David Taylor / Interview / BlackGospel.com - Your Music Ministry Source! - March, 2006

Interview with David Taylor
March 2006, BlackGospel.com

In just a few days, a new and very exciting gospel project is scheduled for release, with the intentions of setting itself apart from the cumbersome marketplace. It’s entitled The New Soul. The company responsible for this undertaking, with a new vision, new mission and new promise for the music industry is RedeemedSoul.com.

The album - The New Soul – is a refreshingly good compilation album, highlighting a collection of fresh voices, masterful production and delightful tracks. The company – RedeemedSoul.com – is a record label and Christian-based company with noble intentions of changing the paradigm for partnerships between artists and its label representatives.

The chief architect behind this ambitious venture and company is its founder – David V. Taylor – a shrewd, diligent businessman with a high acumen for music, ministry and marketing applications. BLACKGOSPEL.COM spoke with this visionary for excellence. The conversation proved to be an illuminating discussion with a gentleman who’s destined to give a whole new definition to “Soul”.

Christopher Heron: David, let’s start with you. Since you’re the driving force behind this new label and roster of artists, I’d like to get a good feel for your vision and ministry in Gospel music. Where did your inspiration come from, with regards to the launch of RedeemedSoul.com and its first project – The New Soul? And what have you been doing over the years to prepare you for such a bold and ambitious undertaking?

David Taylor: God called me to start RedeemedSoul.com. Yes, it’s a business, but it’s also ministry because we’re creating and promoting music with the Gospel message. I really do have a love for gospel music, independent gospel artists, and marketing. So, through RedeemedSoul.com I’m able to focus on all three as part of God’s plan for my life. We’re aiming to be a different kind of record label. Our business model is different, our approach to marketing is different, and our “overall” musical sound is different—and this sound will continue to evolve. The New Soul CD will allow gospel music listeners to hear our difference.

The preparation stage leading up to the start of RedeemedSoul.com and to the launch of The New Soul is very interesting and complicated. If it had been up to me, we would have already launched several CD’s by now. But, I’ve been going through a very painful family transition over the last 3 years and things were delayed. But God! He saw fit to continue this ministry, and even to shape the overall focus of the label and the CD from what I had originally planned. That’s why the album title is so personal to me. “The New Soul”—it means a new spiritual life, a new person.

God can use the most challenging things that we face to remind us of our dependence on Him and to continue to mold us into the new man or new woman that He destines us to become in Christ. We feel that listening to this CD people will grow spiritually and some people will even come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That’s our focus. While I could talk about working for many years in marketing and sales for a Fortune 500 company, the real preparation has been the spiritual journey that God has been taking me through. Yes, this faith-walk was and still is the real preparation.

CH: One of the interesting promises outlined on the Home Page for your company (REDEEMEDSOUL.COM) is that through partnerships with Music Ministers and artists, “freedom” from many challenges inherent to the music industry is definitely attainable. What shackles do you believe exist within the music industry? And what do you believe Redeemed Soul has to offer to provide “freedom”?

DT: In starting the label, I asked a lot of industry people—artists and business personnel—a lot of questions. Everyone told me to do my best to treat the label’s artists well. I learned that most artists feel that the current system for calculating artist royalties doesn’t allow them to ever “get out the hole” since they have to pay back recording costs, marketing costs, and other expenses. Our business model does not require artists to recoup recording expenses. We create a business “partnership” with our artists. In the coming months, we’ll share other details about our different business model with the gospel music community.

CH: Congratulations on your first project – The New Soul. It sounds like an awesome project, above and beyond my expectations for a first release from a new label. There are a few interesting observations I care to mention. Firstly, it is an introductory album, spotlighting an array of unfamiliar but very talented artists on your label. And secondly, the music is primarily contemporary in format. Could you explain what was your thinking in introducing a variety of new talents on this album and creating a sound and style that is primarily contemporary?

DT: Our artists are Denise Tichenor, Lonna Hardin, and Katherine Alexander. Many in the industry, I’m sure, already know about Denise. She’s been one of the featured lead singers for Dr. Bobby Jones Nashville Super Choir for many years. She’s an incredible singer who sings with so much passion. Lonna and Katherine are relatively new to the gospel music industry, but can hold their own next to anyone. I really like how they’re really focused about pursuing their music ministry calling. I knew that putting Denise, Lonna, and Katherine together on one record—most would consider The New Soul a compilation CD—that something special would be created. And it has.

This CD features Denise’s passionate performance of the worship ballad “I Bow Down”, Lonna’s neo-soul vibe on “Tender Mercy”, and Katherine’s gospel-rendition of “Amazing Grace”. Add to this the guest contributions of Bridgette Campbell and some of Detroit’s hottest new gospel artists, and you’ve got a great sounding CD, The New Soul! I wanted one album that would spotlight all our artists’ talent. We’re also using The New Soul to set-up our artists’ individual album releases beginning in 2007.

As for the sound—RedeemedSoul.com is an “urban-soul” gospel label. Our overall musical sound is an urban/R&B vibe, but lyrically we deal with the Gospel message and with messages that reflect how to handle life issues God’s way.

CH: David, in conclusion could you let the listener know what they can anticipate with The New Soul?

DT: Expect to hear a great record—from the first track to the last track. Listeners of The New Soul will enjoy the praise and worship songs and will be encouraged by the songs offering hope for hurtful situations. Plus, there’s plenty of music to just vibe to! It’s simply a fun record to listen to over and over again.

For more information on the ministry and music featured on The New Soul album, visit the official website of the record company at www.redeemedsoul.com. You can submit your music, questions and feedback to David Taylor by emailing him at dtaylor@redeemedsoul.com.