There's no place like home! There's no place in the world like home. Did you know that I am originally from Charleston, SC? I was born in Charleston. I lived there in the 60's and early 70's. It was a lot of fun. I remember on of my favorite things to do was to race cars with my playmates. However, our cars were simply old, discarded car tires that we found in the alleys. So we would race, rolling those car tires down the sidewalks as fast as we could - trying our best to keep them from rolling into the street or into someone's fence. Those were the days... when pickled pigfeet were a major industry at the corner store. And you could always find someone frying fish or steaming crabs or oysters. It was a simpler time. The neighborhood came together to raise the children. I remember one day I did something dangerously wrong (and I'll leave it at that) and "Mr. Chris" who was the owner of the corner store saw me. Well, he ran out of his store, called me over to him, took off his belt and wore me out. Then when my mom got home he told her and she wore me out some more. Of course, when my dad got home he heard it from my mom and... you guessed it... he wore me out, too. Yes, the entire neighborhood raised the children.

At the age of 10 we moved to a small town outside of Charleston called "Cainhoy." This was my father's hometown. I graduated from Cainhoy High School. "Go Tigers!" I learned to play the organ and began my musical journey. I played at all of the churches in the surrounding area, directed several choirs, started a couple of groups, and even had the pleasure of playing for my high school's Gospel Choir.

My mother was a pioneer. She was one of the very first black women to declare her call to ministry. She was the founder of Cainhoy Miracle Revival Center - which eventually grew into Miracle Revival Centers, Incorporated - a body of more than 15 churches. She was ordained to the office of Apostle on July 1st, 1973.

For my first promotional trip I had the privilege of going back home. It was so amazing to hang out in Charleston, Eutawville and Beaufort, South Carolina; places where my mother preached many sermons and ran many revivals. The reception was so wonderful. I had the opportunity to preach, sing, do a radio interview (thanks LJ and Bryant) and Sharon (my wife) and I even got to record a commercial with Bryant for one of their corporate customers.

My greatest memory from the SC trip was this... I taped the radio interview at about 11:00 Monday morning. It aired at about 2:00 PM. I called some of my friends and relatives so that they could tune it. To close out the interview, the station gave away one of my CDs. After the giveaway, they were playing another artists song. Then the announcer cut into the song with one of my cousins on the line - she's in her 70's. My cousin was just raving about how proud she was that her "little Mike" grew up and was doing something good for God. I was nearly in tears hearing her delight. It never crossed my mind that my seniors - the people that labored over my childishness and helped me get where I am today - would be so blessed by my accomplishment.

So, to my cousin Rosa and to all that helped me get to where I am today - I thank you. I wouldn't be who I am today without you. My mom and dad have already crossed over. But in you I feel their delight.

This has been an amazing ride. Through many fears and tears my wife and I have been able to bring to fruition a CD that we are very proud of. But, as an artist, my greatest fear is how people are going to react to my music.

My first great test was being invited to do a concert at a church that was not of my own ethnicity. I kinda' knew how to read an audience of my own culture - I would know how to adjust and win them over. But this was a room of more than 2000 people - about 95% of whom were of a different race and accustomed to a different style of music. And here I come with my band and singers, cranking out this Gospel influenced, Contemporary Christian music. These people were used to a "rock" feel and here we come with a gospel/R&B/Pop feel. But - they LOVED it! About 200 or more people came running to the front of the stage and they were there - hands up - jumping to the music for the whole concert. We were in there!

So, now was the real test. How would my culture respond to my music? We put together a release party - unlike any that has been done in this area. We had a $10 cover charge. We employed dancers, mime artists, the band and vocalists that did the live session as well as the studio overdubs. We got the word out via email, radio, and my website. I really feared we would have lost the momentum and anticipation of the public since we had already postponed our highly publicized first date by one month. But, to my great pleasure, people came in droves and packed the church!

The moment finally arrived and the energy and excitement in the room was so high, you'd think Kirk Franklin or Usher was expected to arrive. Once we kicked of the first song, people were up, clapping, cheering, screaming, dancing and celebrating. The party lasted for 85 minutes. It was non-stop excitement. Everything flowed beautifully. To seal it all, you could feel the powerful presence of God in the room. It was an awesome worship experience.

We adjourned to the reception where we had wonderful food for everyone. We dined on shrimp, scallops wrapped in bacon, fried chicken wings, chicken salad with crackers, meatballs, pasta salad, shrimp and crab-filled eggrolls, deviled eggs, cakes, sweets, punch, and more. We sold boxes of CDs - I haven't done my final numbers yet but I think it was more than 200. I signed probably 150 autographs. One person bought 30 CDs for her friends around the world.

So today is the day after the party and we have personally sold more than 14 CDs out of our home. The word is still spreading. But we are just getting started. Once we sell 5,000 units then I can relax a bit. Until then - "Hey, would you like to buy one of my CDs?"