print: Kevin Vasser - Interview (September 2006) | BlackGospel.com, Your Music Ministry Source!

Interview with Kevin Vasser
September 2006, BlackGospel.com by Christopher Heron

A new voice destined to leave an indelible impression on the Gospel frontier is EMI Gospel’s newest recording artist, Kevin Vasser. As a proud native of Chicago, Illinois and a former lead vocalist for Youth Edition, Kevin is one of Chicago’s finest vocalists, singing in front of congregations and Chicago legends since he was child.

His steady rise to recognition came first as a member of a male Contemporary quartet group that was Chi-town’s response to the alpha Contemporary Gospel all-stars - The Winans and Commissioned. Although Youth Edition was self-assured and vocally sharp, they were ultimately short-lived as recording artists. Yet, Kevin Vasser’s ministry was only now about to experience its genesis.

BlackGospel.com dialogued with Minister Vasser about his painful departure from his childhood group, his paralyzing illness that retooled his ministry and his many reasons for being So Glad today.

Christopher Heron: Like most Gospel music listeners, I have a lot of respect and admiration for Chicago’s gospel scene. The music comes from a place that’s so authentic and rich with texture. But I’d like for you to share with us what Chicago’s gospel music scene has meant to you over the years and who are some of the artists both within Chicago and across that county that influenced you both as a soloist today and as a member of Youth Edition back in 2000.

Kevin Vasser: Chicago is so rich with history, like you said. With Thomas Dorsey, Albertina Walker, the legendary Caravans and even more recently, The Tommies and Ricky Dillard & The New Generation Chorale. I definitely had a lot of respect for the late Milton Brunson. He was like a king to me, as far as the Tommies were concerned, at the height of their career. For me and the group, Youth Edition, in our early careers, we listened to the Winans and Commissioned. We were big fans of the Winans. A lot of times, when people heard us, you know they can hear the similarities a little bit. When you’re impacted by artists you know, you’re going to duplicate some of the things that they do. Even so, now in my solo career, I get a lot of comparisons to Marvin Winans and even Marvin Sapp, which I feel is a compliment.

The thing I love about Chicago is that so many artists have not experienced national exposure, so people don’t know about them, but in Chicago they’ve been doing their thing for years! I’m always excited that at any given time in this city, you can go to the musical and just hear somebody that is absolutely fabulous and doesn’t necessarily have that national name. That’s always a good thing.

The people I’ve always been affiliated with is the whole Gray family, which consists of New Direction, Chicago Mass Choir and Joshua Troop…those producers, Percy Gray and Gerald Gray are actually the producers on my record, so I’m a part of that musical family, and I’ve always been great fans of them.

CH: Let’s go back to the days of Youth Edition. It must have been an exciting time for you, your brother, Keith and your cousins, Reggie Tillmon and Van Moody. The group signed and recorded on a major label at the time - MCA. I have the album, Anything is Possible. With all that promise back in 2000, what happened to that potential ministry that would ultimately lead each of you in very different directions?

KV: Even with our 2000 release, we were still moving towards the end of our journey although a lot of people thought that we had just come out. We’ve been singing together ever since I was about five or six years old, so we had already been together over twelve or thirteen years. We originally wound up working with the independent label in Chicago. We won that opportunity through a local Gospel competition sponsored by a local radio station here; WGCI.

And from that record, we were able to walk into a major situation with MCA. But honestly, looking back, I felt like we were gospel singers signed to a secular label and marketing wise, I felt that they really didn’t know how to promote a gospel group, if that makes sense.

That wasn’t the perfect match that we were looking for. As far as me going in a different direction, I have to say it was God because I really wasn’t looking forward to doing it. It was nothing that I had been talking about. I think it just came through from personal tests and trials that I went through where I was really able to seek the voice of God and that was when he gave me direction on what I should do.

CH: Well could you share with us a little bit more about that particular time you felt in your spirit that you were being redirected towards a solo career. How much of an impact did that period of illness and being restored affect your outlook on ministry? And how difficult was it for you to eventually let go of Youth Edition and move in another direction you believe God was calling you towards?

KV: I could definitely say that it was one of the biggest steps in my life because Youth Edition was my family, my brother, some first cousins and my father was the manager. And God let me kind of walk away from all of that; so it was very hard for me in terms of leaving my comfort zone.

The illness that I suffered was a kidney failure. I’m not ashamed to share it. I really try to give my testimony as much as I can. I was diagnosed with kidney failure and was literally on my back in the hospital for a couple of weeks. There were other complications going on as far as with me finding out that I had it. Everything kind of just hit me at once, and it was during that time the Lord gave me instructions that there was going to be a shifting in my ministry. It’s not to say that there was anything wrong with Youth Edition, We are all still close, us being family and everything. Of course they had to get over the initial shock of me stepping away but it was just time for a new season in my life.

God gave me specific instructions to step out and do a live recording. I stepped out on faith and pretty much financed it on my own. And that was a big thing for me because at the time I really didn’t have the finances. But the Lord began to open some crazy doors for me. And that was just more confirmation that I was going on the right path. And from that recording, we were able to walk into the situation with EMI Gospel. What a lot of people don’t know is that the group, Youth Edition, were in discussions with EMI about signing as an artist, a year or so ago.

Previous to my deal it just seemed like we could never on one accord as far as trying to get the deal done and it wasn’t until (EMI Gospel President) Ken Pennell found out I was doing my solo album that another door opened. Ken is very much in touch with God and he felt it was the Lord letting him know that it was for me to sign with EMI Gospel and the rest is history.

CH: Your style, lyrical content and musical expression has certainly evolved over the last six years. Is it a reflection of your personal growth as an artist and person or is it maybe your musical influences and tastes have changed over the years? Or is it possibly, maybe a natural extension of your role as Director of Worship & Arts at your church?

KV: I would say it’s a combination of everything. I just think that I have slowly gone through a season as a gospel entertainer. I think earlier in my career that was my focus, just making sure that the people of God were entertained. And that was from years of just growing and being faithful to my local church, not just being a director. I’m actually an elder at my church and I preach the gospel as well. Having the personal conviction of making sure that the people of God are ministered to I think is really the main difference in what you see now in my ministry.

I don't believe in having a gift and going around singing to the nation and you're not planted in your local church. When you are in front industry people, it’s a totally different situation than just ministering before a regular church because, industry people will sit there and just check you out and sometimes that can be a little intimidating. But for me, I’m all about making sure that God is glorified. I don’t see it as just a cliché. Every Sunday you can find me in my church. I believe in being faithful to your local church. I don’t believe in having a gift and going around singing to the nation and you’re not planted in your own local church. I seriously believe that.

CH: It’s always exciting for an artist to release an album to the market place. It’s like giving birth after a long overdue pregnancy. What’s the biggest difference to you in terms of emotions and expectations you have for your new album - So Glad - versus six years ago with Anything Is Possible?

KV: My focus is very simple. I let the record company and my manager worry about sales. My goal is to make sure that somebody’s heart is touched and that somebody can see my testimony through this album. When I have someone come up to me and say that they connect with me on a ministry level and I was able to minister to them that says a lot more to me than anything else. What I’ve come to find out is that ministry goes a lot further. Right now that’s really where I want to be. I’m excited about EMI because it’s a label that really focuses on ministry and they’re really excited about making sure that my message is heard, as far as who I am and what I’ve been through and what I’m trying to share through my music, so I’m excited to be in a situation like this one.

CH: Now for those of us who are not worship leaders, could you share with us how your duties as a Director for Worship & Arts at your church, Fellowship Baptist in Chicago, is shaping and nurturing you music ministry and your relationship with God?

KV: I oversee a rather large music department and that allows me to stay on my knees and seek God for direction for the music department and make sure that we are on the level that we need to be as far as ministry is concerned. Anytime you’re in a leadership role it’ll make you seek God more because you’re constantly being challenged with various decisions. My passion has always been Praise & Worship. I was a Praise & Worship leader. That was my only duty when I was started at the church. I was on the Praise & Worship team and then, God just opened doors to oversee the whole music department. Praise & Worship is not just something that I do at church. It really is my lifestyle because we know worship is not just lifting your hands. Worship is simply a sacrifice. And so, I try to make sacrifices for the Kingdom. It has really lifted my relationship with God to another level and allowed me to see things for what they really are. At the end of the day, I believe the Lord is going to ask a lot of us singers, “I gave you some extra gifts. What did you do with those things to help add souls to the Kingdom?” I’m trying to make sure that when I have my conversation with God, He’ll be pleased and He’ll say, “Servant, well done.”

CH: One final question, Kevin. You mentioned that your new album -So Glad - was actually recorded before signing to EMI Gospel. In other words, the album wasn’t motivated by the possibility of joining the artist roster on this label. So tell us what inspired and motivated you to record this solo album? And what is your ultimate hope and prayer for all those who will listen to So Glad and experience Kevin Vasser for the very first time?

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KV: Well my motivation for recording So Glad was simply to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through music. I was convinced that my stepping out and doing it by faith meant I was ready to release it by myself, honestly. I was just obeying what God told me to do. And I think that is the key. I think that is what really opened the door for me at EMI Gospel. From a business point of view, you have to show record companies that you believe in yourself so much that you’re willing to invest in yourself. When you’re willing to do that, then you will get their attention.

Let’s be honest. In today’s market, everybody can sing, especially in Chicago. I was saying earlier it’s nothing new to find somebody that can sing but when you are able to invest in yourself and when you’re able to be anointed and do all those different things, I think that separates you from other artists. But for me, I’m just excited that I obeyed God. God opened the door for me to record and through that experience I was able to sign with EMI Gospel, which is a great thing for me. Nowadays, I just look at how my ministry can even be at a whole other level. And I look at So Glad as a great album to spread the word.

For more information on Kevin Vasser, visit the official website at www.kevinvasser.com. To contact Kevin Vasser regarding singing and preaching engagements, seminars or for general questions, you can email him at tiwide@aol.com or call 773-814-0853.