer.  As he was testifying, I slowly walked toward him and I asked him to pray for me and I told him about the cancer and as he prayed, I also prayed like I have never prayed before. I asked God to heal my body and my soul.  After that night, I had a new outlook on life like never before.  After the program, two weeks later, I went to the doctor and I was told that the cancer was gone.  I have never shouted and praised God like I did in that doctor's office.  That is the most memorable moment I have had at a concert.

The most memorable concert I’ve attended has to be in 2003 featuring Donnie McClurkin.  It was at the Bethel Institutional Baptist Church in Jacksonville Florida.  I remember it because he not only did songs from his album, Live in London, but also did songs that he grew up on in the Church of God in Christ.  His diverse range and collection of songs separate him from most artists.  It was not only a concert, but a true worship experience!

I witnessed Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir at Bibleway Church in Washington, DC and I have been in love ever since. I am not a big fan of Monique Walker's nasal sounding voice.  But the way she ministered "Second Chance" was so convincing and sincere that my heart screamed so loud and passionately but no one heard it but God. God moved in that place. I have never experienced anything like it. Hez is my favorite.  

My most memorable gospel concert performance was while I was attending the Hero tour concert in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at the Palace Theatre in Downtown Cleveland.  The concert was most memorable for many reasons. The first was because my husband and I had just celebrated our 6th year wedding anniversary on Sunday, Feb. 26th and had not had the opportunity in a long time to go out on a date!  We are both huge supporters of Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary's ministries and the thought of not being able to attend the concert on it's first night was discouraging.... but Bless God, my sister-in-law surprised us with fifth row tickets to attend the concert! 

This night was awesome!  To witness the ministry in music and dance was so wonderful and to see God's people...all ages and races celebrating and enjoying the ministry together was fantastic... but in the middle of the song Keep Your Head To The Sky off of Kirk's Hero project, he took a break to share that he and his wife had just celebrated ten years of marriage.  Well of course that was right up our alley to celebrate marriage.  But to top it all off Kirk said, “If you're not ashamed and if you're not too deep, men, I want you to grab your wife by the hand, take her in the aisle and dance with her just to let everybody know how much you love her." 

Well, needless to say, my husband of 6 years grabbed my hand and whisked me into the aisle where we along with hundreds of other married couples celebrated the beauty of our union.  I will always remember that night because not only did it minister to me individually, but it allowed my husband and I time to connect and celebrate the blessing of our 6 years.

I thought I'd tell you about a concert even if I don't get chosen to receive the series of music.  I am a member of Victorious Believers Ministries Church of God in Christ where the pastor is Bishop Marvin C. Pryor (Chief Praiser of the House). Dorinda Clark-Cole came to our church about two years ago and did an awesome concert at absolutely no charge to the audience.  I must say that God moved in an awesome way and we brought in the New Year with dancing, shouting and praising God in the highest. 

I also attended a concert where Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams performed at the Saginaw Civic Center.  Let me tell you something....God moved and tears were falling, people accepted Christ and no one wanted to go home.  Then there was the Winans family concert at the Fox Theatre in Detroit....AWESOME!  Although this may not win me anything thanks for the time to share.

I don’t get to go to concerts often but the last concert I went to highlighted Smokie Norful and Kurt Carr. It was amazing to see them in person it would have been great to take a piece of them home with me. I watch these artists on BET but if I had access to a rewind button I would watch them over and over again.  My father is very ill and is unable to do anything for himself.  It would be wonderful for him to be able to watch these artists on DVD with my mother whenever he wants. It would give them both the opportunity to have church at home.

I witnessed Kirk Franklin in concert at the amphitheatre at Paramount Carowinds located in Charlotte, NC. I had always listened and purchased his music but this time I was really compelled to purchase The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. The ministry that flowed from this CD was phenomenal! I did not hear any of the songs until I went to the concert. I enjoy all genres of music.  However, gospel is what I was raised on. I am also a singer and I feel joy when I can use my talents to help someone else feel better. Just as Kirk has touched people's lives with his music, I also strive to continue to be a vessel used by God.

To order your copy of the Signature Series, visit www.praisecollection.com or call the Toll Free 1-888-721-0003.  For questions or comments regarding the Praise Collection DVD’s, email Gentry Richardson at gentry@praisecollection.com.