NBA Playoffs!!! I love this game!!! I'm watching the San Antonio Spurs fight to stay in the playoffs with Dallas. I'm hoping... I'm cheering...

We are planning another big event. It is called the "July Baby Birthday Bash!" The event is going to be a buffet dinner and a concert.

Oops! The Spurs just went up by 10 points on a steal by Tony Parker. Yahoo!!

Okay, back to business. We want to host the event at Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church Family Life Center... a gorgeous facility perfect for this type of event. We are inviting a couple of artists to open the evening. We will conclude with me, the singers and band doing a full concert - probably every song from the CD. The event will be a fund-raiser so there will be a cover charge. Tickets will be sold in advance. We want to really push the envelope with promoting the event. The funds raised from the event will be used to promote the CD. Marketing and promotion is very expensive.

Gosh!!! The lead has been cut down to three. Dallas is on a 7-0 run. Come on Spurs!!

So Saturday will be an interesting day. I've got a 7AM engagement at the Atlanta Bread Company in Virginia Beach near Lynhaven Mall. Then that evening I have an engagement at Gethsamene Community Fellowship Baptist Church. It's going to be exciting. I'm a little nervous about the 7AM event because it's going to be very different for me. I am doing an acoustic set by myself with no vocals or band or mic. Just me and a low volume keyboard singing to early morning patrons of the restaurant. It's a great opportunity to sell myself and the CD to a completely new audience.

The Spurs are making a run for it here in the fourth quarter. Up by six!!

The evening event will be pretty important as well. Several churches from the Tidewater area will be represented. This event can open several doors.

Throughout my growth as a minister of music I was always taught to see these opportunities as ministry and nothing else. Now I understand the necessity to seeing these matters through balances eyes. The most important thing is that God is glorified every time I pick up a microphone. The word of the Lord charges me to be a representative of the Kingdom of God. As the salt of the earth and the light of the world, my responsibility is to spread the seasoning and light of the Lord Jesus wherever I go. However, the word of the Lord also requires me to be a faithful steward over capital and opportunities. I am charged to be a good businessman. So, I have to look through balanced eyes and make sure each event is anointed, impressionable, spiritually effective and economically beneficial.

EERRRRR!! Dallas tied the game. Come on Spurs!!

So - lots and lots going on with me. Please keep me in your prayers that God's direction will always be clear to me.

Only 1:16 left in the game and the Spurs are up by one. I've got to watch this one. I'm still hoping... still cheering!!

Where do I start? I've got so much news to tell you about...

For starters, I signed the contract to perform at AFR'AM in Norfolk, VA on the Sunday before Memorial Day. It's a huge festival and will be my largest stage to date. I'll be on stage somewhere among Tye Tribbett, the Gospel Keynotes and Dottie Peoples. Big names, huh? I'll only have a few minutes to make a huge impression. I believe that we're ready for the challenge.

In our last rehearsal the vocalists sounded awesome!! The band is always on point but the vocals were blazing. I'm so impressed with how they've blended and how well they are singing.

On Monday, Sharon and I attended our first meeting with the GMWA Virginia GAG (Gospel Announcers Guild). These are the people that control Gospel radio in Virginia. It was an absolute pleasure. I learned a whole lot. But I also got a very wonderful surprise. I found out that "I'm Saved" is being played in rotation in Richmond, VA on WFTH - 1590 AM. It was also very interesting and educational to hear the perspective of these industry insiders on where Gospel music and Gospel radio is going. It appears that I am coming in at the perfect time. Radio stations are a lot more open to independents. Hallelujah!!

More great news!! This CD is making its way around the Contemporary Christian Radio arena. Salem Music Network has picked up "Holy Is The Lord" for their Sunday morning program on The Word In Praise. This is a show that broadcasts all over the country. Here in Virginia Beach, we get it on WWIP - 89.1 FM. I also got an email from - now, get this - K-LOVE. That's right, K-LOVE!! Someone sent my CD to them and they are reviewing it in consideration for their station. WOW. WOW! I mean... WOW!!!! Look at God!! Can you see Him moving?

July 22 will be my 42nd birthday. We are planning to have a "July Baby Birthday Bash!" It will be a big "worship party." There will be a wonderful buffet meal and plenty of great music. We want to open the night with a couple of artist that know how to lead people into worship, then I want to do a full concert with my band and singers. I want to honor all the attendees that were born in the month of July. We July Babies will represent!!! We looked at a facility today where we could accommodate the crowd that I believe we will have. The ticket price will be more than I'm used to charging but I believe we will be able to sell the idea based on the momentum we will have from the engagements prior to the event. Keep your ears open for this one. It's going to be so cool!!

Okay, I guess that's enough for tonight. I apologize for letting so much time pass since my last post. It's very busy right now but I will try my best to keep you even more informed.

Micah 7:8 says it all!!

Agape!